Every episode of The Boys season 4, ranked from worst to best

Every episode of The Boys season 4, ranked from worst to best

As a longtime fan of superhero stories, I have seen my fair share of shows and movies that glorify the genre without delving into the darker aspects of power and its consequences. But then came “The Boys” into my life, and it completely turned my expectations upside down.


As a longtime fan of Garth Ennis’s gritty and satirical comic series “The Boys,” I was both excited and apprehensive when Amazon Prime Video announced the release of its fourth season. Having grown up with the original source material, I was curious to see how the show would adapt the storyline while maintaining its dark and biting commentary on power, corruption, and morality.

Each episode was enjoyable with standout moments typical of “The Boys.” The series continued to deliver its signature over-the-top violence, while also introducing thought-provoking scenes that show superhero stories can offer more than just action. Yet, not all episodes were equally impressive. Here’s a list of the eight episodes from season 4 of “The Boys,” ranked based on their merit.

8. Episode 203: “We’ll Keep the Red Flag Flying Here”

As the therapist’s words echoed in my mind, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of truth in her assessment. It’s time for me to confront my past, not with violence or vengeance, but with understanding and acceptance. So instead of “killing them all,” I will face each challenge head-on, learning from the past mistakes that have shaped who I am today.

This episode wasn’t the strongest of the season, but it wasn’t terrible either. It served as a bridge, setting up future developments. Victoria Neuman and Homelander advanced their plans, while M.M. and Hughie looked on. Butcher acted to prevent Ryan’s kidnapping, and Firecracker shared her reason for disliking Annie January.

The most intriguing moment is when Homelander engages in a self-dialogue towards the end. This scene is believed by some to be Antony Starr’s finest acting on the series yet; I’ll discuss it further down the line.

Every episode of The Boys season 4, ranked from worst to best

7. Episode 205: “Beware the Jabberwock, My Son”

“You’re facing Homelander for the final time now, and suddenly you’re taking a lenient approach? Yes, they may be good people, but you and I aren’t cut out for goodness.” — Kessler (This version maintains the original meaning while using simpler sentence structures and more common phrasing.)

In the series “The Boys,” there are numerous unusual and comedic scenes spread across its four seasons. One particularly odd occurrence involves super-powered sheep going airborne due to Compound V. Our protagonists, along with former adversaries turned questionable allies, come across these experimented animals while searching for a deadly supe virus necessary for their survival against Homelander. Towards the end of an episode, Butcher brutally attacks the doctor responsible for creating the virus, hoping to produce more of it.

Every episode of The Boys season 4, ranked from worst to best

6. Episode 402: “Life Among the Septics”

“Ashley Barrett exclaims, ‘Foolish individuals who believe they are wise leave me feeling exasperated to the point of frustration.'”

If you needed an episode to explain what The Boys is about, this is it. It’s the perfect representation of the show. You get fighting, creative interpretations of what superpowers would look like in the real world (obviously, the superhero who can multiply himself uses his powers in radical acts of self-love), and pointed commentary on society; in this case, the show mocks right-wing conspiracy theoriests.

From a narrative standpoint, the pivotal moment lies in the character introduction of Firecracker. Here, we discover her disturbing and malevolent nature. She borders on becoming a charismatic leader for a cult. It’s amusing given that Valorie Curry previously portrayed a cult member in “The Following.”

5. Episode 507: “The Insider”

“I was the only one who knew the secret at Vought. And let me tell you, nothing felt more satisfying than that moment, because for once, I didn’t despise myself.”

In this scenario, boundaries are set. The Deep mournfully takes the life of Ambrosius, his lover (and octopus), and pours all his emotions into Homlander. Initially, he submitted out of fear. Now, he’s fully committed with no hesitations.

In the previous installment, A-Train stepped in to rescue M.M.; now, fully committed to aiding The Boys, he joins them just as they require his assistance against Black Noir and The Deep. His timely arrival is essential as they face this formidable duo. Despite A-Train’s attempts to persuade Ashley to depart from Vought and Homelander, she remains steadfast in her allegiance.

I chose to stick with my teammates during that intense battle instead of running off to protect my family. I came to understand that no matter how far I distanced myself from the chaos, the imminent takeover of the U.S. government by Homelander and his band of super-powered cronies would eventually reach me. Sadly, it seemed all my efforts were in vain. To make matters worse, a shapeshifter had successfully infiltrated our team, disguised as Annie January, adding even more obstacles to the season finale.

