The Boys kicks off its third season with the premiere episode titled “Payback”, which unfolds several months following the dramatic conclusions of season two. The landscape of the series has shifted dramatically; it’s no longer just a battle between The Boys and The Seven. The government now plays a pivotal role, with Vought pondering significant changes, new heroes from the past making their appearance, and the fluidity of alliances becoming a critical theme. In this environment, the public’s perspective on superheroes is a complex mix of admiration and fear, setting the stage for what feels like a prelude to an impending storm.
In the shocking season two finale, the defeat of Stormfront (Aya Cash) is overshadowed by Butcher’s (Karl Urban) personal tragedy—losing his wife, Becca (Shantel VanSanten). However, many characters believe they’ve emerged victorious. Starlight (Erin Moriarty) has her name cleared and rejoins The Seven, while Butcher fulfills his commitment to Ryan (Cameron Crovetti) by placing him in Mallory’s (Laila Robins) care. Meanwhile, Hughie (Jack Quaid) forges a new partnership with Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit) to combat superheroes through legal means. With everyone ostensibly in better places, the audience senses that turbulence lies ahead.
The Boys Collaborate with the Bureau of Superhuman Affairs and Victoria Neuman
Hughie Realizes The Bureau of Superhuman Affairs Is Not Much Better Than Vought
Season 3 begins with Victoria Neuman’s Bureau of Superhuman Affairs operational, enlisting The Boys to help locate and “non-violently”detain rogue superheroes. Hughie steps into a liaison role, finally believing he is addressing superhero issues ethically and legally. For the first time, he feels empowered—albeit under Neuman’s oversight. In a twist, Butcher must now seek Hughie’s approval to pursue the rogue superhero known as “The Termite”.
The Termite (Brett Geddes) possesses Ant-Man-esque abilities, allowing him to shrink while retaining his mass. After an outrageous confrontation that humorously showcases internal anatomy, Butcher triumphantly subdues The Termite by trapping him in a bag of cocaine. Though non-lethal, it’s a method that suits Butcher’s unorthodox style. Initially satisfied with the outcome, Hughie is soon confronted with a grim reality. Due to a significant endorsement deal, Vought plans to send The Termite to rehab, instead assigning a less powerful supe to appease Neuman’s agency, a development Neuman readily endorses.
As Hughie’s relationship with Neuman deepens, their cooperative engagements at the office carry an air of camaraderie. However, he soon realizes he may have traded one ineffective bureaucracy for another; despite claiming to hold heroes accountable, they appear to be allowing the more dangerous individuals to skate free, masking deeper, more sinister operations.
Homelander Struggles with the Aftermath of Stormfront
Starlight Receives an Unexpected Co-Captain Offer
Homelander (Anthony Starr) finds himself in a precarious situation following Stormfront’s exposure as a Nazi. Now forced on a publicity blitz, he apologizes profusely for his past association with her, struggling to convey sincerity which is certainly not his forte. In an added layer of humiliation, he participates in an MCU-inspired film that sees him admit to never loving Stormfront, painting his fall from grace starkly.
In a surprising cameo, Charlize Theron appears as Stormfront in Dawn of the Seven, which parodies the overused tropes of team-up superhero films. Despite his public posturing, Homelander privately visits Stormfront in her hospital bed, who, despite her injuries, continues to espouse her twisted ideology of a master race. Adding to his distress, Stan Edgar (Giancarlo Esposito) decides that it’s too risky for Homelander to lead The Seven alone, naming Starlight as his co-captain, igniting Homelander’s fury. Eager to exploit this newly minted power dynamic, Starlight accepts the role, dismissing the warning signs raised by Hughie.
Maeve Confides in Butcher About a Potential Weapon Against Homelander
Discovering Soldier Boy: The Original Homelander
Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott) navigates a treacherous path post-season two. While the fallout from Stormfront’s true identity precludes any serious repercussions for her perceived betrayal, Maeve knows Homelander won’t easily overlook where her loyalties lie. After witnessing Homelander’s aggressive behavior towards A-Train (Jessie T. Usher), she realizes she must consider drastic measures.
In secret, Maeve meets with Butcher and reveals information about “Payback”, a superhero team from the 1980s led by Soldier Boy, who purportedly holds greater power than Homelander. Maeve discloses that Payback developed a weapon designed to counteract Soldier Boy. If The Boys can locate this weapon, it may also prove to be Homelander’s downfall. To aid Butcher in his quest, Maeve supplies him with temporary vials of Compound V, albeit cautioning against overuse—a warning that seems destined to go unheeded.
Butcher and Homelander Confront Their Shared Interests
Both Men Feel Hampered by Their Supervisors
The opening episode of season 3 sees Butcher and Homelander grappling with feelings of frustration and confinement, compelling these old adversaries to engage in a surprising dialogue. Homelander arrives at Butcher’s location, demanding to know the whereabouts of Ryan. Savoring the moment, Butcher boasts of his closeness to Becca’s son and expresses no intention of severing that bond.
Following a tense evaluation of one another, the two engage in a remarkably candid exchange. Homelander shares his frustrations with Stan Edgar and the perceived threat from Starlight, while Butcher reveals feeling restrained by Neuman’s oversight of the new department. Both characters, having never thrived under authority, discover an unexpected camaraderie in their mutual discontent. They mutually agree that, should the need arise, they will both fight fiercely without holding back, embracing their very natures. Their discussion ends on an oddly comforting note.
Hughie Discovers Neuman’s Dark Secret
Neuman Takes Deadly Action Following an Old Friend’s Mention
Throughout the episode, a mysterious individual persistently calls for Victoria Neuman in public, referring to her as “Nadia.”Initially dismissing it as a confused admirer, Hughie’s suspicions grow. Later, he overhears the man address her again, prompting Neuman to clarify why she no longer uses that name. The man, named Tony (Kyle Mac), seems pleased with her acknowledgment. Hughie listens intently, hidden behind a dumpster.
Excitedly, Hughie prompts Neuman to leverage her platform to discuss an issue pertaining to “Red River”. In a shocking turn of events, Neuman feigns empathy before deploying her lethal abilities on Tony, illustrating the unsettling extent of her powers. Hughie witnesses the gruesome act, realizing the perilous predicament he has found himself in as blood rains down around him, marking the chilling end of the episode. With The Boys season 3, episode 1, “Payback,”conclusion leaves ominous hints of escalating violence on the horizon.
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