The Boys Season 4 Episode 5: The Boys Season 4 Episode 5 ending explained: Is Butcher evil now?

The Boys season 4 episode 5 ends after featuring Butcher's signature smirk, but this time it seems more sinister. He and his old buddy Joe Kessler got hold of Victoria Neuman's daughter's father, who apparently knows the secret to a virus that can kill Supes. Thus, Butcher is ready to walk the extra mile now that he has got his 'best friend's' backing.

Episode 5, titled, Beware the Jabberwock, My Son has some gruesome scenes, as it shows Hugh Campbell, Hughie's father gaining consciousness. While Hugh and Daphne are happy to see him, it soon takes a dark turn as he goes on a murderous rampage, ending the lives of several innocent hospital patients.

He finds himself in the middle of a person until he bursts him open and covers the floor with his insides. This tendency stemmed from the Compound V injected while he was asleep. But Hughie took the high road and convinced his father to agree to end his life.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers. Reader's discretion is advised.

The Boys season 4 episode 5: A tinge of genuine affection?

The Boys Season 4 Episode 5 (Image via Prime Video)

The episode unfolds amidst the flashy yet dubious grandeur of the V52 Expo, Vought’s annual media announcement extravaganza. Here Vought unveils its upcoming slate of films and series stirring skepticism among some about the company's newfound progressive themes.

Homelander shows a different side of himself towards Ryan which is most surprisingly gentle and seemingly honest. In an almost heart-to-heart moment, Homelander confesses to Ryan about the manipulations he has endured throughout his life asserting his desire not to impose the same on his son.

The unexpected vulnerability is both intriguing and unsettling given Homelander’s history and it almost suggests a genuine fatherly affection something quite out of character for the usually ruthless Homelander.

The new dynamic is tested when Homelander encourages Ryan to ensure that his colleague Adam apologizes to his personal assistant for making her uncomfortable. When Adam's apology appears insincere the PA retaliates with a series of slaps encouraged by Ryan and Homelander.

The irony here is palpable as Homelander manipulates the situation to teach Ryan about power under the guise of doing the right thing further blurring the lines between teaching and manipulating for the young Supe.

How far will Butcher go to end the Supes in The Boys season 4?

The plot then shifts to Butcher who forms an unlikely alliance with Gen V, pursuing a virus lethal to Supes. The Boys and imprisoned Stan Edgar strike a deal for the latter’s assistance in locating the virus, promising exoneration and custody of his daughter Zoe in return. The group travels to Stan’s lab-ridden home where animal experimentation has gone awry due to the virus.

As Victoria Neuman enters the fray with her own agenda, the search intensifies amidst the chaos of the V-pumped animals running amok. Amongst arguments and the dangerous backdrop of genetically altered livestock, the episode dives into dark comedy with scenes of flying sheep violently disrupting the scene.

Eventually, in a desperate bid to escape the carnage, The Boys use the last dose of the virus on lab assistant Henry’s corpse, throwing it among the violent animals to spread the infection and neutralize the threat.

Amidst the chaos, it's revealed that Samir, a critical character connected to the virus and Zoe's father, is presumed dead. However, in a twist, Butcher reveals he has kidnapped Samir to further harness the virus against Homelander, deepening his deceptive tactics as he partners with Joe Kessler in this clandestine operation.

Why did Hughie kill his father in The Boys season 4 episode 5?

Parallel to the overarching Supe drama Hughie grapples with personal tragedy. His father Hugh Sr. reawakens with Supe powers after being surreptitiously administered Compound V by his mother, Daphne.

Initially elated Hugh Sr. quickly deteriorates suffering from severe disorientation and inadvertently unleashing his lethal new abilities in a horrific hospital rampage. The episode captures the turmoil in Hughie as he confronts the devastating reality of his father's condition.

In a climactic and emotional moment, Hughie assists in his father’s peaceful passing, a scene fraught with pain and quiet despair. He had to do it because there was no choice he was left with, and he would want his father to die in peace rather than being stuck in prison or an asylum.

The Boys season 4 episode 5 ending explained: What are the Wrathful Gods going to do?

Back at the V52 Expo, the scene provides a satirical lens on fan culture and corporate exploitation in media cleverly mirroring real-world conventions like Comic-Con. The episode critiques the superficial progressiveness of Vought's media productions and cleverly integrates this theme with the ongoing narrative of The Boys’ fight against Supe's corruption.

As Homelander and Ryan navigate the complex dynamics of their relationship the episode subtly shows the impending dangers of Ryan’s potential development under Homelander’s twisted tutelage. Meanwhile, the Expo serves as a backdrop for broader critiques of media and fan culture effectively intertwining with the episode’s main plots.

Homelander commands the Seven to embody wrathful gods signaling a strategic shift in their public persona which comes from his desire to instill fear and ensure unwavering obedience from the public and any rebellious Supes reinforcing their iron grip on power.

His directive also aims to fortify their position against increasing resistance to Vought consolidating power by showing a formidable and invincible image.

By adopting the identity of merciless deities, Homelander seeks to erase any signs of vulnerability within the group compelling the Seven to project an image of untouchable and supreme beings that maintain control over the populace. It deepens the mythology surrounding their existence which he believes will deter threats and solidify their untouchable status.

Ultimately Homelander's order reflects his own deep-seated fears and lofty ambitions pushing his story of dominance and unchallenged authority onto the Seven reshaping the global understanding of power and governance.

Ashley steps in to save A-Train from being lasered over by Homelander for leaking the documents. A-Train convinces Ashley to save him or else he would rat her out for taking a dunk at Homelander's washroom.

After discovering A-Train in a compromising position instead of turning him in, Ashley uses this opportunity to make her partner suffer. Well, she was just pissed at him because he dumped her.

The Boys season 4 episode 5 is available to watch on Prime Video now.