The Boys Are Back
On July 26 2019, exactly three months after the conclusion of cinema’s largest series of connected films of Avengers: Endgame, the world was introduced to The Boys. After over ten years of being fed the same superhero story by Marvel Studios, viewers were shown a world in which the line between hero and villian is blurred, in a brutally realistic take on the superhero genre.
After over a year since the season 1 debut, the first three episodes of season 2 were released this past Friday Sep. 7. I am happy to report that it takes the adrenaline rush at the end of season 1 and carries it straight into season 2. After one season, the show had an easier time fully realizing its identity. This show is well-known for its gore element. Blood and guts fly all the more in season 2, as the creators were committed to pulling no punches. It creates that feeling that no one is safe, which significantly highlights the mortality of the main characters and ourselves as the viewer.
That’s not to say that heart-pumping action is all The Boyshas to offer. At the end of the day, it is about a group of morally struggling individuals trying to deal justice in a world which seems to have forgotten what it means. Each character has his/her flaws, yet each possesses a quality that we the viewers can deeply relate to. The desire to avenge a loved one for instance, or the need to protect our friends. The characters have not strayed from their roles, but have actually started arcs, which almost surprised me in a show which seemed more 1-dimensional in its previous season.
One addition to the show worth mentioning is Aya Cash, who joined the cast as Stormfront. Rivaling even Homelander’s level of inhumanity, in just three episodes she has made the audience fear her very presence on screen. Only three episodes have been released thus far, so it is difficult to provide a more in-depth analysis of season 2. Although, if the momentum is retained, it is safe to say that season 2 will bring many more unexpected surprises, and serve as an excellent addition to this joy-ride of a show. If you own Amazon Prime Video and have yet to watch The Boys, do so immediately, provided you do not have a fragile stomach.