Amazon’s hit show, The Boys, gives audiences a less than glamorous view of superheroes. It’s an interesting perspective when compared to the cinematic universes of Marvel and DC. Throughout the series, audiences have witnessed the corruption and debauchery that can come with monetizing superheroes into a corporation. Despite the seemingly insurmountable power Vought International holds, some people, like The Boys, have taken it upon themselves to destroy the hierarchy that has been created in the hope of restoring order to the world.
The Boys’ efforts have been somewhat successful, but they’ve taken a toll on everyone involved. Families have been broken, loved ones have been killed, and the dangers continue to grow with each episode. Some characters entered this world with good intentions, but the boundaries once set have become blurred in this battle for the fate of humanity.
The following article contains spoilers for The Boys season 3, premiering Fridays on Prime Video.
This article contains references to sexual assault
10 Billy Butcher Has Softened His Edges (A Little)
Billy Butcher has allowed his rage to consume him throughout much of the series, resulting in a dark, brooding demeanor and nihilistic philosophy. Slowly but surely, the audience begins to see Billy transform into a character that cares about his life, but more so about the people in it. From being willing to sacrifice his life to taking care of Becca’s son, Ryan, Billy has changed from a man who made a home of solitude to someone who’s willing to step up and make sacrifices for the ones he loves – even if he’ll never admit it.
9 Ashley Has Become More Authoritative
Ashley spends most of the series as a supporting character with little agency. She’s tasked with maintaining the integrity of The Seven’s image and salvaging it whenever at risk. Ashley was often ordered around or admonished when things don’t go as planned, and simply accepted it as part of her job description.
As Ashley steps in as CEO of Vought International, she develops a new level of confidence. Ashley becomes more vocal with The Seven and her colleagues, doing what’s necessary to protect Vought’s reputation. However, Ashley’s new role creates a moral dilemma as she must decide whether the company’s best interest is more important than the people within it.
8 The Deep Returned With A Tougher Attitude
The Deep is rather clueless throughout most of the series, often falling into the ‘pretty boy’ archetype. He does possess a dark side, as can be seen in Season 1 when he sexually assaults Starlight. The Deep was removed from the team due to his actions, but upon returning to The Seven, he has developed a cunning edge, thanks mainly to his new wife, Cassandra.
Desperate to get back into Homelander’s good graces, The Deep attempts to appease Homelander at every turn, going so far as to thwart one of A-Train’s proposals just to look good in front of the team's maniacal leader. The Deep's time away, and Cassandra's guiding hand, has helped redefine his personality, giving him the recognition he believes he’s always deserved.
7 Hughie Is No Longer The Guy Who Lives With His Dad
Hughie may have been one of the most normal people (emphasis on normal) in the world before his life is blown to pieces in the pilot episode. Once a mild-mannered audio store employee, Hughie now seeks revenge against A-Train and the Supes as a whole.
Upon learning more about Supes, Vought, and the corruption that lies therein, Hughie becomes increasingly aggressive and stubborn. In the midst of hitting a new low, Hughie decided to inject himself with a temporary Compound V to gain an edge. The plan works, but Hughie’s thirst for power and competency may soon lead to his demise.
6 Kimiko Is Begining To Find Her Voice
Kimiko spent much of Season 1 without an identity. In fact, she was referred to as ‘The Female’ during the first season. Given her brother’s death and her inability to speak, Kimiko’s losses have led to her struggling in finding an identity beyond killing. As the series progresses, Kimiko grows more conflicted with The Boys’ methods.
Kimiko tries expressing her concerns to Frenchie, who has helped her find her sense of humanity within the violence. With her decision to eventually leave the group, Kimiko has grown from a murdering machine to a woman with desires of her own.
5 Mother’s Milk Has Become The Absent Father He Never Wanted To Be
Mother’s Milk (AKA M.M.) has given his best efforts to ensure that his daughter doesn’t face the same neglect that he did from his father. The deeper The Boys go in their fight against the Supes, the more M.M. has been pulled away from his wife and daughter.
M.M.’s commitment to the cause has already led to his wife leaving him. M.M. left The Boys to focus on his daughter, but that soon changed with the news of Soldier Boy. Tied to his past, the new information about Soldier Boy takes a toll on M.M. until he finally accepts that The Boys are the family he must choose.
4 Starlight Starts Standing Up For Herself
Audiences were introduced to Starlight in Season 1 as a young Supe filled with wonder and innocence. Her excitement to join The Seven was palpable, but reality soon set in as Starlight met The Deep. This moment set into motion Starlight’s arc from a naive young woman bent on doing good to a hero who understands that in some cases, the ends do justify the means.
As the series progresses, most notably during Season 3, Starlight begins to assume authority within The Seven, even going so far as to stand up to Homelander. The change shocks many characters, especially longtime friend Alex Williams (AKA Supersonic), who mentions that she was nowhere near the same person during their teenage years. Starlight perfectly sums up her development when she tells him she “wasn’t afraid to make waves.”
3 A-Train Has Had To Slow Down And Reevaluate His Life
A-Train starts off as an arrogant Supe defined by the moniker of ‘The Fastest Man Alive.’ So long as he continued to prove himself in that arena, his place in The Seven was secure. That all changed when A-Train started abusing Compound V, which resulted in a heart condition that renders him unable to run.
Now, without the accolades or validation, A-Train's standing within The Seven’s ranks has plummeted, and he is out of the public eye. As he reaches this new low, A-Train must redefine his life and values. This begins as a socially conscious rebrand to improve his image but is maturing into a deeper care for the community in which A-Train grew up.
2 Queen Maeve Refuses To Quit
Maeve is introduced to viewers as a member of The Seven and Homelander’s partner, both professionally and romantically. In the first season, she is presented as a strong-willed woman, but it’s later revealed that Maeve often upholds the status quo in fear of retaliation from Homelander and Vought. After letting the passengers of Flight 37 die and having personal details surrounding her sexual identity made public, Mave seems to lose all hope.
What’s interesting is how Mave leans into this image – choosing to appear defeated while working with Billy Butcher to bring down Homelander. Just as Starlight is surprised with the discovery, so too is the audience after learning that Maeve won’t submit just yet.
1 Homelander Breaks His Facade
Homelander has spent his life as leader of The Seven, obsessing over ratings and crafting the ideal image of what a superhero should be. From his blond hair to his wide smile and star-spangled banner cape, Homelander is the face of heroism.
Throughout the series, viewers have seen Homelander’s facade slowly erode as things don’t go his way. One of the most harrowing moments comes aboard Flight 37 after Homelander’s decision to let the passengers die. It only gets worse, as Homelander’s actions grow more appalling when he lets the world know he can’t be controlled during his birthday special, and again when Stan Edgar is removed from the head of Vought International.