Will Ryan replace Homelander? 'The Boys' Season 4 sets up one gripping theory
Contains spoilers for 'The Boys' Season 4
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In 'The Boys' Season 4, Episode 7, a chilling scene strongly suggests that Ryan is being groomed to succeed Homelander.
A standout moment in 'The Boys' Season 3's Finale shows Homelander committing a shocking act in public, with Ryan reacting oddly by smiling, hinting at his father's influence.
Season 4 delves deeper into Ryan's storyline, exploring his conflicted bond with Butcher and his evolving relationship with Homelander.
While some scenes suggest Ryan may be adopting Homelander's ruthless beliefs, conflicting moments offer glimpses of hope for the young superhero's moral development.
Sadly, a key scene in Season 4, Episode 7 implies that Butcher's worst fears have come true: Ryan is evolving into a reflection of Homelander.
Ryan's Vought Christmas special rant echoes Homelander's birthday speech from 'The Boys' Season 3
In 'The Boys' Season 3, Episode 2, Starlight urges Homelander to apologize, referring to him as 'human' and acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes.
Homelander reacts poorly, accusing her of lying and asserting his superiority over others.
Despite Ashley Barrett's attempts to cut him off with commercials, Homelander hears her through his superhearing and warns Vought's executives not to interfere.
In 'The Boys' Season 4, Episode 7, Ryan faces a similar situation during a Vought Kids Christmas Special. Initially reluctant, he reaches his breaking point live on television.
Like Homelander before him, Ryan stands up for himself, instructing Ashley and other Vought executives not to interrupt with commercials.
He bravely opens up about missing his mother, going off-script to reveal how he's being changed, much like Homelander did in Season 3.
Ryan's 'The Boys' Season 4, Episode 7 moment proves Butcher misjudged him
After watching Ryan defy Vought on live television, Butcher celebrates, believing he is finally distancing himself from Homelander and will eventually break free from him. Even Homelander appears concerned when Ryan talks about his mother.
Butcher confronts Kessler, insisting this is why he still has 'faith in the kid'. However, Butcher overlooks the fact that Ryan is increasingly resembling Homelander.
The striking similarities between Ryan's Christmas Special outburst and Homelander's birthday speech show that, like Homelander, Ryan is beginning to grasp the extent of his powers.
He is learning that he answers to no one—not even Vought—because his invulnerability allows him to manipulate and control situations to his advantage.
Butcher may perceive Ryan's defiance and determination to protect his mother as signs of morality, which he feared Ryan would lose under Homelander's influence.
Sadly, Ryan's rant in Season 4 only confirms that he refuses to be oppressed for his strength and is beginning to believe he is superior to everyone else.
What does Ryan's change in attitude mean for Butcher in 'The Boys'?
In 'The Boys' Season 4, the one thing preventing Billy Butcher from embracing Kessler's extreme beliefs is his trust in Ryan. But if Ryan disappoints him too, Butcher might align with his darker side and finally advocate for Supe genocide.
Since Ryan's outburst in the Christmas Special in Season 4, Episode 7, there remains uncertainty about his changing sense of right and wrong. There's still a chance for Butcher to rescue him from Homelander before it's too late.
But with Ryan wobbling on the edge of becoming another Homelander, Butcher must act swiftly.
'The Boys' Season 4 trailer
7 episodes of 'The Boys' Season 4 are now streaming on Prime Video