One of the biggest gifts Butcher got from The Boys Season 4 has to be his tentacles. However, there are theories suggesting it might be a curse that he won't recover from. Throughout the season Butcher has been trying to be nice to people and fighting his alter ego, Joe Kessler who has always been bugging him to not care about his team and get the job done by himself.
But when Butcher sees in front of his eyes how Ryan murdered Grace and is following the road Homelander walked on, he shakes hands with Joe on the plan to kill the Supes all by himself. Along with all the other theories, there is one possible theory that could be the closest to what happened. There is a possibility that the worm has taken over Butcher's mind and that's what is controlling him right now.
Disclaimer: The article contains the perception of the author.
The Boys Season 4 ends with a cliffhanger on Butcher's tentacles
The deep sleep theory surrounding Butcher in The Boys Season 4 presents a disturbing possibility that dives into the depths of his psyche and physical being. According to the theory the Butcher we observe may not truly be in control of his actions anymore. Instead, it's proposed that a parasitic entity potentially a cancer-turned-monstrosity due to the corrupting influence of Temp V and Compound V, has usurped control over his bodily functions and, crucially, his consciousness.
Fans speculate that the invasive parasite acting much like a puppeteer, manipulates Butcher's actions from the shadows of his mind rendering his true self dormant or in a 'deep sleep'. The condition is more than a physical takeover because it is a profound mental and psychological imprisonment. Butcher who was once a man driven by clear albeit brutal moral codes might now be nothing more than an automaton executing the will of the parasitic force within him.
The theory taps into existential fears about autonomy and identity showing a terrifying scenario where one's body and mind are commandeered by an alien force leaving the essence of the individual trapped within silently screaming and unable to influence the world around them. The implications are vast raising questions about the nature of free will and what it truly means to be human in a world where superhuman abilities are artificially induced.
Other popular theories lurking around the internet after The Boys Season 4
Discussions on Reddit go deep into the nature of Butcher's newfound abilities because fans suggest that the introduction of the parasitic tentacles could be a direct result of the interaction between Compound V and a previously dormant brain tumor potentially evolved by Butcher's use of Temp V.
The theory posits that Butcher's cancer is more than a byproduct of his Supe abilities but an integral component of them which has now manifested these grotesque powers. The speculation is rich with comparisons to other plot arcs where a character's downfall is mirrored by their increasing power, adding a tragic depth to Butcher's journey.
Another prevailing fan theory speculates about the role of CIA operative Kessler in Butcher’s life. Is Kessler merely a figment of Butcher's increasingly unstable mind? The theory suggests that Butcher’s interactions with Kessler might be hallucinations—symptoms of his deteriorating mental health rather than encounters with a real person.
Fans argue that Kessler's interactions being limited exclusively to Butcher could be indicative of a split personality or a mental projection providing Butcher with a conduit to express and utilize his darker impulses and abilities without full self-awareness.
A further layer of fan theories focuses on the specific effects of Temp V on Butcher’s physiology. It’s speculated that the drug might have uniquely catastrophic effects on Butcher due to his specific biological makeup which could also explain the extraordinary manifestations of his powers compared to other characters who have taken V.
The line of thought leads to discussions about the ethical implications of Compound V, its unpredictable effects and the broader impact on those who take it which paints a complex picture of bioethical quandaries in the universe of The Boys.
There are hundreds of possible theories that could be taken into consideration after watching Butcher in The Boys Season 4, but these are the ones that could be closest to the actuality.