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Alert: The Boys Season 4, episode 4, "Wisdom of the Ages," has spoilers in this post.
Season 4, episode 4, "Wisdom of the Ages," showsrunner Eric Kripke of The Boys explains why Homelander (Antony Starr) visits the facility where he was raised. Although the violent sequences of the superhero series are well-known, the most recent Boys Season 4 episode managed to intensify the violence even further as Homelander totally gives in his evil side. The supe shows up unannounced at the lab in the episode and starts torturing and killing the crew. Kripke claims, however, there is a motive behind his apparently unprovoked and terrible massacre.
Kripke spoke with TV Insider on Homelander's lab comeback for The Boys Season 4. The showrunner clarified that Homelander returned to try to "kill the part of him that's human," believing all his shortcomings and human features started in the lab. He finally can't shake his humanity, which is driving him crazy since it runs counter to his hate of people even if his activities in the lab might offer some momentary relief. Look at Kripke's comment down below:
He wanted to at last face his emotions of vulnerability and humanity as well as his need for approval and love since he believes that they started from [his] experience there. He so sought to face it and eradicate it. And was his success noteworthy? I believe he believes he performed successfully. The thing about Homelander is that he is someone who hates humanity yet yet he is one; thus, even if he is disgusted by it or represses it, he will never be able to kill the part of him that is human and become a god. I believe this is what is gradually driving him mad.
The most recent episode of The Boys reminds viewers of Homelander's early suffering and how it shaped who he finally grew to be. Kripke doesn't want someone to feel sympathy for the supe, but his upbringing certainly brings that feeling about naturally. Although many of The Boys' characters experienced quite horrific childhoods, Homelander could have had the worst. By means of flashbacks in the main series and portions of The Boys Presents: Diabolical, it is clear that the supe never experienced infancy. He was basically bred in a lab as an experiment, not reared by parents.
Though Vought scientist Dr. Jonah Vogelbaum (John Doman) gave the little lad some affection, it was hardly what a child would get from a mother and father. In his early years since he lost control over his abilities, most of the scientists were terrified of Homelander. No one would touch him or come near him, hence he was terribly alone and frequently seen from distance. Homelander was saturated with nationalistic indoctrination and subjected to horrible trials to test his capacity as he grew up.
The Boys Season 4 has Homelander facing his trauma in a horrific way, therefore confirming the influence of his upbringing. The show also reminds viewers that his youth is only accountable for portion of his behavior since he faces his history in a manner no one could approve of. Though not enough justify what he's done, his youth is sufficient to explain why he turned out the way he did and his drive for being wicked. The Boys' admission of Homelander's horrific upbringing gives the villain more character and humanity.
The fourth season of The Boys keeps delving into the dark psychology of Homelander and highlights how his experience shapes his behavior. His coming back to the lab marks a deep-rooted need to face his history, to eradicate the causes of his weaknesses and the feelings motivating him to act impulsively. The episode shows, nonetheless, that his attempt to "kill" his human side is fruitless since his natural humanity torments him and drives him to act out in violent and destructive manner.
Based on the same-name comic series, Eric Kripke developed the superhero/dark humor satire series The Boys. Set in a "what-if" universe honoring superheroes as gods and celebrities with few consequences for their deeds. To reveal them for what they are, one group of vigilantes led by a vengeance-obsessed guy called Billy Butcher will fight back against these super-charged "heroes".
The fourth Boys season keeps delving into the convoluted and unsettling mentality of Homelander. His deep-seated urge to feel strong and adored drives his impulses; he is also battling the contradictory feelings of his human side. Though horrific, his behavior stems from his childhood trauma and his urge to suppress the weaknesses endangering his well manicured image. Showcasing the terrible effects of trauma and the complexity of human nature, the show presents a terrifying look inside the mind of a villain who is both strong and profoundly flawed.