Episode 1 of Gen V kicks off with a tender scene of young Marie Moreau engaging in playful antics with her sister, while her parents gaze captivated at the A-Train's news coverage. Suddenly, Marie clutches her abdomen in agony and rushes to the washroom. Her mother, sensing her distress, follows closely, only to be shut out as Marie locks the door. Unaware of what menstruation is, Marie is horrified by the sight of blood. Panic ensues as she watches the blood levitate, causing her to flail wildly and knock over furniture.
Her mother, sensing the commotion, forcibly pushes open the door and is confronted by the levitating blood. The blood lunges towards her, slicing her neck, and she collapses in a pool of her own blood. Her screams alert Marie's father, who rushes in to find the grisly scene. Marie's scream, in response to the sight of the blood, triggers a catastrophic explosion that fatally wounds her father as well. Her sister arrives to witness the tragic scene, her parents lying lifeless on the floor, covered in blood.
The scene shifts to the present day, where Marie awakens in her shelter, eager to check her admission status to Godolkin University. With her daily routine in place, she eagerly anticipates the stroke of 4 pm. Her superpower practice reveals her mastery of blood control, a testament to her abilities. Outside, she witnesses a girl with superpowers being forcibly taken away by authorities, a sobering reminder of the world she inhabits.
Finally, the moment arrives. Marie logs in to discover she has been accepted into Godolkin University. She exchanges a brief conversation with Vanessa about her admission, and with a sense of reluctance, Vanessa allows her to proceed. A commercial airs, praising Godolkin University for shaping the superheroes of tomorrow, its glossy facade a stark contrast to the reality Marie knows.
Marie's first day at the university is a revelation, with superheroes abounding on the campus. Meanwhile, Emma Meyer finds herself shrunk to miniature size in her room, filming a video for her YouTube channel. Marie's unexpected entrance interrupts her, and Emma scrambles to return to normal size to properly greet her new acquaintance. Emma introduces Marie to her pet, her YouTube channel, and the quirkiness of her room, their conversation a welcome break from the seriousness of the outside world.
Emma enthusiastically escorted Marie to the Godolkin Stadium, eager to introduce her to the thrilling world of top-tier combatants. As they watched the Golden Boy display his prowess, Emma's admiration turned into a fiery lust that was hard to conceal.
Meanwhile, Luke Riordan confided in his girlfriend, Cate Dunlap, about his troubling nightmares. Their conversation soon turned into a passionate embrace on the track, until the unexpected arrival of Luke's first opponent interrupted their moment.
The fight erupted with Luke unleashing a relentless barrage of blows on his adversary. Marie, captivated by the brutality of the spectacle, voiced her aspiration to someday descend into the arena herself. However, her enthusiasm waned as she witnessed Luke viciously rip the opponent's arms from their sockets.
After the match, Marie anxiously checked her schedule through Emma's phone, only to discover something was amiss. She hurriedly sought out the professor, but instead encountered Jordan, who delivered the disheartening news that she hadn't been chosen for the Intro to Crime Fighting course. The two engaged in a heated argument until the professor intervened. Marie pleaded her case, but he firmly rejected her request, advising her to stick to her talents in performing arts.
Deflated, Marie turned to leave, only to witness a frantic scene unfold. A student, pursued by several police officers, dashed past her. She learned that he was a meth addict and, without hesitation, employed her superpower to trip him. As the police apprehended the boy, she heard his anguished cries about not returning to the woods.
The following day, Marie recounted the incident to Emma, but Emma's mind was solely fixated on the social media attention she could have garnered from it. She tried to encourage Marie to make friends, but Marie soon withdrew from the conversation, realizing that she didn't fit in with Emma's social circle. As they continued to discuss their reasons for being at Godolkin, it became increasingly apparent how vastly different their goals and aspirations were.
Luke reunited with Brink, and their conversation naturally drifted to their first encounter. Brink proudly revealed his latest superhero suit, crafted from hafnium carbide alloy, designed to withstand even the fiercest flames. He then offered Luke the opportunity to take over either Mayve's or Starlight's former department. Simultaneously, Luke was also presented with the chance to join the elite Seven. Suddenly, a voice rang out, calling his name.
