'The Boys' Season 4 Episode 2 Takeaway: Homelander's one major issue is a reminder that Supes do age
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Prime Video's 'The Boys' Season 4 premiered on Thursday, June 13, revealing Homelander's (Anthony Starr) struggle with unexpected gray hair. It begins with him plucking a gray genital hair and collecting it in a jar at his residence in Vought Tower.
Clearly bothered, he's also having his stylist dye the gray hair on his head. When Homelander discusses this with Sister Sage (Susan Heyward), she confirms that his graying isn't just limited to a few hairs—it's affecting his entire head.
This development may surprise fans of the show, marking a notable change for The Seven's leader with deeper implications as the season unfolds.
Is Homelander aging in 'The Boys' Season 4?
Although viewers might find Homelander's gray hair surprising, it's a reminder in 'The Boys' that he ages, albeit slower than normal people. Season 4's gray hairs humanize Homelander, making him appear more vulnerable even as he poses a greater threat than ever.
Despite the ongoing struggle of The Boys team to defeat him, Sister Sage points out that Homelander, despite his immense power, still experiences aging.
In 'The Boys' Season 4, Homelander's gray hair is not just a coincidence; it reflects the increased stress he faces. He's under trial as the season begins and aims for more power within The Seven, despite the chaos within the group and his new responsibilities at Vought.
All of this pressure weighs heavily on him, compounded by what Sister Sage describes as an "existential mid-life crisis." These factors contribute to Homelander's accelerated aging, evident not only in his hair but also in other physical signs like increased urination, hinting at potential future developments.
What is Homelander's actual age in 'The Boys'
In 'The Boys' Season 4, Sister Sage's observation about Homelander experiencing a midlife crisis is accurate given his age. According to Fandom.com, Homelander was born in 1981, making him slightly over 40 years old in the current season.
While he retains his physical aspect of Supes, signs of aging like gray hairs are starting to show. The stress he faces from the events of Seasons 3 and 4 exacerbates this realization, underscoring that he's not as youthful as he appears.
It's easy to overlook Homelander's middle age since Supes generally maintain their youthful vigor and appearance, aided by Vought's resources such as stylists. Their slower aging process contributes to their youthful image in 'The Boys'.
However, Homelander's collection of gray hairs in Season 4 suggests he's grappling with the reality of getting older and may be struggling to accept it.
Why is Homelander collecting his gray hair?
Stranger than Homelander's graying hair is his habit of collecting and storing them in a chest of keepsakes. This behavior starts to make sense when considering his storyline in 'The Boys' Season 4.
Alongside items like a photo of Stormfront and a milk bottle, his collection reflects bittersweet memories. The hairs serve as a stark reminder of his mortality, fitting into this motif.
Homelander's preoccupation with mortality connects deeply to his goals in Season 4. He confides in Sister Sage about seeking purpose in his actions and justifies his pursuit of power through his relationship with Ryan.
In this season, Homelander looks ahead, expressing a desire to build a better future for his son.
As he faces the reality of aging, he realizes he must leave a lasting impact, even if it means a future that may not favor non-Supes.
'The Boys' trailer
The Boys' Season 4 premieres on Prime Video on Thursday, June 13
