MIDNIGHT REVIEWS The Boys Season 4 Episode 2 Review
Midnight Reviews features reviews and thought pieces written and edited by a parent, at night, after bedtime.
The Boys Season 4 Episode 2: ‘Life Among the Septics’
Series created by: Eric Kripke
Featuring: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr
Synopsis: The Boys, under the new leadership of MM (Laz Alonso), head into bizarre territory — a conspiracy convention. Meanwhile, Homelander (Starr) attempts to orchestrate his son Ryan’s (Cameron Crovetti) first super hero save. With the help of stunt performers, of course.
Review: In the previous review of The Boys, it was stated each episode so far seems to have an overarching focus tying everything together. In this second episode, it’s family pasts catching up but not quite matching up with the present. A feeling of change is in the air.
The opening is far more amusing than any of the fake movies/TV shows within a show we’ve been presented with so far, as Vought International deliberately apes The Wire before The Boys undercuts itself as A-Train (Jessie T. Usher) quietly complains and stews at the changing of his family history. His is the most extreme of the theme mentioned earlier; his past has been completely bent and twisted out of shape until it resembles his life in name only. Same as in episode one, Usher is fantastic delivering these subtle moments of sometimes-silent resignation and futility.
Homelander’s evolution continues as he casually puts God down (choice quote: “Chosen by God, but made by me.”) Starr is given more to do here than in previous seasons as his own frustration at the world around him seems to be forcing him into action, as opposed to before when he would almost switch off from the world. Starr does both brilliantly. What’s noteworthy as well is that Crovetti as Ryan gets more to do here. He ably brings across just what it’d be like to be part of this new world, at least new to him, as he struggles to find his feet and discover just where he fits in.
… wants to move on or at the very least introduce new ideas when it comes to tone and humour.
Meanwhile, there’s an interesting debate with Hughie (Quaid) and Annie (Erin Moriarty) based around her choice not to wear the costume or even refer to herself as Starlight. If this moniker is the key to her doing greater good, despite it previously standing for something awful, is it better for her to bury it or unleash it? A question that multiple viewers would probably have different opinions on despite watching the same episode of television.
The only quibble is that, despite the promise in episode one of more to come from her, so far this season Moriarty hasn’t been given too much to do; this would be a shame considering previous seasons put her front and centre, with Moriarty delivering on all counts.
However, we do get more of Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) and Frenchie (Tomer Capone). As weird as their relationship might seem at times, the pairing actually strikes here as incredibly healthy. Especially considering the madness surrounding them. Their storylines have potential, but here it’s simply setup.
Does both the new and the old […] very well.
There is the feeling The Boys wants to move on or at the very least introduce new ideas when it comes to tone and humour. The Mrs Maisel gag is amusing enough, and there’s a glibber version of the Starlight debate found therein: how many murders does it count as if you kill the same guy eight times? This self-cloning character leads to some of the episode’s more memorable moments (if you are curious, I would withhold researching whilst at work…) along with humour more in tune with previous seasons.
With the theme of change and reconciling today with the past, the show does seem to want to change itself too. Fortunately, the second episode of The Boys does both the new and the old, as well as the loud and the quiet, very well. As unforgettable as the more profane imagery is, equally as enthralling is the look on Quaid’s face as Hughie tosses the matter of his returning mother around the inside of his skull.
A show that started out as obscene (in a good way) and violent (in a gleeful, over the top way) has itself evolved into something new, something that has a lot to say about life in the Western world, whilst still being hilarious to boot.
The Boys is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Matthew D. Smith likes to overshare his views on movies and TV shows whenever and wherever he can. Indulge him, and follow him on Twitter or listen to the podcast he co-hosts with Leslie Wai.
