The fourth season of Amazon’s R-rated superhero series “The Boys” kicked off with its first three episodes on June 13. The show dives back into the ongoing battle between Homelander (Antony Starr) and Vought’s supes versus Butcher (Karl Urban) and The Boys. However, this time, the alliances are more complex due to the election of President-elect Robert Singer (Jim Beaver) and the secret supe Vice President-elect Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit).
Introducing New Faces and Complicated Dynamics
Season 4 welcomes new characters, including supes Sister Sage (Susan Heyward) and Firecracker (Valorie Curry), and CIA agent Kessler (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). The show also explores the struggle for Homelander’s son, Ryan’s (Cameron Crovetti), loyalty. Meanwhile, Annie (Erin Morarity) steps back from her Starlight persona, and Hughie (Jack Quaid) navigates his relationship with a terminally ill Butcher as they attempt to assassinate Neuman before the inauguration, under Singer’s orders.
Showrunner Eric Kripke on the Season’s Craziest Moments
On Rob Benedict’s Shocking Role: Rob Benedict plays Splinter, a superhero who can split into multiple versions of himself. In one wild scene, he performs oral sex on himself and gets into a naked fight with The Boys. Kripke reveals, “Rob knew what he was getting into and thought it was hilarious.” The show used prosthetics and creative filming techniques to make the scene work, even discussing the use of ball bearings to ensure the prosthetic penis swung naturally.
Will Ferrell and Tilda Swinton Cameos: Will Ferrell plays himself in A-Train’s (Jessie T. Usher) origin story Vought film, while Tilda Swinton voices The Deep’s (Chace Crawford) octopus partner, Ambrosius. Kripke shares how these cameos came about, noting Ferrell’s willingness to work under challenging conditions and Swinton’s enthusiasm for the quirky role.
Homelander’s Parenting: This season delves into Homelander’s attempts at fatherhood, which are predictably disastrous. Kripke says, “He’s a terrible, terrible father,” highlighting how Homelander’s needy and manipulative nature poses a threat to Ryan’s moral compass.
Butcher’s Mysterious Ailment: The premiere ends with a hint that Butcher’s health is deteriorating due to his use of Temp V, with a strange squirmy thing in his temple. Kripke teases, “There’s more going on inside of Butcher than maybe the doctors have found.”
Tying in “Gen V” Without Compulsory Viewing
Kripke assures fans that while “Gen V” adds depth to the universe, it’s not essential for understanding the main show. He states, “We’re very careful to put into the dialogue everything that the viewer would need to know.”
Hughie’s Family Drama and “Vought on Ice”
The season introduces Hughie’s estranged mother, played by Rosemarie DeWitt, and explores his core trauma of abandonment. Additionally, the fun “Vought on Ice” sequence features Maeve and Homelander, showcasing the show’s commitment to elaborate, humorous production numbers.
A-Train’s Moral Dilemma
A-Train’s character arc continues to evolve as he wrestles with his conscience. Kripke hints, “His conscience has sort of been reawakened,” setting the stage for potential shifts in his allegiance.
Looking Ahead to the Finale
With Season 5 confirmed as the final season, fans can expect more intense, unpredictable storytelling as “The Boys” hurtles towards its conclusion.
Stay tuned for more updates and deep dives into “The Boys” Season 4 right here on The Cults Bay.
