The Ending Of The Boys Season 3 Episode 4 Explained

Contains spoilers for "The Boys" Season 3, Episode 4

Season 3 of "The Boys" is off to a running start, with plenty of outrageous gags, crude humor, and new challenges to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. While the series frequently parodies established comic book characters, it also examines the classic tropes that populate their stories, and this season is no different. The titular characters are once again up to their old tricks after Hughie (Jack Quaid) uncovers a huge twist that no one saw coming. With the gang back together, it's all hands on deck to take down Vought Industries and their assets.

Episode 3 revealed a bevy of secrets and introduced some stunning plot points that continue into the next installment. In a reality where superheroes are monetized and marketed to the masses, truth, loyalty, and justice have been major themes this season. The latest episode expands on these issues, culminating with the revival of a character that fans have been waiting for. Without further delay, let's take a look at what the Boys got up to this week.

There's tension in the air over at Vought headquarters after Homelander (Antony Starr) publicly denounces his critics and forces Starlight into a fake relationship. A-Train (Jessie T. Usher) is reeling after Blue Hawk (Nick Wechsler) brutally injures his brother during a mediation gone wrong, though his call for justice is immediately disregarded. The issue sows dissent between A-Train and the Deep (Chace Crawford), who's been riding Homelander's coattails to stay relevant on the team. Instead of taking action, Vought has A-Train film an energy drink commercial similar to Kendall Jenner's controversial Pepsi ad, another one of the plotlines that demonstrates how the show's brutal satire is getting even sharper in Season 3.

Starlight isn't too happy with the state of things either, and she conspires with Supersonic (Miles Gaston Villanueva) to get rid of Homelander. Meanwhile, Butcher (Karl Urban) is forced to justify his actions after Hughie figures out he's using a temporary form of Compound V. Butcher insists that it's a harmless advantage and the best chance they have at defeating Homelander, whose thinly veiled depravity is getting bolder by the day. At the same time, Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) is growing concerned about her true nature after the events of Episode 3, especially now that she and Frenchie (Tomer Capone) are starting to realize they're nothing more than pawns in someone else's game.

The previous episode revealed that Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles) was taken by Russian forces after a CIA operation turned disastrous. After striking a deal with Frenchie's former boss, a Russian criminal named Little Nina (Katia Winter), the gang heads off in search of Soldier Boy and the weapon that killed him. Kimiko does Little Nina a favor by slaughtering some of her rivals, and even though the experience leaves her shaken, they get the intel they need.

Before heading out to infiltrate the facility where they'll hopefully find some answers, Hughie finds Butcher injecting another dose of Compound V. Butcher assures him that it's all under control, but Hughie has had enough of Homelander's bullying. He wants to be able to really protect himself instead of getting sidelined in the fight. Fed up with being helpless, Hughie sneaks a shot of Compound V when Butcher isn't watching.

Once they get inside the lab, it's a bloodbath. Butcher unleashes his laser vision on their attackers, and Hughie reveals his own powers: teleportation (although his clothes don't come with him). However, Frenchie, Kimiko, and Mother's Milk (Laz Alonso) barely have time to be surprised because it turns out that Soldier Boy is still alive, although the Supe hasn't aged a day. He also seemingly has a new power that allows him to reverse the effects of Compound V. Unfortunately, Soldier Boy runs off after blasting Kimiko, and her regenerative abilities stop working.

Homelander is gunning to unseat Vought CEO Stan Edgar (Giancarlo Esposito), who recruits Congresswoman Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit) to reign the superhero in with legal fees and public criticism. However, it seems that after years of keeping Neuman under his thumb, Edgar has misjudged her loyalties. In exchange for a dose of Compound V to protect her daughter, Neuman allies herself with Homelander and accuses Edgar of conspiracy in front of the press. Edgar is forced to take a leave of absence from Vought, leaving no one to keep Homelander in check. Edgar certainly taught his adoptive daughter well, with Neuman making power plays under the radar while Hughie is off looking for Soldier Boy.

Fortunately, Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott) has been preparing for this eventuality by training to make sure she's at her best when it's ultimately time to team up with the Boys and fight Homelander. In order to better their odds, Starlight recruits Supersonic to the cause. Sadly, Supersonic doesn't quite grasp the severity of the situation and foolishly places his trust in A-Train, who immediately betrays him to Homelander.

After murdering Supersonic, Homelander brings Starlight to a rooftop where he flippantly presents her with his mangled corpse. Once again, Homelander reminds Starlight that he's in the driver's seat, leaving her resigned to play the role of dutiful girlfriend. It seems that there's little hope in sight for our heroes, but with Soldier Boy on the loose, anything could happen.