Unveiling the Enigma: Decoding the Woods Facility in The Boys

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Gen V season 1, episode 3!

Summary

The Woods is a secretive laboratory hidden beneath Godolkin University, serving as a chilling facility where Vought conducts experiments on supes. Gaining entry to this covert location poses a significant obstacle, with the facility being extensively fortified. It is believed that The Woods has existed for a considerable period, quite possibly since the inception of the university itself.

The Woods facility in Gen V is shrouded in mystery and holds significant importance in the world of The Boys. It is known to be a place where Vought employees and Golden Boy's friends are familiar with. The origin of its name, which may be due to its resemblance to a wooded area, remains unknown. It is believed that Vought utilizes the Woods for the containment and research of dangerous supes. Despite its enigmatic nature, Gen V has shed some light on the facility's role and motivations, offering intriguing glimpses of what is to come. Here is everything that has been unveiled about the Woods in Gen V so far.

The long-awaited spin-off of The Boys, Gen V, has finally premiered on Amazon Prime. This thrilling three-episode release marks the first live-action spin-off of the popular series, expanding the universe of both the Amazon series and the original comic. Gen V centers around the lives of several students enrolled at Godolkin University, a prestigious institution where Vought trains their next generation of supes. Marie Moreau, a blood-bender, seizes the opportunity to attend this renowned school, only to uncover the university's dark and secretive past upon her arrival.

The Woods Is A Secret Facility Under Godolkin University

In Gen V, the mention of the Woods initially offers no clues about its significance. However, the series soon discloses that the Woods is a covert laboratory beneath Godolkin University, operated by Vought. This facility serves as a holding and experimentation site for various supes, including Golden Boy's brother. While the precise distinctions between the Woods and Vought's other supes-containing facilities remain unknown, Gen V portrays the Woods as particularly sinister, potentially implicating its role in the very existence of Godolkin University.

Gaining access to the Woods proves to be a major obstacle in Gen V, as episode 3 revolves around Polarity, Emma, and their companions devising a plan to infiltrate the facility and rescue Golden Boy's brother. The Woods is located deep underground beneath Godolkin and is heavily guarded. Emma must confront guards as she tries to infiltrate and escape the facility. The exact duration of the Woods' existence is uncertain, but hints regarding Golden Boy's brother suggest that it has been operational for many years, potentially since the inception of Godolkin University itself.

Which Characters Gen V Confirms Know About The Woods

The Woods, intended to be a covert establishment, surprisingly becomes known to a substantial number of individuals by the conclusion of Gen V episode 3. Vought's higher-ranking employees, such as the Dean of Godolkin University, converse about it with Ashley Barrett, a recurring Vought staff member in The Boys. Additionally, Coach Brink likely possessed knowledge of the Woods, given his untimely demise at the hands of Golden Boy, potentially due to his involvement in holding Brink's brother captive within the facility. Apart from the Gen V guards, these are the only confirmed Vought employees aware of the Woods.

Furthermore, throughout the initial three episodes of Gen V, non-Vought personnel have also become acquainted with the existence of the Woods. Following Golden Boy's demise, his friends initiate an investigation into the enigmatic facility, leading to their discovery of its inner workings. Andre is the first among them to comprehend the true nature of the Woods, as Golden Boy imparts a significant clue just prior to his death. Emma aids Andre in his endeavor to infiltrate the Woods, resulting in her own familiarity with the organization. Lastly, Sam Riordan, Golden Boy's brother, being held captive within the Woods, possesses knowledge of its existence as well.

Why It's Called "The Woods"

The lore of the Woods remains shrouded in mystery, including the origin of its name. Contrary to expectations, the Woods is not located within an actual wooded area, but rather beneath the expansive Vought university. Perhaps the name holds significance in relation to the facility's history or purpose, details that will likely be unveiled in future episodes of Gen V. While many questions persist, the first three episodes of Gen V offer a significant clue regarding the source of the facility's name.

It is probable that the Woods derives its name from its visual design, specifically the walls of the cells where supe prisoners are housed, resembling a forested landscape. The constant presence of tree-like imagery surrounding the detained supes suggests that the nickname "the Woods" may have been adopted by either the facility's inhabitants or its staff. Viewers remain uncertain as to why Vought would choose to adorn an underground facility in such a manner, as no obvious explanation emerges. However, considering Vought's calculating nature, it is safe to assume that the company possesses a nefarious motive behind this choice.

What Vought Uses The Woods For In Gen V

The Woods is a highly secretive program in Gen V, with little information provided by Vought-related characters like Ashley and the Dean regarding its origins. However, the first three episodes of Gen V have hinted at the purpose of the Godolkin University facility. It appears that the Woods is used to confine incredibly dangerous and powerful supes, with notable resident Sam Riordan. Although Sam's powers have yet to be fully explored, he is considered to be highly perilous, prompting Vought to take extreme measures to keep him imprisoned beneath Godolkin University.

The primary enigma surrounding the Woods revolves around Vought's motivations for keeping these supes confined there. Despite having facilities like Sage Grove designed for supe containment, why choose this exceptionally high-security location? In one scene set in the Woods, Vought soldiers and researchers are shown conducting experiments on Sam, suggesting that the facility may be more focused on supe research and development rather than simply containment. While future episodes of Gen V are likely to shed light on these mysteries and more, it is difficult not to speculate about this intriguing new addition to The Boys.

New episodes of Gen V release Fridays on Amazon Prime.