The Boys: Unveiling Starlight's Surprising Backstory – Amazon's Bold Decision Prevails

Summary

The Boys controversy surrounding Starlight's sexual assault storyline proves that changing it from the source material was a smart move.

The content would be: The show's alterations to the assault scene go beyond a direct adaptation from the comics. These changes empower Starlight to regain control over her life and discover inner strength following the traumatic event. Additionally, The Boys' decision to emphasize a single attacker brings about appropriate repercussions for the attack, and at the same time, creates opportunities for varied and intricate character development.

Warning: This article discusses sexual assault.

The Boys' controversy surrounding a specific Starlight storyline highlights the show's wise decision to deviate from the original material. When Amazon announced a live-action adaptation of Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's The Boys, some fans were understandably concerned that the series would shy away from the edgy humor, graphic violence, and controversial themes that made the comic famous. However, under the helm of showrunner Eric Kripke, The Boys has maintained its visceral, socially relevant, and unabashedly gory nature in its first two seasons. Whenever the show deviates from the source material, there is typically a valid justification, as exemplified by the controversy surrounding Starlight's distressing introduction to The Seven.

When season 1 of The Boys starts, Starlight, a beloved hero from a small town, also known as Annie January, gets a promotion and joins Vought's elite team. However, her introduction to Seven HQ takes a dark turn when The Deep, her new colleague, exposes himself to her and coerces her into performing oral sex as a condition for maintaining her position in The Seven. This distressing incident unfolds in a significantly altered manner in the original comic books, although it remains a horrifying storyline.

How Starlight's Sexual Assault Differs In The Comics

The Boys controversy surrounding the Starlight moment would have been even worse if it had closely followed the events depicted in the comics. In the comics, the sexual assault takes place when Starlight joins The Seven, with multiple members of the team, including Homelander, participating in the crime. The confrontation between Starlight and her abuser also differs, as the comics portray Homelander and the others coercing Starlight to perform oral sex in exchange for her place on the team. However, the TV show amplifies the threat by adding The Deep's suggestion that he will expose Starlight for allegedly attacking him with her powers.

During an interview with Screenwriters' Festival Online, showrunner Eric Kripke openly discussed the distressing nature of filming this particular scene. Despite the changes made from the original comic, Kripke still faced significant challenges while shooting.

I endeavored to ensure accuracy. I engaged in numerous conversations with various women, some of which were emotionally challenging. I exerted my utmost effort to eliminate any personal bias and simply allow them to express themselves freely, without any influence from me. Subsequently, I aimed to condense Starlight's experience both in the moment and its aftermath. When it was time to involve Erin and Chace, we went through a similar process all over again. This was necessary because the actors needed to fully immerse themselves in the role and authentically portray it. I must admit, I have never worked so diligently or felt such intense stress regarding a scene in my entire career. The reason being, if I got it wrong, it would not only fail as a scene, but it would also carry potential harm. I carried this immense pressure and sense of responsibility throughout the entire process.

Why Changing Starlight's Story A Bit Was A Good Thing

The controversy surrounding The Boys did not sit well with everyone. While the situation is dark, it plays a crucial role in Starlight's journey and establishes her as the only true hero in The Seven, who otherwise lack a moral compass. However, faithfully adapting the assault from the comic books would have been taking it too far. Portraying sexual assault in fiction requires sensitivity, and involving two additional members of The Seven would have been excessively gratuitous. Having Annie being targeted by multiple individuals would not contribute anything meaningful to her character development, especially since her encounter with The Deep already encompasses the necessary impact without resorting to cheap shock value.

The Boys' Starlight change has a significant benefit in the aftermath of the incident. Departing from the source material, Starlight publicly speaks out, exposing The Deep's actions and receiving support for her bravery. Despite her scars, Starlight's story in The Boys becomes about reclaiming control and finding strength during times of trauma. Additionally, The Deep faces punishment for his behavior. Following Starlight's revelation, he loses his position in The Seven and becomes a mere shadow of his former self, resorting to a cult that drinks Fresca to stay relevant.

Supposedly on a journey of self-discovery, The Deep quickly faces harsh rejection when he expresses this to Starlight. Annie rightly accuses him of being more interested in rejoining The Seven than genuinely making amends. This interaction not only showcases Starlight's growth but also ensures that The Deep's crimes are not forgotten. Unlike the comics, where three different characters share the punishment, the show focuses on a single perpetrator, allowing for appropriate consequences for the attack on Starlight. This is especially important as Homelander, who has never been held accountable, denies Starlight of justice.

Finally, Starlight's narrative shift contributes to the enhanced complexity and diversity of the Seven characters in Amazon's The Boys. In contrast to the comic books, characters such as A-Train and Homelander exhibit a multitude of intricacies in their flaws, depravities, and motivations. By excluding their involvement in Starlight's sexual assault alongside the Deep, this allows The Boys to explore unique storylines for A-Train, Homelander, and Black Noir, resulting in a more comprehensive narrative and a wider range of characters. Ultimately, this adaptation serves as a more fitting tribute to Starlight's character than the original comics.

What The Starlight Actor Said Of The Boys' Controversial Scene

The controversy surrounding The Boys was evident to all those involved in the show, including Erin Moriarty, the actress who portrays Starlight, also known as Annie January. Alongside a group of female writers on the show, Moriarty expressed her desire to see a rendition of the storyline from the comic book incorporated into the television series. In an interview with Huffington Post, Moriarty stated:

The TV show we aim to create focuses on portraying a story of sexual abuse, shedding light on the experiences of women and their ability to rise above victimhood. It emphasizes that they can grow stronger while condemning the men responsible for perpetuating such abuse. In the comic books, Starlight also exhibits her own heroism, but the show's adaptation allows her to confront her past in an empowering manner, while acknowledging the lasting trauma. Instead of feeling ashamed, Starlight bravely shares her story with the world, exposing the abuse. The show consistently depicts how this experience has impacted her, granting her more autonomy within The Seven, shaping her decisions as a hero, and remaining a painful memory. It is likely that this will continue in The Boys season 4.