Superheroes | Television
The Boys Season 3 — F**k yes.
Before 2019, we had to rely on Marvel (mostly) for our big-screen superhero fix. Sure, DC was around, but the less said about their own franchise suicide, the better. And then along came a show based on a comic that came out in 2006 — The Boys. A show about… people trying to kill superheroes?
That’s weird. Why would anyone want to kill superheroes? Well, in the real world, superheroes would be, as Butcher would say, c*nts. I mean, they’re humans just like me and you, but with superpowers. Of course, they’re going to be ego-driven, selfish pricks that do whatever they want to whoever they want, because they know they can get away with it.
And if you looked me straight in the eyes and told me you’d be a just superhero, bent on saving the world, I’d call you a liar. Maybe I’m a little bit of a glass-half-empty kinda guy, but I doubt most people would become superheroes to do good.
Now, though, after four years on Amazon Prime, we’ve reached season 3, which, in my opinion, is heads and shoulders the best season so far.
[SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT]
First and foremost, the good and the great.
Jensen Ackles — Soldier Boy.
Give this man a damn Oscar. Even though the end of this season confirms that we probably won’t see Soldier Boy again for a while, maybe for forever, he left an impact. A seismic one. As soon as he steps out of the chamber he’s been kept in, he’s a problem. He does in Kimiko without so much as a hesitation, screws off, gets to America, blows up an apartment building, and makes Homelander sweat. His name alone makes one of the most terrifying people on the planet scared. That, people, is gravitas. We hardly knew about him, but if he gets Homelander questioning if he could actually win against Soldier Boy, you know he’s someone to pay attention to.
Not only did Ackles bring a magnificent performance, but he was so embedded in the role that you couldn’t see him as anything but a pillar of perfection. The way Robert Downey Jr is Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth is Thor, and Chris Evans is Captain America, Ackles owns the role. From the one-liners that make you laugh to staring down The Homelander himself and saying, “Buddy, you think you look strong? You’re wearing a cape.” His line delivery is perfect. And the gravitas and swagger he brings to it are on an entirely different level, demanding attention when he’s on-screen. Heck, I’ll even say that he steals the show this season.
Antony Starr — Homelander.
Holy crap, we’re witnessing one of the greatest ever antagonist performances. Time and time again, he brings something special to the table. A sort of silent insanity behind those smiles and straight faces that can’t be matched by most. He’s simply intimidating when he’s just standing, watching someone speak. But he’s not the Homelander of season one — he’s a little more intricate. We see him afraid now. There’s an actual threat out there that can both hurt him, and take his place.
The scene in which he talks to himself in the mirror, trying to cajole himself into believing he could be good enough to beat Soldier Boy was absolutely amazing writing. We’re starting to see the complexities a little more and the pain and suffering he went through as a child, and how he dealt with it. All of this culminates in a character that’s terrifying, but interesting because we can all relate to what he wants — love and acceptance. A family. Everyone who he’s ever loved, or tried to love, has left him or died. Sometimes because of his own doing, sometimes not, and this leaves him vulnerable.
It’s great to have a force of nature with layers to them. Isn’t it, Marvel? If only a certain witch was given as much as love to bother with her writing, but… Nah, too much work for the house of mouse.
Overall, this season was great. Characters were given much, much more to do. From A-Train to Hughie, they were all useful. Apart from the Deep. He needs more than Christ. Regardless, everyone had their moments to shine and their moments of vulnerability. You laugh, you smile, and you feel a little down at times when unexpected deaths happen and backstories are intricately told.
To be honest, I don’t think that Marvel can keep up. With Stranger Things also stepping up from a season three that was a little mediocre, Marvel is being left for dead. Frankly, so far Ms. Marvel has been an extremely gruelling show to watch. I’m trying my best, but this isn’t the MCU I remember. And with Thor: Love and Thunder being the less than spectacular spectacle that it is, where do they go? ‘Lesser’ shows are taking the spotlight away from a billion dollar franchise, but I guess it’s worth a change of the guard. Finally. Maybe Marvel will come to their senses and just try to do better. Though, with the shows… products, sorry, slatted to come out, I heavily doubt it.
Now, it's Invincible’s turn to take the spotlight. With She-Hulk as its competition, I don’t think Invincible will find it too hard to dominate the genre.
