Unearthing the Shadows: Gen V's Gripping Journey into Andre, Marie & Jordan's Haunting Pasts in Cate's Dream

Warning: The article contains SPOILERS for Gen V episode 6, "Jumanji."

Summary

Gen V delves into the challenging pasts of its central characters, unravelling the secrets they wish to bury deeply, including extramarital affairs and prioritizing personal gain over moral choices. Showrunner Michelle Fazekas introduces a unique perspective on memories, employing the genre's elasticity to allow characters to navigate through distressing recollections from their formative years, unlocking insights into their behaviors and driving forces.

All characters in Gen V have committed sins in the past, and the show challenges them to confront their actions and consider their future choices. The Boys spinoff in Gen V focuses on addressing dark pasts in episode 6. This episode is a self-contained story that delves into the memories of Cate (Maddie Phillips) and explores the difficult memories of Marie (Jaz Sinclair), Andre (Chance Perdomo), and Jordan (London Thor and Derek Luh). These memories are often traumatic, like Marie accidentally killing her parents. In other cases, the memories reveal the mistakes that the characters would rather keep hidden, such as Cate and Andre's affair and Jordan prioritizing proximity to power over doing what is right.

In an interview with Variety, co-showrunner Michelle Fazekas discussed the examination of memories within the main Gen V group. The episode, helmed by writer Lauren Greer and director Rachel Goldberg, takes a unique approach to portraying these memories. Fazekas, who serves as showrunner alongside Tara Butters, stated that this is made possible by the genre of the Prime Video series. Fazekas also delved into the perspective of the characters:

"A show without superpowers would typically have a flashback episode. However, we have the ability to delve into Cate's traumatic childhood memories and allow the other characters to experience them. This was particularly intriguing because of the severity and betrayal involved in her actions. By exploring these memories, we gain a deeper understanding of why she felt compelled to do what she did."

And then what really stood out to me was how this flaw seemed to be universal among all the characters. It became evident that no one here is exempt from wrongdoing. Each person has made mistakes and has their own share of regrets. But what do we do with that knowledge now? If we can all acknowledge that we have done things we're not proud of in the past, where do we go from here?

What Gen V Does Better Than The Boys

Clocking in at just 40 minutes, Gen V episode 6, titled "Jumanji," stands out as a concise gem among typical broadcast network dramas. Within this limited runtime, it skillfully delves into the complexities of its characters, fostering a strong emotional connection with the audience. The series benefits from its overarching storyline centered around the enigma surrounding Godolkin University, bolstered by a well-rounded main cast comprising six individuals and the cunning antagonist, Indira Shetty (portrayed by Shelley Conn).

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In contrast, The Boys have become bloated and somewhat disorganized. Each episode has more than one antagonist. In season 3, most characters have their own isolated storylines and don't often share meaningful scenes with others. Although the cast has expanded and will continue to do so in season 4, the main story hasn't progressed much. Moreover, many previously leading protagonists have minimal screen time now.

Gen V has officially been given the green light for a second season. The spinoff is expected to maintain its creative integrity by exploring unique approaches to well-known television themes without rushing its growth. The flashback episode not only progressed the main storyline but also delivered a delightful standalone experience. Other streaming series could benefit from adopting this kind of storytelling.