Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Gen V episode 7!
Summary
Gen V uncovers the genuine essence of Victoria Neuman's powers, demonstrating her possession of the blood-bending abilities akin to Marie Moreau.
Certain spectators ponder over the possibility of a connection between Neuman and Moreau, attributing it to their common powers; nonetheless, this theory lacks substantiating evidence.
Both characters in The Boys franchise, although blood-benders, demonstrate different approaches to their abilities, thereby showcasing the versatility of blood bending.
Victoria Neuman, a remarkably powerful supe in The Boys franchise, has recently been retconned in Gen V, unveiling the true nature of her abilities and her connection to Marie Moreau. In The Boys season 4, Victoria Neuman is positioned as the primary antagonist, posing a tremendous threat to both the Boys and other supes within the franchise. While her head-popping abilities have been known for some time, Gen V has provided her with a brand new upgrade, revealing the true extent of devastation she can unleash in The Boys.
The long-awaited live-action spin-off of Amazon Prime Video's The Boys, known as Gen V, is now available with the release of its first season. Gen V takes a fresh approach to The Boys universe by exploring Godolkin University, a supe college run by Vought. The story centers around Marie Moreau, a young blood-bender who is granted the opportunity to attend this prestigious institution. However, upon her arrival, Marie uncovers a vast Vought conspiracy and finds herself crossing paths with influential supe figures. Among the characters Marie must contend with is Victoria Neuman, a notorious antagonist. Gen V sheds new light on this villainous character.
Gen V Finally Explains Victoria Neuman's Power - It's The Same As Marie's
Victoria Neuman's powers have long been a mysterious enigma, known only for her ability to make heads explode. While characters like Hughie have uncovered Neuman's true nature as a superhuman, their limited interactions on the show have left The Boys with an incomplete understanding of her capabilities. Initially, it appeared that Neuman's sole power was head explosions, until Gen V episode 6 unveiled a broader range of her abilities, raising the stakes in The Boys' world.
Surprisingly, it is revealed that Victoria Neuman shares the same powers as Marie Moreau. When Neuman converses with Marie, she demonstrates a remarkable comprehension of Marie's abilities, suggesting that Marie can discover the truth about Neuman by examining her blood. Neuman then unveils her own blood manipulation skills, cutting her hand and causing the blood to surge outward. Whereas Marie is still unlocking her Gen V powers, Neuman appears to have already mastered them, potentially making her far more formidable than Marie.
Are Neuman & Marie Moreau Related In The Boys?
There is no evidence to suggest that Marie Moreau and Victoria Neuman are related in any way, despite their shared powers in Gen V. Other unrelated characters in The Boys, such as A-Train, Shockwave, and Mister Marathon, also possess similar abilities. While it is possible that Gen V may reveal a familial connection between them in the future, it is unlikely given that there is only one episode left to fully explore and develop this storyline.
How Neuman's Powers In The Boys Differ To Marie's In Gen V
Victoria Neuman and Marie Moreau, although possessing similar powers in The Boys, demonstrate significant differences. One striking disparity lies in the visual manifestation of their abilities. Notably, Victoria's eyes undergo a distinct transformation, turning white whenever she employs her powers. This distinct feature has been consistently apparent from the start. In contrast, Marie's eyes have not exhibited this phenomenon thus far, setting her apart from Victoria. The reason behind this dissimilarity remains unknown, but it adds a perplexing layer to their shared powers. However, the dissimilarity between the two characters extends beyond this aspect.
Not only do Victoria Neuman and Marie Moreau both possess the ability to manipulate blood, but they employ their powers in starkly contrasting manners. Marie often utilizes her own blood as projectiles and whips, even resorting to self-inflicted wounds to harness the power of her blood. On the other hand, Neuman predominantly manipulates the blood of others, compelling it to rush to their heads until an explosive outcome occurs. It is worth mentioning that Marie did manage to replicate this technique once, causing Rufus' blood to surge towards his pelvic region before it erupted. These divergent strategies highlight the versatility of blood bending, as both characters employ the same set of moves in radically different ways.
Has The Boys Rewritten Victoria Neuman's Powers?
Victoria Neuman's powers in Gen V provide a more detailed understanding of her abilities compared to previous depictions. The possibility of The Boys rewriting her powers arises, as she was previously portrayed solely as a head-popper without any indication of her true power—blood manipulation. While no confirmation exists, it appears plausible that Gen V retroactively altered Neuman's powers to include blood manipulation for a captivating reveal involving Marie Moreau. The complete explanation of Neuman's powers has never been revealed, leaving room for the notion that blood manipulation may have been the intended concept from the start. However, this theory seems highly unlikely.
If Victoria Neuman was intended to be a blood bender throughout The Boys, certain choices she makes throughout the series become illogical. Exploding heads draws far more attention than discreetly stopping blood circulation, an ability Neuman and Marie possess as they can control blood within living beings. Throughout The Boys, Neuman has concealed her superhuman abilities, making it more logical for her to kill discreetly in alignment with her goals. The Boys may provide further answers in the future, but it appears that Victoria Neuman's powers were indeed altered in Gen V.
New episodes of Gen V release Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.