THE BOYS Season 5 Episode 5 Review – “One-Shots”

As we near the end of THE BOYS on Prime Video, the hunt for V1 continues. If you’re looking for a spoiler free review of episodes 1-7 CLICK HERE. However, if you’ve seen the fifth episode of season 5, you’re safe. If not, you’re gonna want to run out of here faster than whoever it is A-Train replaced.

CHECK OUT AN ARTICLE COVERING THE SUPERNATURAL EASTER EGGS FROM THIS EPISODE

*** WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD ***

Last Seen on THE BOYS

In the last episode “King of Hell” we went on a roller coaster of emotions and hilarious one-liners. I stand by the fact that episode 4 is rewatchable for the one-liners alone. Aside from the laughs, we got some great moments as The Boys and Homelander continue on their scavenger hunt to see who finds V1 first. Our main take away for The Boys was they think they have a lead. It looks as if someone stole the last vile, and their theory is it was Bombsight.

While Homelander and Soldier Boy don’t come to that conclusion, they do have a weird bonding moment or two. They’re both incredibly messed up individuals who have been experimented on, worshiped, and fell in love with the same Nazi. They have no idea how to process any emotions and they’re face to face and bonding in the only way they seem to know how: a “will they won’t they” kill each other scenario. In the end we’re left with a pissed off Homelander fresh out of time out ready to commit patricide, and a tormented Soldier Boy who was just tricked into killing someone he hates. Someone who he has a past with, that seemed very complicated, and now he’s gone for good. Another piece of his past gone forever. All Homelander’s rage dissipates when he sees his father in tears.

EPISODE 5: “One-Shots”

This episode of THE BOYS took a different approach than we usually see. We got different perspectives from different characters. We went from Firecracker, to Black Noir, Terror, Sage, and then wrapped up with Soldier Boy, and the much anticipated SUPERNATURAL reunion.

Firecracker

Let freedom ring! Oh Firecracker. You had one thing about you that you actually stuck to, and that was Jesus. She was clearly conflicted about Homelander becoming the new Savoir, but in the end she made her decision. She had multiple chances to redeem herself, but instead she ditched her toy Jesus, and went full dark side. All to meet her demise at the tip of an Eagle’s wing. She said all the right things to Homelander, but it was too late. Poor Firecracker didn’t even get to nut that last time. Shout out to Valerie Curry for bringing Firecracker to life. She made me laugh, roll my eyes, cringe, and in the end, I actually felt bad for her. Despite how hateful she became.

Black Noir

Black Noir is so over Deep’s bullshit, but what he fails to recognize is Deep is the only one that has survived on The Seven next to Homelander. While Deep may be a complete dumbass who drinks all the Homelander kool-aid, he’s only it in for himself and he’s figured out how to play the game. Even if he’s no expert. RIP to the award winning director of Dawn of the Seven. Hopefully someone else see’s new Black Noir’s potential.

Terror

Terror is living the life with his Homelander toy (complete with a stiff cape), and his perfectly cooked steak. However, this wasn’t really about Terror. This one-shot showed us Frenchie discussing his biggest fear: not being able to give Kimiko everything she deserves. It also reminded us about the bond between Hughie and Butcher. They’ve been at each other’s throats arguing about the V1. Butcher wants it destroyed so as to not risk Homelander getting his hands on it, and Hughie wants it to protect Annie, Kimiko, and Butcher in case they’re exposed to the virus.

After seeing Butcher’s fear and love for Terror, Hughie smiles. There is the Butcher he’s always defending. The one who still has a glimmer of his heart left. Butcher sees Hughie smile, looks at his brother, Lenny’s, trophy and tells Hughie he’ll try to save some V1 for the girls if it works out. It was a quick moment, but it spoke volumes and brought us back to their relationship in earlier seasons.

Sage

Sister Sage’s ultimate plan is revealed! She just wants to read in peace. The smartest person in the world just wants to be left alone. Such a relatable sentiment. So she manipulates everyone and tries to burn the world down. So simple. However, I do wonder, what her plan was before Godolkin betrayed her in Gen V. Also, was this the plan when Homelander was actually listening to her? Where her path ends is one I’m the most curious and excited to watch. She’s smarter than everyone, but no one will listen. Might as well let it all burn and enjoy the quiet.

SOLDIER BOY

Cue the NOT Captain America music! Thanks to Soldier Boy’s detective skills and grimacing glare, him and Homelander are off to Hollywood to see a man about some V1. It’s the fastest dealer around, former member of The Seven, and a Supernatural Speedster. It’s Mister Marathon played by Jared Padalecki. Still bitter about being replaced by A-Train, he welcomes father and son into his home, where he is currently entertaining some well known comedians/actors.

After walking past many Supernatural Easter Eggs, Mr. Marathon tells them he can get Bombsight over here with some V1 in a jiffy. Turns out he’s stalling as Malchemical, played by Misha Collins, knocks Homelander out. They want him dead, and they need Soldier Boy’s glowing chest to do it. He sadly declines, saying, “Nobody fucks my son but me!” A hilarious line he instantly regrets, that immediately made me think of their first meeting in the comic books. After watching Soldier Boy kill Malchemical (thank you Kripke for not exploding Misha AGAIN), the race is on with the fastest man alive.

After listening to some amazing celebrities playing themselves, talk so much shit, it made a chase scene that should have been just gruesome, also hilarious. Celebrities are used as human shields, as they’re ‘Robin-ized.’ In a world where we analyze how people with super powers would actually act, it seems fitting to analyze how celebrities would act when they can easily throw each other under the bus. Or into a Freedom camp. Those MEMES! Post Malone and Michael Cera better watch their backs.

At the end of the day, Soldier Boy chooses his son. He had an out, and he decided not to take it. Not gonna lie, I would have loved to see him take it, and create Free Will 3.0! BUT, this isn’t Supernatural, and apparently family does end with blood here. Once again The Boys and America’s Sexiest Dynasty have the same next lead on V1.

Final Thoughts

Well hot damn! That was fun! I loved getting the different perspectives from different parties. The way we saw Hughie and Butcher bond because of Terror, was quite adorable. Meanwhile, Sage’s ultimate plan left me surprised, but as a mom of 3, I also kind of get it. Noir is finally standing up for himself (eh oh), and Firecracker literally dumped Jesus at the worst time possible. A highlight of course, we got a Supernatural reunion. Complete with Sam and Dean doing coke together. It was everything I wanted, while simultaneously not being what I wanted at all. I loved it.

I got to give this episode 9.75 bottles of Puff Baby Oil out of 10. Not gonna lie, it got a Supernatural bump, but it was still a hell of an episode. “One-Shots” gave us some beautiful and disturbing perspectives into this world full of washed up Supe movies, a cum soaked dog toy, a lot of Taco Bell call outs, and a false God.

For more reviews of THE BOYS this season: EPISODES 1 & 2; EPISODE 3; and EPISODE 4.

Want some interviews with the cast, post show reactions, and compairsons to the comic books from Dynamite Entertinament? Head to our YouTube playlist, ‘Saturdays are for The Boys.’

For more from Lauren check out ‘Hops GEEK News.’

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