The Boys Just Ruined Its Best Redemption Arc (& Now I’m Worried About Season 5)

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The show The Boys is known for focusing on truly awful people. At the top of that list is Homelander, the most powerful superhero and the leader of The Seven. Although Vought International tries to present The Seven as a cohesive team, Homelander is actually in control. Anyone who displeases him risks serious consequences, so he tends to surround himself with easily manipulated people. A prime example is The Deep, who is easily provoked and lacks strong convictions.

However, a small number of people are brave enough to oppose Homelander, even if only in secret. A-Train, for instance, gets fed up with Vought and begins secretly providing information to The Boys, hoping to sabotage his bosses. While his journey toward making amends is remarkable, he hasn’t done it alone. Sadly, it appears the show is moving away from the idea of another significant character changing their ways.

The Boys‘ Season 5 Trailer Reveals Ashley Barrett’s New Status Quo

At the beginning of The Boys, Ashley Barrett faces a particularly tough climb. She starts as Madelyn Stillwell’s assistant, essentially cleaning up after Vought’s superheroes, and is often mistreated by them, including Homelander. However, she eventually proves her worth and rises through the ranks, ultimately achieving a position of power within Vought. Though largely a symbolic figure, she enjoys a comfortable life until Homelander begins to see her – and others – as expendable. In an attempt to protect herself, Ashley forms an alliance with A-Train.

At the end of the previous season of The Boys, A-Train tried to escape Vought, inviting Ashley to join him, but she refused and instead injected herself with Compound V, leaving her in bad shape. The trailer for Season 5 shows a surprising change: Ashley now appears to be the White House press secretary under Homelander’s rule. While this new position suits her unpleasant personality, it’s disheartening to see her seemingly abandon her previous attempts at redemption, and this isn’t the only unexpected turn the final season has in store.

Ashley’s Redemption Arc Isn’t the Only Angle Being Dropped in The Boys‘ Final Season

There’s still a chance Ashley might play a key role in stopping Homelander, perhaps by working against him from within. It’s unlikely, but not impossible. However, Billy Butcher’s dramatic vow to destroy everything has clearly had no lasting impact. In the Season 4 finale, Billy shockingly killed Victoria Neuman, jeopardizing their attempts at a deal. Hughie and the team, understandably angry, let Billy leave, determined to move forward without him.

The latest trailer for The Boys shows the band reuniting, and surprisingly, there doesn’t seem to be any lingering animosity. While a reconciliation between Hughie and Billy was expected, it felt like it would be a difficult process. However, Prime Video seems to be quickly resolving conflicts, with characters forgiving each other too easily, which undermines the tension of the show.

The Boys Season 5 starts streaming on Prime Video on April 8, 2026.

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2025-12-11 18:43