The Boys Season 4: Breaking the Show's Villain Formula

Summary

The Boys season 4 should break the trend of spoiling the show's new main villain too soon.

Revealing a fresh, mysterious main villain for season 4 would inject new life into the upcoming season, creating an exhilarating sense of anticipation. The predictability of Homelander and Victoria Neuman, who have always had others overshadowing them, makes them unsuitable choices for the main antagonists in season 4. It is also premature for Billy Butcher to become the greatest challenge for The Boys at this point.

The Boys has become one of Amazon's most successful shows after three thrilling seasons. However, in order to keep things fresh, it needs to break away from the trend of relying solely on its main villain. While Homelander has been the primary antagonist thus far, there have always been supporting villains to add depth and excitement to each season. Although Homelander poses a significant threat to the group, the show cannot solely rely on him, as it would quickly become predictable and dull. The show's previous villains have been powerful and memorable characters that have elevated the show to new heights, but there is a common pattern that needs to be broken.

Most TV shows build anticipation for their upcoming seasons through trailers and teasers, hinting at what's to come. Some prefer a subtle approach, allowing viewers to create theories, while others are more forthcoming. The Boys falls into the latter category, as it has already teased Homelander's trial in Season 4, divulging key story elements ahead of time. Similarly, the show has a tendency to reveal the main threat posed by its villains before the season premieres. This time, however, it is crucial for the show to avoid this approach and maintain an element of surprise for the audience.

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The Boys Season 4 Hasn't Unveiled Its Main Villain Yet

In a departure from previous seasons, The Boys season 4 has chosen to keep the identity of its main villain under wraps. While there is a possibility that trailers and promotional material may reveal this information closer to the release date, maintaining this secrecy adds a refreshing twist. In the past, Stormfront's presence was hinted at in season 2, while Soldier Boy took center stage in the marketing campaign for season 3. These hints made their pivotal roles predictable, resulting in the inevitable showdowns during the finales. Details about the main antagonist of The Boys season 4 have been kept to a minimum, leaving fans guessing. Although it could potentially be Homelander, considering this is not the final season, it appears highly unlikely.

The Boys Season 4 Should Introduce A Surprising, Fresh Villain

: Considering that The Boys season 5 is confirmed to be in the works, it doesn't seem logical for Homelander to be the primary villain in season 4, as that would imply the series is concluding. Instead, it appears more likely that a new antagonist will be introduced for the fourth season. With the exception of Ryan, Homelander's son, there isn't an obvious choice from the existing characters. The current villains, such as The Seven and Victoria Neuman, don't fit the role of main antagonists, so it would be best to explore a new direction.

Introducing a surprise antagonist for the forthcoming fourth season of The Boys would undoubtedly inject a sense of freshness and exhilaration. While Homelander remains an ever-present threat, it is essential to accompany him with a new adversary, withholding their identity until the new season airs. With the recent updates on the cast of The Boys season 4, an array of new individuals are joining the show, presenting the opportunity for an assortment of potential new primary villains. Tentatively rumored to appear in season 4, Tek-Knight could potentially assume this role, although even he runs the risk of being too predictable.

With the introduction of Hughie's mother in The Boys season 4, there is a possibility for an intriguing twist involving a surprise villain. While most villains have been superpowered individuals controlled by Vought, it would be refreshing to see someone closer to home and more personal to the show's main characters take on the role of antagonist. It could even be revealed that Hughie's mother is a supe herself, as her sudden departure during his childhood suggests a hidden reason behind her actions. Additionally, the inclusion of new characters like Sister Sage and Firecracker could add further complexity to the storyline, with both potentially becoming allies or even sharing the role of main villain for the season.

Homelander And Victoria Neuman Are Too Predictable

Taking the Homelander or Victoria Neuman route as the next main villain would be too predictable. In the season 3 finale, Homelander's public display of murder emphasized his importance to the franchise, guaranteeing his continued major role. However, throughout every season, other villains have always emerged as immediate problems in need of solving. Soldier Boy's unexpected arrival initially aimed to assist in Homelander's downfall but ended up becoming an even greater threat. Until the final season, it is crucial that someone else consistently steals Homelander's thunder, just as it has been the case thus far.

Billy Butcher Can't Be The Boys' Biggest Problem Yet

Given Neuman's big reveal at the end of season 2, it was only natural to expect her to take on the role of the main villain in The Boys season 3. However, as her true intentions become clearer, she emerges as more of an antihero or wildcard. Although Neuman doesn't fit the mold of a straight-up villain like Homelander, she is driven by the desire for a better world, even if it means wielding power herself and resorting to extreme measures to achieve it. Similar to "The Boys" themselves, Neuman thrives as a morally ambiguous character with her own unique methods and goals. As we look ahead to The Boys season 4, there are other potential main villains who would be a better fit for the role.

While Billy Butcher has always been the most immoral character in The Boys, it's unlikely that he will become their ultimate adversary. In The Boys season 3, there are hints of a parallel between Butcher and Homelander, which could potentially position Butcher as the next major villain in the series. However, to ensure Butcher doesn't become an antagonist, it would be wise for the show to deviate from the comic book storyline. Even if they were to follow this narrative, it would require careful setup and couldn't possibly unfold in the current season. Although Butcher may become more unhinged due to his exposure to Compound V and its repercussions, he should not descend to the role of the main antagonist in The Boys.