In The Boys Season 3 Episode 5, Soldier Boy has arrived to help The Boys, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Vought’s first supe has been foreshadowed throughout the season, from callbacks to his time in Payback to his spectacular appearance in the Russian lab – not to mention his country music singing and dancing – he’s been present in practically every episode. In Episode 5, he takes center stage. A lot of things are stored for, and a lot of exploration is going to be done around his character. Is it just me, or does everyone feel the wrath of Homelander through the screen? Also, remember Homelander is always better than you (just a helpful tip).
There’s no sex toy butchering or devouring rats in Season 3 Episode 5 of The Boys; instead, it has a musical comedy, an impactful love drama, and a time bomb of poor choices. If only to stretch all those limbs The Boys has been toning over its run, and creator Eric Kripke counts on his writer’s room to speak clearly everything from grim terror to mournful regrets without coating audiences in gore.
The Boys Season 3 Episode 5 Review
The Boys are in ruins, and the theme of The Boys Season 3 Episode 5 is set by their internal conflict. Kimiko’s injury isn’t healing supernaturally, so Frenchie and Kimiko head to the hospital. Butcher’s ego and self-hatred are attributes that Mother’s Milk will not tolerate in a leader. Hughie has a V24 hangover and is puking Leprechaun-green bile. Butcher’s hideout is a broken rental, as we can clearly sense the resentment among teammates once they leave Russia and witness Butcher as a V24 addict. Their dissatisfactions, mistrust, and generally bad attitudes permeate the story, setting the tone for an onslaught of nasty storytelling moments suited for cliché payback.
Hughie & Starling
Our favorites, Hughie and Starlight, are treated harshly in Episode 5. As Starlight drinks in three packets of White Claws to settle her worries over Hughie’s V24 incident, we’re back in another key moment where they swear each other about being together and fighting the world together. Hughie has never had the confidence to defend himself against anyone, but now he has a superhero drug that allows him to protect Starlight for the first time. It’s a really interesting story with a lot of twists and turns. At the very least, Hughie isn’t lying anymore, but we’re left to wonder if these crazed youngsters will be able to handle yet another test of dedication to each other’s wants – something that both actors sell without hesitation.
Kimiko & Frenchie
Kimiko’s plot continues to be intriguing as she wakes up in a hospital bed with a stunning realization: Soldier Boy’s chest explosion has taken away her superpowers (duration undetermined). Kimiko laughs as Frenchie pokes fun because she now sees herself as a normal, flesh-and-blood lady. Like a fantasy, she & Frenchie sing Judy Garland’s rendition of “I Got Rhythm” across the hospital quarters, providing a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark episode.
Kimiko’s remarkable portrayal as a newfound human who values her life more than ever in The Boys Season 3 Episode 5 offers optimism, as the episode concludes with a mutually liked kiss between Kimiko and Frenchie. Right before Frenchie is abducted by Russian mob princess Nina, we’re back home to feeling like proper shit.
Also Read: Amazon Prime’s The Boys Gets Renewed For Season 4
Homelander
Homelander has scary authority over Vought International, threatening anyone who dares to criticize his incompetence. With an opportunity to oppose Homelander’s imminent reign of terror, Starlight contacts Vought’s newly promoted CEO, Ashley Berrett, but she hesitantly shows loyalty to the dangerous superhuman in control. We’re spending less time witnessing Homelander as a corporate ruler due to the “Boys”-heavy episode, but that’s alright because we already know how Mr. Imperfect will respond once his inexperience and lack of preparation are exposed. The few examples provided are sufficient.
But I had high hopes for Homelander’s appointment as Vought’s new leader. The concept has so much potential, but all we’ve got thus far are some dull board meetings. With Homelander’s lingering danger, Season 3 has been retreading a lot of familiar ground thus far. There is a lack of focus due to the lack of a fresh villain to match him, like when we had Stormfront in season 2. Hopefully, Soldier Boy will provide a more fitting foe for the Seven’s leader.
Butcher
Within every episode, Butcher is on the verge of quitting his heinous ways. Then, like usual, he reveals himself to be the unreliable self-proclaimed c-word that only cares about himself always. Due to this character of Butcher, when The Boys interview ex-Vought VP of Hero Administration “The Legend,” the retired playboy tries to close the door on Butcher.
