The Epic Return of Soldier Boy Unveiled in Gen V Episode 6

We remained hopeful for his return, which finally happened in Gen V Episode 6, where one of The Boys' latest standout characters, Soldier Boy, was brought back, portrayed by Jensen Ackles. But what was the reason behind this decision? Here's everything you should be aware of.

In our assessment of the sixth episode, we described it as "a remarkable and daring installment, possibly overshadowed by a scene-stealing, foul-mouthed cameo, but undeniably the show's most ambitious and finest episode thus far."

Following Cate's revelation in Episode 5, Marie, Andre, and Jordan grapple with the daunting task of reconciling their resurfaced memories and the shattered trust they now harbor towards their once-close friend. Meanwhile, Emma embarks on a quest to locate Sam. Amidst her absence, the remaining individuals find themselves immersed in the depths of Cate's mind, witnessing the unraveling trauma within her psyche. Within this journey, they not only encounter the aftermath of the moment she discovered her powers and her encounter with Dean Shetty, but also come face-to-face with Soldier Boy, an enigmatic presence whose significance may elude them initially. Spoilers will ensue...

Gen V Episode 6: Soldier Boy’s return explained

Soldier Boy makes an appearance in Episode 6 of Generation V as the majority of the events unfold within Cate's mind. He has been her imaginary friend and romantic partner for many years.

Shortly after the beginning of the episode, Soldier Boy smoothly emerges from the bushes, recognizing Cate. He brazenly questions, "What are you doing in this breezy place, you sack of f*ck-nuts?"

However, he hasn't been able to infiltrate Cate's thoughts in some strange, pre-Season 4 hint - he has been influencing her thoughts for decades. He takes great satisfaction in being the one who taught her how to pleasure herself ("She experienced pleasure like a flowing faucet," he remarks), but he reduces his explicit language when he notices Andre's presence.

"You're Cate's new companion... she truly adores you," he admits, momentarily conceding, before returning to his arrogant demeanor. "Men come and go, but she always returns to some intimate conversations," he says with a mischievous smile, which causes him to be labeled as a Russian operative. "I'm not some godless, powerless communist," he emphasizes, asserting that his allegiance is to the "red, white, and blue red... not communist red."

As lightning flashes and thunder roars above, Soldier Boy warns that her sanity is unraveling in real time. If they don't find a solution to wake her up, they could all remain trapped in this state. However, before he can offer his wise guidance, he is suddenly struck by lightning, meeting his demise (at least inside her mind).

During the finale of The Boys Season 3, Soldier Boy is last seen locked in a fierce battle against Butcher, Homelander, and all the other soups in Vought Tower. Just as he was about to transform into a human-sized bomb, Maeve intervenes by hurling him out of a window. While they both survive the ordeal, Grace Mallory subsequently confines Soldier Boy within a secure capsule.

He is alive and set to make a comeback in Season 4 of The Boys. "There is still a place for me on The Boys. However, I am unaware of the specifics regarding where and how my character will fit into the future," Ackles stated in an interview with DiscussingFilm.

Episodes 1-6 of Gen V are currently available on Prime Video. You can subscribe to Prime Video and watch them here. To explore more of our coverage, please see the links below.

Gen V Review

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Episode 5

When does Gen V occur in The Boys timeline?

Gen V Cast and Characters

The Boys Cameos

Explanation of Gen V runtimes

Explanation of Tek Knight's powers

What is the Virus?

Explanation of Jordan Li's powers

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