What Happened to Ryan in The Boys Season 5, Episode 3’s Ending Explained

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Ryan Butcher is back in Season 5, Episode 3 of The Boys, after being absent from the first two episodes. The episode, titled “Every One of You Sons of B*tches,” gives him a significant role and introduces some important plot points that could be key to how the Prime Video series concludes. Be warned: Major spoilers ahead!

When Ryan comes back, he reconnects with Billy Butcher, who has a dangerous plan. Butcher wants to use Ryan as bait to draw out Homelander, hoping to infect him with a virus that kills Supes before Homelander can get his hands on a powerful compound called V1. The plan would cost both Butchers their lives, but Billy convinces Ryan to participate by appealing to their shared history – they both loved Becca and despise Victoria Neuman. Ryan reluctantly agrees, but everything falls apart when Dr. Sameer Shah destroys the virus. He discovers his daughter, Zoe, is still alive and learns that Butcher was responsible for the death of her mother, Victoria Neuman, at the end of Season 4.

Undeterred, Ryan confronts his father directly. He manages to land a few hits at first, but Homelander quickly becomes enraged and brutally overpowers him. He relentlessly attacks Ryan, leaving him unconscious and where Butcher eventually discovers him at the episode’s conclusion.

Did Homelander Kill Ryan In The Boys Season 5, Episode 3?

Thankfully, Ryan survived. It’s a quick moment, but Butcher notices Ryan is still breathing at the end of the episode, meaning he’s alive, though barely. It’s still unclear whether Homelander intentionally left Ryan alive, or if he thought he’d killed him. We’ll likely find out more in the next episode, but it seems more probable that Homelander left him alive on purpose.

Homelander is on a dangerous course, influenced by his fascination with Madelyn Stillwell (Elisabeth Shue), but the show also reveals his longing for love and family. He initially welcomes Ryan’s arrival, thinking it’s a chance to reconnect, but his actions are unpredictable – he recently sent his own father, Soldier Boy, into a potentially deadly situation, and as Homelander, he’s capable of anything.

Homelander May Regret Not Killing His Son

It’s remarkable that Ryan survived Homelander’s relentless punches, regardless of whether Homelander intended to kill him. Antony Starr’s character didn’t seem to be holding back at all, meaning Ryan endured some incredibly powerful hits, even if he couldn’t defeat Homelander. Importantly, Ryan also managed to injure Homelander, which previously only Queen Maeve had accomplished.

Okay, so Ryan just took a serious beating, but honestly, it really underscored just how much potential he has in The Boys. We’ve always suspected he’s the one destined to take down Homelander – given they share the same powers, it makes a ton of sense. It’s a departure from the source material, sure, but it feels very on-brand for the show to have him finally confront and defeat the man who… well, let’s just say has complicated family ties. Seeing him get his butt kicked will likely fuel his training and make him even more determined to come back stronger. It’s a classic trope – the hero falls before they rise – and it’s playing out perfectly here, setting up a really compelling future showdown.

However, there’s a strong case against Ryan being the one to do it. He’s still a child who has already suffered a great deal and been exposed to too much hardship, instead of just enjoying his childhood. Now, he’s being manipulated in Butcher’s fight with Homelander, and while the goal is understandable, forcing him to kill his own father would destroy his innocence and forever alter his life. It’s entirely possible Ryan won’t be the one to end Homelander, or might even choose to spare him, especially considering the possibility that Homelander could lose his powers.

No matter what happens, I’m pretty sure we’re going to see Ryan and Homelander face off again. And honestly, even if they both survive, I think Homelander’s going to wish he’d finished things with his son when he had the opportunity. It just feels like that’s going to come back to haunt him.

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

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2026-04-15 19:11