Warning: Spoilers included from the fifth episode of The Boys season 4.
Superpowered farm animals, and some good old-fashioned family bonding.
Phase 7-10 Confirmed
Kicking off the latest episode of The Boys, in true mockery fashion we enter the V-52 Expo. Clearly homaging the popular big name conventions such as San Diego Comic-Con or New York Comic-Con in our world where major motion picture studios (in this case Marvel Studios, Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony Pictures) typically tend to announce their upcoming slate of film projects, specifically catered to the superhero genre. While poking fun at this concept, it continues a satirical trend The Boys resumes and shines a light on where the superhero genre of storytelling currently stands. Throughout the expo, The Deep & VNN’s anchor Cameron Coleman are announcing projects on stage with some tension between the two. Also making a surprise appearance from Gen-V, are Cate Dunlap and Sam Riordan playing along with the Vought machine by breifly talking about their own spin-off film in this in-universe cinematic universe. (Which is humorous in a very meta way)
Studio Leaks
While corporate politics are often a point of contention in the real world, The Boys manages to strike an amusing balance by cross-pollinating super heroics and merchandising businesses that resonate authentically. During the expo, Sister Sage tells A-Train that the leaker has yet to be discovered. Even though A-Train offers assistance in finding the leaker, Sage gives A-Train a very peculiar look that would lead the audience to believe she knows it’s him. A-Train then finds Ashley and both conclude that they need to cover their tracks to prevent being ousted as the ones giving away Homelander’s current machinations inside Vought to Marvin and the rest of the crew.
Family Reunion
Elsewhere, Butcher (finally) reveals to the crew the existence of a virus that can kill superpowered beings. However, it lies in the hands of one Victoria Neuman. This leads the gang to forge an unlikely alliance with the former CEO and paternal figure to Neuman, Stan Edgar (played by Giancarlo Esposito) who is currently serving prison time. After finding out Neuman used Compound-V on her daughter, Edgar agrees to aid the crew in their search for the virus. This leads us to the farmhouse in the snow, but to nobody’s surprise, Neuman shows up and is looking for the scientist, and father of Zoe, Sameer. Both parties agree to search for the scientist and the virus but stumble upon something far more sinister.
Super Pets
The farm is exposed as an animal lab with plenty of farm life being turned into superpowered creatures by experimentation of the virus. Between superpowered chickens bludgeoning through people, and flying deadly sheep tearing individuals apart, the showcase of utter mayhem continues to reinforce just how much unpredictable carnage and visceral bloodshed The Boys continues to benefit from. Upon finding Sameer, only one syringe with the virus is left for the taking. Everyone involved chooses to save their own lives as opposed to trying to fend off the super sheep who are willing to tear everyone limb from limb. The sequences at the frosted animal farm lab offer both hilarious moments and tense character moments that test certain individuals and how far some are willing to go to achieve their goals. Especially Butcher who fakes Sameer’s death by cutting off one of his legs and forces him to become a new lab rat to create a new version of the virus. It could likely be synthesized to use against Homelander, however, I think it will ultimately be used on Victoria by the end of the season, possibly next season if Neuman manages to survive the rest of this season.
My Wee Hughie
Throughout the episode, Hughie also gets some time back with both his parents. Once the compound V revitalizes Hugh Sr. all seems well. Except it’s not. Hugh Sr. displays the ability to phase through physical objects and walls. This also comes with another unfortunate side effect, which is common after a stroke – memory loss. While it starts mildly, then gradually increases and becomes worse as the episode progresses. After unintentionally killing people, and having a heartfelt conversation with Hughie about learning to let go, Hughie comes to the only conclusion – his father has to die. In his dying moments, Hugh Sr. calls Hughie “My Wee Hughie” which, is a nod to The Boys comic book, in which Billy Butcher often refers to Hughie as “Wee Hughie”. This is also another interesting nod because Hughie in the comics is based on Simon Pegg, the actor portraying Hugh Sr. After an intense rollercoaster of a relationship between Hughie and his father through the series, this final sendoff for Pegg’s character was truly a shining moment of heart that does simmer through on this show from time to time.
What Else Can Go Wrong?
With only three episodes left in the season, this episode ends with Homelander declaring The Seven must now act as wrathful Gods against humanity. By using reverse psychology in a very manipulative way, it seems Ryan is taking to heart what his father is teaching him based on what Homelander experienced in his past, which is a twisted diabolical way of turning Ryan into exactly what Homelander wants. The next Homelander. Meanwhile, Frenchie turned himself in for committing murder, Neuman is still on the ballot to become vice president of America, and Butcher’s tumor clock is still ticking (but it might also be the thing that saved him in the previous episode during his blackout). This anticipation for this series continues to grow each week, which is exactly why The Boys is often one of the most talked about shows of the year each time a new season debuts. Eric Kripke has stated that the show will end with a fifth and final season, but that still doesn’t stop him and the rest of the crew from telling compelling impactful stories that leave us shocked, but also all up in our feelings from time to time.
New episodes of The Boys premiere on Thursdays on Prime Video.