Peacemaker Teases A Potential Threat Even Worse Than The Butterflies

Warning: Contains spoilers for Peacemaker episodes 1-4.

The butterflies introduced in Peacemaker are apparently a threat to the DCEU, but an even worse menace is brewing in Arkham and Belle Reve. Chris Smith, a.k.a. Peacemaker, has been chosen to deal with a mysterious species of what seems to be a butterfly-like parasite. How these creatures really are and why Peacemaker was picked for the job has been kept secret from the anti-hero, but the dangerous nature of the butterflies is evident. However, the butterflies appear to be peaceful until provoked, which adds another layer of mystery to Peacemaker's mission.

On top of that, Peacemaker episode 4 revealed that Clemson Murn is a butterfly in disguise, putting his real motivations into question. And if a possible conspiracy of alien invaders weren't enough, Auggie Smith has returned to prison, where he is once again praised by his fellow white supremacists. Peacemaker clearly has a lot on his plate. Yet, a throwaway line in Peacemaker episode 2 suggests the worst is yet to come for Chris Smith, and possibly, for other DCEU heroes.

When Auggie Smith arrives in prison, Detective Sophie Song remarked that "capes" are usually sent to Arkham or Belle Reeve. Her colleague tells her that "the system is overcrowded", which suggests that the DCEU is experiencing an uncommon influx of supervillains during the events of Peacemaker. To make matters worse, Auggie Smith proved how much influence he still has in prison, throwing orders at the guards and receiving special treatment from other inmates. If a twisted but minor supervillain like the White Dragon can still return to his old ways in prison even after years in retirement, it's safe to say that whoever is held at Arkham or Belle Reve can easily conspire with many other supervillains inside.

Belle Reve in the DCEU and Arkham Asylum Prisoners

Most importantly, there's also the possibility of a simultaneous mass escape in both prisons. The show's place in DCEU continuity is left up to the audience's interpretation, but considering obscure characters like Bat-Mite exist in Peacemaker's DC universe, it could be deduced that countless supervillains such as Scarecrow, Bane, Joker, Poison Ivy, and Mr. Freeze can escape from Arkham and start wreaking havoc. Each of them would likely have their own agenda, and it would take more than one superhero to perform damage control. Like in many DC universes, a mass escape from Arkham is presumably a common occurrence in the DCEU, but the possibility of Arkham and Belle Reeve collapsing at the same time is sure to overwhelm Batman himself.

Peacemaker has shown how densely populated the DCEU really is. Characters like Matter-Eater Lad and Doll Man can remain active without the general public knowing about them, and Amanda Waller was ready to let The Suicide Squad. With the mysterious butterflies seemingly inhabiting the whole world and the United States' most secure prisons about to burst open, one can't help but wonder when the Justice League will finally have to go on a new mission to save the world from falling apart all at once.

More: Peacemaker Episodes 4 Asks 6 Questions About DCEU Heroes & Villains