Homelander Gains Immortality as Soldier Boy Betrays the Boys in Season 5 Episode 6

Key facts

• Soldier Boy gives Homelander the V1 formula after a violent reunion with Bombsight.
• Homelander achieves true immortality, rendering the supe virus useless.
• The Legend (Paul Reiser) returns, exposing M.M.'s discomfort with supe genocide.
• Sister Sage severs ties with Vought and the Seven, but her plan fails.
• Black Noir causes an environmental disaster in revenge for Adam Bourke's murder.
• Golden Geisha (Naoko Mori) and a rest home of aged supes appear in a fight scene.

The V1 Formula Falls into Homelander's Hands

The desperate search for the elusive V1 formula reaches its climax in Episode 6 of The Boys Season 5, with a resolution that promises a very dark and enticing status quo for the final two episodes. Soldier Boy, after a violent reunion with Bombsight, makes a choice that gives Homelander the V1, granting him true immortality. The doomsday scenario has come to pass, and the supe virus is now useless.

The Legend Exposes M.M.'s Inner Conflict

Paul Reiser returns as The Legend, the disgraced former Vought media mogul now living a less glamorous life in showbiz. His interactions with M.M. reveal deep discomfort at being the architect of a potential supe genocide. These scenes contrast with Hughie's big speech about hope, reflecting how differently these two characters process the current state of affairs.

Sister Sage's Plan Unravels

The Ashley and Sister Sage subplot takes center stage, with Colbie Minifie doubling down on physical comedy as 'Back Ashley.' Sage finally severs ties with Vought and the Seven, making her play, but things uncharacteristically do not go as planned. Her inability to factor love into her mental calculations undoes her strategy.

The Deep Faces Consequences

The Deep learns the hard way that he should not have crossed Black Noir, as Noir causes an historic environmental disaster in revenge for the murder of Adam Bourke. The episode milks the situation for both comedy and tragedy, with the line 'We know it was you, Kevin!' echoing the fallout.

Golden Geisha and the Curse of Immortality

Golden Geisha and an entire rest home full of aged supes appear, leading to a dumb but entertaining fight scene. The storyline takes a somber turn with the introduction of her old beau, Bombsight, exploring the pain of immortality when only one half of a couple possesses it.

Soldier Boy's Unearned Decision

The key moment where Soldier Boy gives Homelander the V1 feels unearned, leaning too much on a connection between father and son the show has not properly established. While it makes dramatic sense given their shared attachment to Stormfront, not enough transpires between Sage's video reveal and Soldier Boy's decision to justify his affection and hope for Homelander.

Hope Fades as the Final Episodes Approach

With Homelander now immortal, the stakes for the remaining two episodes are raised to their highest. If hope was already fragile at the beginning of the season, it is unclear how it can survive now. Hughie may offer enlightenment, but the path forward looks grim for the Boys.

The bottom line

• Homelander's immortality renders the supe virus useless, creating a doomsday scenario.
• Soldier Boy's betrayal is driven by his attachment to Stormfront, but the show fails to fully justify his choice.
• Sister Sage's plan fails because she underestimates the power of love.
• The Deep faces severe consequences for his actions, including an environmental disaster.
• The Legend's return highlights the moral complexities of the supe genocide plot.
• The final two episodes will determine whether hope can survive against an immortal Homelander.