Unveiling Marie's Powers: Insights from Gen V Showrunner
Gen V's showrunner reveals an intriguing twist for Marie's powers in Season 2: Unaware of her immense strength, Marie embarks on a thrilling journey of self-discovery
In narratives like those found in the MCU and shows like The Boys, where storylines intertwine, plot elements and the development of characters are often meticulously planned in advance, leading to a foreseeable outcome. However, there are also instances where circumstances simply fall into place. This is the insight we gained from our conversation with Michele Fazekas, the showrunner for Gen V, as we discussed the recently concluded first season.
The world of The Boys features a diverse range of individuals, including peculiar characters like the infamous Love Sausage, as well as immensely powerful beings like Homelander. Initially, when introduced to Marie Moreau, it appears that her ability to manipulate blood is destined to only be utilized as a weapon. However, as Season 1 progresses, we are left pondering the true extent of her capabilities.
Upon their meeting, Congressman Victoria Neuman subtly reveals to Marie that they possess the same powers. This revelation is significant considering Neuman's previous display of exploding heads in Season 2 of The Boys in 2020, suggesting that this connection has been a long-standing plan. However, this was not the case.
According to Fazekas, the idea surfaced during the development of episode seven. It naturally emerged within the writers' room, sparked by a suggestion from series creator Eric Kripke that Neuman could visit the campus as part of her campaign. While it was always known that Neuman was Marie's benefactor, the reason behind this connection remained unknown.
"We brainstormed in the writers' room and came up with the idea of connecting their powers, which felt like a natural and seamless addition to the existing story," Fazekas explained.
Fazekas stated that while Gen V Season 1 featured a fantastic ensemble of captivating characters, Marie always remained at the heart of it all. As the audience's perspective into the Gen V world, she embarked on her journey at God U with immense anticipation, viewing it as a means to escape her life of confinement in a Supes orphanage. However, as the season comes to a close, Marie finds herself awakening in a literal prison.
"She has transitioned from a state of idealism to disillusionment, which is a common experience during adolescence when one begins to see the world as it truly is. However, now she has reached a point where she sees everything in the world as terrible. Therefore, her current challenge is to come to terms with the fact that her previous aspirations and desires no longer align with her current reality. Now she must ask herself, 'What do I do now?'", explained Fazekas.
According to Fazekas, Marie's perspective can be summed up as follows: "I am no longer under the influence of others telling me what to do. I am not bound by the instructions of the orphanage or Vought. This means I have the freedom to determine my own desires and decide how I want to present myself in the world."
Marie's true power remains a mystery, even to herself. In the final moments, she bravely endured a direct hit from Homelander, unlike his usual victims who are left lifeless or consumed by fire. Instead, Marie awakens to find herself in a heavily guarded hospital bed.
According to Fazekas, "Marie is unaware of the extent of her powers. There seems to be something extraordinary about her." However, she acknowledges that there may be deeper layers to this revelation. "Homelander might have a specific purpose for her... There are multiple interpretations to consider." Homelander intervened to quell the riot that ensued when the young supes, who had been subjects of God U's experiments, broke free. Meanwhile, Vought executive Ashley Barrett was present, trying to manage the situation from a public relations standpoint.
Under Ashley's instructions, Homelander refrained from killing the first young black woman who had achieved top ranking at the school. However, it seems that Homelander, in addition to following orders, has been plotting independently and possibly has his own motives concerning her.
Although Fazekas did not provide any specific details regarding the future of Marie and the other children, we also explored the possibility of their success from the outset.
"I find the storytelling during this particular phase of their lives intriguing because it showcases how these kids, when they enter the system, are left practically defenseless. You can witness how this environment corrupts them. The upcoming Season 4 of The Boys, which comes after our Season 1 and 2, will have a significant impact on the direction of our second season and the world within it will be quite different," stated Fazekas.
Regarding whether the kids had any chance of emerging from God U unharmed, "Personally, I believe it's incredibly challenging. Eric Kripke, the creator, often emphasizes that having superpowers would be a terrible burden. Nevertheless, I believe that anyone who truly embodies heroism and genuine goodness will face immense difficulties in the current state of Vought."
As to whether there's such a thing as a 'good' Supe, "I bet you Eric [Kripke] probably thinks you couldn't be a good superhero. However, I might have a slightly more optimistic viewpoint."
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of the show, I am thrilled to learn about the exciting developments planned for Marie's character in Gen V Season 2. The revelation that Marie and Congresswoman Victoria Neuman share the same powers is a fascinating twist that I did not anticipate. This connection adds depth to both characters and opens up new possibilities for their storylines. I am eager to see how this revelation will impact their relationship and how it will affect the overall narrative of the show.
I am also intrigued by the idea that Marie's true power remains a mystery, even to herself. The fact that she was able to withstand Homelander's attack and wake up in a heavily guarded hospital bed suggests that there is something extraordinary about her. I am excited to learn more about Marie's abilities and how she will use them in the upcoming season. Overall, I am very excited about the future of Marie's character and the direction that the showrunners are taking her story. I can't wait to see what unfolds in Gen V Season 2.
