The following contains spoilers for The Boys season 4 episode 8, “Assassination Run,” now streaming on Prime Video
Summary
The Boysseason 4’s post-credits scene sets up a potential new recruit to Homelander’s Supe army that could make them virtually unstoppable. ThroughoutThe Boys, Homelander has steadily been embracing a Supes superiority complex that fully took shape across the course of season 4. With Vought under his command and several lethal Supes joiningHomelander’s Supe army, the villain has grown more ambitious and ruthless than ever before. Now, with the help of Sister Sage and her overarching schemes to bring down society, Homelander has effectively taken over the United States without even having to carry out a genuine coup.
Homelander’s growing army of Supes factors intothe ending of season 4as the final moments of the episode showcase how some of the allies he’s been able to recruit from acrossThe BoysandGen Vare already working towards his goals. However, the most powerful (and personal) return doesn’t occur until the post-credits scene. The sequence focuses onHomelander locating a powerhouse Supewho was dealt with in a previous season, and is still one of the show’s most potent wildcards. However, if he’s recruited by Homelander, then he could turnThe Boysseason 5 into a bloodbath.
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Soldier Boy’s Return In The Boys Season 4’s Post Credits Teases A Homelander Team-Up
Homelander May Have Finally Made Soldier Boy Proud
The post-credits tease fromThe Boysseason 4 finale sets up the return of Jensen Ackles' Soldier Boyin season 5. Introduced in season 3 ofThe Boysand playing a central role in that year of the show, Soldier Boy was Homelander’s predecessor as the premiere superhero for Vought International. He’s also Homelander’s father, albeit through artificial means. Soldier Boy is a powerhouse Supe with the added ability to nullify the powers of others, making him one of the few people who could believably bring down Homelander. However, Butcher sacrificed his chance to do just that to save Ryan,
This resulted in Soldier Boy’s defeat and recapture, being placed in a suspended state by Mallory and the government. However, following the events of “Assassination Run,” Mallory is dead and Homelander has effectively taken control of the government. Among his discoveries is Soldier Boy’s location, with the post-credits scene focusing on Homelander finding his father. Given their last encounter, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the vicious Homelander try to kill him. However, with his newfound status and power, the vain and perpetually needyHomelander may see this as a chance to gain validation from the father he never knew.
Soldier Boy Could Be A Major Wildcard In Season 5
Soldier Boy Could Resist Homelander’s Plans For The Future
Awakening Soldier Boy could also quietly be a huge risk for Homelander’s plans, given how their last encounter played out. Although the two acknowledged one another as father and son after coming to blows, Homelander’s attempt to reach out to him only prompted Soldier Boy to lament how pathetic he’d become. A revived Soldier Boy could easily still believe that, deciding Homelander’s dream of a Supe-dominated world reeks of desperation. While his military service was called into question, Soldier Boy may have enough loyalty to the United States that he could perceive Homelander’s takeover of the government as an insult.
Soldier Boy’s ability to negate other powers would make him a crucial means of depowering the most dangerous Supes, which could allow more conventional means to be used against them. Soldier Boy’s volatile personality and unique power set could also make him the kind of complication that even Sister Sage’s schemes can’t fully account for.All of this sets up Soldier Boy to be a real wildcardif he’s unleashed. Homelander could decide to leave well enough alone and let his father remain frozen. However, there’s a chance he could attempt to turn Soldier Boy to his side once again.
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Homelander & Soldier Boy Working Together Would Be Near-Unbeatable
Soldier Boy Could Cement A Supe Dynasty
If Homelander revives Soldier Boy and is able to convince him to join his Supes superiority cause, then the villain may have gained the single most effective ally ever. Soldier Boy’s abilities make him more than capable of going head-to-head with any enemies the Supe conspiracy comes up against. Even other Supes wouldn’t post him much of a challenge, especially if he could control his power-negating blasts. While this makes him potentially one of the only genuine threats to Homelander in the world ofThe Boys,the villain may see the strategic and personal benefits of having Soldier Boy around.
Together, the two could be unstoppable against physical threats. The only thing that could potentially bring them down would be the Supe virus, and even that would ensure the eradication of countless lives in the process. Lingering resentments from their prior conflict could complicate any Homelander and Soldier Boy alliance, but their partnership could be a game changer forThe Boysand set up an unstoppable force that may otherwise force the Boys to rely on Butcher’s horrifying plan. While they may fear Butcher now, the Boys may not have any other choice against a Homelander and Soldier Boy alliance.
Soldier Boy’s Season 5 Return Means MM Can Finally Get His Revenge
Revenge Over Redemption
Soldier Boy’s potential return in season 5 could set up a fateful confrontation between the former “hero” and MM. As revealed in season 3, MM’s family was irrevocably changed by Soldier Boy, who casually threw a car through their home during a fight. The action killed MM’s grandfather, and his father would later work himself to death trying to force some consequences on Vought. MM hates Soldier Boy in a way that reflects Butcher’s loathing for Homelander. However, for the sake of trying to bring down Homelander, MM was forced to make peace with the team working alongside Soldier Boy.
If Soldier Boy does return and does become allies with Homelander, then MM might have the opportunity to finally get revenge for his family.This could easily play intoThe Boys' exploration of wraith and vengeance, especially given how the ending of season 4 highlights the cost of sacrificing humanity for a chance at revenge. Soldier Boy is the potential key to bringing down Homelander or could become his most dangerous asset, especially at this critical junction in the future of his world. All of this makes Soldier Boy’s possible return inThe Boysseason 5 all the more important.
The Boys
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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.
