The Boys Season 5, Episode 2’s Soldier Boy Ending Twist Changes Everything for Homelander & Butcher

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The fifth season of The Boys kicks off with a lot of unexpected turns, including a major reveal involving Soldier Boy that will significantly impact the rest of the season. Knowing this is the final season, the show doesn’t hold back. The central conflict between Homelander and Butcher is immediately front and center, and with a shocking death and several other surprises already revealed, the season is starting strong. (Spoiler alert!)

Wow, after A-Train’s death in the first episode of The Boys Season 5, I definitely didn’t expect what happened at the end of episode two! It looked like Soldier Boy was a goner too – the Supe-killing virus really seemed to hit him hard, and even Homelander thought it had worked. I was completely shocked when, right before the credits rolled, Soldier Boy just sat up! It reminded me of the Undertaker – totally unexpected and creepy. I can’t believe he survived!

How Did Soldier Boy Survive The Supe-Killing Virus?

Fans speculated whether Soldier Boy might return as a zombie after his apparent death, but showrunner Eric Kripke has confirmed he’s actually still alive. This leaves viewers wondering how he managed to survive an attack that could potentially kill even the powerful Homelander.

The explanation for this likely lies with V-One, or V1 – the original version of Compound V given to heroes like Soldier Boy and Stormfront. Interestingly, both of these characters will appear in The Boys’ upcoming prequel, Vought Rising, which is set in the 1950s. Unlike later versions of Compound V, V1 essentially made its recipients immortal – they didn’t age, unlike even Homelander, who was preoccupied with his own mortality in Season 4.

The Supe Virus was created with the standard version of Compound V, not the modified V1. This could explain why Soldier Boy lived while other very strong characters, such as Rock Hard, didn’t survive.

Soldier Boy’s Survival Sets Up A Race For V-One Between Butcher & Homelander

During the same interview, Kripke revealed that the source of Soldier Boy’s invulnerability will be the central mystery driving Season 5 of The Boys, sparking a competition between Homelander and Butcher. This idea is strengthened by the belief that both will discover V-One is the key – Homelander needs it to stay alive, while Butcher wants it to destroy him. The Season 5 trailer already showed Homelander searching for V1 and seemingly collaborating with Sister Sage to produce it, and Kripke’s statement clarifies the reason behind this alliance.

If Butcher and his team, The Boys, could secure V1 before Homelander, it would offer two key benefits. First, it would protect them – Butcher, Kimiko, Starlight, and others – from the virus itself, eliminating the danger of using it (since it doesn’t harm regular humans). Second, it would allow Dr. Shah to potentially create a new, even more powerful virus, one that could finally kill Homelander.

If Homelander could get a pure form of V-One into his system, he would become effectively immortal. Although he’s a survivor of the original, flawed Project Odessa (along with Marie Moreau), the V-One he has isn’t quite enough to make him truly immortal. The most likely way to get it would be from Soldier Boy, and Sage probably has the ability to recreate V-One from his blood – though convincing Soldier Boy to donate might be difficult.

Will Soldier Boy Turn Against Homelander Now?

Homelander essentially tried to kill Soldier Boy, and now that Soldier Boy has survived, he’s likely aware of it. They already had a difficult relationship, and this near-death experience probably won’t improve things. Despite this, trailers suggest Soldier Boy will continue to side with Homelander for now, as they’re seen together at a hospital. This could be related to their search for immortality through V-One, but it’s unclear if Soldier Boy will eventually betray Homelander.

New episodes of The Boys release on Wednesdays on Prime Video.

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2026-04-09 19:16