Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Gen V episode 6!
Summary
Soldier Boy makes a surprise appearance in Gen V, overcoming the obstacles presented by The Boys season 3 finale.
His presence in Gen V arises as a manifestation of Cate's imagination, resolving the quandary of reintroducing the authentic Soldier Boy into the real world.
Soldier Boy's appearance in Gen V, despite his death in that version, holds potential implications for The Boys season 4. It offers insights into his enduring popularity and public perception.
Soldier Boy Is A Construct Of Cate's Mind
Gen V has finally arrived, as season 1 of the highly-anticipated spin-off of Amazon Prime Video's The Boys is currently being released. Episode 6 of Gen V season 1 proves to be the show's most peculiar installment so far, as it directly addresses the aftermath of Cate's betrayal in episode 5. With their memories restored, the gang finds themselves in a precarious situation as Emma sets out to locate Sam, leaving Marie, Andre, Jordan, and Dusty to deal with an unconscious Cate. Strange occurrences ensue, putting the Godolkin gang in grave danger. While the majority of the episode revolves around the team's efforts to escape with their lives, it also includes an enjoyable cameo appearance from Soldier Boy.Following the events of The Boys season 3, Soldier Boy finds himself in a precarious situation, leaving viewers pondering the possibility of his resurrection. After the intense battle at the Seven Tower, Soldier Boy is rescued by Grace Mallory and placed inside a gas chamber, where he remains unconscious throughout the gap between season 3 and season 4. Consequently, reintroducing the real-world Soldier Boy in Gen V without thoroughly exploring his backstory in The Boys season 4 would prove exceedingly difficult. However, the writers have discovered an alternative solution: Cate's mind.
While delving into Cate's psyche, the Godolkin gang is astounded when Soldier Boy materializes amidst the dense woodland. Jensen Ackles reprises his role as this imaginary manifestation in Cate's mind, clarifying that he was her make-believe companion during her childhood. It seems young Cate harbored intense infatuation for Soldier Boy, as he vividly recounts the various sensual scenarios she imagined with him. This peculiar sequence not only elicits laughter but also cleverly resolves the quandary of Soldier Boy's cameo. By portraying him as a product of Cate's imagination, the story of The Boys remains uncompromised while successfully showcasing Soldier Boy.
Is Soldier Boy Dead After His Gen V Cameo?
Soldier Boy informs the Gen V gang that Cate's mind is experiencing the rupture of blood vessels, causing her imagination to be indiscriminately obliterated. Shortly after conveying this, another blood vessel ruptures, turning Soldier Boy into a pile of ash instantaneously. Despite this version of Soldier Boy being deceased, the actual character remains alive following his appearance in Gen V, as the Soldier Boy in Gen V is merely a fabrication. Gen V seizes the opportunity to eliminate one of The Boys' most formidable superhumans, regardless of its limited implications for the franchise's future.
What Soldier Boy's Gen V Appearance Means For The Boys Season 4
Soldier Boy's role in The Boys season 4 is anticipated to be significant, which suggests that his appearance in Gen V could potentially affect the upcoming episodes. As the Gen V version of Soldier Boy exists solely in Cate's imagination, his death holds no consequences and he lacks knowledge of the real Soldier Boy's experiences. However, if Gen V characters do reappear in season 4 of The Boys and interact with the real-world Soldier Boy, they might mention this particular moment. This could also lead to the revival of Cate's infatuation with Soldier Boy, continuing the comedic element.
Nevertheless, Soldier Boy's cameo in Gen V does provide some insight into his public perception. The reaction of the Godolkin gang upon seeing Soldier Boy indicates that he remains one of the world's most famous superheroes, despite his disappearance for several decades. When he appears, Andre mentions that he is a Russian asset, which serves as the cover-up story propagated by Vought following Soldier Boy's mishap in season 3 of The Boys. This suggests that the residents of The Boys universe have embraced this narrative. Gen V serves as evidence of the lasting impact of Soldier Boy's character, a concept that may further evolve in season 4.
New episodes of Gen V release Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.