What's the virus in 'The Boys' Season 4? Why Vought-funded project could backfire for Supes
Contains spoilers and speculations for 'The Boys' and 'Gen V'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the latest episode of 'The Boys' Season 4 titled, 'Beware of the Jabberwock, My Son', the referenced characters from 'Gen V' like Marie, Andre, Jordan, and Emma, also known as the Godolkin 4, and mentioned Tek Knight.
Episode 5 strengthened the link between the two shows by featuring appearances from Cate and Sam, and introducing the Supe-killing virus that first appeared in the spin-off.
Showrunner Eric Kripke hinted at this crossover, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly saying, "By the end of 'Gen V' Season 1, there's a connection to 'The Boys' Season 4." He explained that they worked closely together to ensure the virus storyline fit both series seamlessly.
If you haven't watched 'Gen V' yet, you might be curious about the Supe-killing virus and its backstory. Here’s a quick rundown to get you up to speed as both Prime Video shows continue their intertwined narratives.
What is the 'Gen V' virus and where does it come from?
The virus began as a project funded by Vought. They hired scientist Dr. Edison Cardosa (Marco Pigossi) to create a bioweapon aimed at controlling Supes.
To keep Cardosa's work under wraps, Vought constructed 'The Woods', an underground medical facility similar to the one Homelander visited in Episode 4, for him and his partner Richard Brinkerhoff (Clancy Brown).
Over time, Godolkin University dean Indira Shetty (Shelley Conn) took charge of the project. Many of the Supes illegally experimented on in the lab were students, including brothers Luke and Sam Riordan.
Shetty wasn't satisfied with mere control; she wanted the virus to be more potent. She pushed Cardosa to enhance its effects, even ordering him to make it airborne, which he refused.
However, he did manage to make it lethal and capable of spreading through bodily fluids.
Why is Indira Shetty keen on creating the virus from 'Gen V'?
As the story unfolds, we find out that Shetty's husband Paul and their young daughter Lily were killed in the 'Crash of Transoceanic Flight 37', a tragic event caused by Homelander's mistakes in 'The Boys' Season 1.
The plane was hijacked by terrorists, and Homelander accidentally destroyed the pilot's controls, leading to the crash.
During the crisis, Homelander and Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott) were supposed to rescue the passengers. Maeve suggested Homelander could save them by flying them to safety, but he refused, saying it would take too many trips.
This decision left everyone onboard to perish, fueling Shetty's deep sorrow and her quest for revenge against all Supes.
In the second-to-last episode of 'Gen V' Season 1, Shetty met her end at the hands of Cate (Maddie Phillips), a Supe who can control minds. Cate compelled Shetty to reveal the truth about 'The Woods', its creator Thomas Godolkin, and why Shetty created the virus.
How did Victoria Neuman get her hands on the virus?
In 'Gen V' Season 1, Episode 7, Dr. Edison Cardosa, troubled by the lethal potential of the virus he helped create and seeking redemption, plans to leave everything behind with his family.
However, his decision to entrust the last virus sample to Victoria Neuman, whom he believes to be a trustworthy figure despite her anti-Supe stance, leads to a tragic outcome.
They meet in a parking garage where Neuman initially agrees to use the virus as intended by Vought, but she ultimately betrays Cardosa, using her powers to kill him.
This scene glimpsed in the 'previously on' segment of 'The Boys', portrays Neuman's manipulation and Cardosa's fatal mistake.
Now, Neuman, with the aid of her partner Sameer, begins manipulating the virus for her own agenda, marking a pivotal turn in the series as consequences unfold from Cardosa's fateful decision.
What does Victoria Neuman plan on doing with the Virus in 'The Boys'?
Right now, it's unclear what Congresswoman Neuman intends to do with the virus that can kill Supes, especially since she herself is a Supe and it spreads easily. However, the latest episode of 'The Boys' drops some hints about her plans.
The show reveals tensions between Neuman and her adoptive father, Stan Edgar. He accuses her of using their farm for risky experiments, possibly to control Homelander.
Neuman defends herself strongly, saying Edgar's manipulation and shame forced her to hide her true identity and now threaten her daughter's safety.
Their argument shows deep divisions and unresolved issues between them.
Meanwhile, Butcher and his team discuss using the virus to disable Neuman herself, raising the stakes and setting up potential consequences as the story continues.
'The Boys' Season 4 trailer
5 episodes of 'The Boys' are streaming on Prime Video.