In The Boys Season 5 can Billy Butcher be redeemed?
Billy Butcher's acts in Season 4 sent him down a sinister road, yet his atonement is still feasible depending on the decisions his son, Ryan makes. Ryan's sad meeting with Grace that results in her death profoundly affects Butcher and fuels his conviction that every Supers are naturally bad. Should Ryan opt to reject his father's darkness and follow a road of good, it would provide Butcher some hope and a cause for reevaluation of his extermination plans against all Supers.
Ryan is meant to become into The Boys' villain?
Ryan's character is multifarious and vague, flitting between good and bad. His final fate will be much influenced by his decisions and behavior in Season 5. He has seen the corruption of Vought and the exploitation of Supes even as he observes his father's gloom and the atrocities of Homelander's authority. Saving Butcher and maybe the planet depends on his choice to oppose his father and Homelander despite their growing might.
Hughie will play what part in Butcher's possible atonement?
The show regularly compares Hughie and Butcher's late brother Lenny to underlines their relationship. Hughie's ask of Butcher to believe him in the Season 4 finale reflects the confidence Butcher had in Lenny. Butcher takes a terrible choice to kill Victoria Neuman in spite of her appeal, so guiding him even more into an evil road. Should Butcher is redeemable, Hughie's relationship with him must be investigated and reinforced. Maybe Hughie and Ryan can convince Butcher to change his terrible intentions and choose a road towards atonement.
Why does Butcher need to be redeemed in The Boys?
Although Butcher's actions in the comics fit his villainous arc in Season 4, the show has heavily invested in showing his humanity and compassion; his actions in Season 4 directly contradict his love for Ryan and Becca, and he will most certainly feel guilt over betraying those he loves. Redeeming Butcher will help The Boys deliver on their hope and humanity message. It underlines the fact that the fight for good is an ongoing battle and that even those who have followed a road of darkness may atone.
Within The Boys, what does Butcher's possible atonement represent?
The show has attacked people who mindlessly obey authority and power; if Butcher carried out genocide, he would eventually be no different from the evil he has battled. His atonement would be evidence of the force of human connection, the ability of empathy to guide even the most wounded people back from the edge. It would be a strong statement about the ongoing possibility for good among shadows.
