Warning: SPOILERS lie ahead for Gen V episode 5, "Welcome to the Monster Club"!
Summary
In episode 5 of Gen V, there is a surprising twist where it is revealed that Cate, not Rufus, is responsible for the mind-swipe, but this revelation does not necessarily make her a villainous character. Cate is a multi-faceted individual with mysterious abilities and a strong link to Marie. While her involvement in manipulating the children is exposed, co-showrunner Michael Fazekas hints that she may have more to her character than meets the eye.
Cate's association with Vought raises doubts about her true motives, leaving her true identity as either a villain or a victim unclear.
Gen V co-showrunner Michael Fazekas discusses the mind-swipe twist in episode 5 and its implications for the future of the show. From its debut, Gen V has followed a group of students at Godolkin University as they delve into a tragedy and a cover-up involving Vought International. By episode 4, "The Whole Truth," the group appears to be making headway as they locate Sam (Asa Germann) and have the potential to uncover information about The Woods. However, during the episode's intense fight sequence, it abruptly transitions to a completely different scene, leaving viewers wondering what is reality.
In an Entertainment Weekly interview, Fazekas explained the twist of Gen V episode 5. It was revealed that Alexander Calvert's character Rufus was not responsible for the memory wipe, but instead, it was Maddie Phillips' character Cate. Despite this revelation, Fazekas warns that this doesn't automatically mean Cate is evil. Read his statement below:
The realization came early on in the writer's room. When I joined the show, I quickly understood that Cate is the most powerful character. Her power is immense, but she chooses to keep it hidden and stays in the background as Golden Boy's girlfriend. This aspect intrigued me. Additionally, the connection between her and Marie, both being orphans, was also significant, as mentioned in episode three. The fact that Cate was involved in manipulating these kids was not initially planned, but it naturally stemmed from her character and abilities. Many questions will be answered, and we will learn more about Cate. In this episode, it was crucial to convey her deep regret and grief for her actions, which I think was portrayed excellently. She is not just a malevolent person, but there are underlying reasons for her behavior. Like all the kids, she is a victim of Vought's control.
What's Going On With Cate Dunlap In Gen V?
Cate has always been a enigmatic figure in Gen V. Unlike characters such as Marie Moreau (played by Jaz Sinclair) and Little Cricket (played by Lizze Broadway), whose vulnerabilities and hardships are evident to the audience, Cate has remained more mysterious. Initially, she is introduced to the viewers as Golden Boy's girlfriend (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger). However, it is later revealed that she possesses the ability to control minds. The true extent of her power is not immediately recognized, as she takes precautions by wearing gloves and expressing concerns about accidentally manipulating others without their consent.
It's easy to speculate that she is determined to uncover the truth at Godolkin University, fueled by her desire for justice regarding her boyfriend's death. This is why Rufus is suspected of being the one behind the memory wipe. However, things become clearer when Sam discloses that Cate has not been forthcoming about her powers, specifically her habit of erasing Golden Boy's memories of his brother. The group soon discovers that Cate has been doing the same to them under the orders of Indira Shetty, the dean of Godolkin University.
Although Cate shows remorse and hesitation for her actions, the biggest question is how she became involved with Vought. It's difficult to believe that she is entirely to blame, considering the sympathy she receives due to the tragedies she has experienced, such as her brother's loss, her fractured relationship with her family, Golden Boy's death, and her inability to control her powers. What piques interest is that there are not many individuals left in her life whom Vought can leverage as threats, which raises the possibility that Vought is providing her with something in order to manipulate her cooperation. Only time will reveal Cate's true intentions in Gen V, and her surprising actions do not automatically make her a villain.
New episodes of Gen V air Fridays on Prime Video.
Source: EW
