‘Gen V’ Season 2: A Slow Burn That Pays Off With A Strong Finale

The Boys spinoff show Gen V enters its second season, repeating some of the same offenses that it did in season one. While attempting to live up to the insanity and craziness of its predecessor, Gen V‘s plot can be overshadowed, at times; by unnecessary outrageousness. While The Boys will use excessive gore and over-the-top sex scenes as commentary, the college-based show feels as if it throws them in there just as a way of being connected to the show it’s attached to. Luckily, despite all of this; the show does eventually pay attention to the wider storyline and it’s in those last three episodes that this season truly stands above season one.

A Slow Start

Just like the season itself, let’s start with some of the downfalls of season two, and get to the good stuff. The long short of all of it? Some of the main characters just aren’t likable. Sorry, but Marie and Jordan’s relationship is just not interesting enough to spend as much time concentrating on it as the show does. Marie definitely fits better into her character as the season goes on, but there’s hardly a point where it feels like the main characters are actually friends or even like being around each other. You get the distinct feeling that if it weren’t for the task at hand, they wouldn’t even be around each other. Which, is certainly true in the case of someone like Cate, but it even feels that way between Marie, Jordan, and Emma.

Not Understanding Nuance

Another issue is the heavy-handedness in which Gen V handles satire. Now, The Boys is very satirical of everything. Other superhero projects, modern-day politics, influencers, and much more. And while the show can be a little obvious in its satire, it still showcases it better than Gen V does. We get it, they’re college age, so there’s plenty of Gen Z cringe and the making fun of influencers is heavily present. But, it becomes exhausting more often than not. And maybe it’s my age, but does every character have to use f*ck every other word to get across how intense things are? Yes, that’s a boomer take, but it became distracting after a while.

Let’s not keep harping on season two, because there’s a lot to like here. A lot of these feelings came from the first three or four episodes, but once it hit about episode four or five, things got great. The storyline picked up, the intensity was dialed to 11, and there were genuine heart-pounding moments that will make you sit on the edge of your seat.

Hamish Linklater Was The Best Actor This Season

All accolades must go to Hamish Linklater as the season’s main villain Cipher. I’m so sorry, Mr. Linklater, I didn’t realize you could move like that. Cipher rivals Homelander in his uneasiness. While Homelander is unpredictable, Cipher is that and so much more. He’s extremely cunning and is always three steps ahead. Linklater gave us such an intense and anxiety-inducing performance that commanded the screen every time he was in it. There were plenty of twists and turns and there was never a moment where you could predict who this character was and what he’d do next. You just knew that he was in the major leagues and everyone else was in the minor leagues.

A Tribute to Chance Perdomo

Sean Patrick Thomas took more of a spotlight in season two as Polarity – he plays the father of Andre Anderson, who was played by the late Chance Perdomo. Due to Perdomo passing away in real life, not too long after season one premiered; he was not in season two at all. But, his prescence was felt and the background story they gave for him and the explanation as to why he was no longer with the students of Gen V was a nice tribute to the actor. Polarity steps in and while he wasn’t on screen as much as we probably would have hoped for, he still is a good addition.

Worth the Watch, Despite Short-Comings

Gen V Season 2 serves as a solid bridge leading into The Boys Season 5, offering plenty of twists and storylines that will likely play a major role in the main series’ final chapter. While it stands on its own as an engaging continuation of the college-aged supes’ journey, the finale makes it clear that this season is essential viewing for fans who want to be fully prepared for the battles to come.

Gen V season two premieres September 17th with three episodes and while it may be slow at first, stay tuned, and you won’t be disappointed.