If you’ve been following the fourth season of “The Boys,” you might have noticed a shift in the show’s reception. Both critics and audiences have had mixed reactions, with some viewers criticizing the season for its overt political commentary. While the show has never been subtle, some feel the messaging has become increasingly blunt, combined with drawn-out torture scenes that seem to aim more for shock value than narrative depth. However, the claim that the show has suddenly become “woke” has led to review-bombing, prompting an amusing response video from the Vought International Twitter account.
“The Insider,” the seventh episode of the season, doesn’t necessarily aim to win back those disillusioned fans. The episode leans into the same satirical Fox News messaging that has characterized the season. Yet, it works exceptionally well as a penultimate episode, setting the stage for the finale. The narrative has been building towards an insurrection led by Homelander and the Seven, but the specifics remain unsettlingly ambiguous. Other plot threads, such as the supe-killing virus and Butcher and Neuman’s moral crises, add layers of complexity.
While not every character arc has been successful this season—Frenchie and Kimiko, for instance, have been somewhat stagnant—most storylines are converging nicely. Butcher’s potential heel turn feels earned, as he grapples with his imaginary friend Kessler, who represents his bloodlust. Kessler fails to taunt Butcher into forgetting about Ryan, reminding us why Butcher cares about protecting the kid: not just to keep a promise to Becca, but because he genuinely admires Ryan’s defiance against Vought.
The transformation of the Deep into a Homelander-like figure has been a steady, compelling arc. Initially, the idea of Deep cheating on his octopus girlfriend with a lobotomized supe seemed like a half-baked comedic subplot. However, “The Insider” smartly ties this love triangle to Deep’s growing ego, showing how Sage’s manipulative encouragement has pushed him to embrace his worst qualities. The scene where Deep impulsively kills Ambrosius is particularly disturbing, marking the death of the last part of him capable of love or loyalty.
A-Train and Ashley’s parallel journeys provide a necessary counterbalance to these darker arcs. While neither character is fully redeemed, it’s refreshing to see some turning against the Seven’s leadership. Ashley, who hasn’t been sympathetic since her publicist days, comments on how easy it is to become a monster. When A-Train tries to flee Vought, she finds herself unable to leave, even if it kills her. At least she reminds him to remove his tracking chip.
The episode also pairs A-Train and Mother’s Milk effectively. MM’s struggle between his family and the mission to take down Vought is a recurring theme, but this time we get more insight into his internal journey. A-Train’s emotional monologue about how saving MM allowed him to momentarily stop hating himself convinces MM to stay, highlighting the global threat Vought poses.
Homelander, meanwhile, is increasingly isolated. Sage is on his bad side for not revealing the truth about the leak, which she knew was A-Train. When Homelander fires her, she leaves a notebook behind, hinting at future complications. Even his partnership with Firecracker is on the decline, as he loses interest in her pharmaceutically induced breast milk.
The Boys’ missions in this episode focus on identifying the assassin hired by Sage to kill Dakota Bob Singer and refining the supe-killing virus. Frenchie reenters the story after his brief jail stay, released by Grace Mallory to help Sameer. Sameer has his own plans, escaping after nearly killing Kimiko with a new virus cocktail. By the episode’s end, there’s a viable weapon to take down at least one major threat.
The assassin, a shapeshifter, adds another layer of tension. After escaping her hideout, she could be anyone, making the final reveal—that the Annie Hughie just slept with is actually the shapeshifter—all the more shocking. This twist sets up an intriguing variable for the finale, with our heroes in the dark about the exact threat they face.
The episode also delves into Frenchie and Kimiko’s past traumas, revealing that Kimiko lost her voice because she was forced to kill silently. Their conversation about self-hatred and guilt is a poignant moment, showing their mutual support. They plan to set Sameer free once the virus is ready.
At Vought Tower, Homelander and Firecracker question Webweaver, who fails to provide useful information. Annoyed, Homelander kills him. Deep, meanwhile, kills Ambrosius in a fit of rage, further cementing his descent into monstrosity. Homelander then tasks Deep with attacking Butcher and the Boys, a mission Deep eagerly accepts.
Hughie, after leaving Annie and Butcher, visits Victoria Neuman, trying to convince her to stop working with Homelander and Sage. She remains committed to her plan, despite Hughie’s pleas. Back at the Boys’ HQ, Deep and Black Noir attack, but A-Train and MM arrive just in time to save the day.
As the episode ends, Homelander is more isolated than ever, Sage and Victoria are ready to make their move, and A-Train is fully aligned with the Boys. Butcher’s illness and Kimiko and Frenchie’s efforts to extract the supe-killing virus add to the tension. The stage is set for a high-stakes finale, with the fate of the characters hanging in the balance.
Source: Prime Video
