I remember hearing great things about The Boys when the first season came out back in 2019, but at that time, I didn’t have the time to start another show. After a while, I found myself (like many others) getting a bit too fatigued by all comic book things, so I was purposively delaying starting this show. And then, one evening, I decided to pull the trigger to see it for myself, whether this show was as good as people claimed. Yeah, it’s pretty fucking good, alright.

The elevator pitch I always heard about this show was: “What if superheroes were a bunch of dicks.” To an extent, that’s exactly what The Boys is about, but, like with everything else, there is so much more underneath the surface. For example, I loved how this show deals with and explores the idea of power and how if you have any kind of superpower, you will eventually do some things you shouldn’t. Ultimate power ultimately corrupts all that stuff we all have heard of. But this show takes it one step further into the debauchery of the ninth degree, challenging themselves every season to push what they can do/show on the screen further and further. Do you want an Ant-Man-like superhero guy that shrinks and slides his way into a vagina? This show has got it. Do you want the same superhero later on shrink, enter a man’s dick and (by accident) expand within that dude, ultimately killing him? This show also has got that. What about a superhero orgy? This show… yep, you guessed it. The Boys hold no bars and give you a show.

But if you strip all of that, you will find many deep, well-written characters. For example, Erin Moriarty and her Annie/Starlight, the “Goody Two-Shoes” newbie. We learn through her how rotten and dark this superhero world is. She has been pretty much the only moral compass throughout the entire show. I like Jack Quaid and Karl Urban and their “big brother/little brother” energy they have throughout the show; I love Laz Alonso and his character (do I want to know why they call him Mother’s Milk, considering the kind of show this is…?) and all the other side characters but, throughout the three seasons, there have been two standouts. Yes, one of them is probably expected (Antony Starr, aka Homelander), but the other standout performance has been Karen Fukuhara and her Kimiko.

Let’s start with Homelander. I was sceptical because I still remember the movie Brightburn (2019, my review here), which had pretty much the same premise (what if Superman grew up to be a dick), and it was executed poorly. Luckily, The Boys did this well, not because it’s a show, so we get to spend much more time delving into that character (even though that is one of the reasons), but because we see exactly why he is the way is, we can occasionally even see glimpses of some sort of consciousness, but these are only glimpses. The series has made it quite clear that there is no saving for him, and sometimes, you must reap what you sow. It’s not his fault he ended up like this, a crazy maniac with mommy issues and an unhealthy desire to be beloved by everyone, but there is pretty much nothing that could skew him from this unfortunate path, as by now, he’s far too gone. It will be interesting to see this character’s journey and ultimate ending.

When Karen first showed up on the screen, I was intrigued. When we learn more about her past and powers (no spoilers), it is heartbreaking as she has a rich and complex character arc throughout this show. But it is Karen’s performance making it all work together, with no words. I am a sucker for characters who are either mute or don’t speak at all because of different reasons (like in this example) because it’s much more challenging to convey all the emotions, let alone not blend into the background. But Karen understood the assignment and her character and made her sing. Sometimes, literally. Kimiko is one of those “side characters” who don’t feel like they are side characters. She kicks ass, but there is a depth to her character; there is a big struggle, trauma, and Karen’s understanding of all of that and delivering it with no words is sublime. In a show full of many standout performances and a lot of craziness, she didn’t blend in and quickly became my favourite.

As far as the show is concerned, I enjoyed myself a lot. There were many memorable scenes, characters and moments to choose just one; I also enjoyed the social commentary on everything from superheroes to corporate America. The show manages to show us what it would look like if superheroes were real, and in a twisted way, how the art mimics the real world by this show being produced by one of the largest corporations that the world has ever seen. My only issue is that I have not had that “wow” moment yet that separates great shows like this from those of pure excellence. Also, by the end of season three, this show started to get a bit “tropey” (characters considered dead are coming back alive, and nobody seems to stay dead forever), but it’s not anything that would spoil my enjoyment at least yet.

I will definitely be tuned for more seasons and also check out the Gen V (2023 – ?) show that is taking place in the same world. I wonder how many seasons we will get, how far this show will go and push the envelope and most importantly, how Homelander will end up. I hope this show doesn’t cave in at the last second and tries to redeem this unapologetically unredeemable character. And who knows? Maybe when this show is finished, I will post another review and may change my rating to the highest one if they deliver. I really hope they will because this show is a wild, crazy ride with some sneaky awesome performances and has many clever (even though many times on the nose) things to say about our current culture.

Overall, The Boys is all bets are off kind of a show that if you want to enjoy, you need to be on the same wavelength as it, at least regarding the violence, nudity and snarky comments on our culture and society. And even though it might not hit the highest peaks for me (at least not yet), I would strongly recommend this show to anyone, even if you struggle with anything superhero-related. This show knows its stuff, and that’s why it works when they make fun of superheroes while delivering some truly great superhero scenes, characters and moments. I can’t wait to see how this will finish.

That’s all for this one! Did you see it? What did you think about it? Let me know!

Until next time,

Luke