Gen V Nails a Surprise Soldier Boy Cameo with Unforgettable Hilarity

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Gen V Episode 6.

The Big Picture

In Gen V, Soldier Boy manifests as a figment within Cate's psyche, mirroring her envisioned version of the character's offensive and sexist traits.

Through Cate's personal journey, the episode delves into the realm of mental well-being, unveiling the correlation between her seclusion and the emergence of a make-believe companion fashioned after an imperfect superhero named Soldier Boy.

Soldier Boy's presence in Cate's mind highlights the complex nature of trauma and the mind's ability to navigate feelings of loneliness and societal influences. This portrayal offers an insightful perspective on mental health. The Boys, known for its satirical take on the superhero genre, continues to push boundaries in its third season. In Episode 6, "Jumanji," Soldier Boy (played by Jensen Ackles) makes a surprising return, shocking both the main characters and the audience with unexpected revelations.

What Is Soldier Boy Doing Inside Cate’s Mind?

In a recurring pattern, Marie (Jaz Sinclair), Andre (Chance Perdomo), and Jordan (Derek Luh/London Thor) yet again experience the consequences of Cate's (Maddie Phillips) extraordinary abilities. Commencing the episode, they confront her regarding the erasure of their memories from the preceding days. Behind this lies a greater scheme orchestrated by the notable Dean Indira Shetty (Shelley Conn). However, Cate swiftly becomes remorseful and returns the memories to everyone involved. Subsequently, she plunges into her own subconscious, bringing along all those present—and this is when the arrival of Soldier Boy introduces the element of peculiarity.

Image via Prime Video

Soldier Boy's appearance in Gen V had been known for a while, but the specifics of his cameo were still a mystery. We had seen behind-the-scenes pictures and teasers of him in a woods setting, but it was uncertain what exactly that meant. Additionally, considering that in The Boys universe he is currently in cryogenic sleep under the supervision of Grace Mallory, one of Billy Butcher's mentors, it seemed unlikely that he could just break free and start causing trouble at Godolkin University.

In "Jumanji," the character we see as Soldier Boy is not the actual Soldier Boy, but a manifestation of his character in Cate's mind. Cate has based her imaginary friend on him, including his foul language, chauvinistic personality, and clueless patriotism. As Andre, Marie, and Jordan explore the woods, Soldier Boy reveals the truth of their situation and Cate's intention for them to be there. Although he doesn't understand why, they must decipher this before becoming permanently trapped in her mind. Soldier Boy explains that the constant thunder they hear is actually caused by bursting blood vessels. He warns them that if Cate's condition worsens and she becomes incapacitated, they will suffer the same fate. Unfortunately, before he can share how to escape, Soldier Boy is struck by lightning and vanishes.

In reality, Soldier Boy's message implies that Cate is experiencing a seizure. When she uses her powers on individuals, her body reacts by causing blood vessels to burst around her eyes and nosebleeds. Despite being a Supe, her body functions similarly to any normal human, requiring a continuous blood flow to her brain. Disrupting this flow through burst vessels can lead to an aneurysm, and due to the nature of her powers, she is at a higher risk than an average person. We witness Marie assisting Cate by restoring the regular blood flow in her body, eventually helping her regain consciousness. While this is a simplified explanation, the actual workings of the human body are far more intricate. Nonetheless, this provides a basic understanding of how Cate's condition functions.

Why Would Cate Need a Soldier Boy Imaginary Friend?

Image via Prime Video

Although we were expecting Soldier Boy to make an appearance in Gen V, it was still surprising to see how he is introduced. The Boys has a tendency to be unconventional, but somehow still manages to do so sensibly, even if it involves puppet slaughter or the resurrection of a character like Soldier Boy. Each character in the spin-off represents real-world issues in their storylines, and "Jumanji" delves into the inner workings of Cate's mind, sparking an interesting discussion about mental health. We now understand that Soldier Boy is not a real person when he appears, but rather a manifestation of Cate's imagination, created to serve as her imaginary friend.

Earlier, Cate revealed that she was responsible for her younger brother's disappearance when they were children. By physically commanding him to get lost, using her powers, he obeyed and vanished without a trace. Shortly before Soldier Boy's arrival, we witness the aftermath of this incident and the consequences that Cate faced. Her family, driven by fear of her powers, isolated her by confining her to a bedroom that was transformed into a bunker to prevent her from leaving. However, the human mind finds ways to cope, especially in younger individuals. An imaginary friend serves as a means for the mind to combat loneliness, as children are expected to have companions and be part of a social circle their age. This is how they develop into well-adjusted members of society, but Cate did not have that luxury. Despite this, she was still immersed in Supe culture, and since it was her only frame of reference while growing up, her mind chose one of them to be the basis for her imaginary friend. However, Soldier Boy may not have been the ideal choice.

Soldier Boy Is Used as a Metaphor for Mental Health in ‘Gen V’

Image via Prime Video

Mental health is always a delicate matter, but it is truly remarkable how The Boys and now Gen V tackle complex real-world issues in such a whimsical yet logical manner. Although Soldier Boy exists solely in Cate's imagination, his portrayal remains true to his real-world persona. Despite being a deplorable individual, it is not surprising that she chose him as her imaginary companion—he embodies the essence of her own traumatic experiences. He incessantly spews profanities and makes derogatory remarks that Cate herself would likely find offensive. Soldier Boy's sole focus is asserting his dominance in a primal and animalistic manner.

This demonstrates that Cate's mind is traumatized yet maintains a somewhat objective perception of reality. She could have envisioned her version of Soldier Boy as perfect, even as a member of the Jonas Brothers (apologies to Andre, but it is acceptable for anyone to like them), but instead, he remains a chauvinistic pig who serves as the artificial manifestation in the mind of a young girl. This would be the worst imaginable fate for the actual Soldier Boy. Yet, paradoxically, we cannot help but feel an affinity towards him and what he embodies within Cate's psyche. Perhaps, in our own way, we too possess our own flaws.