‘Gen V’ Season 1 Review – An Explosive And Wildly Addictive First Semester

In the universe of The Boys or the Voughtverse, the world is manipulated by Vought, its investors, and the supes they control. After 3 seasons of corruption, power grabs, and lies, nothing is ever as it seems. In fact, it’s usually worse. Now, if you thought that things couldn’t get any more twisted and diabolical, you haven’t been paying attention. Just wait until you step into the hallways of Godolkin University.

What is Godolkin University?

God U is the renowned and extremely difficult to get into superhero-only college where the next generation of heroes train and hone their skills. And big-money endorsements don’t hurt either.

The Cast

Marie (Jaz Sinclair), Andre (Chance Perdomo), Emma (Lizze Broadway), Indira Shetty (Shelley Conn), Cate (Maddie Phillips), Jordan (London Thor), Jordan (Derek Luh), Sam (Asa Germann), Luke (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Polarity (Sean Patrick Thomas), Dr. Cordosa (Marco Pigossi), and Brink (Clancy Brown)

“You said that I’d be bigger than Homelander.”

Have you ever seen a superpowered alpaca walk an invisible man on a leash down a hall for sexy time? How about a respected and feared supe allowing his intrusive thoughts to win inside the air hole of a restroom hand dryer? Well, you’re about to. Showrun by Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, Gen V is an instant hit. Taking place predominantly on the college campus of Godolkin University, this teen-driven spinoff from The Boys is an explosive and wildly addictive first semester. Besides the intensely intriguing mystery that spawns from a sinister conspiracy, what makes this show special is the point of view that we are awarded. We get a narrative that offers a look at life through the eyes of a generation of supes who know they were injected with Compound V as babies in order to get powers. Moreover, they have yet to be corrupted by the megalomaniacs at Vought. Most are still under the assumption that being a superhero is more than being a walking advertisement for the elite within the tower that houses The Seven.

“Being a hero is not what you think.”

Like the shows that came before it, Gen V is a gory, brutal, and blood-soaked good time. There are plenty of references, callbacks, and cameos from The Boys so it is canon and the characters are just as brilliant and trauma-ridden. Our core group of students vying for a top-five ranking includes our main protagonist and freshman, Marie who can weaponize her own blood. Her roommate, Emma has the ability to shrink. The number-one-ranked, Luke aka Golden Boy with a few abilities but self-combustion is the star of the show. Next is Cate who can push people to do anything she desires. She’s also Luke’s girlfriend. The second-ranked student is Jordan who can switch between a female and male form. Each form has different abilities. There’s Andre who is Luke’s best friend and has magnetic powers. While all of them are powerful in their own right, their full potential has yet to be unlocked. And as we learn throughout the season, it’s possible that one of them could possibly rival Homelander. While Luke, Cate, Jordan, and Andre are upperclassmen and already a tight-knit friend group. Marie and Emma are somewhat outcasts, but not for long. There are also those in charge who have their own motives. Vought is always up to something. This is a college experience like you’ve never seen. There’s your typical beer, drugs, and random hookups, but also an exploding penis and unthinkable acts.

“We do this, and there’s no going back.”

If this universe has only taught you one thing, it should be that the most dangerous people are the ones that you don’t expect. Not because they can’t hurt you or have a lame power or none at all, but because they don’t seem to have an evil bone in their body. However, evil comes in all forms. On its surface, it can be enjoyed as merely a superhero show. However, underneath, it acknowledges the plight of the modern young person. From body issues, gender identity, sexual assault, mental illness, depression, insecurity, cutting, parental expectations, adult manipulation, unrealistic standards, and guilt, there are many layers to each character as well as the story. It’s a perfect representation of Gen Z and their willingness to be open about their trauma.

This cast is amazing with strong performances all around. They exhibit an effortless chemistry that plays perfectly on screen. The show looks great, is shot extremely well, has a fantastic atmosphere, and there is a brand of outrageous moments and deception that you’ll only find in the world of The Boys. It’s gruesome, horny, humorous, emotional, poignant, and you’re new favorite show. Its rewatchability is high.

Elite Episodes

Episode 1: God U – Picking the first episode was a no-brainer. Not only does it introduce us to our characters and kick everything into motion, but it does so in a way that only a Voughtverse show can. Blood flies, people die, and lies must be upheld. If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like to punch the Human Torch in the penis, well, someone similar, this is your chance.

Episode 3: #ThinkBrink – We really get to know the true personality of most of the players and their parents and witness that there’s always an ulterior motive. Truths are spoken out loud, connections are made, and a few security guards end up with holes where there should be. This episode is one of the most emotional for everyone. It’s also when the season heats up.

Episode 5: Welcome to the Monster Club – Out of episodes 1-6, this is the wildest one. Nothing was ever as it seemed. It features a huge twist, a puppet massacre, a giant naked student double-fisting some kegs, and a friendship implosion. It also features a dope Get Out reference that speaks volumes. This is the episode that the previous four were building to. It’s the episode that will completely catch you off guard and have you clamoring for the next one.

Final Thoughts

I’m going to say it, I enjoyed this show more than the first season of The Boys. I genuinely can’t wait to see what another season holds as the Voughtverse continues to expand. And since I was only able to see 6 of the 8-episode season, I’m excited to see how the season concludes. Let me not forget to highlight my favorite character, Emma played by Lizze Broadway. Emma is relatable, emotionally complex, and much of the show’s comedic flair. She has a great character arc and is also the most unpredictable in each episode.

Gen V premieres episodes 1-3 on September 29, 2023. New episodes will drop every Friday with the finale streaming on November 3, 2023. Remain safe and don’t eat that donut.

Rated: TV-MA

Runtime: 37m-55m

Showrunners: Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters

Executive Producers: Michele Fazekas, Tara Butters, Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Ori Marmur, Pavun Shetty, Ken Levin, Jason Netter, Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, Craig Rosenberg, Nelson Cragg, Zak Schwartz, Erica Rosbe, Michaela Starr

Produced by: Sony Pictures Television Studios and Amazon Studios, in association with Kripke Enterprises, Point Grey Pictures, and Original Film

https://youtube.com/watch?v=uhjJ5brX-bY%3Fsi%3DMZTwg_SUjvixfks4