The Boys season 4 episode 5 recap and review: "Beware of the Jabberwock, My Son"

It's Thursday, folks, which means more WTF moments with our favorite anti-Supes and their shenanigans.

Episode 5 of The Boys' season 4, titled “Beware of the Jabberwock, My Son,” is here, and it’s a wild ride! This episode offers a chaotic blend of mayhem, emotions, and some truly bizarre moments that keep you on the edge of your seat. Let’s dive into the madness, shall we?

SPOILER WARNING: Please read at your own risk!

Season 4 episode 5 recap and review: "Beware of the Jabberwock, My Son"

The plot thickens (and so does the insanity) in this episode.

The episode kicks off with our favorite band of misfits, The Boys, infiltrating Victoria Neumann’s (Claudia Doumit) secret lab. Why? Because they’re after a deadly Supe-killing virus. And guess what? This lab isn’t just any lab - it’s filled with screeching, flying, homicidal farm animals injected with Compound V. Imagine being chased by a superpowered buffalo or a murderous chicken. It’s like a twisted version of Old MacDonald’s farm gone horribly wrong. Butcher (Karl Urban), MM (Laz Alonso), Frenchie (Tomer Capone), and Stan Edgar (Giancarlo Esposito) find themselves in a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek with these crazy animals. Victoria, who is understandably peeved about the break-in, threatens to blow them all to smithereens but mysteriously doesn’t follow through. Instead, we get a comical chase scene where the mere humans try to outrun these lethal livestock.

Our Supes - Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara), Starlight (Erin Moriarty), and Victoria - should have easily handled the situation, but plot convenience. Starlight’s powers are still being worked out, Kimiko is holding back, and Victoria only uses her abilities once to save her stepfather, Stan, before reverting to a mere bystander. Come on, Victoria, where’s that explosive energy when we need it?

In a heart-wrenching subplot, Hughie (Jack Quaid) faces his dying father, Hughie Sr. (Simon Pegg). In a desperate attempt to save him, Daphne (Rosemary DeWitt) injects Hughie Sr. with Compound V, hoping for a miracle. What follows is both tragic and absolutely terrifying: Hughie Sr. gains the ability to phase through solid objects, but with a gruesome twist - he inadvertently tears through people, leaving a bloody trail in his wake. Poor Hughie Sr. and poor Hughie - having to once again see people get torn apart just like his girlfriend Robin was in the very first episode of this series. This horrific power manifests as Hughie Sr. wanders the hospital confused, phasing through innocent bystanders and emerging with their organs in hand, utterly confused. It’s a nightmare scenario that forces Hughie to confront the brutal reality of becoming a Supe. In a touching and gut-wrenching moment, Hughie mercifully ends his father’s suffering, marking a significant emotional milestone for his character.

Meanwhile, at the V52 Expo, Vought is busy flaunting their latest projects in a blatant parody of Comic-Con and the endless stream of Marvel/DC announcements. This also gave me slight Invincible season 2 vibes. The Deep (Chace Crawford) and right-wing journalist Cameron Coleman (Matthew Edison) channel their inner Kevin Feige, announcing a slew of new franchises, including a gender-flip series starring Gen V’s Cate and Sam and a solo project for Deep, humorously titled Aquaman. Homelander (Antony Starr), fresh off his revenge murder spree, is oddly supportive of his son Ryan’s (Cameron Crovetti) reluctance to star in his own show, Super School. But don’t be fooled by his apparent zen demeanor: Homelander manipulates Ryan into punishing a director who had been harassing his female assistant, showcasing a disturbing bonding moment over shared acts of violence. Also, Homelander’s twisted logic comparing his predicament to slavery when explaining it to Ryan was both disturbing and darkly humorous.

Despite their failed heist for the Supe-killing virus, Butcher always has a backup plan. He’s kidnapped Sameer, Victoria’s ex and the brain behind the virus, to recreate it. Butcher’s plan is revealed in a delightfully devious moment, shared with what happens to be the hallucination of Joe Kessler (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a figment of his brain damage. This intriguing plot twist leaves us wondering why Butcher’s mind conjures Joe instead of his deceased brother, Lenny.

Damn, I love this show. This fourth season, in my humble opinion, is the best one yet.

“Beware of the Jabberwock, My Son” is a rollercoaster of emotions and insanity. It’s a testament to The Boys’ unique blend of satire, shock, and heartfelt moments. While the episode leans heavily into absurdity, it still manages to deliver some profound character developments and thrilling twists.

Don't forget to tune in to Prime Video next Thursday, June 4th for the sixth episode in this insanely good season of The Boys.