“Gen V” Season 2 opens in usually bloody vogue. Throughout a flashback to 1965, a bunch of scientists put together to inject themselves with an unnatural blue liquid — which, to followers of “The Boys,” is clearly an early iteration of the superpower-bestowing Compound V — whereas one rogue group member rushes to cease them. However by the point Dr. Thomas Godolkin (Ethan Slater) breaks by the locked door to the Odessa Challenge and confronts his fellow labcoats, it’s too late. They’ve taken the substance, and earlier than the untainted Tommy can attain the query mark on the finish of “Do you’re feeling something,” it’s gruesomely evident that they do.
As soon as all of the mutated butt intestines expend in a fireplace began by, I’m assuming, flammable fuel, “Gen V” jumps again to the current, the place right-wing psychopaths body their corporate-backed heroes subsequent to Abraham Lincoln and label their democratically elected enemies as deep-state proponents of the woke agenda. These two seemingly discordant realities — an remoted accident at a analysis facility within the ’60s and an advert for a college “the place you may be part of the struggle” in opposition to… most of modern-day America — are linked. Plainly, they’re linked by Thomas Godolkin, the one scientist whose organs didn’t explode out of his physique and whose title is etched on the crest of Godolkin College.
However they’re additionally related by trigger and impact. Again then, adults took wild dangers for their very own private achieve with out realizing or heeding the far-reaching ramifications. Now, subsequent generations are paying the worth for his or her egocentric ambitions. In any case, the super-powered college students zipping throughout campus didn’t come by their talents naturally, nor did they search them out on their very own. They have been dosed with Compound V once they have been too younger to resolve for themselves — therefore the title, “Gen V” — and now their solely selection is whether or not to lean into their anger by perpetuating the violent patterns that obtained us right here, or to carry tight to one another whereas preventing for a future the place solely the strongest should survive.
Sans spoilers, Season 2 picks up when our beforehand imprisoned school college students are launched from their windowless holding cell. Cate (Maddie Phillips), feeling responsible for framing her former mates, convinces the powers that be that even unruly super-students are higher off attending “God U” than imprisoned for the remainder of their lives. It’s a stretch, certain, given Homelander (Antony Starr) himself put them there — and he’s nonetheless very a lot in command of issues — however slightly credulity goes a good distance. Finally, their launch kinda, sorta makes sufficient sense.
Issues don’t precisely get again to regular on campus from there, because the blood-manipulating Marie (Jaz Sinclair), the unimaginable shrinking (and rising) Emma (Lizze Broadway), and the shape-shifting Jordan (performed by London Thor when Jordan’s capturing off power blasts in feminine kind and Derek Luh as an unbreakable man) rapidly set their sights on the brand new dean, recognized solely as Cipher (Hamish Linklater). His powers are unknown, however his swagger is simple. Cipher preaches supe-supremacy — anybody who deigns to guard people is a “race traitor,” and he runs a “Hero Optimization” course that Emma extra precisely describes as “gladiator homicide class.”
Cipher desires to make the strongest heroes stronger (and couldn’t care much less in regards to the weaker ones). For some time, his instruction delivers. Marie, specifically, advantages from being pushed to increase her skillset from turning her personal blood into tangible weapons, like a rope or a dagger. Possibly Cipher actually may help… however every thing about him (together with Linklater’s constantly nasty nonchalance) reads like he’s as much as no good, and because the college students maintain urgent, the secrets and techniques come pouring out. (And never for nothing, a white male baddie who’s obsessive about energy makes for the right counter in a season dominated by girls heroes who unequivocally present the place actual energy comes from.)
Greater than a direct satire of anyone factor, “Gen V” Season 2 works exceedingly effectively as each a straight narrative — younger superheroes banding collectively to take down a mysterious Massive Unhealthy — and a palpable feeling. These youngsters are trapped. They don’t wish to be coping with the weighty points pressured upon them (whether or not it’s saving the entire world or simply themselves), however additionally they can’t merely stroll away and fake just like the villains aren’t on the market. If the collection may nonetheless profit from a extra pointed assault on the more and more deleterious state of American universities, it’s nonetheless captured the sense of being there as issues crumble, which pairs effectively with its different thematic undercurrent: grief.
Shortly earlier than Season 2 was set to start out capturing, Probability Perdomo died in a motorbike accident. The 27-year-old collection common performed Andre Anderson, a preferred child with Magneto-like powers whose well-known superhero father, Polarity (Sean Patrick Thomas), hoped to see him proceed the household legacy (particularly as dad grew weaker and weaker from overextending his powers). The tragic loss is acknowledged instantly to open Season 2, with a easy dedication “For Probability,” but it surely by no means fades from the continuing story. Moderately than recast the character or write round his absence, Andre’s dying occurs offscreen, between seasons. The characters mourn Andre’s loss with a sincerity that extends into actuality, and “Gen V” doesn’t draw back from the heartbroken tone of a forged and crew who made this season whereas nonetheless grieving one in all their very own.
That Season 2 coheres in any respect — given the intensive rewrites required and the tough tonal balancing act embraced by this oft-silly action-comedy — is a testomony to showrunner Michele Fazekas and her group. It nonetheless feels at one with “The Boys” franchise, even serving to to arrange the tentpole’s last season, and consists of many-a-gruesome second and greater than its justifiable share of guffaws. (“Your guilt should be at Catholic masturbater ranges” is a private favourite line.) The particular results are vivid and grisly, the pacing is pressing and taut, and the back-half delivers efficient twists, giant and small.
“Gen V” might not attain its highest potential — and it could not get the prospect to, given the place the narrative wraps up — but it surely’s spectacular, entertaining, and bold in its personal proper. The group needs to be proud, and the followers needs to be comfortable. As a result of ultimately, there’s no approach to get by Season 2 with out feeling, actually feeling, for these youngsters.
Grade: B
“Gen V” premieres Wednesday, September 17 on Amazon Prime Video with three episodes. New episodes shall be launched weekly by the finale on October 22.
