The BoysspinoffGen Vgot its first season 2 trailer duringSan Diego Comic-Con, and while the next chapter of the show looks amazing, it breaks a series promise.Gen Vdebuted back in 2023, and the spinoff quickly gained as much praise as its predecessor. It was no surprise when it was greenlit for a second outing, especially afterGen Vseason 1’s cliffhanger ending.
And that finale confirmed that the spinoff would have some overlap with the original show, a sentiment thatThe Boysseason 4 delivered on (even if its appearances and references weren’tthatfrequent).It looks like the spinoff’s new episodes will further play up the connectionbetween the two series, asGen Vseason 2’s trailer shows a major characterfromThe Boysworking with Marie Moreau.
This development makesGen Vessential viewing before wrapping any watch ofThe Boys— and while I’m excited to see both stories intersect, that goes against one of the franchise’s promises.
Gen V Season 2 Is Clearly Setting Up The Boys Season 5
Starlight’s Inclusion & Marie’s Role Lean Into The Connections
WhileGen Vseason 1 andThe Boysseason 4 had smaller cameos and references to one another, it looks like the spinoff’s second season is fully leaning into the links between the series.The trailer forGen Vseason 2 shows Erin Moriarty’s Annie approaching Marie, asking for her help in thwarting Vought’s plans. Check out the new footage below:
Annie tells Marie that she “can’t stay on the run forever,” informing her about Vought’s Project Odessa. Given that Annie is the only member of the titular team free afterThe Boysseason 4’s ending— not counting Butcher, who has gone rogue — she’s going to need allies in the fight against Homelander.Gen Vseason 2 is clearly setting that up.
The notion that Marie could become more powerful than Homelander may be setting up his downfall inThe Boysseason 5.
The inclusion of Black Noir and The Deep also confirms the overlap between the two shows, and that’s not to mention thatGen Vis leaning more into the Supes vs. humans themes with its season 2 plot. The notion that Marie could become more powerful than Homelander could be setting up his downfall inThe Boysseason 5, too.
While Gen V’s next chapter looks to maintain its university setting and own storyline,it’s obviously setting up the main show’s conclusion, making it essential to the greater franchise. This is exciting for fans of both, but it does backpedal on the suggestion that the Prime Video franchise wouldn’t become like the MCU.
Gen V Shouldn’t Be This Essential To The Boys, But It Was Inevitable
The Franchise Is Starting To Copy The Superhero Media It Makes Fun Of
Given the expansion ofThe Boys’universe andGen V’s popularity, it was probably only a matter of time until the two shows crossed over in a bigger way. The latter taking place during the original show’s timeline also makes it impossible to ignore the major events happening inThe Boys' world, especially on the heels of season 4.
Gen Vseason 2 brings the Prime Video franchise a step closer to becoming the very thing it’s satirizing.
Still, the fact thatGen Vhas become required viewing ahead of season 5 goes against creator Eric Kripke’s original sentiments.Kripke was adamant that viewers wouldn’t need to watchGen Vto understandThe Boysseason 4, something he drove home in an interview withSFX Magazine(viaGamesRadar). Judging by season 2’s trailer, this won’t remain the case for season 5.
The Boysalso regularly pokes fun at larger superhero franchises, like the MCU and DC Universe, which have given many viewers fatigue with their constantly overlapping stories.Gen Vseason 2 brings the Prime Video franchise a step closer to becoming the very thing it’s satirizing. There’s no real way around it, but with moreThe Boysspinoffs planned, it does raise concerns.
Gen V
Cast
Gen V is set at America’s only college for superheroes, where students challenge their moral limits while competing to join Vought International’s elite team, The Seven. As dark secrets of the institution are revealed, they must determine the kind of heroes they aspire to be.
The Boys
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.
