Critique of The Boys: Writing Issues and Character Development

The show's decline stems from excessive gore, inconsistent character development, and poor writing overshadowing its initial satirical promise.

### Critique of "The Boys": A Dissection of Seasons 1-4
* 😕 The author expresses frustration over the show's decline in quality, particularly in season 2, which shifts towards **gratuitous violence without meaningful context**.
* ♂ Season 1 is praised for its **well-developed characters and arcs**, while season 2 is criticized for **overindulging in gore**, losing the **thematic depth** that initially attracted viewers.
* 💔 The character of Homelander is highlighted as a **complex figure** in season 1, but his portrayal becomes **inconsistent and less intelligent** in later seasons, undermining the show's **satirical take on superhero tropes**.
* 🔄 The narrative inconsistencies extend to the character of Ryan, whose morality seems to **fluctuate wildly**, complicating the audience's understanding of his relationship with **Butcher and Homelander**.
* 🌀 A-Train's character arc in season 4 is noted for its **maturity**, as he begins to act **heroically**, contrasting with the stagnant development of other characters like Deep, who fails to grow despite **significant trauma**.
* ⚔ The author critiques the show's handling of violence, suggesting that it often **serves no purpose**, detracting from **character development and plot coherence**, leading to a **loss of investment in the story**.
* 🔍 Overall, the critique emphasizes a **lack of direction** in the writing, with the show failing to maintain its initial promise of a **thought-provoking satire** on superhero culture while indulging in **sensationalism**.
* 📉 The final sentiment reflects **disappointment in the show's trajectory**, questioning whether it can **redeem itself in future seasons** while addressing its **numerous narrative flaws**.

### The Decline of Character Depth and Narrative Quality in "The Boys" Season 4
* 😱 The protagonist finds himself in a dire situation, contemplating a **false gas leak report** to buy time against a looming threat, showcasing the show's **escalating tension and stakes**.
* 👀 The character of Black Noir is revealed to have a **dual purpose**, primarily serving as a **watcher for Mr. Edgar**, rather than a mentor, which complicates his **loyalty and motivations**.
* 💔 Noir's traumatic past with Soldier Boy is explored, yet his arc ends abruptly with his death, leaving **unresolved psychological issues** and undermining the **gravity of his character's struggles**.
* 😂 The show's humor often trivializes serious themes, as seen when cartoon animals **make light of Noir's death**, detracting from the **emotional weight of his demise**.
* 🤯 Season 4 introduces **absurd sexual humor** involving characters like The Deep, reinforcing a pattern where only villains exhibit **sexual deviance**, while heroes maintain "**vanilla**" lives, raising questions about the show's **underlying messages**.
* 😢 Huey's character suffers significantly, facing **trauma and assault** that the show treats **comically**, failing to address the **serious implications** of his experiences and leaving his development **stagnant**.
* 🔄 The narrative further complicates Huey's relationships, particularly with Annie, as misunderstandings and emotional turmoil are framed in a way that **undermines their previous character growth**.
* 🛑 Ultimately, the writing in Season 4 detracts from the **complexity and depth** established in earlier seasons, leading to a **disappointing portrayal of characters and their journeys**.

The Boys is an awful show

Sheev Talks

The narrator initially enjoyed the first season of "The Boys" for its well-written character arcs and unique take on superhero tropes.

However, they found the second season to be a significant decline in quality, with excessive gratuitous violence and a loss of thematic focus.

By the third season, the show's writing became nonsensical, and the characters' actions lacked consistency, leading to a disconnect from the original themes and purpose.

Butcher's Deal and Homelander's Power Play

Butcher returns to the boys after making a deal with Becca, who threatens to kill herself in front of Ryan if any harm comes to him.

Becca and Ryan are trapped in a compound, making it impossible for her to ensure Homelander keeps his end of the deal.

Homelander has multiple opportunities to kill the boys but doesn't, as he sees them as a threat and is overly confident in his power.

The Complexities of Ryan and Homelander's Relationship

Ryan's character is inconsistent, oscillating between wanting to be good and enjoying Homelander's brutal actions.

His dark moments seem to stem from a desire to protect his mother, but he also struggles with the moral implications of his actions.

Homelander's character lacks direction, repeating the same manipulative behavior, and his power levels are toned down compared to Superman, making the dynamics between him and other characters more complex.

The Inconsistent Power of Homelander and the Deep

Homelander's powers are portrayed inconsistently, making it hard to gauge his true strength and effectiveness as a villain.

The Deep, despite being a member of the Seven, is given excessive screen time for comedic relief, undermining any potential character development.

The show's handling of serious themes, such as trauma and redemption, for both Homelander and the Deep, is often overshadowed by humor and shallow storytelling.

Deep's character remains stagnant and unredeemed after four seasons, while A-Train's arc is more dynamic, struggling with his role as a villain and eventually betraying Homelander.

A-Train's journey touches on themes of race and representation, leading to a transformative moment of true heroism in season 4.

Black Noir's character is shrouded in mystery and is positioned as a potential threat to Homelander, but his role and purpose in the story are ultimately disappointing.

Noir's loyalty to Edgar is undermined when Homelander gets him sent to prison, leading to a crisis of character.

His traumatic past with Soldier Boy's abuse drives him into hiding, and the cartoon animals representing his inner thoughts highlight his mental struggle.

Ultimately, Noir's story ends abruptly with his death, leaving his trauma unresolved and raising questions about the show's portrayal of its characters' struggles.

Controversial Themes in Web Weaver's Story

Web Weaver, a superhero, goes undercover for Tech Knight, who has a BDSM sex dungeon.

The storyline includes Web Weaver enduring non-consensual sexual acts, played for comedy, leading to a mental breakdown.

The show's creator, Eric Kripke, faced backlash for the portrayal of male sexual assault, raising questions about the show's writing and his understanding of the subject.

The story revolves around Huey being blamed by Annie for sleeping with her shape-shifting impostor, despite his innocence.

Annie's irrational anger towards Huey, stemming from her traumatic experience, is not followed by an apology or acknowledgment of his struggles.

The introduction of Sister Sage as a new villain raises questions about her intelligence and the effectiveness of her plans, leading to a series of contrived events that ultimately benefit Homelander.

Huey Campbell's Character Arc in "The Boys"

Huey's character in season 4 is handled well, with impactful moments and growth, but his transformation in season 3 is what ultimately frustrates the viewer.

In season 3, Huey starts off happy and successful but spirals into insecurity and desperation after discovering his girlfriend's dark secret and feeling powerless to protect her.

His decision to use temporary V for superpowers is controversial among the characters, raising questions about the ethics of power and its potential for good or evil.

Huey's Moral Dilemma and Character Shift in The Boys

Huey struggles with Soldier Boy's ruthless plan to kill his old teammates, conflicting with his moral code of not serving innocent people up for slaughter.

His desperation to save Annie leads to a heated argument, causing a bizarre character shift and losing respect for him.

The show's attempt to create relationship drama between Huey and Annie undermines their genuine connection, ultimately retconning one of the better moments of the first season.