The original post: /r/television by /u/Over-Heron-2654 on 2024-06-29 06:45:29.
And no… it’s not because of any political reasons. I am not saying that the season is bad, per say, there is actually quite a lot that I like. let me explain before you downvote me.
So I enjoyed the first 3 seasons a lot. I found the satire brilliant and many of the characters were unique in their own bizarre ways. Season 3 especially was very enjoyable, with the show not refusing to lean away from practically anything, and with the comedy perfectly mixed with horror. I was not a fan of the finale, as Butcher made some really questionable decisions, but I want to talk about season 4.
The Plot
- Everything feels disconnected.
It seems like a lot of characters are just going through their own things and it makes all the characters just feel so disconnected from each other. Quite literally, every character has their own storylines that rarely connect.
Homelander- slowly sinking into insanity and shedding his humanity
Annie- Battle with Firecracker, refusing Starlight, and learning how to hold her emotions
Frenchie- Suddenly guilty about murdering kids
Kamiko- Struggles with Shining Light
Butcher- save Ryan + a parasite
Hughie- deal with his father and mother
A-Train- redemption
Neuman- well, hardly anything yet
No one is talking to each other. Hughie and Starlight have had no time together despite being the longest couple in the show. Frenchie suddenly decides he does not want Kamiko to know what he’s done.
How are we 5 episodes in and just now learning about the virus? Also, why does it feel like nothing has happened. We are literally 5 hours into the show and besides characters facing their pasts, it seems like plot development has been pushed to the sides for character development. Episode one had the most plot development but since then it feels like we are spinning in circles. Since all of these plot lines (some of which I think are actually interesting) are so isolated from one another that it feels like the show did not know how to fill 3 or 4 episodes. What objective goal are the boys trying to accomplish, and I mean like specifically, not just “kill Homelander or Neuman”? Right now, it just does not feel like there is much progress to the story- and we have 3 episodes left. It feels like the plot is just some have baked effort to fill in the time until Homelander attacks the white house and the whole show is suffering from this slow down.
Arcs
Homelander: One of the two standout arcs in Season 4. While his storyline feels somewhat isolated, it works well for Homelander for two reasons. First, he harbors disdain for nearly everyone around him. Second, Antony Starr’s performance is nothing short of exceptional. Homelander remains consistently fascinating, and Starr’s portrayal ensures that even when isolated, he’s captivating. Additionally, exploring Homelander’s past and its impact on his role as a parent adds depth and ties in well with the buildup from the previous season.
Butcher: The other compelling arc this season. The parasite mystery is intriguing, but it’s his emotional turmoil regarding Ryan that truly resonates. His guilt over not sacrificing Ryan to eliminate Homelander last season drives his character’s journey. Despite my issues with the finale’s writing, the incorporation of this guilt into the current season is commendable. Moreover, I have a soft spot for the “dying man reflects on his troubled life” trope, and the emotional weight Butcher carries enhances his screen presence.
Hughie: A mixed bag. Episode 5 concluded his arc on a strong note, but overall, it felt overly prolonged with frustrating storytelling. Hughie’s decision to take the V, only to refrain from using it at the hospital before his mother administers it anyway, felt jarring and left a bitter aftertaste. Not only did he endanger A-Train, but his mother’s sudden intervention seemed contradictory. Simon Pegg’s excellent performance salvaged the arc to some extent, but much of it felt superfluous, and the mother’s character was grating.
Annie: Her arc is infuriating and detracts from the character. Annie’s self-sabotage of The Boys is becoming tiresome. Her sudden aggression and desire to destroy her image, coupled with impulsive actions like punching Neuman, are inconsistent with her established character. The internal conflict between Starlight and Annie feels clichéd and overdone. By now, Annie should have a clearer sense of identity, making her erratic behavior all the more frustrating.
Frenchie: I retract my previous statement; his arc is the weakest. His sudden guilty conscience and the introduction of Collin, an uninteresting character, feel forced. A character impacting Frenchie this significantly needs more development, which the show neglects. Frenchie’s reluctance to confide in Kamiko because of his past misdeeds feels nonsensical. The writing here is poor, and it’s disappointing to see such a cool character poorly handled. The chemistry between Frenchie and Kamiko, which I always saw as a love story, has deteriorated, and the beloved Frenchie from earlier seasons seems to have disappeared.
Kamiko: Her arc has great potential but lacks payoff so far. With three episodes left, I hope the next episode resolves both Frenchie and Kamiko’s storylines, bringing them back in sync. However, this subplot has been underdeveloped, with minimal screen time devoted to it. We still know little about the new girl, and the subplot has received perhaps ten minutes out of five hours. I hope the resolution turns this storyline around.
The Satire
One of The Boys’ strengths has always been its sharp societal critiques, and Season 4 does deliver some excellent satire. However, this season seems to devote excessive screen time to satire. While elements like Training A-Train and the Homelander Trial are relevant, segments like Vought on Ice and Vought 52 Expo, though amusing, feel like they’re there purely for satire’s sake. This time could have been better spent enhancing other arcs or providing crucial context. While I enjoy the show’s satire, it shouldn’t overshadow the story and characters or become too pervasive.