The Boys pumped the breaks a little for its penultimate season 3 episode after the craziness of Herogasm for a more introspective hour dedicated to exploring and attempting to come to terms with past trauma. And daddy issues. Major, major daddy issues.
In a rare moment of vulnerability, Soldier Boy tells Butcher that he's always wanted kids so he could do a better job of raising them than his own excuse for a father (somehow, we can't see it). Billy can relate, of course, and when the final Payback member, Mindstorm, puts him in a coma later on, we get to see for ourselves just how messed-up the Cockney hardman's childhood was when he's forced to relive the events that led to his little brother's tragic suicide.
Butcher's abusive past is mirrored by Black Noir's own trip down memory lane, as we finally delve into the mute member of The Seven's broken mind and find out why he seems to be so afraid of Soldier Boy. We've previously caught glimpses of Noir's more gentle, childlike nature, and here we learn that his only real friends are a bunch of imaginary, Snow White-esque animated creatures. The murderous Supe has sone some pretty heinous things over the course of three seasons, but it's impossible not to feel just a little sorry for him in this moment.
Most of the other main characters are given less to do this week, but their respective storylines do move forward (a touch), and Starlight learns that V-24, or "Temp-V," is actually lethal. "Here Comes a Candle to Light You to Bed" saves its biggest bombshell for the end, however.
As the gang begins to formulate a plan to take Homelander down for good, Soldier Boy discovers that the psychotic leader of The Seven is actually his son! Could this lead to the formidable Supe betraying Butcher and siding with his mortal enemy? That's certainly one possibility, but whatever happens, this twist is certain to have major ramifications for what's shaping up to be a nail-bitingly tense and bloody diabolical finale.
What did you guys think of The Boys season 3, episode 7? How do you see next Friday's finale playing out? Drop us a comment down below.
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