TV Review: A Strong Finale Saves Season 4 Of ‘The Boys’
by Frank Martin
After a strong first couple of episodes, it wasn’t clear if The Boys was going to end this season on a strong note. There was plenty of filler and plot lines that didn’t have the punch seen in previous seasons. But in typical Boys fashion, this Season 4 ended with a lot of drama, fighting, and a setup for a final year that is sure to make fans happy. Not to mention: this season also wrapped up in a very eerie way as the show manages to perfectly encapsulate today’s political climate while also portraying a fresh take on the superhero genre.
With the shapeshifter taking Starlight’s (Erin Moriarty) form, the Boys move the president to a safe house without knowing they are just putting him in more danger. Hughie (Jack Quaid) is able to figure out that she is the shapeshifter, causing them to attack. But Starlight frees herself and takes the shapeshifter on, saving the day. Meanwhile, Neuman (Claudia Doumit) realizes that she is in over her head with Homelander (Antony Starr) and contacts Hughie to turn to his side. Unfortunately, Butcher (Karl Urban) embraces his monstrous form and kills her while also taking the virus that could possibly kill Homelander.
There was a lot of action — and surprises — this episode, saving the year from a lackluster middle. It helped the audience to know there is only one batch of episodes left, as this ended on a pretty precarious note. All of the Boys were arrested, and now that Homelander is fully in charge of the government, a new dynamic begins. Homelander has always been powerful, but now he’s trying to accumulate a different kind of strength. This is something they really haven’t faced before, so it’ll be interesting to see how it unfolds next season, especially with the surprise post-credit scene revealing Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles) is still alive.
The Boys is now streaming on Amazon Prime.