“The Boys” Season 5 begins similarly to other series final entries. The protagonists are at their lowest point, preparing for the climax of the entire series. By itself, Episode 1 serves as a reintroduction of the world of “The Boys,” but when viewed alongside Episode 2, the double-episode premiere makes this dystopian gritty superhero series like “The Boys” exciting to watch.
Releasing the first two episodes Wednesday, April 8 “The Boys” picks up a year after the cliffhanger of Season 4. Viewers see what happens after most of the main cast were captured. The premiere does a solid job reintroducing the audiences to the world of “The Boys” without bombarding them with excessive information.
While the pacing of the premiere is strong, Episode 1 and 2 include too many overly sexual scenes. I am not some prude who thinks every makeout session or sex scene is unnecessary, but after the third or fourth instance in less than two episodes, it becomes excessive.
“The Boys” obviously has some issues, but so far it is neither better nor worse than prior seasons, it just needs some time to develop. One of the highlights of the show has always been its characters, and that’s no different this season. Hughie, M.M., Frenchie and Kimiko are still delightful as ever to watch on screen. Laz Alonso’s portrayal of M.M. stands out. His dry sense of humor resonates well and adds balance to the group dynamic. Frenchie and Kimiko’s relationship is more prominent this season, and while it’s sweet to see them reunited, their screen time could be scaled back to give other characters some well needed screen time.
Actor Antony Starr’s is a real highlight of the season so far, fully embodying Homelander. Watching the character spiral further into a mentally unstable man-child is one of the most compelling aspects of the season so far.
Returning viewers may also benefit from watching Season 2 of the spinoff “Gen V,” as some of the scenes of that show connect directly to Season 5 of “The Boys.”
Overall, this show is not for everyone due to its graphic content and mature themes. However, returning fans who enjoyed the first four seasons will not want to miss out the buildup to the climax of this chaotic “superhero” series.
