The Boys “Teenage Kix” Review

Season 5 Episode 2 – Tonight at 9/8C a @VoughtNews special report: Is your loved one a secret Starlighter terrorist?

Please note, our reviews are based on likes and dislikes. These contain significant spoilers. If you haven’t already watched the episode, we recommend that you click off the article and come back once you have watched the episode. Enjoy!

What I Liked

1. We begin the episode with A-Train’s funeral. Instead of them using this time to mourn A-Train and pay their respects, they use the funeral to blame Starlight as always. The Seven are in attendance, including Homelander, so the huge cover-ups continue. A great start to the episode.

2. Homelander talks to A-Train after the funeral. It’s clear that Homelander is experiencing some level of guilt. It does make sense considering how long they both work together. After this shot, Homelander heads into his apartment, where he has Soldier Boy in a cryo chamber, which he unlocks. I’m looking forward to seeing this dynamic between the two again.

3. The scene from the trailer is still hilarious. The incest comment just flows so well. Homelander wants Soldier Boy to find Butcher for him. He’s offering Soldier Boy a comeback since he’s in control of Vought, even offering him a spot in The Seven only if he helps him find Butcher. I’ve been intrigued as to how this will go since the trailer was released.

4. Starlight is notified of another one of her cells being raided and killed, which causes her to crumble while they’re testing the virus against Rock Hard. I liked this scene specifically because of Frenchie. He steps in to provide her comfort and gives her advice. It felt like a touching moment, which we sometimes don’t see within the show.

5. Butcher, Kimiko, and Hughie head back, but they’re carrying the virus, which is incredibly fragile and dangerous. Soldier Boy throws his shield through the windscreen of their car, resulting in a crash. Thankfully, the virus is okay. We now get a showdown between Butcher and Soldier Boy. Butcher manages to get the upper hand briefly before getting away. What a moment that was.

6. Soldier Boy grabs Hughie, but just before it looks as though Hughie lets the virus loose. Jetstreak and Rock Hard both succumb to the virus, violently, too. Soldier Boy goes down with the other two; it looks a brutal way to go.

7. A beautiful moment for MM. He actually saves Countess Crow. They can’t embrace the gratitude as they’d like to; they do it silently. It’s lovely to see that, even despite everything MM has seen, he still genuinely cares.

8. Frenchie wants him and Kimiko to go into hiding to protect her against the virus. Kimiko understands that she has to stay to finish this and make amends. It’s another emotional moment for the episode, one that was needed. Hughie and Starlight also have their own moment. This episode truly needed these conversations; this show needed these conversations. Sometimes it’s nice to see the series grounded every once in a while.

What I Disliked

Nothing to report this week.

Favorite Moment

Sheline vs Kimiko. Jetstreak vs Hughie. Butcher vs Soldier Boy. Kimiko defeats Sheline. Jetstreak grabs Hughie and flies into the sky, and drops him, only to be saved by Starlight. I say it’s Butcher vs Soldier Boy, but it’s more Butcher running away, throwing his middle finger up. This entire segment was absolutely brilliant.

Standout Character

This is another one of those episodes where I really have no idea who to choose. Homelander stood out. Soldier Boy stood out. Butcher stood out. I think, though, for me, the one who edges is Butcher. The no-nonsense attitude was even better this episode.

Verdict

Another masterpiece of an episode. I think the showrunners have this season on lock and know exactly what they need to do to finish this season off strong. The virus has been shown for the first time, including its capabilities. The action never let up. We even got some emotional moments. This episode had everything.

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Rating 10/10

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