Episode 2 of The Boys' fourth season kicks off with a thrilling film shoot, starring Will Ferrell as Coach Brink alongside the enigmatic A-Train. However, the scene's conclusion reveals a tense undercurrent as A-Train expresses dissatisfaction with the portrayal of his family in the script.
During a brief break from filming, Noir II unexpectedly approaches A-Train, a conversation none of them wanted at that moment. Noir, unable to contain himself, delves into the grisly murders and the tangled mess surrounding them. A-Train tries to silence him, urging him to keep his mouth shut, but will Noir heed his warnings?
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Annie and Hughie stand by Hughie's father's bedside. His mother is also present, but Hughie hasn't seen her since he was six. She holds power of attorney over his father and has even signed a DNR. They've been in communication for the past year, and she believes she can handle the situation. However, Hughie has heard enough and decides to leave.
Elsewhere, Frenchie and Colin find themselves in an unexpected embrace following the protest. Frenchie cares for Colin, and the two share a tender moment before parting ways. Colin is injured from the riot, and it's clear there are feelings between them, but Frenchie is holding back.
Kimiko, still struggling to find her voice, speaks with a therapist about her speech impediment. But when the conversation turns to her parents, she snaps, breaking the arms off the chair and storming out.
Upon her return to The Boys' headquarters, Kimiko arrives amidst a raging argument. MM makes a decisive move, declaring Butcher's expulsion from the group. Hughie is displeased by the decision but is outnumbered and warned that he'll face similar consequences if he sides with Butcher.At Vought Headquarters, a brand-new ensemble awaited Ryan's arrival, designed to emulate the iconic "Homeboy" persona - a scaled-down replica of Homelander himself. However, Sage voiced her dissent, arguing that Ryan, a naturally born Supe, deserved an identity that reflected his uniqueness. She drew parallels to Hollywood's stereotypical portrayal of "lone wolf" white boys, insisting that Ryan should embrace this archetype, especially as he embarked on a PG-rated film project.
After the meeting adjourned, Sage offered words of encouragement to The Deep, urging him not to let Ashley's derogatory remarks affect him. The Deep shrugged it off, joking that it was just "that time of the month" for her, but Sage's words seemed to have sparked a newfound confidence in him. Emboldened, he confronted Ashley at the lunch table, feeling more powerful than ever.
Despite being the most intellectually gifted individual on the planet, Sage was unaware that her phone had been bugged. For now, she remained oblivious to this intrusion into her privacy. As the group followed Sage to Truthcon for reconnaissance, they were surprised to find Butcher among the crowd. He smugly claimed to be a private and concerned citizen, and Mother's Milk, unable to turn him away, reluctantly allowed him to tag along.
Sage's true objective at Truthcon was to meet with a Supe named Firecracker, a vlogger who specialized in spewing conspiracy theories and ideological ideas. Sage saw this as a form of "selling purpose," using narratives to rally people to a common cause. As Hughie and Annie covertly observed A-train, they stumbled upon surprising evidence that could exonerate the Starlighters, falsely accused of murder. Excited by Firecracker's potential, Sage arranged a meeting in the "Deep Blue Sea Room," a location previously explored by Kimiko and Frenchie during their own investigation.
Butcher and MM clash once again, locked in a heated debate over the best course of action in the current situation. Fed up with the argument, Mother's Milk lashes out at Butcher, knocking him down and ordering him to go home. As Kimiko, now intoxicated, joins Frenchie and Mother's Milk, they arrive at the Blue Sea Room next door... only to realize they've been duped.
Left alone in the room, The Boys emerge victorious, despite one of their opponents being a Supe with the ability to duplicate himself. Stripped to the waist, the men continue to engage in a fierce battle with The Boys, but Butcher's timely arrival swings the tide.
Throughout this chaos, the staged rescue of Ryan unfolds... leading to a bloody and chaotic climax. Ryan unleashes his strength, slamming a man against the wall, causing him to shatter into pieces. It's a grisly and gruesome sight, and Ryan wrestles with the morality of his actions. However, he's stunned when Homelander sits him down and claims that his presence is "good for his numbers." Lacking any empathy, Ryan slowly begins to grasp the truth about his ally.
That evening, Hughie confronts his mother about their past, specifically the heartbreaking final time he saw her when he was six. Standing his ground, he refuses to bow to her power of attorney antics. Instead, he declares that he will be there, making decisions alongside her. If she doesn't like it? Well, he's prepared to take her to court. With that, Hughie storms out.
Meanwhile, Kimiko is hell-bent on seeking revenge for her past and hunting down the traffickers who wronged her. As she prepares for her vengeance, Butcher appears at The Boys' headquarters to speak with Mother's Milk. The pair engage in a candid conversation about the past, including Butcher's mistakes and the risky mission at Truthcon and its dire consequences.
Butcher is eager to join the fight, determined to do what's right for Ryan. However, MM refuses, telling him it's too little too late.
