The Instant White-Hot Wild: Exploring Episode 8 of The Boys Season 3
Homelander’s Surprising Visit to Ryan and Grace Mallory
In the opening of the finale, Homelander pays a visit to Ryan and Grace Mallory, despite what Ryan did to Stormfront. He confesses his unwavering commitment to the child, which leaves Grace shocked as Ryan steps forward and embraces Homelander.
Butcher’s Concern and Unsettling Betrayal
Meanwhile, Butcher and Hughie make a stop at Vought HQ to acquire more temp Compound V. However, Butcher’s unease about Soldier Boy’s loyalty prompts him to knock out Hughie and flee with Soldier Boy. The fear of losing control and switching sides lingers in Butcher’s mind.
The Dark Intentions of Frenchie and the Escape of Maeve
Frenchie comes to visit MM, carrying a bottle of perfume that unknowingly contains the world’s deadliest nerve agent. His intention is to use it against Soldier Boy. At Vought HQ, Homelander returns to face a chaotic situation where Maeve has been relocated and subsequently escaped. Protests erupt outside, with Starlight’s supporters rallying against Homelander after the release of his video. In the midst of this turmoil, Homelander discovers Black Noir’s betrayal and brutally murders him, leaving his old friend to suffer.
A-Train’s Admission and Butcher’s Determination
A-Train catches up with Nate and confesses that he has killed Blue Hawk, driven by his loyalty towards his brother. However, Nate refuses to accept this and demands A-Train to leave, unwilling to share his home with a murderer. Meanwhile, the truth about Soldier Boy and Homelander is revealed to the group, excluding Butcher. Hughie urges everyone to save Butcher and prevent Soldier Boy from causing further chaos.
The Unraveling of Alliances
The group eventually confronts Butcher and Soldier Boy, but their plans take a disastrous turn when Maeve betrays them and teams up with the duo. They believe that stopping Homelander is the top priority. In a confrontation at Neuman’s office, Homelander attempts to manipulate Soldier Boy by presenting Ryan as his grandson. However, Soldier Boy sees through this ploy and labels Homelander a disappointment. As a result, Soldier Boy attacks Ryan, leading Butcher to defend Becca’s son in order to fulfill his promise. Maeve engages in a fierce battle with Homelander while Butcher fights Soldier Boy. Annie and MM arrive, shifting the tide of the battle.
The Final Showdown and Unexpected Consequences
Frenchie and Kimiko, having lost the nerve agent earlier, enter the lab and recreate it to use against Soldier Boy. Kimiko is thrown across the room upon nearing Soldier Boy, while Starlight prepares to unleash chaos. Hughie, instead of resorting to Temp V, cranks up the electricity from the control room to support Annie in her counterattack against Soldier Boy. Amidst the chaos, Maeve stabs Homelander through the ear, incapacitating him. Soldier Boy is hit by the nerve agent, causing him to become unstable and endangering everyone present. Maeve realizes the impending catastrophe and tackles Soldier Boy out the window, potentially resulting in their explosive deaths. Unfortunately, this also means their plan to stop Homelander has failed. Ryan chooses to side with Homelander, leaving Butcher collapsed on the floor.
Unforeseen Outcomes and Future Twists
Butcher’s use of temp V has drastically reduced his remaining lifespan to less than 11 months. Surprisingly, it is revealed that Maeve is still alive and in hiding, despite reports of her death. She decides to escape town with Elena, and the footage of her survival is protected by Ashley and other Ashley, who choose to delete it. Soldier Boy remains sedated and imprisoned, under the watchful eye of Grace Mallory. Annie is officially welcomed as a member of the Boys. However, their operation faces a setback when news of Bishop’s death is announced. Victoria Neuman takes advantage of the situation and enters the political battlefield.
The Final Moments and Ryan’s Introduction
In the closing scenes of the episode and the season, Homelander introduces Ryan to a crowd of protesters. When one individual refers to Homelander as a fascist, he unleashes his laser eyes, obliterating the person. Initially, silence hangs over the crowd, but then Todd initiates cheers, and everyone follows suit. Ryan’s face shows a faint smile amid the commotion.
The Episode Review
As avid fans of The Boys, we found this final episode to be somewhat rushed, lacking proper pacing. The hour-long episode attempts to compress a significant amount of drama, leaving us feeling that another 45 minutes could have enhanced character development and intensified the tension, transforming it into a thrilling two-part finale. Unfortunately, some characters like A-Train and Deep have minimal involvement, and the absence of surprising casualties is noticeable. It feels as though the episode primarily aims to incorporate Ryan into the action, setting the stage for Season 4, and to provide a motive for Butcher’s betrayal of Soldier Boy.
This episode presented an opportunity to deliver an impactful and glorious exit for Maeve, but it seems that Hollywood writers often shy away from killing off main characters, as seen in shows like Stranger Things. The Boys, known for its brutal deaths, had the perfect moment to bid farewell to Maeve in a blaze of glory. However, she inexplicably survives and departs to an undisclosed location.
While the third season of The Boys has generally been enjoyable, with the notable Herogasm episode, the finale falls slightly short, marring an otherwise satisfying show. Fortunately, the renewal of The Boys for a fourth season promises more captivating content in the future.