Episode 1 of The Boys season 4 opens with Victoria Neuman strutting onto the stage, basking in the adoring applause of the crowd. As she delivers her rousing speech, Kimiko remains inconspicuous, working diligently as a waitress. Meanwhile, The Boys team covertly infiltrate the party, ready to execute their plan. However, Butcher remains outside, his stomach heaving violently due to the side effects of Temp V, a stark reminder of his dwindling lifespan. The rest of the team eye him warily, uneasy with the knowledge that he's been assigned the vital task of securing their escape rather than engaging in the mission itself.
Elsewhere, Homelander whispers his seductive mantra into Ryan's ear, urging him to repeat the words that people are mere "toys for their amusement." He poses as a supportive figure to the new administration, but Neuman's welcome is anything but warm. While their conversation ensues, Butcher's earlier admonition to stay out of things rings hollow as he intervenes, pleading with Ryan to abandon his path. Unfortunately, Homelander appears, fully aware of Butcher's precarious situation.
As they depart, a shocking revelation unfolds: Zoe, Victoria's daughter, is also a Supe. Kimiko and Frenchie are suddenly thrust into a frantic escape, leaping from a window to evade capture.
When the team finally reunites, Victoria's arrival throws Hughie into a state of disbelief. He's horrified to learn that Victoria has dosed her own daughter with the compound, turning her into a powerful Supe. But Victoria is now virtually invincible, and even Butcher's desperate attempt to fell her with a bullet to the brain - a Trinity-style "dodge this" moment - fails miserably.
After the disastrous operation, Butcher is forcibly exiled from the group, while Mother's Milk faces the wrath of Grace Mallory. Two agents have been slain by Zoe, and their faulty intelligence - the idea of using acid to kill Victoria - has backfired spectacularly. The final straw comes when Hughie attempts to use the acid vial on Victoria, only to discover that it has no effect on her indestructible form.
Butcher's path unexpectedly crosses with his old friend Kessler, who offers him words of encouragement as they draw nearer to the grim death camps established by the Supes to roundup and dispose of humans. However, the Seven are in need of reinforcements, and Homelander is tired of surrounding himself with yes-men. The challenge lies in the fact that, given his immense power, no one dares to disagree with him. Consequently, he decides to visit Sister Sage, a highly recommended Supe who also boasts the title of the world's most intelligent person.
Upon Homelander's arrival, Sage senses that he is going through an existential crisis, yet she manages to hold her own against him. Homelander is left stunned, but Sage remains one step ahead, even transforming into his therapist as he pours out his heartfelt laments about the meaninglessness of everything. She compares him to Caesar, arguing that he shouldn't be behaving like a Nazi but rather encouraging people to fight each other and then stepping in as the "hero" to save them. Impressed by her insights, Homelander extends an invitation to Sage to join the Seven.
Meanwhile, Hughie remains steadfast in his refusal to abandon Butcher, despite the latter's fringe status within the team. Later in the evening, Butcher meets with Victoria to negotiate a deal. In exchange for stopping Homelander and working with Butcher, Neuman demands the material Hughie has on her regarding the Red River Group Home. After some deliberation, the pair reach a tenuous agreement.
Hughie's heart sinks when he visits the hospital and finds his father in a sorry state, especially after his earlier unanswered calls. Overwhelmed by guilt, Hughie struggles to cope, while Mother's Milk and the others decide to track down Todd and follow his lead.
During their investigation, Todd stumbles into a nightmarish scenario. The Seven, including Homelander and Sage, are already there, and Homelander, brandishing a bat, orders the Seven to beat Todd and the other hardcore fans to death. They carry out his orders without hesitation, while Mother's Milk, Frenchie, and Kimiko watch helplessly as Homelander leaves for his trial.
Outside the courthouse, Sage stands vigilant, clad in the vibrant hues of Starlight. As the verdict is announced, unsurprisingly declaring Homelander innocent, Sage wastes no time in igniting the flames of chaos. She throws a cup of steaming coffee and bellows the accusation of "fascist," sparking a violent outburst that engulfs the area. This outburst is meticulously orchestrated, designed to drag both Annie and Homelander into the midst of the fray.
Homelander, cunning as ever, has arranged for A-Train to plant the lifeless bodies of his ardent supporters at the heart of the commotion, framing Annie and her companions as the aggressors. However, they hadn't anticipated MM snapping incriminating photos of Sage outside the warehouse, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected revelations.
As the episode draws to a close, Butcher finds himself confronted by Becca in his apartment. She urges him to uphold the values they once shared, to be the man she fell in love with. This includes resisting the temptation to strike a deal with Victoria. Instead of sending her the compromising files, Butcher opts for a more mischievous route, attaching a revealing photograph of his posterior instead.
