‘The Boys 5’ Episode 4 Ending Explained: Does Homelander really become god? Inside that confusing twist
Contains spoilers for 'The Boys' Season 5 Episode 4: 'King of Hell'
After a strong start, 'The Boys' Season 5 falters in what is surely a lackluster Episode 4. Titled 'King of Hell', the chapter does little to raise any fire. In the end, the search for the V1 continues, and, in what is perhaps the biggest twist, there are no major deaths in the midseason finale. With the latest episode done and dusted, here are five major storylines, and how the ending sets up Episode 5:
Homelander rebranded as God
Ever since his vision to be the messiah in the previous episode, Homelander (Antony Starr) has been walking on water. He tasks Firecracker (Valorie Curry) with rebranding him as America’s new god. And the latter, choosing to spread his word, has perhaps sold herself. For all the hailing, there is no doubt she will be on the evil supe’s kill list once he fully snaps.
Soldier Boy relives a difficult past
V1 made Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles)... Soldier Boy. For the first time in the season, the supe seems rattled as he and Homelander return to Fort Harmony in search of a potential vial of V1. Going back to where he was created gives the veteran anti-hero the chills as he confronts his past — a rich kid injected with a serum to be a savior.
Fort Harmony alters minds
While the boys are going against each other — stabbing, shooting, and bickering, much of it is the effect of Quinn (Kris Hagen), a supe who spreads toxicity and induces violence in those around him. Quinn is splattered against a wall in Fort Harmony and is the reason behind the boys trading verbal and literal barbs. With his superpower basically turning people against each other, he almost succeeds before Soldier Boy blasts him into oblivion. Killing Quinn, an experiment much like himself, Soldier Boy is seen dejected as he begins questioning all that he stood for.
Annie visits her estranged father
While one part of the story unfolds at Fort Harmony, the other sees Annie, aka Starlight (Erin Moriarty), meet her father and his new family. After a heart-to-heart, she flies back to Hughie (Jack Quaid) to make up for deserting him in the previous episode. While her part of the episode adds to the feel-good factor, it also contributes to a rather underwhelming episode devoid of the quintessential ‘The Boys’ action.
Other major notes:
Ryan (Cameron Crovetti) is alive.
The Worm (Ely Henry) is now part of Homelander's rebranding campaign
The Deep (Chace Crawford) and Noir (Nathan Mitchell) are now at odds, and it is a matter of time before one of them kills the other
'The Boys' Season 5 episode 4 ending explained
The final minutes of 'King of Hell' see Homelander and Soldier Boy beat a retreat, as do the boys. There is no V1 at Fort Harmony. The episode ends with Butcher (Karl Urban) looking at the footage of Soldier Boy being experimented on. While the reason is not explained, it could be a way to turn him into the latter, who deals with his past turmoil. This could also serve as the redemption arc, pitting Soldier Boy vs Homelander in one epic face-off. As for Homelander, the rebranding is complete, but only time will tell if the country embraces him as the new Jesus Christ. 'The Boys' Season 5 episodes 1-4 are streaming on Prime Video.
