'The Boys' Season 4 Hints at Unexpected Crossover with 'Gen V'

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Gen V Episode 7.

Article Summary

Dean Shetty holds a strong disdain for Supes and is determined to develop a virus to eradicate them. Consequently, she arranges a meeting with Grace Mallory, who is affiliated with The Boys.

Mallory, the mastermind behind the creation of The Boys, becomes aware of Shetty's nefarious scheme, which she deems a "war crime." In a cryptic move, Mallory contacts an individual via phone, urging them to closely monitor Shetty's actions.

Shetty's motives in Season 4 of The Boys stem from her tragic loss in the Transoceanic Flight 37 crash and her desire for revenge. This sets up the stakes for the upcoming season.

As Season 1 of Gen V comes to a close, we finally discover the true purpose of The Woods and the motivations of its leaders. Confirming speculation from last week, Indira Shetty, the Dean of Godolkin University, is revealed to have a deep hatred for Supes and a desire to inflict upon them a fate worse than death. Without Vought's knowledge, she has instructed The Wood's head scientist, Dr. Cardosa, to create a virus that can kill any Supe it comes into contact with. Shetty is particularly enthusiastic about the results and arranges a meeting with a familiar face from The Boys — Grace Mallory.

"Gen V" dives into the realm of "The Boys" and delves into the inaugural cohort of superhumans who are aware that their extraordinary abilities stem from the enigmatic Compound V. As these defenders of justice vie for supremacy within their educational institution, they push their limits both physically and morally.

Cast Jaz Sinclair, Chance Perdomo, Maddie PhillipsGenres Action, Adventure, ComedySeasons 1

What Does Dean Shetty Want From Grace Mallory?

Grace Mallory, a former Deputy Director of the CIA and frequent collaborator of William Butcher (played by Karl Urban), played a crucial role in the formation of The Boys. She had a complicated history with Vought and their actions, particularly with their super team, Payback, during a covert operation known as Operation Charly. Witnessing the casualties caused by Vought and their Supes led Mallory to develop a deep disdain for them, eventually leading her to recruit Butcher years later.

While it may be difficult to envision Butcher as anything other than the intimidating figure we know him as, it was Mallory's meeting with him that set him on this path. However, after a failed assassination attempt by the Supe Lamplighter resulted in the death of Mallory's grandchildren, she retired. Despite her initial reluctance, Mallory has been pulled back into the fight against Vought as she is one of the few people Butcher truly trusts. She also serves as the legal guardian of Butcher's wife's son, Ryan (played by Cameron Crovetti), until Homelander (played by Antony Starr), Ryan's biological father, manipulates him out of Mallory's care.

As a Vought behavioral scientist and Dean of Godolkin University, Shetty easily grabs Mallory's attention. She wants Mallory's help in tracking down all the Supes to speed up the spread of her virus. Although initially intrigued, Mallory's expression quickly turns to fear as she looks through the photos of infected Supes. Despite her disdain for Vought and the Supes, Mallory is also rational. She tells Shetty that her plan is a "war crime" and the extermination of a whole population. Shetty remains unchanged, fueled by hatred just like Butcher, but Mallory soon realizes that Shetty is worse due to the atrocities she has committed and the innocent lives she has taken.

After their conversation, Mallory takes out her phone and asks the person on the other end if they heard everything. She then instructs them to closely monitor Shetty. Mallory has many contacts, but it is likely that Butcher is the person she is referring to. She mentioned him earlier in her conversation with Shetty while trying to dissuade her from her plans. It would make sense for Mallory to involve Butcher, as he hates Supes even more than she does. Additionally, with Butcher now having a super-powered child like Ryan, he is also concerned about the virus, whether he wants to admit it or not.

The Tragedy Motivating Shetty in ‘Gen V’ Is a Callback to Season 1 of ‘The Boys’

Image via Prime Video

Ever since her true intentions of using a virus to kill all Supes were revealed last week, the main question surrounding Shetty has been what led her to this destructive path. Most ordinary people are blindly infatuated with Vought and The Seven, remaining unaware of the dark reality behind the scenes. Those who do know are handsomely paid to stay silent and perpetuate the chaos. Initially, it was believed that Shetty belonged to this group, given her high-ranking position at the University and Vought. However, it has now been revealed that she falls into the same category as The Boys, Mallory, Butcher, Hughie, and the others. Like them, she has witnessed or personally suffered from a heinous Supes crime that has forever changed her life. Butcher's wife was raped by Homelander, A-Train obliterated Hughie's girlfriend, and Shetty lost her family in a plane crash. But this was not just any crash; it was the Transoceanic Flight 37. This tragic event, which occurred in Season 1 of The Boys, claimed the lives of all 123 passengers. Shockingly, Homelander and Queen Maeve were present at the scene but chose to do nothing. Instead of saving a few individuals, Vought prioritized preserving its own image by allowing the entire plane to crash. This brutal incident solidifies our understanding of Vought, Homelander, and, now, the personal loss suffered by Shetty, whose husband and daughter were on that ill-fated flight.

‘Gen V’ Is Masterfully Teeing Up Season 4 of ‘The Boys’

The consistent references to previous lore are what sets Gen V apart and gives it a remarkable edge, heightening the sense of urgency. Although the Transoceanic Flight scene took place years ago in 2019, the memory of it remains hauntingly vivid in the minds of viewers. Shetty's mere mention of it immediately clarifies her motives and her deep-seated need for revenge. Mallory's warning should have deterred her from continuing her work in The Woods, but even if she had heeded it, it would have been too late. Despite forming a genuine bond with Cate (Maddie Phillips), it cannot shield Shetty from the telepath's wrath, given the wreckage she has caused in her own life. When confronted, Cate orders Shetty to end it all by slitting her own throat with a knife, leaving Marie (Jaz Sinclair) powerless to intervene. Shetty may be deceased now, but the aftermath of her actions is only just unfolding.

Victoria Neuman's return, along with her connection with Marie and their deadly abilities, brings The Boys Season 4 closer than ever. Neuman has obtained the virus, Shetty is deceased, and Cate is on a mission to take down non-Supes and any Supes who support them. The finale's preview also features Ashley Barrett returning to the Godolkin campus, indicating Vought's involvement and the significant consequences it will have for The Boys. Although the virus has mostly been eliminated, Cate leads the infected students out of The Woods, suggesting that it may not be completely eradicated. One thing is for certain - Gen V will not disappoint in setting up Season 4 of The Boys and raising the stakes for its recently confirmed second season. The fate of our Godolkin heroes remains uncertain, but one thing is guaranteed - there will be consequences. The fourth season of The Boys can be streamed exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S.

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Editor's P/S

As a fan of "The Boys," I am thrilled about the possibility of a crossover with "Gen V." The unexpected cameo of Dean Shetty in the latter series raises intriguing questions and sets the stage for a thrilling Season 4. Shetty's disdain for Supes and her determination to develop a virus to eradicate them make her a formidable opponent for The Boys. Her tragic loss in the Transoceanic Flight 37 crash adds depth to her character and motivates her quest for revenge.

The connection between Shetty and Grace Mallory, a key figure in "The Boys," further strengthens the potential for a crossover. Mallory's awareness of Shetty's nefarious scheme and her cryptic phone call suggest that she is already on the trail of this dangerous plot. It will be fascinating to see how Mallory and The Boys navigate this new threat and what unexpected alliances or conflicts may arise.