Gen V season 1 saw Cate turn on her allies and join Homelander’s supe revolution, but season 2 has teased how the villain can be redeemed. The spinoff show introduced a variety of interesting characters, all with own their unique abilities, but very few stood out quite as much as Cate. Despite seeming relatively innocent and good-natured, Cate turned into one of the show’s main antagonists and even helped fight against the protagonists during Gen V season 1’s ending. Although she did suffer a serious injury, she ended the season in a much better place than her former allies.
When Homelander arrived on the scene, he seemed to admire Cate’s dedication to his vision, resulting in her and Sam joining the antagonist. They even had short cameos in The Boys season 4, with her appearance in the finale indicating she had officially joined Homelander’s supe army. While her actions may suggest she is too far gone, Gen V season 2 has already teased her redemption. Rather than remaining a villain and a traitor to her friends, the mind-controlling supe could have a change of heart, and the spinoff has the perfect reason for Cate to make amends.
Cate Could Get A Redemption Arc During Gen V Season 2
Gen V’s Has Already Hinted At Cate Showing Remorse For Her Actions In Season 2
Although The Boys season 4 seemed to suggest Cate was all in with Homelander’s mission, early footage of Gen V season 2 heavily implied that she could have a redemption arc. One of the biggest Gen V reveals from 2024’s San Diego Comic-Con was that Cate will supposedly show remorse for her actions when the spinoff returns, proving she isn’t completely evil. While her regret doesn’t justify her previous decisions, the fact that she feels bad means there is still room to grow and do the right thing, especially when the franchise’s other key villains are completely sadistic.
The Boys has already had characters like A-Train and Queen Maeve find redemption after their past sins during their time in The Seven, highlighting that it’s not too late for Cate to change. Her tragic backstory proves how impressionable she is, and under the right circumstances, her former friends can probably get through to her. If she is able to see Homelander and Vought’s true colors, Cate may realize just how much damage they’re doing, prompting a change of heart, and with her mind control being so powerful, the supe’s redemption arc could be key to taking down The Seven.
Cate’s Brother Is The Best Way To Get Through To Her In Gen V Season 2
Reconnecting With Her Brother Could Help Cate See Sense
While Cate’s redemption could happen in Gen V season 2, it will take something drastic to get through to her. Thankfully, the show already has the perfect solution – her brother. Cate first found out about her powers when she went on a family camping trip that ended in tragedy. Her brother Caleb was constantly irritating her, resulting in Cate grabbing his arm before telling her to never come back, and he sadly didn’t. This incident was the last time the supe ever saw her brother, causing Cate to be locked in her room by her parents for several years.
Her traumatic childhood is a big reason as to why she is so damaged, and why characters like Indira Shetty were able to take advantage of her. Indira obviously saw the potential in Cate’s mind-controlling powers, hence why Godolkin’s former dean took Cate under her wing and manipulated her. Cate’s guilt over her brother left her needing a family since her own parents alienated her, which is why she found comfort with Indira, but if Caleb came back, it could change everything.
Being allied with The Seven likely gives Cate a sense of fulfillment as spending time with like-minded people is probably where she thinks she belongs, but in reality, the group is only filling the void left by her brother’s disappearance.
Getting the chance to reconnect with her brother would potentially help her see the error of her ways, and she’d no longer have to rely on other supes to feel valued. Being allied with The Seven likely gives Cate a sense of fulfillment as spending time with like-minded people is probably where she thinks she belongs, but in reality, the group is only filling the void left by her brother’s disappearance. Therefore, bringing the siblings back together would potentially snap Cate out of her supe revolution fixation, and help her get back on a more noble path.
How Gen V Can Use Cate’s Brother To Kickstart Her Redemption Arc
Bringing Cate’s Brother Back Could Help Expose Vought & Godolkin
Cate’s brother returning would be the perfect way for the supe to kickstart her redemption in season 2. Gen V hasn’t made it clear how long her mind control lasts, but it seems unlikely it goes on forever. The spinoff has already shown there are limitations to how often Cate can use her powers, meaning the likelihood of one instruction lasting this long seems far-fetched, especially as the central characters seemed to regain their memory and break free from her ability. Therefore, despite being a child when he disappeared, it’s likely Caleb would have tried to return home eventually.
He couldn’t possibly survive on his own, and considering a body was never found, someone likely found Caleb and took him in, which could be tied to Vought or Godolkin. Turning Cate into their perfect pawn may have been a long-term plan, as Caleb might have secretly been with Vought the whole time, the same way Godolkin made Luke believe his brother Sam was dead. If Caleb really is alive and in Vought custody, the protagonists revealing the truth to Cate should win her over in theory, potentially sparking the start of her redemption.
Gen V
season 2 will be released in 2025.
It would be hard for Cate to remain loyal to Vought after learning that they’d been keeping her brother from her the whole time, presumably causing her to rejoin Marie and the other students. Having Cate’s powers on their side would be hugely beneficial for those fighting against Homelander and Vought, meaning her brother’s return could be the best way for Gen V to redeem her character.