Abhiroop Das
Co-created by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Michael Jonathan Smith, Peacock’s ‘Twisted Metal‘ follows a post-apocalyptic world where cities have walled themselves up to keep the downtrodden at bay. The only form of transit in these risky terrains is undertaken by specialized drivers such as the protagonist, John Doe. Over the course of two seasons, he makes new friends and foes, finding love and family in the form of Quiet and his sister, Krista. However, when a mysterious racing tournament is announced, ripples begin to spread all over the world, and a host of talented but eccentric drivers chime in. John and Quiet do not back down either, and a full-on battle royale ensues. While the third season of this adventurous ride has not been greenlit as of writing, Michael Jonathan Smith has expressed his interest in continuing the show, and in the best-case scenario, one can expect a sequel as early as 2027.
Season 3 of Twisted Metal Will Likely Follow John and Quiet on the Run
The sophomore season ends with a twist that turns all victories into losses. With John and Quiet now framed for an act of terrorism, all insider governments are after them. This manhunt also veils their real motivation, an all-out erasure of the outsider population. To that end, the narrative is likely to continue that thread, with the duo and Mayhem passing one hurdle after another. The inclusion of Stu in their teams can be both a blessing and a curse, as while he adds an edge to their offensive prowess, he is quite the loose cannon himself, and might contribute to worsening the situation. A large chunk of the sequel can also be expected to follow Dollface AKA Krista’s journey, given that she has now transformed into Calypso’s murder puppet. Whether she regains her senses and reunites with her brother might shape up to be a defining question.
In the finale, John also vows to take revenge for his sister’s fate by killing Calypso, the mysterious businessman who has been pulling the strings all along. As the Twisted Metal Race is already over, he has most probably returned to a life of shadows, and locating him will prove to be difficult. The fact that he possesses supernatural powers is bound to make matters worse, and the protagonists find themselves in realms they are seriously unprepared for. There are also more characters returning to the equation, as Sweet Tooth is confirmed to have survived the final round. We last see him reuniting with his long-lost father, and the two make their way into the Eastern Sovereignty region. A new setting brings with it a whole world of possibilities, and with Sweet Tooth’s father possibly being a notch scarier, John and his team’s fight is far from over.
Season 3 of Long Story Short Can Double Down on the Character Drama
A line running through all participants of the Twisted Metal race is the subversion of their initial wishes. Despite not winning, both John and Quiet get a distorted version of their wishes fulfilled. As such, John’s arc from hereon out is likely to be defined by how he reacts to his sister’s fate. Given that he has just started to acclimatize to a life of peace, Calypso’s malevolent plans are bound to put a crack in his psyche. Whether he recovers his memories depends entirely on how he deals with his inner demons. Quiet is on a similar plane, with the promise she made to the Doll Gang, of breaking down all walls, is still unfinished. This fight is thus bound to attain a personal character for her and Mayhem. The latter is finally close to actualizing the family she has always dreamed of, and will not give up on it without a fight.
Stu has had the most drastic transformation over the course of two seasons, going from a timid, innocent insider to a full-on murderer who has somehow retained a heart of gold. An extended period of isolation helped him realize that he has always looked for a tether in other people, be it Mike or Sweet Tooth. As such, his arc from hereon out is bound to be one of self-dependence, learning to carve out his own path in the face of external pressure. This contrasts with the journey of Sweet Tooth, who has finally met his match in the form of his family. The clown’s murderous streak is unlikely to ease out, but he might have learned from his experiences and transformed into a thinking brute. The fate of Axel is still up in the air, but the fact that he is Mayhem’s long-lost adoptive father suggests that he might have more to offer to the story.
Season 3 of Twisted Metal Might See a Cast Reset
The narrative structure of ‘Twisted Metal’ means that every new arc resets the plot on some level. However, the core cast of the show is likely to remain consistent. As such, Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Saylor Bell Curda, Mike Mitchell, and Samoa Joe can be expected to reprise their roles as John Doe, Quiet, Mayhem, Stu, and Sweet Tooth, respectively. The same can be said for the actor Tiana Okoye, whose surprise reentry in the finale suggests that she will have a continued presence in the potential sequel. Anthony Carrigan’s stellar portrayal of Calypso adds zest to the larger plot threads of the show, and there is a strong possibility of him returning as the grand antagonist. While Axel’s fate remains largely uncertain, actor Michael James Shaw might find himself stepping into the role once again.
Given that the eponymous Twisted Metal race has concluded, many of its participants are unlikely to return to the fray. As such, some of the fan favourites, such as Mr. Grimm, Frostbite, and Vermin, who are essayed by Richard De Clerk, Katherine East, and Lisa Gilroy, respectively, might not feature in the possible third season. Patty Guggenheim’s character, Raven, leaves things on an ambiguous note, and the actor can potentially find her way back into the show, adding a comedic flair to the story. The deaths of Ashley and Jeremy, two core members of the Doll Gang, mean that actors Nikki Duval and Dan Beirne are unlikely to reprise their roles. However, the sequel might see an increased presence of Insiders, with several new actors joining in and enriching the narrative.
Read More: Is Dollface Dead or Alive? Is Tiana Okoye Leaving Twisted Metal?
