'The Boys' Season 3 Episode 8 spoilers: Does Soldier Boy die? Finale leaves door open for Jensen Ackles' return
'The Boys' Season 3 Episode 8 gained massive traction after news of Jensen Ackles suiting up as Soldier Boy did the rounds. The character, introduced in the third episode plays a crucial part in the finale, leaving the door open for a potential return. In the previous episode, it was revealed that he was Homelander's (Antony Starr) father and that set the tone for an epic finale. While one part of the storyline in the final stretch deals with the relationship between Homelander and his son Ryan, Soldier Boy's relationship with Homelander becomes the focus in the final minutes.
Despite the arrival of equally quick departure of some new characters, Starr's Homelander has still been the driving force. The psychotic leader of the Seven lost all his marbles right at the start of the season but is still the show's bonafide villain and has a father in Soldier Boy.
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Does Soldier Boy die in 'The Boys' Season 3 finale?
To answer the question in one word, no. But with the show pretty much pulling off a 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier', it puts the 80s legend back on the ice after the Boys, devises a nerve gas at Vought labs that knock him out — just like it did in the past. It does take a while, but the gang manages to subdue Soldier Boy as he prepares to fire another energy blast from his chest which Queen Maeve takes the full brunt of. They manage to put him into semi-stasis before he manages to unleash the force. In the aftermath of the showdown at Vought, Soldier Boy is seen to have been put into a cryogenic chamber.
It does make sense that the show doesn't kill off one of the more pivotal characters. With Homelander still hoping to work things out with his "dad", it makes sense to have Ackles around as he can team up with the Seven. He's already killed all the members of his old team, and with the existing supe band dismantled, a Soldier Boy-Homelander team-up just might be the Season 4 plotline everyone wants.
'The Boys' Season 3 is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.