Season 3's quality overall has been ridiculously high and yet it's this quieter episode that is probably the best of the season and maybe the entire season. What the Boys does better than most other shows is it's characterization. Practically all of the characters are perfectly cast; the various relationships and underlying motivations between them are always understandable if not agreeable. The show gets attention for its "shock" value & pushing the boundaries of what's acceptable but none of that would matter without the exceptional writing and acting that accompanies each episode.
Those spamming the reviews with "woke" & "lefty" criticism are just absolutely missing the point. Like Game of Thrones before it, The Boys characters and plot thrives on the fact that all the characters are fallible. This episode drives that home with some character choices that may have long lasting repercussions and genuinely heart wrenching advancements.
The whole theme of "how far do you go?" Which has been there since season 1 is laid out in simple choices. But it's the relationships those choices will change that is the power of this episode. The power comes from the writing and the characters whose journey we've shared - allowing the series to provide situations where you agree with every point of view even though they reside on the opposite sides of the line. It's wonderful writing, acting and TV.
Not since Thrones has a show provided such an ensemble with such character development. Like Thrones, the result is you give a damn about those characters - whether good, bad or something in between.
Yes, there's obvious political parallels - but I don't see it as the left being treated any better than the right and that's the point of the satire. In fact, watching some of the more obvious mirrors of recent events makes it even more absurd when it you remember some of the conspiracy theories were really claimed in the world we live in.
Take away the powered individuals and it's a reflection of our media sponsored current existence. Some of us may not like it or agree with it but that probably says more about you than it does the show. If that's you, try looking at how it's portraying the other "side" once in a while. There's no shining lights here, or actual heroes. Even Starlight, the supposedly "honorable" one is lying to the masses and enhancing the lie.
Wonderful show. And this episode nails everything that is great about it.
