Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Boys season 4, episodes 1-4.
Summary
The Boysseason 4 may not be the show’s final outing, butit concludes the Amazon series' very first story after five years. DespiteThe Boysseason 4’s opening episodesunraveling a bit slower than usual, it’s obvious they’re building to something big.The Boysseason 5 is confirmed, and it’s set to bring the series to a close. Needless to say, the current batch of episodes must build to the looming confrontation between Homelander and the titular team. They also must start wrapping up smaller subplots and character arcs, as there may not be time to revisit them later.
The Boysseason 4, episode 4makes strides towards this end, as it resolves the show’s very first story. Although the conflict between Homelander and Butcher drives the narrative, season 1 doesn’t start with either of them. There’s an inciting incident that kicks offThe Boys,andthe Amazon series has finally given the fans and characters closure on that front.
The Boys Theory Reveals Hughie’s Mom Is Season 4’s Secret Villain
Hughie’s mom shows up in The Boys season 4, and despite her claiming to have good intentions, one theory posits that she’s actually a villain.
A-Train & Hughie Shaking Hands Officially Ends The Boys' Very First Feud
The Amazon Series Begins With Hughie & A-Train
The Boysseason 4 sets up a potential redemption arc for A-Train, and episode 4 sees him and Hughie resolving the show’s very first storyline. Season 1 opens with A-Train running through Hughie’s girlfriend, and Robin’s death is the reason Hughie meets Butcher and joins the titular team. Hughie and A-Train have a few run-ins throughoutThe Boysseasons 1-3, and there’s a lot of resentment between the characters. However,they finally bury the hatchet in “Wisdom of the Ages,” five years afterThe Boys’series premiere.
With Hughie’s father on his deathbed, Hughie gets desperate enough to reach out to A-Train for help. He asks the Supe to steal Compound V from Vought Tower for him — and in a surprising turn of events, A-Train agrees. He’s reluctant, but Hughie insists that he owes it to him. Wanting to be free of any debt he owes Hughie, A-Train tells him that this will make the two of them “good, forever.” And he comes through, leading toThe Boysseason 4, episode 4’s Compound V twist. With A-Train and Hughie’s handshake,The Boys’first feud finally ends.
Robin’s Death Is No Longer A Factor In The Boys Season 4
Hughie’s Former Girlfriend No Longer Drives His Narrative
Hughie forgiving A-Train closes outThe Boys’opening storyline, and that’s something the show has been working towards for years. It’s not just Hughie’s interaction with A-Train that offers closure for Robin’s death; it’s also the fact thatHughie has largely moved on. Robin serves as a motivator for Hughie in the early seasons ofThe Boys,much like Becca is what drives Butcher to pursue vengeance. But unlike Butcher, Hughie moves past his anger and grief. He forms new friendships, finds purpose, and starts a relationship with Starlight, and these things begin to drive his actions instead.
Robin serves as a motivator for Hughie in the early seasons ofThe Boys,much like Becca is what drives Butcher to pursue vengeance.
By the timeThe Boysseason 4opens, Robin rarely comes up, making Hughie’s jab at A-Train a rarity. This means that it’s time to close out Hughie and A-Train’s feud, as Robin is no longer a major component of Hughie’s character arc. Although she puts him on the path to his current circumstances, it’s clear that Hughie is worried about other things. His father, his relationships with The Boys, and the future of the world take center stage. Hughie may not fully get over Robin, but he is still moving on. It’s high timeThe Boysdoes as well.
Hughie’s Forgiveness Means A-Train Can Join The Boys As An Official Member
The Supe Has Already Betrayed Vought & The Seven
One of MM’s first actions asthe new leader of The Boysis to try to flip A-Train, and Hughie initially takes offense to this approach. Getting a Supe from The Seven on their side could massively help the team. However, Hughie lets his past resentments cloud his judgment. Now that Hughie has forgiven A-Train, the door is open for the Supe to join the team in some capacity. While A-Train isn’t fully on board with helping The Boys, his actions suggest he’s not entirely against it.
While A-Train isn’t fully on board with helping The Boys, his actions suggest he’s not entirely against it.
Of all themembers of The Seven, it’s clear that A-Train is having the most trouble accepting Homelander’s latest antics. And it’s no secret that A-Train’s relationship with Vought and its marketing team is strained. The Supe betrays them by helping Hughie and MM, so it’s very possibleThe Boysseason 4 will push him to the other side of its central conflict. And if A-Train joins the team, they’ll have more Supe power and insider intel. Both could stack the cards in their favor.
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.
