The Boys Officially Avoids a Gen V Problem (Then Creates a New Teenage Supe Issue)

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After the first two episodes of The Boys Season 5, it’s clear the show is sidestepping a problem that plagued Gen V – but it’s also introducing a new storyline involving teenage superpowered individuals. These episodes pick up loose ends from Season 4’s finale, revealing what happened to Ashley Barrett after she used Compound V and whether Ryan went back to Homelander and Vought. We also see where the show’s heroes – or, more accurately, anti-heroes – are after Homelander’s power grab at the end of last season. Be warned: spoilers follow for Episodes 1 and 2 of The Boys Season 5.

So, the start of The Boys Season 5 quickly fills us in on what’s happening with all the original characters we know and love. It’s a bit strange though, because even though the trailer showed us characters from Gen V will be around, the show doesn’t really tell us anything about them! Starlight and A-Train briefly mention Marie and her team are having some success and were recently in Pittsburgh, but that’s it. It feels like the writers are aware of potential issues with how to integrate the Gen V storyline and are deliberately keeping them at a distance for now.

The Boys Season 5, Episodes 1 & 2 Don’t Let Gen V’s Cast Overshadow the Original Characters

Season 2 of Gen V seems to be setting up Marie and her fellow students to be important in the final season of The Boys. While it would be interesting to see the two groups working together, introducing these new characters too quickly could be a problem. If not done carefully, they might take over storylines that are already being developed for the main characters, potentially harming the conclusion of The Boys. The show needs to carefully balance the two casts to ensure everyone gets a satisfying ending.

Based on the first two episodes, the show is successfully handling its approach. By temporarily shifting focus away from Marie and the Gen V characters, it keeps the spotlight where it belongs: on the main team and their battle against Homelander. Marie’s abilities might become important in eventually defeating Homelander, but the core team should remain central to the story. The supporting characters from the original series also deserve more attention than those from Gen V – particularly considering the limited interaction between the two groups so far.

The Season 5 Premiere Creates a Teenage Supe Issue Separate From Gen V

Season 5 of The Boys is doing a good job of handling its main storylines while also setting up connections to the show Gen V, but the latest episode introduces a new complication: another group of teenage superheroes. Episode 2 features ‘Teenage Kix,’ a team that appears to be a parody of the Teen Titans. Butcher sees one member, Rock Hard, as a good test subject for the virus, hoping it will show if it can affect Homelander. The Boys attack Teenage Kix’s base, killing two of the supes with the virus, but MM shows mercy to Countess Crow, and Sheline remains free.

Okay, so as a huge fan, I’m a little surprised by the whole Teenage Kix storyline in Season 5 of The Boys. The show already has so much going on, and adding new characters feels… unnecessary. They quickly dealt with one half of the duo, but I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of Sheline and Countess Crow, which is a bit much considering how many conflicts are already brewing! Honestly, even integrating the Gen V crew feels like a big ask, but I actually like those characters, so I’m hoping they can pull it off!

The Boys Isn’t in the Clear With Its Gen V Connection Either

While the first two episodes of The Boys Season 5 successfully address the connection to Gen V, the show still needs to tread carefully. Introducing Marie and other Gen V characters requires nuance, particularly since Marie is established as a potentially powerful supe, comparable to Homelander. Though her abilities could be key to defeating Homelander, it would be disappointing if she simply appeared and resolved the conflict, given how separate Gen V and The Boys have been. The ongoing conflict between Homelander and Butcher, Starlight’s fight against Vought, and the internal struggles within Vought itself should remain the primary focus. Having Marie immediately defeat Homelander would diminish those important storylines, and the show needs to avoid that as it approaches its conclusion.

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2026-04-12 23:40