The last episode of Season 4 of The Boys was packed with jaw-dropping moments. Here’s a rundown of the big surprises:
- Ryan Butcher accidentally kills Grace Mallory.
- Robert “Dakota Bob” Singer gets busted for teaming up with the Boys to plot against Victoria Neuman.
- The newly sworn-in U.S. President declares martial law, pledges loyalty to Homelander, and gives him an army of superpowered individuals.
But wait, there’s more! The Boys get ambushed and captured by Vought’s troops, who are led by those very superhumans. On a brighter note, Starlight’s powers make a comeback with an even stronger version of her flight abilities. The biggest shocker, though, is Billy Butcher using his new superpower to violently kill Neuman before escaping with the virus designed to kill superhumans, which Frenchie had created.
At the start of the episode, Butcher is in a hospital bed, dying from a brain tumor caused by his excessive use of Temp V in the previous season. It seemed like he might not make it to the end of the season.
Earlier in Season 4, there were hints that Butcher had developed a new superpower. In episode 4, Butcher stepped in during a fight between Frenchie and the superhuman Ezekiel. After seeming to lose the battle, Butcher blacked out and woke up to find Ezekiel torn to pieces. It turns out, Butcher had used this new power without realizing it.
So, what exactly is Butcher’s new power? By the season finale’s end, Hughie Campbell Jr. had brought Victoria Neuman to work with the Boys after her superhuman abilities were exposed. Despite the team’s reservations, Hughie convinced them to trust Neuman.
Butcher, now looking much healthier than before, showed up and wasn’t pleased about Neuman joining their team. He fully controlled his new power by summoning several tentacles from his chest. These tentacles covered Neuman’s eyes, preventing her from using her head-exploding power, and then ripped her apart.
Meanwhile, Butcher used his tentacles to keep Kimiko, Starlight, and a security guard at bay. His new ability clearly puts him at the top of the superhuman hierarchy.
As Butcher drove away, a blue vial was visible, suggesting he might have injected himself with Compound V between his hospital scene and the attack on Neuman. Whether this has cured his brain tumor remains to be seen, but he certainly appears healthier. This new power, which he can now consciously control, could make him a serious threat to Homelander and his superhuman army in Season 5.
