Summary
The Boysseason 5 is going to be the final batch of episodes in the main show, but it needs to avoid a common franchise mistake to ensure a good ending.The Boysseason 4 endedwith the titular group in the worst position they’ve ever been in. With Butcher killing Victoria Neuman now painting a target on their backs,everyone except their former leader and Starlight were captured by Vought in the last minutes of the finale.This sets the stage forThe Boysseason 5, which showrunner Eric Kripke previously confirmed will be the superhero show’s last.
SinceThe Boyscastare mostly captured by Vought, their inevitable escape and subsequent battle with Homelander will be the largest conflict in the series so far.This also means the story will need all the time it can take to deliver a fitting sendoffto the characters who began the slowly-expanding franchise. But, with the final batch of episodes also comes the risk of an unsatisfying conclusion. In particular, the upcoming episodes need to avoid one common franchise mistake to ensure the final season sticks the landing.
The Boys: Every Upcoming Spinoff Explained
The Boys is about to expand its lore and worldbuilding with many exciting upcoming spin-offs that’ll unfold in myriad timelines and diverse settings.
The Boys Season 5’s Ending Must Avoid Focusing On Setup For Future Shows
The Final Episodes Should Stand On Their Own
Because of how successfulThe Boyshas been, the franchise has started to expand on Prime Video, with multiple shows now in the works. At present,season 2 ofGen V, a spinoff following young Supes, is currently filming, whileThe Boys: Mexicois in development. In addition to these shows is theupcomingVought Rising, a prequel announced at San Diego Comic-Con following Soldier Boy and Stormfront in the 1950s. While the franchise’s growth is a strong sign of its success,it’s also a worrying development for the flagship series' final episodes.
IfThe Boysseason 5 doesn’t focus solely on its own story, it runs the risk of making audiences feel like they need to continue watching after the end, making the grand finale less satisfying.
IfThe Boysis to end on a positive note, thenit needs to avoid setting up future shows and focus only on its current storyline.While connections toGen Vin season 4 were interesting, important elements like the Supe virus, Sam, and Cate don’t resonate as much without having watched the spinoff. While this connective tissue helped broaden the world in the latest episodes, it shouldn’t be relied upon for the final season. Otherwise, the show will risk alienating viewers who haven’t seenGen V, or who don’t plan on watching any of the future shows.
Many Other Franchises Have Made This Mistake
Lacking Conclusions Make For Unsatisfying Finales
IfThe Boysseason 5 doesn’t focus solely on its own story, it runs the risk of making audiences feel like they need to continue watching after the end, making the grand finale less satisfying. To some extent, this has happened with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with some threads fromAvengers: Endgamenot being completely resolved to lead into the next batch of projects. However,a more comparable example would beThe Walking Deadseries finale, which focused on setting up three spinoff shows without delivering a complete conclusion for its major characters.
SinceVought Risingis a prequelandThe Boys: Mexicowill seemingly focus on a new cast,The Boysshould be able to easily wrap up the stories of its existing characters.However, bringing elements in from other spinoffs, especially ones that don’t exist yet, could make the ending feel less definitive than it should be. Without offering a stopping point at the end of season 5, the series wouldn’t be providing a satisfying finale, making the end of the series feel cheapened, knowing plot threads will still be continued in later shows.
Why I’m Hopeful The Boys Season 5 Will Get Its Ending Right
The Storytelling Needs To Be Tight To Finish The Show
WhileThe Boys season 4’s strong connections toGen Vare a worrying sign that season 5 could rely on the spinoff too much, it’s more likely the final episodes will tighten focus on the main storyline. With Homelander having so much power in the US government, coupled with the dire circumstances the group now faces,the final season simply might only have time to focus on the present plot.This would be beneficial, as it would allow the series to give characters the endings they deserve without drawing too much focus on the shared universe being built.
Even thoughThe Boysis the basis for two upcoming spinoffs, and one already released,acknowledging them would be detrimental to giving the main series a proper conclusion.While avoiding their stories could make the final season feel less connected to its upcoming spinoffs, it will allow a tighter focus that doesn’t take away from the endpoint it’s headed toward. With the show not returning until 2026, though, it will be some time before it’s revealed what direction it takes, and how much other shows will be referenced.
The Boysseason 5 is expected to begin filming in November 2024.
The Boys
Cast
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
