We’ve always known Homelander is crazy, but after episode three? Absolutely delusional.
Homelander starts episode three visibly shaken by Soldier Boy’s recovery, but it doesn’t last long once he has his come to Jesus moment. What’s the conclusion of this moment? Oh, that he’s a god and should smite all of the nonbelievers. Typical Homelander. Should we really be surprised? He always thought of himself as above everyone else, but there’s something different about him now. Instead of smug or sure, he’s very unhinged. He clearly thinks of himself as divine and his brain probably just snapped and he’s convinced himself of some higher calling to cope with the fact that he is not immortal and getting older.
Homelander’s new divinity happens pretty early in the episode, but prior to that, we get to see Soldier Boy absolutely verbally destroy his son. Soldier Boy can sniff out Homelander’s insecurities and delivers his insults in a way that absolutely lands. It’s pretty satisfying to watch, as there’s just something about the way Jensen Ackles carries himself in The Boys. Sure, Soldier Boy is also not a great person, but when it comes to Homelander, all I want is for him to smack his son down a peg.
So, now that Homelander has his higher purpose, we see that he’s kind of willing to do anything. Even if that means hurting the one person he previously would have never thought to hurt. This episode has a lot of explosive moments. And moments that subvert your expectations. Full spoiler warning: there are several times where you’re led to believe a character is dead, only for them not to be. The Boys already killed off A-Train in the first episode, so it’s safe to say that there’s probably going to be more major character deaths along the way. However, it’s good that it’s not so soon in the story. Strategize and set things up before you start moving your chess pieces. Episode 3 did a good job in not only showing that there are some very real consequences for the main players (and the idea that they may not be able to miraculously get out of danger this time around), but also showing that we’re in the endgame for this story.
Admittedly, Soldier Boy and Homelander’s storyline in season 5 is a huge standout, but Billy Butcher’s journey is equally as captivating. While not in episode 3 a ton, his presence was still impactful enough that the alliance that he possibly just forged at the end will help determine the outside of this story. We’re not going to spoil what happens at the end of the episode, but it was a good way to end the episode. To see alliances forged. Reunions occur. And the realization that oh…the stakes are very, very real.
The Boys season five has not slowed down and it’s making the most of the time it has left. It’s refreshing to [so far] not experience any filler content. At the same time, it’s not so hectic that you’re overwhelmed. It’s literally the perfect pace for a final season of such a popular show.
What’d you think of episode 3?
A girl with too many fandoms to count.
