"Barbary Coast" stands out as the most sharply focused episode to date in the third season of "The Boys," weaving together two streamlined narratives that encapsulate the majority of the ensemble cast, while sprinkling in side stories for supporting players. However, despite its scattered gems of excellence, it ranks among my least favorites thus far, revisiting familiar territory without affording sufficient spotlight to this season's most overlooked characters.
Mirroring the previous episode, our journey commences and concludes with Homelander and Starlight, albeit this time through Starlight's perspective. The era of "American Hero" draws to a close, signaling the urgent need to fill the two vacant seats within The Seven. Yet, Starlight is denied the opportunity to truly flex her newly acquired clout, as Homelander's approval ratings have soared by an astonishing 21 points post his birthday meltdown—at least among white males in the Rust Belt. In reality, Homelander feels absolutely unperturbed by his new co-captain; Ashley has enlightened him that the allure of Homelander and the contrasting charm of Starlight can harmonize beautifully. Not even Maeve's blackmail footage of the plane rattles him anymore, rendering Starlight virtually powerless without it.
"Barbary Coast" chronicles Starlight's descent into helplessness, compelled to endure with a forced smile. She yearns to populate The Seven with competent heroes she can genuinely collaborate with, such as Silver Kincaid. Nonetheless, Vought executives are averse to the idea of a Muslim superhero, and the decision is ultimately wrested from her hands: Homelander desires Supersonic for the first slot and a surprising resurgence of The Deep for the second. And when Homelander covets something, he invariably obtains it.
Starlight's nascent threat to Homelander's dominance echoes his early season two rivalry with Stormfront, before he was swayed by her perspective. Yet, witnessing him reclaim power in a manner virtually identical to his post-alliance with Stormfront lacks novelty. Stormfront reminded him that instilling fear in the masses could prove more potent than earning their affection; in "Barbary Coast," he repeats this lesson verbatim, asserting, "I'd prefer to be loved. But if love is denied me, being feared suits me just fine." Indeed, should Starlight cross him in any way, he could annihilate everyone she holds dear and transform the United States into a post-apocalyptic wasteland within a matter of hours.
I envision crafting an ultra-potent villain such as Homelander, a being seemingly impeccable to the extent that securing any enduring leverage against him proves an insurmountable challenge, as an arduous task. This intricate narrative thread weaves through the core of "The Boys," a series that has remarkably navigated these complexities thus far. I am fully confident that season three will continue to unfold fresh layers to Homelander's character and his intricate power dynamics with the ensemble. Nevertheless, there lingers a hint of frustration witnessing him swiftly reassert his authority over Starlight, while the Deep's reinstatement in The Seven only amplifies this sense of stagnancy.
Nonetheless, these developments potently serve the purpose of exploring Starlight's moral dilemma and the chasm between her soaring aspirations and the realities of her newly acquired position of power. The episode unfolds with a nostalgic glimpse into Starlight's youth, where she reluctantly showcases her superpowers in a rendition of "Hit Me Baby One More Time" during a heroic pageant, her fist clenched behind her back to contain the burst of energy she yearns to unleash. Years later, this moment finds a poignant echo when Homelander makes a startling television declaration of their love (!), prompting Starlight to kiss him passionately. (#Homelight, indeed.)
Starlight's actions mirror those instilled by her mother: maintain a smile and do whatever it takes to triumph. Earlier in the episode, Hughie implored her to persevere and buy them some time; while this isn't precisely what he envisioned, it aligns nonetheless. Erin Moriarty masterfully conveys the underlying fear just beneath the surface of her feigned enthusiasm.
"Barbary Coast" stands as a pivotal episode, transitioning smoothly into the next phase of the season with a visit to the sanctuary where Grace Mallory is shielding Ryan. Privately grappling with the adverse effects of V24, Butcher seeks clarity regarding Mallory's ties to Soldier Boy.
Hence, the episode dedicates several captivating scenes to an extensive revelation of Mallory's tenure in Nicaragua amidst the controversial Iran-Contra scandal. Mallory, a seasoned case officer, found herself aiding the Contra rebels in their battle against the Russian-supported Sandinistas. This clandestine operation was funded by arms sales to Iran and the illegal trafficking of cocaine into impoverished neighborhoods across the United States. It is indeed striking to witness such a candid portrayal of this genuine, albeit unflattering, chapter in American history on mainstream television. I commend the episode for condemning Mallory's role, even though she remains a somewhat relatable character.
Eventually, Vought collaborated with the government in the war against communism, deploying Payback to Nicaragua for assistance. However, their reckless actions resulted in the massacre of Mallory's men, Black Noir's severe facial scarring, and Soldier Boy's demise at the hands of the Russians, only to be later captured by them. Naturally, Vought was granted full immunity, sparking Mallory's relentless quest for vengeance – a journey that ultimately led to the inception of the Boys.
Butcher is livid that Mallory kept silent about a potential weapon capable of slaying Homelander. Yet, she is correct in pointing out that much of Butcher's motivation stems from his own insatiable fury, rather than any noble cause. Regrettably, this revelation propels Butcher into a full-blown regression, informing Ryan that he can no longer bear to look at him after the harm he inflicted upon Becca. Karl Urban's tender gaze reveals that Butcher doesn't truly wish to push Ryan away; he merely needs to concentrate without distractions. Nevertheless, it is somewhat disappointing to see Butcher revert to his old ways.
In contrast, Frenchie's subplot appears relatively insignificant. He crosses paths with his former criminal partner, Cherie, who has reunited with their old employer, a Russian gangster named Little Nina (Katia Winter). Now, Cherie is on the lam after being robbed of the narcotics she was tasked with transporting, and she pleads with Frenchie to join her. He declines, rejecting Nina's offer to lure him with money to reveal Cherie's whereabouts. . However, upon learning of these events, Butcher asks Frenchie to arrange a meeting nonetheless. Their destination? Russia.
While these developments adequately set the stage for the Boys' forthcoming adventure, it is difficult to overlook the alternative narratives that could have unfolded. Maeve was a standout character in the first two seasons, yet she has been woefully marginalized thus far. At least we catch a fleeting glimpse of A-Train, who is starting to contemplate the positive impact he could make on the Black community. Alas, he remains trapped in a binary mindset, insisting that he is "Michael Jordan, not Malcolm X." If he truly intends to speak out against racism within the supe sphere, it will require more time – a luxury that "Barbary Coast" does not possess.
