Martin Carr reviews the second episode of The Boys season 1…
And so we begin to dig a little deeper as those superhero gloves come off and The Boys cranks things up a notch. Body morphing blackmail, lactating corporate heads and C4 enemas count among the more diverting elements unveiled in episode two. Yet there is still a strong vendetta kind of mood coupled with some choice uses for a diamond tipped pneumatic drill. Karl Urban and Jack Quaid are fast developing the sort of on screen chemistry that gives everything a deviant edge, while our superheroes begin revealing their flaws and dismantling that mystique.
Elisabeth Shue has quickly established her territory and made CEO Madelyn Stillwell both a steely manipulator and savvy corporate negotiator. She is truly omnipotent yet recognises her own limitations and not beyond bending rules for financial gain or popularity points. With over two hundred super individuals at her command the opportunity for world defence domination is only a congressman or two away from reality.
As a moral debate this opens up and shine a light upon arms manufacturers, defence budgets and the cyclical reliance upon conflict which some countries pursue. Controlling that commodity, arming nations, factions and splinter groups before waging war on the very same people is what The Boys is ultimately addressing. Tie that into the exploitation of circumstances, individuals and those who look on without benefit and we are talking about something else.
On a lighter note there are those infomercials, live streamed celebrity hospital visits and clandestine meetings with intelligence operatives. Throw in some ominous character beats between friends, an alternate development with Butcher and Hughie and a highly proficient ex French foreign legion bio chemist; not to mention potential date rape and polymorphic penetration to The Boys capable of going from puerile to purulent on a dime.
To cover even a small percentage of the subtlety in this second episode written by showrunner Erik Kripke would take the fun out of it. In many respects The Boys is still getting warmed up, stretching its collective legs and establishing tone. Some have come for the guns, gore and censorship baiting excess, while most will stay for the depth, breadth and social commentary. For me I get the best of both worlds.
Martin Carr
