The Boys Shouldn’t Have Killed [SPOILER]

All good things must come to an end — even the run of our favorite characters in our favorite TV shows. It’s not that good character arcs always have to end in death, but the natural cycle of stories will tilt the scale in the direction of conflict resolution, and sometimes death is what stands at the end of the road. But there’s nothing natural about The Boys, Prime Video’s excellent superhero that’s currently in its fourth season, which serves as a preamble for the show’s fifth and final season.

There are plenty of deaths in The Boys, deaths so violent and unexpected that Homelander’s shenanigans have become an effective motif. Some viewers are surely watching the show because they are fascinated with the nihilistic psychopath; he seems to be going through an existential crisis because nothing is a challenge, and the problems of a midlife crisis are getting the best of him.

Nevertheless, the show’s most recent death of a prominent character wasn’t caused by Homelander. Looking back on who caused it and why, we could be addressing the most heartbreaking moment in the show. But it’s safe to say that in Episode 5 of Season 5, “Beware the Jabberwock, My Son,” we all shed a few tears during a death scene that seems to be anything but necessary. Why, oh why, did such an endearing character have to die?

The following article has major spoilers for The Boys.

Who Died Recently in The Boys?

In the latest episode of The Boys, the gang that’s supposed to be trying to save the world from supes tries their best to get their hands on a virus that kills supes, giving them the necessary power to fight the antagonists, led by Homelander. However, they discover that the virus has been released in a farming compound, and mutated animals like flying sheep are their biggest threat. Hughie’s nowhere to be seen among them.

In Episode 4, we saw Hughie go to the hospital because his father, Hugh, was in a coma. He thought giving him some Compound V would be enough to save his dad from eternal sleep, but at the last minute, he decided against it. His mother administers the substance instead, and Hugh Sr. wakes up. In the next episode, Hughie’s dad shows signs of being fully healed. Perhaps a bit too much, as he turns into a superhero who’s unable to control his destructive powers and teleports himself into objects. He can go through walls, but he can also suddenly appear in the middle of a body, tearing them apart.

When the crew at the hospital realizes this, Hugh Sr. goes on a rampage and shows signs of violence towards Daphne, his ex-wife, and Hughie’s mom. When they’re able to get him under control, they realize there’s only one solution — they will euthanize Hugh Sr. Confused and emotional, the man is comforted by his son while he’s injected with a lethal dose of medicine. This was the end of Hugh’s journey, a character that became a fan-favorite with limited screen time.

Why Was Killing Hughie’s Dad in The Boys a Mistake?

Although Hughie’s father was never a main character in The Boys, fans have grown to love the father-son relationship over the past four seasons. In fact, audiences wanted to see more of it until Hugh Sr.’s time in the series was cut short. It seems like a mistake in the narrative. The comics the series is based on don’t follow the same storyline, so it was purely a creative decision by the writers. In addition, it feels like Hughie has been through enough suffering in The Boys, and having to euthanize his own father felt unnecessary.

Related

What Is Project Odessa in The Boys (And How Does It Connect to Homelander)?

Episode 4 of Season 4 of The Boys references Project Odessa, which could be directly related to Homelander.

The contrast between Hughie’s time working with The Boys and his heartwarming and innocent relationship with his father could have been expanded, especially as the series will soon head into its final season. Yes, the death was a significant moment in Hughie’s character arc and reemphasized his need to learn to let go, but it felt like it was used more for the shock factor than anything else.

The Boys Season 4 Needs a Jumpstart

The Boys – Season 4

2.5/5

Release Date

June 13, 2024

Cast

Antony Starr , Karl Urban , Jack Quaid , Erin Moriarty , Jessie T. Usher , Laz Alonso , Chace Crawford , Jeffrey Dean Morgan , Colby Minifie , Valorie Curry , Karen Fukuhara , Cameron Crovetti , claudia doumit , Susan Heyward

Expand

So far, The Boys Season 4 has been a divisive outing for the series. Butcher is slowly heading toward what seems to be an inevitable death, Frenchie’s new story direction is unexpected, and Hughie appears to be on the fence about who he wants to side with. Homelander, as usual, is going through a crisis, and while he seems to be losing his mind, his conflict remains a gripping theme in the show. Everything points to what should be an exciting finale.

For now, Butcher is still unsure how to proceed with his illness, Starlight is still conflicted about her powers, and Mother’s Milk is in the middle, trying to keep everything under control for the Boys. With two episodes left, the season needs a dramatic jumpstart, but the death of Hughie’s dad wasn’t it. The Boys is streaming on Prime Video.