The Boys S3 Review: Gory! Entertaining! Enjoyable!

July 15, 2022July 24, 2022 Jennifer Arthur 4 Comments Amazon, Amazon Prime, Amazon Prime Video, Antony Starr, Dominique McElligott, Erin Moriarty, Jack Quaid, Jessie T. Usher, Karl Urban, Prime Video, The Boys

So it’s taken longer than I expected to get this review out because there was so much rewriting I did. (I’m also trying to keep up with my TikTok) Much like the third season of The Boys, I’m happy with what came out. One of the great things about this show is how self-aware it is with all its “wokeness.” The show is extremely political, and they don’t hide it. It’s very in your face, but unlike a lot of political pieces today, it works.

It’s meant to be an exaggeration (not really) of our current political and societal issues. It focuses a great deal on how social causes, extremist groups, and the government all affect society. The fake advertisements, news, and media hilariously make fun of our consumerism. Homelander (Anthony Starr) himself is the Donald Trump of Superheroes. So it’s no wonder his “base” is entitled, white men.

This season, we saw the introduction of Soldier Boy, played by Jensen Ackles, who’s like a mix between Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers from the Marvel Comics. He’s based on Captain America, but he has the same trauma Bucky suffered. Everyone has daddy issues. Butcher, Homelander, Soldier Boy, even Frenchie. Honestly, it just furthers the whole idea that Homelander, Soldier Boy, and Butcher are cut from the same cloth soaked in childhood trauma and toxic masculinity.

Hughie’s toxic masculinity was at an all-time high this season. I’m sorry, but if you’re going to date a strong woman (a hero or otherwise), you need to be comfortable in your masculinity. He needs to understand that Starlight, played by Erin Moriarty, isn’t a damsel in distress. By the end of the Season, though, their relationship grew. Their struggle and reconciliation were well written. The look of sheer pride and adoration on Hughie’s face in Episode 8 said it all. Instead of trying to save her, he gave her some help and let her shine.

I did not think this show could get more disturbing. I was so wrong… The blood and gore were horrific. Episode 6, just wow… I enjoyed every minute of it. While I do place this Season up there in terms of its entertainment value, it does lose a few points because the plotline didn’t really progress the story.

In fact, we’re right back where we started… only worse. Butcher has caused quite the mess he’s left things in a worse position than when he started this journey of taking down Homelander. In terms of character development, however, it was bang on. We got major expansions into characters like Black Noir, Homelander, The Deep, A Train, Butch, Frenchie, Kimiko, MM, and Starlight. I just want to add here that Queen Maeve is the greatest superhero of all time.

Overall I really enjoyed Season 3, even though it felt like more of like a filler season, if I’m being completely honest. Looking forward to Season 4! Watch S3 of The Boys on Prime Video here.