5 things we learned from The Boys season 4 finale

"Wild" is the perfect word to describe what we all witnessed in the latest season of The Boys. In all fairness, that's pretty much how you could describe every episode of the Amazon Prime Video show, but the season 4 finale especially. Despite IGN giving The Boys' final episode of season 4 a 6/10—an above-average score, barely—they could flip that six upside down and give it a nine. It was nothing short of epic and disturbing, leaving us both thrilled and unnerved.

There was a time it seemed that The Boys relied on shock factor, from the disturbing scene in "Life Among the Septics" that made The Human Centipede look tame. And who can forget the nauseating experience Huey had with Tek Knight and Ashley in "Dirty Business" that left him traumatized? Poor Huey. The plot was a bit slow-moving, and one could argue some personal plots, like those of Kimiko, Frenchie, and Marvin, went backward. Still, despite its flaws, season 4 gave us everything we needed to anticipate a historically great season 5 that could cement The Boys as one of the greatest shows of all time. Here's what we learned.

1. Sister Sage is a calculating mastermind

Sister Sage burst onto the scene in season 4 of The Boys, and let’s just say, she made her presence felt with a bang! With powers that include superhuman intelligence, Sister Sage isn't just another Supe—she's “the smartest person on the planet.” One minute she’s deducing Homelander’s health issues from his pristine hand, and the next she’s orchestrating the dynamics within The Seven like a true puppet master.

Her role this season? A bold, brainy antagonist who doesn't just challenge Homelander; she flips the entire script. For too long, no one dared stand up to Homelander, let alone scheme behind his back. Enter Sister Sage, who not only stood toe-to-toe with him but also pushed his buttons like nobody else. Her approach was simple: challenge the alpha, stir the pot, and watch the chaos simmer.

And let's not forget the collateral damage. Sage’s manipulations lead to a brutal showdown between Firecracker and Annie, proving she's as vindictive as they come. But even after Homelander shows her the door, Sage demonstrates why she’s either one of the most dangerous villains or perhaps the unexpected hero The Boys desperately needs.

From her calculating moves to her chilling influence, Sister Sage's storyline has been a wild ride, proving that brains can be just as formidable as brawn in the brutal world of The Boys.

2. Starlight rebirth sees Annie rediscover herself 

Season 4 has been a rollercoaster for Annie January, a.k.a. Starlight, who has emerged from the shadows with a transformative Carol Danvers-like aura of power and resolve. This season, we've seen her grapple with her identity and wrestle with past mistakes that continue to haunt her—echoing real-life struggles with authenticity and redemption.

From the outset, Annie's journey has been fraught with challenges. In a particularly pivotal episode, "Wisdom of the Ages," she deals a heavy blow to Vought's manipulations, striking a deal that showcases her strategic acumen and newfound boldness. Yet, her growth is met with stark betrayals. In "Dirty Business," her confrontation with Tek Knight and her brutal showdown with Firecracker, orchestrated by Sister Sage, reveal a grittier, more relentless side of Starlight.

Despite these trials, or perhaps because of them, Annie's evolution is compelling. Her transformation is not just about gaining strength but also about navigating the murky waters of moral ambiguity in a world that often seems bereft of justice. As Butcher delves deeper into darkness, Annie's luminescent rise offers a beacon of hope.

Starlight's journey in season 4 captivates the audience, blending superhero bravado with deep, personal struggles. It’s a narrative that keeps us hooked, rooting for her as she rises to meet her challenges head-on, proving that sometimes, losing part of oneself is the first step towards becoming something greater. This character arc not only enriches The Boys but sets the stage for electrifying future confrontations, positioning Starlight as a formidable force in the gritty universe of the series.

3. The new "Boys"

To say the finale hints at a fresh lineup for the Boys would be putting it lightly. A team makeover is underway and it is going to be interesting. We saw the titular Boys essentially break up. No, it wasn’t just Butcher's descent into darkness—okay, he was already pretty dark, but he had a heart. Unfortunately, it seems his heart was replaced with… something that gave him a massive reach. Marvin, a.k.a. Mother’s Milk, gets attacked by a former foe while Frenchie and Huey’s fates are left up in the air. Starlight, however, finds herself at the right time, setting the stage for some major changes.