4. Episode 406: “Dirty Business”

“Yeah. Smell, vision, taste, touch. He’s like Sherlock Holmes on meth.” — Marvin Milk

At this point, matters became even more sinister. Homelander came close to botching his speech at Tek Knight’s extravagant gathering for billionaires, an apparent caricature of Batman with a dark and distorted side. Fortunately, Victoria Neuman intervened to prevent any disastrous consequences, ensuring they secured the necessary support for their nefarious plan.

During this period, Hughie experiences one of the most distressing episodes in his life. He is subjected to a sexual assault and comes close to losing his life inside Tek Knight’s Tek Cave. This occurs not long after Hughie was forced to take the life of his own father in the previous episode. This is undoubtedly the lowest point in Hughie’s life, and things only grow more difficult for him.

In the meantime, it comes to light that Butcher’s longtime friend Kessler is merely a representation of his own dark self. This revelation wasn’t entirely unexpected, yet the execution was impressive. Observing this unfold brought to mind Edward Norton discovering his alter ego, Tyler Durden, in “Fight Club.” Even when we anticipate a twist, it matters if the scene is skillfully presented.

3. Episode 401: “Department of Dirty Tricks”

“Smartest person, and that person is too smart to give a (censored) about Pottery Barn.” — Sage

In the opening episode of season 4, a remarkable new character is introduced, setting the primary plotline: Sage, boasting an intelligence unmatched throughout the world.

Susan Heyward’s character, Sage, sets herself apart among other heroic figures with her deliberate actions and lack of irrational behavior, much like M.M. Her presence significantly enhances this season, making it less engaging without her. Collaborating with Homelander in a plot to overthrow the U.S. government, Sage introduces an intriguing new superhero dynamic with an exceptional ability.

Every episode of The Boys season 4, ranked from worst to best

2 . Episode 404: “Wisdom of the Ages”

“Your life is literally in your hands.” — Homelander

Annie January feels deeply upset and invaded when her confidential medical records became public knowledge. With Firecracker’s revelation, it becomes clear that her supporters don’t prioritize truth. Yet, what takes the cake is Antony Starr’s captivating performance in this episode as Homelander explores the lab where he was born, raised, and tormented.

The exceptional performance of Antony Starr left me so captivated that I momentarily forgot about the rest of the episode’s events. It took a conscious effort to recall that other significant happenings had transpired. Homelander’s compelling backstory elicited unexpected empathy for such a formidable antagonist, but his inherent danger and insanity never escaped my awareness.

It’s possible that Homelander’s innate evilness was predetermined, but the way he was treated as a child certainly didn’t help. Instead of nurturing and caring for him, his caretakers mocked, harmed, and conducted experiments on a young boy. It’s intriguing that they were taken aback when he sought retaliation.

Every episode of The Boys season 4, ranked from worst to best

1. Episode 408: Season Four Finale

“To see if I could.” — Sage

As a longtime fan of superhero shows, I’ve seen my fair share of season finales. Some left me satisfied, others disappointed, and a few left me speechless. But this one, oh boy, this one was something else.

As a seasoned investigative journalist with a knack for uncovering hidden truths, I’ve seen my fair share of shocking revelations and unexpected twists. But nothing could have prepared me for the events that unfolded that fateful day.

In Gen V, I watched in despair as Frenchie and Kimiko were dragged away by Vought guards, with Sam and Cate right beside them. The heart-wrenching moment came when Kimiko called out to Frenchie, her voice trembling with emotion as she spoke for the first time. They exchanged forgiveness and shared a tender kiss before being torn apart once again.

Following all the challenges The Boys have faced, how on earth did they manage to lose? Facing off against the most intelligent being known to existence was no small feat. What motivated Sage to carry out such an act? Merely to test her capabilities. A chilling thought: this was just the beginning. The depths of Sage’s plans for the future are bound to be more harrowing.

I’m eagerly looking forward to the upcoming fifth season of “The Boys.” According to current plans, it’s set to release in 2026. But if Amazon decides to bring it forward and air it in 2025 instead, I’d be absolutely thrilled!

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2024-07-21 18:42

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