The sophomore season of "The Boys" hurtles toward a climactic outbreak of violence, grounded in insightful commentary on how swiftly heroism can morph into villainy, particularly when isolated individuals are corrupted by those who ought to know better. The opening sequence of this week's episode is both shocking and predictable, serving as a poignant reminder of how effortlessly inflammatory rhetoric and racism can incite individuals to commit acts of brutality. Its poignant relevance is only slightly detached from the reality of 2020, save for the inclusion of Frosted A-Trains cereal perched on a store shelf. Collectively, "Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker" stands as one of the season's most impactful installments, paving the way for a thematically resonant denouement centered around the dynamic between fathers and sons: Billy Butcher and Homelander, two men scarred by inadequate father figures, with at least one of them potentially poised to perpetuate thislegacy.
The episode unfolds with a harrowing scene of brute force. A solitary figure is immersed in Stormfront's hate-filled speeches, blaring from televisions within the confines of his home and seemingly permeating his every waking moment. Convinced that a clerk at a convenience store is a concealed superhero, he guns him down in cold blood as the mournful tune of "What a Wonderful World" plays in the background. Although "The Boys" typically leans more towards satire and humor than commentary, given the recent spate of shootings and societal unrest, this week's opening sequence is genuinely disheartening.
It transpires that the events at Sage Grove from the previous week have left Lamplighter back in the custody of Grace, Billy, and the Boys. They intend to utilize the former member of the Seven as a weapon against Vought, but the congresswoman spearheading the charge remains unconvinced that Lamplighter's testimony alone will suffice. They seek more granular details about what transpired at Sage Grove, prompting Billy and Grace to revisit Jonah (John Doman), the architect of the Compound-V program and Homelander's de facto father.
Elsewhere, Annie finds herself utterly disenchanted with her place in the world, torn between embracing her role as a hero or vigilante. On the brink of abandoning the very notion of heroism, her mother attempts to coerce her back into the fold. Unbeknownst to Annie, her mother serves merely as a tracking device to lead Vought straight to her, culminating in a fierce confrontation/battle between Black Noir and the innocuous Starlight. Each character grapples with finding their purpose this week: Billy confronts his father, Annie clashes with her mother, Lamplighter succumbs to despair, and Homelander and Stormfront consolidate their resolve to secure an heir to their hatred.
Regardless, Annie finds herself ensnared in captivity, while Hughie and Lamplighter find an unsettling camaraderie in cuckoo porn based on The Seven's scandalous past. Meanwhile, Billy embarks on a visit to his father, brought to life with remarkable depth by the estimable John Noble, famed for his role in 'Fringe'. It transpires that Billy's dad is a despicable soul, one who inflicted unspeakable suffering upon both Billy and his brother Lenny. Their confrontation is a storm of blows and curses, culminating in a harrowing moment where Billy nearly suffocates the aged abuser to death.
The recurring theme of the often toxic ties between parents and offspring segues seamlessly into the subsequent scene, where Stormfront mourns the decades that have passed since she cradled an infant in her arms. Homelander, on the other hand, decides it's time to introduce Ryan to his new love interest. Becca Butcher's discomfort is palpable from the get-go; Homelander's visits were distressing enough, but his new hate-filled partner only exacerbates the eerie ambiance.
Relationships across 'The Boys' universe are shattered and strained, including the bond between Queen Maeve and Elena. Elena, unable to meet the love of her life's gaze after discovering her inadvertent role in a plane crash disaster, wonders how many more lives Maeve has extinguished. With Elena now gone, what remains for Maeve to champion? 'The Boys' delves deep into the notion that people, even those gifted with superhuman abilities, require connections to ignite their passion and heroism. Maeve, stripped of hers, descends into a spiral, found groggily entwined with two nude men when Ashley seeks her out.
As Homelander and Stormfront attempt to enchant Ryan with tales of his father's cinematic glory and the roller coaster bearing his name, Grace and Billy, each in their own way, strive to coax Jonah into testifying at a congressional hearing. Grace, accompanied by Mother's Milk, takes the diplomatic path, uncovering that Jonah now lives solely for his daughter—another nod to the episode's poignant themes of parenthood and filial bonds. Billy, however, adopts the 'tough cop' approach, bluntly threatening Jonah's daughter and family if he fails to do the right thing. While Grace appeals to reason, Billy harnesses righteous indignation.
The episode reaches its zenith at Vought, where Lamplighter and Hughie embark on a daring mission to rescue Annie and her mother. Upon entering, Lamplighter discovers with a heavy heart that his statue has been relegated from the boardroom, depriving him of the solemn ritual of igniting himself in its presence. Does he possess such a simple capacity for self-immolation? One would think his very essence would repel flames. Nonetheless, the sprinklers activate unexpectedly, providing Annie with an opportunity to flee, while Lamplighter is reduced to a charred shell of his former superhero self. Matters escalate further when Hughie, compelled by security imperatives, severs Lamplighter's hand from his scorched corpse—a macabre necessity that leaves a chilling impression.
Just as the gravity of the moment settles, Black Noir bursts through the wall with Annie in tow, leading to a ferocious battle near Lamplighter's incinerated remains. Noir, as relentless and crazy as ever, engages in a brutal, unsightly scrap, ultimately choking Annie into unconsciousness. The scene abruptly shifts to Maeve, her arm tightly wrapped around Noir's neck, signaling the return of this show's embodiment of Wonder Woman to her heroic roots. With a decisive action, she forces forces an Almond Joy candy bar down Noir's throat, causing him to faint due to his severe tree-nut allergy. It transpires that the world's most unsettling superhero harbors this surprising vulnerability. Hughie locates Annie and her mother, and they hastily depart.
Meanwhile, as Noir teeters on the brink of death by asphyxiation, Homelander and Stormfront abscond with Ryan, leaving Becca shattered. Elsewhere, A-Train and The Deep learn firsthand the peril of crossing the Church of the Collective, who have embarked on a campaign to defame Eagle the Archer for reasons unknown. The climax unfurls at the hearing on Compound-V, where Jonah Vogelbaum stands poised as the pivotal witness. Just as he takes the oath, the congressman's head explodes, followed swiftly by another's, and then Jonah's—heads bursting like popcorn in a microwave. Could it be Stormfront's doing? The escaped inmate from Sage Grove? Grace, in a desperate bid to safeguard her congressional ally, races towards safety, while Homelander scans the room, seeking the perpetrator. The C-Span broadcast abruptly terminates, leaving Billy Butcher with a menacing scowl etched across his face.