Starlight will likely lead the new team, possibly seeing the return of A-Train. But who else could join? With Gen V returning and some former students making their second cameo appearance, we could see some of the more heroic members of Gen V joining the fray.

However, the real intrigue lies with the wildcards: Ashley and Edgar. Their unpredictable nature promises to bring a new dynamic to the group. After dodging the massacre in Vought, we’re all waiting to see what happens with Ashley. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and Ashley's evolution continues. Fans are already speculating what her new self could be like. Could she have a gift that sees her use hair as a weapon? Maybe she’ll battle the wits of Sister Sage, bringing some balance to Team Good. We’ll be waiting a while to see.

Edgar, on the other hand, has a personal vendetta. He wants to take down the man who killed his daughter. It’s about to go down, and we’re here for every explosive moment.

4. Ryan’s family drama

Ryan and Homelander, despite their terrifying powers, are bound by their similar emotional damage—both missing pieces of their lives and the ones they loved. And both found themselves at the end of strings being pulled by people they would use as playthings for their amusement.

Ryan’s downward spiral is particularly crazy considering. Slowly but surely, he’s becoming more like his father. Who, to his credit only wanted to give Ryan what he didn’t have. When Homelander sees his mistakes, he tries his best to fix them, telling Ryan to think for himself. Still, when Ryan needed him the most, Homelander wasn’t anywhere to be found. 

While it doesn't excuse his actions, he’s been manipulated and lied to his entire life. His mother is dead, and the two other people he loved turned his world upside down and tried to use him. No wonder he flipped. Still, what does this mean for Ryan? Will he turn completely bad, or will he be more of a morally gray character? There’s no doubt he’ll confront his father and ask about his mother’s fate. Oh, it is going to be epic.

Meanwhile, Homelander gets the news that his father, Soldier Boy, is still alive in cryo. The last time we saw them, their relationship was rocky, but something tells me that’ll change. Given Soldier Boy can kill Homelander, we can only hope that the poor excuse for a hero might fight for the side of good. Unfortunately, given the grim, dark nature of The Boys, it’s not hard to imagine a world where Soldier Boy becomes Homelander’s unwilling No. 2. After all, he was a soldier and super patriotic.

The twisted family saga of Soldier Boy, Homelander, and Ryan is set to escalate in horrifying ways. Their destructive potential is boundless, and it seems likely that this volatile trio will wreak havoc. However, it’s hard to shake the feeling that at least two of them are destined for a grim fate. The power struggles and betrayals within this family are sure to be a major focus moving forward.

5. Empathetic villains are the best thing about The Boys

One of the standout elements of The Boys season 4 is how brilliantly it crafts empathetic villains. In one episode, a single conversation between Huey and Neuman transforms Neuman into a character we can understand if not entirely forgive. This depth makes her long-anticipated turn feel genuine, hinting at an intriguing redemption arc that sadly seems cut short. Her complexity adds significant depth to the narrative, making her downfall all the more tragic.

The show’s writers have a knack for turning brief moments into pivotal character developments. Take Homelander and A-Train, for example. This season, we saw Homelander grappling with his morality and the consequences of his power in ways that almost make us pity him. And the speech he gives Ryan was heartwarming—of course, he flushed that down the drain, but still. 

A-Train, on the other hand, faces his own moral dilemmas and struggles, but in the end, he comes through in the clutch. He even tries to get Ashley to turn over a new leaf, but that fails. Yet, we find ourselves grinning from ear to ear when we hear A-Train made a clean break with his family. 

On the flip side, characters like The Deep and the new Noir seem destined for especially gruesome ends. Their actions throughout the series have painted them as irredeemable, and fans are eagerly awaiting their comeuppance. Unlike A-Train, there is no going back for either of them. Given how fantastic the writers have been in making their villains empathetic, it’s safe to expect some poetic justice.

All four seasons of The Boys are streaming on Amazon Prime Video.