Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Boys season 4, episode 8.
Summary
The Boysseason 4 comes to a shocking and suspenseful end, as its main story picks up significantly in the final episodes — thoughI’ll admit,I’m disappointed by how the series handles Soldier Boy. Jensen Ackles' Soldier Boy makes his debut inThe Boysseason 3, and the Supe leaves a lasting impression. Ackles gives a standout performance, and it’s one that makes viewers want more of his character. Despite his defeat at theending ofThe Boysseason 3, I think many of us expected Soldier Boy to show up again in season 4.
The Boysseason 3’s revelation that Soldier Boy is still alive — and merely back in cryosleep, thanks to Grace Mallory — certainly makes it seem like the character’s story isn’t over. AndThe Boysseason 4 does return to Soldier Boy as promised, but it’s not in the way many hoped for and expected.I can’t believe how poorly the fourth outing utilizes Soldier Boy’s character, but I’m hopeful the series will make up for this duringThe Boysseason 5.
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Soldier Boy’s Role In The Boys Season 4 Was Way Smaller Than I Expected
I Can’t Believe The Show Saved Him For The Post-Credits Scene
Soldier Boy plays a huge role inThe Boysseason 3, and he’s become a fan-favorite character thanks to Ackles' performance. He’s also Homelander’s father, and it’s clear the younger Supe has serious issues surrounding their lack of a relationship. Given how crucial Soldier Boy is to Homelander’s story, I’m surprised he doesn’t play a bigger part in season 4. Soldier Boy doesn’t make an appearance untilThe Boysseason 4’s ending. In fact,he’s not even in the actual finale; the episode saves him for its post-credits scene.
Given how crucial Soldier Boy is to Homelander’s story, I’m surprised he doesn’t play a bigger part in season 4.
When Soldier Boy does show up, he’s still unconscious in his cryosleep chamber — and he doesn’t get any lines before the scene fades to black.The Boysseason 4’s post-credits tease sees Homelander learning that his father is still alive. It’s an emotional moment forThe Boys’villain, but it doesn’t really add to Soldier Boy’s story. That’s a shame, as he’s one of the show’s most interesting characters.It would have been nice ifThe Boysgave him more to doin its latest outing. Fortunately, it seems inevitable that he’ll get a bigger role in season 5.
The Boys Season 4 Totally Wasted Season 3’s Soldier Boy Ending Tease
The Finale Makes A Point Of Showing Us He’s Still Alive
The Boysseason 3 shows Soldier Boy one last time after his fight with Homelander and The Boys, and this tease makes it seem like he’ll be back relatively soon. Season 3’s finale shows Grace Mallory putting Soldier Boy back into cryosleep during its closing montage. It’s an exciting tease for fans of the character, and I expected the series to do more with it. Instead,The Boysseason 4 totally wastes its hint that Soldier Boy will be back. It could just as easily have revealed the truth during season 4’s post-credits scene, which only reiterates season 3’s tease.
The Boyscould just as easily have revealed the truth during season 4’s post-credits scene, which only reiterates season 3’s tease.
We’ll also never know if Grace Mallory had bigger plans for Soldier Boy, as she perishes inThe Boysseason 4 finale. Knowing her feelings towards Supes, it seems unlikely that she’d unleash him on the world again. Still, season 3 opens the door to explore an interesting dynamic between the CIA and the Supes they’re keeping under wraps. That’s wasted now that Homelander is in charge. We already know his agenda, though it will still be interesting to see how he handles the news about Soldier Boy.
Soldier Boy Needs A Much Bigger Role In The Boys Season 5
With Soldier Boy barely appearing inThe Boysseason 4 — he gets morescreen time during hisGen Vcameo—he absolutely needs to play a larger part in the final season.The Boysseason 5 will likely see a full-blown war between those who support Homelander and everyone else. With Homelander mobilizing Supes in the finale, things are poised to get very messy. And he may offer Soldier Boy a chance to get in on the action, though it’s hard to say how Ackles' character would respond to such a suggestion from the son he looks down on.
Whatever Soldier Boy winds up doing inThe Boysseason 5, it’s crucial that the series prominently features him and any other fan-favorite Supes during its last outing. There’s no better way to pay homage toThe Boys' legacy. And if Jared Padalecki winds up joining the show’s cast, anexcitingSupernaturalreunioncould take place inThe Boysseason 5.
The Boys
Cast
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