M.M. seems to be the only way Butcher gets vital info from “The Legend”; thus, M.M. is Butcher’s sole friend outside of V-hungry Hughie, which makes M.M.’s mistreatment in the episode’s end all the more heartbreaking. Some may claim that The Boy’s biggest weakness is that it treats Butcher too much like the thug he is in the comics, but I believe Kripke’s team and Karl Urban’s portrayal does wonders to highlight the dependable guy Butcher can be, as well as the vicious and disgusting Butcher he chooses to stay.
Soldier Boy
Soldier Boy is Vought’s take on Captain America, having been developed during WWII and then preserved in a Russian facility for the past 30 years. “He’s precisely as racist and misogynist as you’d expect somebody from the mid-1940s to be,” Eric Kripke said before the season debuted. As Soldier Boy walks through the streets of New York City, disgusted by guys holding hands, this becomes clearly true. Mother’s Milk delves deeper into his past by seeing some terrible footage of Soldier Boy’s experimentation at the hands of ruthless scientists. However, all this appears to have done is strengthen his abilities, as he later destroys an entire building.
Soldier Boy’s seamless, easy team-up with The Boys’ current timeline is a bit strange as compared to his days in Payback because back then, even though he had a team, he was an egoistic loner. He’s not playing with racism or downplaying the loss of lives in battle. Ackles is playing frightened and bloodthirsty with a gloomy determination as Soldier Boy greets Crimson Countess’s small home van. And the way the show builds comparisons between Soldier Boy and Homelander is fascinating. Crimson Countess telling that she hated Soldier Boy even though he loved her was strikingly similar to Queen Maeve’s and Homelander’s relationship. Soldier Boy has already teased us with the ultimate question: will he annihilate Homelander or empathize with the evil Seven leader?
A-Train
Meanwhile, as the show digs into criticisms on over-policing, “Cancel Culture,” The Boys sets conservative messaging strategies on fire. A-Train wanted to do something for his black community, and he gets his wish in Episode 5 when hen Vought orders Blue Hawk to apologize for his racist patrol practices at a Black community center, which results in Blue Hawk yelling “Supe Lives Matter!” and flinging outraged bystanders around like rag dolls. With Nick Wechsler selling Blue Hawk’s insincere apology like reading the back of a cereal box and A-Train’s reaction when witnessing racist attacks, it’s a frightfully difficult scene to stomach.
Final Thoughts On The Boys Season 3 Episode 5
The Boys Season 3 Episode 5 sees The Boys at their lowest point and pushes them even further into difficulty. It’s an episode that screams of desperation and deception, both of which can be powerful techniques when used as a dark pause between ultra-violent actions of superhero violence. Broken hearts, destroyed brotherhood, and reckless decisions are made as a result of the bloody-painful activities committed thus far.
Around Kimiko’s sing-songy intermission and Seth Rogen’s appearance as a pleasure-seeking client of Cam Girl Crimson Countess, there are several smiles in this episode. Because, in Season 3, the game continues to surprise and awe its audience, but the dangers remain high. The Boys convinces us that superhumans can be terrified and fearful in the same way that ordinary people can, which is maybe an even more remarkable trick than Soldier Boy’s accidental combustion.
Soldier Boy finally joins the fight, forming a team with Butcher and Hughie to take down Homelander. There are several fascinating parallels between Homelander and Soldier Boy, particularly when their lovers inform the monsters that they despise them. That’s a really great touch. The drama also spills over to a variety of other characters in this chapter, with Frenchie’s position involving the gang boss Nina, Kimiko’s loss of powers, and the dangerous scenario inside Vought all contributing to the episodes’ depth.
Ashley’s almost-openness to Starlight, only to be clouded by her own shock and horror, is a stunning message and a tribute to her acting prowess – and Homelander’s force. Antony Starr is by far the season’s highlight. He’s always been good, but watching him portray this psychotic version of Homelander, hovering on the verge of insanity, is intriguing. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t win an award for this. As we near the end of the season, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen next.
Also Read: The Boys Season 3 Episode 6 Release Date: Get Ready For Some Superhero Orgy
