Episode 3 of Season 4 of The Boys opens with ominous signs surrounding Homelander's well-being. Throughout the latest Vought conference, Homelander vocalizes his belief that Starlighters pose the greatest threat to America, yet beneath the surface, his mental state is fraying. As a diversionary tactic, he announces Sister Sage and Firecracker as the newest additions to The Seven, reserving one spot for his purported "son," Ryan.
Cracks are starting to emerge within Vought's headquarters as well, particularly as Sage increasingly disagrees with Homelander's strategies. Nevertheless, Firecracker's messaging cannot be denied its impact. Shortly after, a middle-aged man unexpectedly appears at Starlight's HQ, alleging that they house children in the basement and claiming to be there to rescue them. When he brandishes a gun, Frenchie intervenes, swiftly knocking him to the ground to defuse the tense situation.
Meanwhile, at Neuman's HQ, the team debates whether to launch an anti-Supe campaign and ban them outright. Robert Singer, a prominent executive, argues that Vought has held undue influence for too long, and it's time for a change. Butcher, in his crusade to reclaim Ryan, maneuvers Kessler to his advantage, while Kimiko recruits Frenchie to confront their past and seek revenge against the traffickers.
Elsewhere in Vought HQ, MM eyes A-Train as a potential ally, hoping to sway him to their side. He's ready to make the switch, and MM believes he could be their insider within the ranks. This seems particularly pressing given that Sage has usurped Ashley's position as CEO of The Seven. She immediately interrogates the team about the leaked footage from Crime Analytics, leaving Deep, who oversees that department, in a precarious position. His stress overflows into his relationship with his pet octopus, Ambrosius, whom he's romantically involved with. She suggests a vacation as an escape, but Deep fears the risk is too high.
MM meets with A-Train and leverages the knowledge of his involvement in three deaths to persuade him to reconsider his allegiance. Initially, A-Train curses him out, but it's evident that he's contemplating the offer. The stakes are high, as Homelander, in a fit of rage, takes the life of a woman who confesses to supplying Annie with sensitive data.
Firecracker unexpectedly appears to confront Annie, who is bewildered as to why the vlogger holds such animosity towards her. It transpires that Annie had once operated under a different alias, Sparkler, and had narrowly missed winning a competition against Starlight. The root of Firecracker's ire, however, lies in Annie's malicious rumor-mongering about her participating in a gangbang with the judges. To add insult to injury, Annie had also hurled curses at Firecracker, calling her fat. This explains the depth of her hatred and the perpetual chip on her shoulder.
Ryan arrives to visit Butcher, and as they spend time together, Ryan witnesses a softer, more empathy-driven side of Butcher when he mentions the person he had hurt. This compassionate approach is starkly contrasted with Homelander's cold demeanor, and Ryan is deeply moved by Butcher's honest admission of his inabilities to care for a child and his fear of failing Becca.
Elsewhere, Kimiko and Frenchie storm into the warehouse in search of the traffickers. It's Frenchie's turn to be less than sober, as he becomes increasingly hallucinatory while Kimiko takes the offensive. His visions range from seeing Colin, a bathtub, dead bodies, and even Little Nina. This sequence is executed with remarkable style and coolness, adding a surreal and exciting dimension to the scene.
As everyone else embarked on their side hustles, Hughie and MM were the only ones left to sneakily plant the bug at 'Vought On Ice'. Hughie, crouching in the vents, eavesdropped on Homelander dispensing words of encouragement to Victoria, urging her to be proud of herself and uphold her legacy as a Supe. However, Hughie's nerves got the better of him, and his sweat glands began to overproduce. A single drop trickled down his cheek and landed on his shoulder. As he sniffed it nervously, his presence in the vents was instantly betrayed. Homelander's keen senses zeroed in on him, and he chased after the fleeing Hughie with relentless determination.
The chase erupted into a chaotic frenzy of blood and destruction as Hughie desperately tried to evade capture. But irony had a strange twist in its tale. It was A-Train, the man whose super-speed had once wrecked Hughie's life, who unexpectedly swooped in and carried him to safety. This startling turn of events highlighted the paradoxical nature of their relationship, where the source of Hughie's trauma became his unexpected savior.
Later, a somewhat calmer Hughie appeared at the hospital, seeking solace with his mother. It transpired that her departure was due to an unrelenting depression that had gnawed at her soul. Dressing up had become a Herculean task, and she had even attempted to take her own life. For her, it was a matter of life or death, and that's why she ultimately packed her bags and left Hughie behind.
Meanwhile, The Deep made an appearance to confront Sage about the debacle in the Crime Analytics department. But their tense discussion quickly morphed into a passionate sexual encounter, fueled by their shared appetite for food and each other. Elsewhere, Ryan returned to face Homelander, whose keen nose detected Butcher's scent on him. Homelander berated Ryan, doubting his worthiness, and in a fit of anger, smashed a window.
As Ryan fled the scene, Homelander heard a voice and saw himself reflected in the shattered fragments of the mirror. He was suffering from a profound mental breakdown, convinced that his need for love was a "sickness." Desperate to escape this torment, he resolved to "go home," seeking solace in the familiar surroundings that might offer him a semblance of peace.
