Warning! This article contains major spoilers for The Boys.
Summary
When series creator Eric Kripke announcedThe Boysseason 5 would be the adaptation’s final season, it initiated a countdown revolving around the fates of the remaining characters. So far, the main group ofThe Boys teamhas survived, but with an ending in sight, their futures are uncertain. The revelation thatThe Boysseason 5will close out the series does make at least one character’s death readily apparent, however, especially ifThe Boysfollows the narrative established by the comics.
The Boyscomic books, created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, were developed with a definitive, tragic, and bittersweet ending in mind. Since the adaptation’s inception, the Prime Video series has greatly steered away from the source material. Still,The Boysincludes characters and moments taken from or inspired by the original story, which might be the case in season 5. AsThe Boysseason 4puzzles together how the penultimate installment will set up the last season, audiences can expect game-changing, inevitable, and violent surprises.
16 Best The Boys Season 4 Easter Eggs & References
The Boys season 4 kicked off with a massive three-episode premiere, and here is every Easter egg and reference that can be found in the episodes.
The Boys Ending With Season 5 Makes Butcher’s Death Inevitable
Billy Butcher has roughly six months to live when season 4 begins
At the end of season 3,Billy Butcher was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumordue to his use of Temp V and given roughly 12-18 months to live. Some time passed between then andThe Boysseason 4 premiere, where Homelander surmises Butcher has six months, possibly less. With the clock running down and the end of the series on the horizon, Butcher’s death appears inescapable. Furthermore, the existence of a fatal Supe virus,Butcher’s hallucinations inThe Boysseason 4, and remarkably dangerous threats looming are all hinting at Billy Butcher dying by the end of the series.
Butcher’s Death In The Boys Season 5 Would Honor The Original Comic Ending
The Boys’shocking comic book endingsees Butcher change from a morally questionable anti-hero into the story’s final villain. Homelander’s death — along with other high-profile super-powered beings — and the dismantling of the Seven in the source material is not enough to satiate Billy Butcher’s rage and bloodlust. He believes all Supes and anyone who has even a trace of Compound V in their veins must be eradicated.Butcher plans to release a virus that is deadly to Supes, effectively plotting a genocide that will potentially kill millions of people.
With the introduction of the deadly Supe virus inGen Vseason 1 and Butcher’s awareness of the weapon … it’s easy to infer how a version of the comic’s ending is being devised.
Butcher murders M.M., the Female (Kimiko), and Frenchie as they oppose his diabolical plans. This leads to a confrontation between Hughie and Butcher, who are both injured in the fight. Hughie intends to let Butcher be captured by the authorities, butButcher manipulates Hughie into killing himby lying about murdering Hughie’s parents. With the introduction ofthe deadly Supe virus inGen V season 1and Butcher’s awareness of the weapon, along withThe Boyscoming to an end after season 5, it’s easy to infer how a version of the comic’s ending is being conceived.
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.
