I Can't Believe How The Boys Handled Soldier Boy In Season 4

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Boys season 4, episode 8.

The Boys season 4 comes to a shocking and suspenseful end, as its main story picks up significantly in the final episodes — though I’ll admit, I’m disappointed by how the series handles Soldier Boy. Jensen Ackles’ Soldier Boy makes his debut in The Boys season 3, and the Supe leaves a lasting impression. Ackles gives a standout performance, and it’s one that makes viewers want more of his character. Despite his defeat at the ending of The Boys season 3, I think many of us expected Soldier Boy to show up again in season 4.

The Boys season 3’s revelation that Soldier Boy is still alive — and merely back in cryosleep, thanks to Grace Mallory — certainly makes it seem like the character’s story isn’t over. And The Boys season 4 does return to Soldier Boy as promised, but it’s not in the way many hoped for and expected. I can’t believe how poorly the fourth outing utilizes Soldier Boy’s character, but I’m hopeful the series will make up for this during The Boys season 5.

Soldier Boy’s Role In The Boys Season 4 Was Way Smaller Than I Expected

I Can’t Believe The Show Saved Him For The Post-Credits Scene

Soldier Boy plays a huge role in The Boys season 3, and he’s become a fan-favorite character thanks to Ackles’ performance. He’s also Homelander’s father, and it’s clear the younger Supe has serious issues surrounding their lack of a relationship. Given how crucial Soldier Boy is to Homelander’s story, I’m surprised he doesn’t play a bigger part in season 4. Soldier Boy doesn’t make an appearance until The Boys season 4’s ending. In fact, he’s not even in the actual finale; the episode saves him for its post-credits scene.

When Soldier Boy does show up, he’s still unconscious in his cryosleep chamber — and he doesn’t get any lines before the scene fades to black. The Boys season 4’s post-credits tease sees Homelander learning that his father is still alive. It’s an emotional moment for The Boys’ villain, but it doesn’t really add to Soldier Boy’s story. That’s a shame, as he’s one of the show’s most interesting characters. It would have been nice if The Boys gave him more to do in its latest outing. Fortunately, it seems inevitable that he’ll get a bigger role in season 5.

The Boys Season 4 Totally Wasted Season 3’s Soldier Boy Ending Tease

The Finale Makes A Point Of Showing Us He’s Still Alive

The Boys season 3 shows Soldier Boy one last time after his fight with Homelander and The Boys, and this tease makes it seem like he’ll be back relatively soon. Season 3’s finale shows Grace Mallory putting Soldier Boy back into cryosleep during its closing montage. It’s an exciting tease for fans of the character, and I expected the series to do more with it. Instead, The Boys season 4 totally wastes its hint that Soldier Boy will be back. It could just as easily have revealed the truth during season 4’s post-credits scene, which only reiterates season 3’s tease.

We’ll also never know if Grace Mallory had bigger plans for Soldier Boy, as she perishes in The Boys season 4 finale. Knowing her feelings towards Supes, it seems unlikely that she’d unleash him on the world again. Still, season 3 opens the door to explore an interesting dynamic between the CIA and the Supes they’re keeping under wraps. That’s wasted now that Homelander is in charge. We already know his agenda, though it will still be interesting to see how he handles the news about Soldier Boy.

Soldier Boy Needs A Much Bigger Role In The Boys Season 5

With Soldier Boy barely appearing in The Boys season 4 — he gets more screen time during his Gen V cameo — he absolutely needs to play a larger part in the final season. The Boys season 5 will likely see a full-blown war between those who support Homelander and everyone else. With Homelander mobilizing Supes in the finale, things are poised to get very messy. And he may offer Soldier Boy a chance to get in on the action, though it’s hard to say how Ackles’ character would respond to such a suggestion from the son he looks down on.

Whatever Soldier Boy winds up doing in The Boys season 5, it’s crucial that the series prominently features him and any other fan-favorite Supes during its last outing. There’s no better way to pay homage to The Boys’ legacy. And if Jared Padalecki winds up joining the show’s cast, an exciting Supernatural reunion could take place in The Boys season 5.

The Boys

The Boys is a superhero/dark comedy satire series created by Eric Kripke based on the comic series of the same name. Set in a “what-if” world that reveres superheroes as celebrities and gods who experience minimal repercussions for their actions. However, one group of vigilantes headed by a vengeance-obsessed man named Billy Butcher will fight back against these super-charged “heroes” to expose them for what they are.

Cast

Karl Urban , Jack Quaid , Antony Starr , Erin Moriarty , Jessie T. Usher , Laz Alonso , Chace Crawford , Tomer Capone , Karen Fukuhara

Character(s)

Billy Butcher , Hughie Campbell , Homelander , Annie January , A-Train , Mother’s Milk , Kevin Moskowitz , Frenchie , Kimiko Miyashiro

Release Date

July 26, 2019

Seasons

4

Franchise(s)

The Boys

Writers

Eric Kripke

Directors

Erin Moriarty , Karen Fukuhara , Karl Urban , Jack Quaid , Eric Kripke

Showrunner

Eric Kripke

Creator(s)

Eric Kripke

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