Gen V Season 2 Is Bigger, Bloodier & Might Be Even Better Than The Boys (Review)

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Now in its second season, *Gen V* is even more impressive than its first. As a spin-off of *The Boys*, it faced a challenge: how could it satirize the oversaturation of superhero franchises while *also* becoming one itself? Luckily, it pulled it off. *Gen V* successfully connects to the world of *The Boys* but establishes its own identity with compelling characters, original storylines, and inventive superpowers, offering both familiarity and something new.

Season 2 of *Gen V* faces a unique challenge: it connects to both the end of *The Boys* Season 4 and sets up storylines for Season 5, which can sometimes limit its own storytelling. However, the season successfully balances these connections with its own character development and expands the world of superheroes. The main story follows Marie Moreau, Jordan Li, and Emma Meyer as they return to God U after being imprisoned, and introduces a new, enigmatic Dean named Cipher.

The new show likely won’t reach the same iconic status as *The Boys* – that series became a cultural phenomenon, especially with a compelling character like Homelander. But that’s okay. Having seen all of *Gen V* Season 2, I actually think it’s potentially even stronger, in certain aspects.

Rating: 4/5

Pros Cons
It poignantly honors Chance Perdomo’s legacy Some of the pacing is off
The characters are entertaining, complex, and make you emotionally invested A little too much setup for The Boys Season 5
A varied, creative array of superpowers and some great fight scenes
Strong performances from the cast, particularly Maddie Phillips and Sean Patrick Thomas

Gen V Honors Chance Perdomo’s Legacy

Chance Perdomo was a key part of the show *Gen V*, playing the character Andre Anderson in Season 1. He truly stood out, and it wasn’t just Andre’s power over magnetism that captivated audiences – Perdomo himself had a remarkable presence. Sadly, Perdomo passed away in a motorcycle accident before Season 2 could begin, and the showrunners have chosen not to replace him in the role.

Andre’s presence – and that of the actor who played him – continues to be a major force in Season 2. What happens to his character, and the impact he leaves behind, are central to many of the season’s storylines. Even more importantly, this creates a deep emotional core for the show. *Gen V* realistically explores all the different ways people experience grief – sadness, confusion, and anger – and it’s genuinely touching. This is especially true for Andre’s father, Polarity, who takes on a larger role and becomes a central figure in the series. It’s clear the cast and crew faced immense challenges, but they handled everything with sensitivity and respect, honoring both the character and the actor who played him.

Gen V’s Character Development (Mostly) Beats The Boys

One of the main reasons *The Boys* became so popular is its memorable characters – they’re funny, over-the-top, and cleverly poke fun at typical superhero stories. *Gen V*’s characters aren’t quite as flashy, but that makes them feel more realistic and relatable. Since the show centers around their experiences in a (superpowered) school setting, we get to see them develop and change in meaningful ways.

The characters, especially in the second season, are much more complex and I find myself more emotionally connected to them than to most of the characters in *The Boys*. The loss of Andre definitely plays a role in this, affecting everyone differently, but the show also explores their development in other ways. The lead character, Marie, is particularly well-developed, and the show does a fantastic job of examining her relationships, her heroic qualities, and the weight of her power. It really delves into how far she’s willing to go to protect those she cares about.

While the story focuses on Jordan and Marie, other characters have their moments, though some are more impactful than others. Emma, also known as Little Cricket, remains a consistently charming and funny character, and her scenes with Polarity are particularly touching. However, she doesn’t get as much opportunity to develop as some of the others. Sam Riordan’s storyline feels a bit predictable, especially when compared to the growth of Jordan and Marie. Hamish Linklater delivers another strong performance as Dean Cipher, a mysterious and compelling figure. As expected, Linklater, known from *Midnight Mass*, makes him both intriguing and subtly menacing.

But the strongest part of the show is definitely Cate. She’s the most interesting and well-developed character, and Maddie Phillips plays her brilliantly, bringing subtle details and unexpected depth. Her storyline, along with Polarity’s, was the most satisfying to watch throughout Season 2.

Gen V Season 2 Further Pushes Its Superpowered Action (& Gross-Out Humor)

When it comes to shocking violence and crude humor, it’s hard to top *The Boys*, but *Gen V* is giving it a run for its money. Season 2 doesn’t hold back – it revels in the graphic gore, creating moments that are both disturbing and surprisingly funny.

Season 2 really shines with its use of superpowers, something I already enjoyed in Season 1. The show’s world allows for even more imaginative and unusual powers than *The Boys*, often because they don’t need to be overwhelmingly strong. This continues in the new season, and many powers are used for comedic effect – there’s a scene that will make you question human anatomy, and another that will change how you see garden gnomes forever! But the powers aren’t just for laughs; they also contribute to the show’s story and explore themes like the worth of seemingly useless abilities and the danger of underestimating anyone.

The show also showcases some truly amazing superpowers. A villain who fights like Thor, using only a hammer, leads to exciting action scenes, and the mind control abilities are particularly impressive. Marie’s powers are growing, and the promotion for Season 2 suggests she could rival Homelander in strength. While we haven’t seen a direct fight between them yet, the show makes a convincing case that she’s capable of it.

The Boys Season 5 Setup Occasionally Gets In The Way

The show generally maintains its own identity, but it increasingly feels like it’s also meant to set up future events for *The Boys*. Characters from that series appear, and while some, like The Deep, are mostly for comic relief, others, such as Starlight, play a significant role in the overarching story. These appearances aren’t unwelcome, but I’d prefer the shows remain more distinct, as I tune in for *this* show’s characters – *The Boys* is where I go for theirs.

The way certain plot points unfold in *Gen V* Season 2 makes it feel crucial for understanding Season 5 of *The Boys*, rather than just a side story. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it sometimes distracts from *Gen V’s* own developing narratives. Some storylines feel rushed, jumping quickly from one important event to the next without fully developing. Issues like the growing distrust of supes and the Starlighters’ rebellion are borrowed from *The Boys*, but don’t get enough focus within *Gen V* to feel fully integrated, and that takes away from the more central plots. It’s a shame, because the show shines in its quieter moments, when the characters are allowed to simply be teenagers, and those moments are sometimes overshadowed by the larger, world-threatening events.

Despite a small criticism, it’s still exciting to see where *The Boys* Season 5 will go with these recent developments. And with it being the last season, it will also be interesting to watch how *Gen V* Season 3 (if it gets renewed) continues the story. What’s most important is that *Gen V* stands on its own and doesn’t need *The Boys* to be successful. If it maintains this level of quality, it has a promising future.

The first three episodes of *Gen V* Season 2 will premiere on Prime Video on Wednesday, September 17th, with new episodes dropping each week after that.

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2025-09-15 19:17