Later in the day, Andre Anderson approached Marie, claiming to have recognized her from the previous night's incident. He extended an invitation to join him and his friends, including Luke, for a night out, but Marie politely declined. Andre persisted, urging her to reconsider and visit the Crime Fighting building if she changed her mind.
That evening, Emma's resolve began to weaken, and she successfully convinced Marie to attend the outing. Marie borrowed some clothes from Emma and ventured out, ready to join the festivities. Meanwhile, Luke, Cate, Jordan, and Andre headed out for the party, each eager to enjoy the evening. Emma, however, remained at home, checking her YouTube comments, until a message from Liam caught her attention, inviting her to spend time with him.
Jordan and the others gathered on the terrace of a bustling building, where Marie stood gazing off into the distance. Luke approached her, initiating a conversation that deepened their understanding of each other. She confessed to lying about how she discovered her powers and shared stories about her parents, while Luke revealed insights into the challenging aspects of being a hero.
Emma and Liam's encounter was a different story. As they prepared to make love, Liam expressed a desire for Emma to shrink to a tiny size, a kink that she reluctantly agreed to fulfill. She retreated to the bathroom, purging her contents and shrinking as requested.
Meanwhile, Marie and her friends sneaked into the club, utilizing Cate's powers to deceive the vigilant bouncer. Inside, Emma and Liam's encounter took a turn for the awkward as Liam's insecurities began to manifest. Luke, Andre, and Jordan spoke animatedly about the ranking system, while Brink busily mapped out their upcoming schedule. Cate and Marie, meanwhile, let loose on the dance floor, their movements a vibrant contrast to the complex emotions swirling around them.
Luke ventured forth and unexpectedly, visions assailed him. He beheld his brother, Sam, trapped within the woods, pleading desperately for his assistance. Meanwhile, Andre embarked on a mission to charm a girl, employing his unique abilities. He flipped a coin, transforming it into a vibrant bird. Upon her request, he exerted his telekinetic prowess, guiding the bird gracefully towards an old man's glass and depositing it there. Fatefully, a passerby bumped into him, causing the bird to veer off course and pierce a woman's vein, triggering a profuse hemorrhage.
Panic erupted within the club as blood sprayed chaotically. Luke and his companions fled the chaotic scene, but Marie, steadfast, remained. Memories of her mother's fatal accident resurfaced, yet she summoned her supernatural gift, manipulating the blood to halt the bleeding. The clubgoers, awed, captured her heroics on their devices.
The following morning, Maverick arrived to escort Marie to Brink's office. Upon arrival, her bravery was recognized, yet she was wrongly accused of slaying the woman. Shockingly, she learned of her expulsion, while Andre and the others remained unscathed, shielded by the university. Heartbroken, she withdrew, her dreams shattered.
Exiting the building, she encountered Emma and lashed out, accusing her of orchestrating the fateful night. Luke's visions resumed, summoning him once more. As he pushed open the doors, he found himself within the woods, Sam approaching him, begging for help.
Marie paused, seeking solace behind a building, grappling with the unfolding events. She resolved to confront Brink once more and marched resolutely towards his office. Encountering Jordan, her anger boiled over, yet she pressed onward.
Arriving at Brink's office, she witnessed a horrifying sight: Luke, engulfed in flames, embracing Brink in a fatal embrace. Stunned, Marie vowed to keep the secret. Luke, distrustful, pursued her relentlessly. Marie's path crossed with Jordan again, who intervened, determined to protect her and his reputation. Luke, convinced Jordan was complicit in Brink's plot, engaged him in a violent altercation.
Luke overcame Jordan and chased Marie outdoors, drawing the attention of numerous students. Andre intervened, striving to calm Luke's fury. Their embrace diffused the tension, but Luke felt overwhelmed, soaring skyward. Hovering above the campus, he exploded in a gruesome display, spraying blood and flesh across the landscape.
