The first season of Prime Video's Gen V did something other spin-offs rarely do: Exceed the standard of its flagship show. A spin-off of The Boys, it did this with superior storytelling, well-placed violence and comedy, and an attention to detail. The latter made fans interested in new characters. The only thing this writer predicts will change is that everything will improve in season 2.
The second season is almost upon us, and it will debut with three episodes. This is something that Prime Video has done very well over the years (including with fellow comic book series Invincible). A three-episode premiere allows viewers to better understand the show, its characters, and the season’s plots, getting a taste of what's to come before the weekly releases start.
Before you start Gen V season 2, here are some things you need to know. It’s been a while since the first season arrived, and you may have forgotten a thing or two about the show's first run. Plus, characters from Gen V play a crucial role in season 4 of The Boys, so let's get you up to date.
Catching up on Gen V and The Boys' previous season finales
At the end of the first season, The Boys villain Homelander appeared and shushed everyone. He asked why Marie would fight her own people, and then made it seem like she was going to attack him. This is how he justifies attempting to kill Marie. Thankfully, he failed, but that isn't the end of Vought International's tricks.
Marie awoke from her injury with her friends Jordan, Andre, and Emma in an undisclosed area with no doors. How she survives, where they are, and what’s happened to them remains to be seen. But that should be explained in the first episode of season 2.
Meanwhile, Sam and Cate are the most popular kids on the campus and saviors of their school. They’re dubbed Guardians of Godolkin for helping stop the riot and they are made celebrities as a result of that. But, after the bright lights are off, Cate and Sam are all in on Vought International’s shady deeds. They're willing to attack, kill, and mindwipe anyone. Among them were Frenchie and Kimiko, which we saw in the season 4 finale of The Boys.
Godolkin University
Godolkin University is the epitome of everything that’s wrong with The Boys’ universe. On the surface, it's the premier school for superpeople. It's known as a school designed to help people with powers become their best selves thanks to classes on crime fighting, marketing, and more.
Beneath that are devious things like mind-altering and Vought International's willingness to kidnap and sometimes kill students. An example of this would be the Woods. This is where kids with powers were kept against their will and experimented on. Some of them died thanks to a virus created to kill supes. Even if the victims survived, they were tortured and imprisoned.
While the Woods were destroyed, and its captives escaped, the things going on there may not have stopped. Vought International will always find a way to be deplorable. There’s likely a Woods 2.0.
Luke Riordan
Played by: Patrick Schwarzenegger
Luke was one of the first casualties of season 1. He was the Golden Boy in superhero name and what Godolkin U thought he’d be. Sadly, thanks to Cate Dunlap (his ex) erasing and altering his memories, he started to lose it.
All of the memories Cate took away from Luke returned in pieces. He didn't know what to believe, causing him to slowly lose his grip on reality. Later, he kills Godolkin University’s most popular professor, Richard "Brink" Brinkerhoff. Granted, considering how involved Brink was in the disgusting things Godolkin U was doing, no one will shed a tear.
Marie Moreau
Played by: Jaz Sinclair
After Golden Boy died, Marie Moreau became Godolkin University’s newest star. She was ranked above the other students and was being fast-tracked to be the next big thing. Maybe even becoming a member of The Seven. Thanks to Marie having morals and a conscience, she rebelled. That landed her in confinement with the rest of her friends.
Marie may be the most important character in Gen V and The Boys. It was previously reported that she could be the key to stopping Homelander in The Boys’ final season. It makes sense since she took Homelander’s eyebeams at close range and survived in the season 1 finale of Gen V. It could also be why Butcher killed Victoria Neaman in the season 4 finale of The Boys. He knew how powerful she was and the threat she posed. With Victoria gone, Marie could be Earth's only hope.
Jordan Li
Played by: London Thor and Derek Luh
Jordan Li’s ability to change genders will likely become apparent early in the season. However, their powers may not. In their female form, Jordan can use energy blasts and has superhuman durability. As a male, they’re stronger, invulnerable, and superhumanly strong. However, like most comic book heroes, that could change.
It wouldn’t be shocking if their skills improved. Jordan accepts that becoming more comfortable with themselves may lead to them being able to combine powers regardless of the gender they choose to be. Sort of like Emma.
Speaking of Emma...
Emma Meyer
Played by: Lizze Broadway
Thanks to her mother and the way people have treated her, Emma deals with a lot of insecurities. This leads to issues with controlling her powers. She makes herself sick to get small and overeats to grow into a giant. Both are eating disorders that have caused her to do things she may not have wanted to. However, later during season 1, she changes shape without the bad habits. That means the levels of what she’s capable of are unclear. I fully expect her to do amazing things towards the middle of the season once her mental health improves.
Emma is my favorite character on the show. She’s funny, and Lizzie Broadway does an amazing job showing Emma’s depth. The latter will come into play in a major way in season 2.
Gen V season 2 will pay tribute to Chance Perdomo
Chance Perdomo played Andre Anderson in season 1 of Gen V. Sadly, he passed in 2024. Sean Patrick Thomas (who plays Andre’s father) wrote a heartfelt message saying he is “a constant presence in the show.” So, while he won't appear in season 2, his memory will live on and be felt throughout the season.
"From the first second of season 2, he’s a presence. You can’t have Gen V without Chance Perdomo. He’s part of the DNA of the show. The writers did a phenomenal job of weaving his memory and his character into the storyline of the show and how it motivates the characters. I think they really did a great job of honoring the phenomenal person that he was."Sean Patrick Thomas
Needless to say, Gen V will miss Perdomo's captivating performance, but there is no doubt that the show will pay tribute to him in a way that respects the legacy that he built as the character.