First things first: GIVE ANTONY STARR AN EMMY.
The first three episodes felt like a warm-up for what’s to come. Episode 4 continues the dark, chaotic journey of our favorite fucked up heroes and this may be one of the Seasons best so far.
Homelander takes a chilling trip down memory lane by visiting the underground Vought laboratory he grew up in. This is where we see the depths of his sociopathy, as he confronts the very people who tortured him as a child and no one is getting out alive here. Antony Starr’s performance as Homelander is a masterclass in portraying a deranged mind, delivering layers of menace and vulnerability without a single flashback. Instead, Homelander’s verbal recount of his past horrors makes for a deeply unsettling experience. Beginning the episode with that, already kept its audience on the hook.
Meanwhile,the newest addition to the Seven Sister Sage could once again show what she is capable of this episode. Sages plan against Annie seems to work. After we have established that the enmity between Starlight and Firecracker was established, and the primary reason for that simply being Annie’s rude behavior during her fashion pageantry days when they were younger. Fair to say: Starlight gets her moment, her patience couldn’t hold back anymore after Firecracker revealed one of her most private secrets. She confront her, leading to one of the most satisfying fights of the Season 4 so far. Starlight’s confrontation with Firecracker is truly another standout moment. It’s satisfying to see her finally unleash her rage and stand up to the ridicule she has to endure. Her reaction feels incredibly real and relatable. It remains exciting to see what happens next, now that the politicans seem to step back in worry, of losing their republican votes.
Also: The lobotomy scene between Sister Sage and The Deep is grotesquely fascinating, showcasing Susan Heyward’s chilling performance and the disturbing chemistry between the characters.
The episode also expands on Kimiko’s mystery and Frenchie’s tragic confession to Colin. Although it is fair to say that we love and support queer representation on TV, the entire subplot involving Frenchie and Colin feels somewhat forced. We’re expected to empathize with Colin despite having just met him, resulting in also making the emotional weight of Frenchie’s confession unfortunately feel a bit rushed.
Meanwhile Hughie fights for the life of his father. The doctor announces that Hugh has essentially passed away and has been put on life support. He has a few days left once they pull the plug. Hughies mother thinks it’s the humane thing to do, but Hughie doesn’t want to come to terms with the fact that his father is about to pass away. Therefore he has to cooperate with someone who still owes him: A-Train. The Plan: injecting Compound V into his father’s bloodstream to save him. Despite Butchers warning, the subplot ends in Hugh opening his eyes. We saw Hughie questioning his decision – so however his father got that injection remains a mystery.
Personal Highlight:
Homelander’s return to his childhood lab is hands down a personal highlight of this episode. It has been a while since a Show made one gasp and point at the screen the way his scenes did. Antony Starr is at his terrifying best, delivering a performance that truly deserves an Emmy. The way he recounts his traumatic past and exacts revenge on the lab employees is both haunting and cathartic. The line, “Get in the oven, Frank,” is stuck in my head. After torturing one Vought Employee after another Barbara shows up. Homelander isn’t done, though, because he wants Barbara to pay as well. She makes him hesitate for a second though and explains that since Vought knew that Homelander couldn’t be overpowered with force, they needed to get into his head. The best psychologists from all over the world were brought in to plant an insatiable need for appreciation and love deep into Homeland’s psyche. Although he tries to convince Barbara and himself that he has squashed all his human desires, she lets him know that it’s something he won’t be able to get rid of. He tests that and fair to say he traumatizes Barbara by painting the room with the innards of the Vought employees. This episode solidified Homelander as one of the scariest characters on television right now. His final scene, grinning maniacally with blood splattered all over, is the stuff of nightmares.
Final Thoughts:
The episode does a great job of setting up the stakes for the rest of the season. With each character hitting new lows, the path to the endgame is paved with chaos and unpredictability. Here’s hoping the upcoming episodes maintain this momentum and deliver a satisfying built up to the shows conclusion. Episode 4 is a thrilling, grotesque, and emotional rollercoaster that showcases The Boys at its best. Homelander’s chilling arc, Starlight’s fierce stand, and the disturbing new dynamics keep us on the edge of our seats, eagerly awaiting what’s to come next. LFG! 🔥
