The Boys Season 5 Episode 6 Sets Up the Future Instead of Earning the Ending — Review

Critic’s Rating: 3 / 5.0

3

It has taken five episodes to get here, but we finally have the V1 in our hands — or, more like, in Homelander’s.

My feelings about these V1 detours have been well documented since the premiere of The Boys Season 5.

I understand delaying the endgame while exploring the characters, but making the viewer feel cheated in the process is not the way to do it.

The writers kept moving the goalpost when having it far away could have worked just as well.

So, after trips, deaths, and gore, we find it in one of the oldest Vought supes, Bombsight.

And if it wasn’t clear what this season was about, this hour proves that the show isn’t looking to tell a compelling final story but to set up the next spinoff in this universe.

Vought Rising: The Preamble

We know that Vought Rising is coming, but we have no idea what to expect.

Headlined by Soldier Boy and several other supes, the series is a look into how the world created these beings.

But since we’ve met Soldier Boy and he turned out to be unlikable — at least in my opinion — the show has been softening him for the audience.

Jensen Ackles has been stealing the show throughout the season, with Soldier Boy having some of the best lines.

In a show where Homelander is the main attraction, his being overshadowed by his father is a deliberate attempt by the writers to launder Soldier Boy’s image.

And you know what? They have succeeded.

I will watch Vought Rising now. I was on the fence because I did not like Soldier Boy, but now I’m all in.

The problem is that the attempt to ease us into Vought Rising, The Boys Season 5, is turning out to be quite the disappointment.

Shifting allegiances can work when they are carefully planned and have a major impact on the story, but a complete turn robs them of their appeal.

I liked the fact that Soldier Boy hated Homelander and Homelander was scared shitless of him.

It adds variety to a show where everyone is either praising or hating him from a distance.

That’s why it’s disappointing to see Soldier Boy change his tune in the final season by softening his stance on Homelander at the last minute.

See, this show has been taking shortcuts with Homelander’s immortality, and this is the latest attempt to give him something he hasn’t earned.

Would it have been more challenging to have Homelander find the V1 by himself without Soldier Boy’s help? Yes. Would it have been more fun? Absolutely.

Instead, the show goes the easier route and hands it to him on a silver platter.

And that’s not even the worst of it.

Sage Changes Sides

Since Sister Sage was introduced to the show, the character has disappointed me at every turn.

She’s supposed to be this smart person who no one can see what she’s planning, but whenever she opens her mouth, the most mediocre concoction of words escapes.

The writers have been using her to placate the viewer so that they don’t have to work.

When she explains her switch from Homelander’s team to Butcher’s, I feel insulted.

There is no plan, no genius, no foresight. Sister Sage is just going with the vibes.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but when you’re the smartest person in the world, I expected more.

I have expected a wow factor since she first appeared, and all I’ve gotten is “really? Is this all they could come up with?”

Where are the big moments like, say, Westworld, that make you question everything because it’s that well-written?

When will Sister Sage reveal her genius idea that will change everything?

This is the problem that The Boys has found itself in: overpromising.

They did it with Gen V, the virus, other supes, and Sage. None of these things has had the intended impact because the writers have simply written themselves into an illogical reality.

They overpromise but find it impossible to deliver.

Even the death this hour does not have the intended effect as matters between Deep and Noir come to a head.

The Boys Season 5 Episode 5 had taken the time to explore these characters individually, and I was under the impression that Noir would be the end of Deep.

It would have been emotionally satisfying to watch Noir take out Deep after being abused and forced into the sidekick role.

Instead, the opposite happens, and everything that occurred before stops making sense.

What was the use of giving him his own POV segment if Noir was going to die in this episode?

At least with A-Train, it was quick and meaningful.

I’m just very ready for this thing to end at this point.

Gut Check

“Though the Heavens Fall” is dissaponting on so many levels, but I’m glad they gave Homelander V1.

For all the cowardice the writers have shown, at least they delivered the worst-case scenario.

Now all that remains is to see how they’re going to fuck it up.

Intrusive Thoughts

This whole review is my intrusive thoughts.

Over to you, The Boys fanatics. What did you think about this hour?

Have you been placated by the writing, given that they said earlier they won’t satisfy everyone with the ending?

Is that why they don’t even seem to be trying?

Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.

Say something in the comments, share if you’re moved to, and keep reading. Independent voices need readers like you.