Phil Roberts 
Gen V Season 2 is a brutal, hilarious, offensive, and totally outrageous slice of television that maintains the formula that brought us to the dance, albeit at the cost of losing its identity in the process.
Gen V was a welcome addition to The Boys universe when it debuted back in 2023. By taking the world of Vought back into the classroom, fans were introduced to the young supes that would carry the universe forward. Although I wasn’t a massive fan of the first season, I appreciated the big swings it took to deliver something fresh and edgy. This week, we welcome another season of the show into the sandbox, promising to expand the story in fresh, new ways. But after the sudden passing of Chance Perdomo, who died in a motorcycle accident, the showrunners were forced into a narrative reshuffle. So will Perdomo’s passing affect the expansion of the sandbox? Or is Gen V season 2 another slice of outrageous supe action?
REVIEW
Fear not, Vought fans, because Gen V season 2 is a blast. Although the new season isn’t the landmark event we hoped for, it delivers everything we could want from this excessive, gratuitous, and offensive universe. It is a brutal, hilarious, offensive, and totally outrageous slice of television that maintains the formula that brought us to the dance. With some fresh new characters and some extra added depth to the heroes we know and love, the new season is an excellent exploration of the series and the legacy of Godolkin University itself.
While this series has its highlights, it isn’t without its flaws. A significant shadow looms over the narrative, cast by the flagship show. The influence of The Boys is always present, and this new season is hindered by the showrunners’ eagerness to set up the final season of The Boys, which negatively impacts Gen V. Much of this season’s storyline is overshadowed by the broader narrative established in The Boys, causing Gen V to struggle with its own identity and, unfortunately, lose its way in the process.
THE STORY
Season two of Gen V begins after the thrilling conclusion of the fourth season of The Boys. With the bulk of the main cast incarcerated after their insurrection, the world is adapting to Homelander’s martial law. The new era of Godolkin University is now led by Dean Cipher, portrayed by Hamish Linklater, who seems determined to brainwash his students into believing themselves to be superior to everyone else. The battle lines are drawn, with one side supporting Starlight’s resistance and the other backing Homelander’s oppressive regime. Meanwhile, the rebellious Guardians of Godolkin have been imprisoned in one of Vought’s facilities, where they are enduring horrific torture.
After pulling some strings, Cate Dunlap secures the release of Emma Meyer and Jordan Li, while Marie Moreau remains on the run from Vought’s forces. Unfortunately, this is when most of the characters learn that Andre Anderson (Chance Perdomo) did not survive his time in Vought’s facility.
DEATH AND REBELLION
The series then establishes a rhythm focusing on the influence of Cipher’s new regime, while the students grapple with the loss of one of their own. Credit goes to the showrunners for not shying away from Chance Perdomo’s passing. Instead, they incorporate his death as a significant storyline for the season, ensuring that the character remains a part of the Godolkin family. This tribute from the showrunners is commendable and deserves recognition.
From here, the story pivots into a multi-faceted narrative that finds Marie Moreau, played by the always reliable Jaz Sinclair, returning to Godolkin on a quest to uncover the nature of Cipher’s new “students into soldiers” mandate. Once she is re-enrolled, the story slips back into gear and explores the frat parties, grading systems, and endless orgies that Godolkin University is famous for. But this time around, these are brief, token diversions that contribute little to the overall plot.
THE ORIGINS OF THE FRANCHISE
Instead, the plot quickly devolves into a The Boys spin-off that instantly distances itself from life at the university and doubles down on the conflict between Starlight and Homelander. Pretty soon, the lighthearted aspects of the first season crumble away, leaving us with a side mission to facilitate the events destined to happen in the flagship’s final season. At its heart is the inevitable showdown between Homelander and Marie. The fast-track storyline seems desperate to put these characters on either side of the coming conflict, which often feels forced and way faster than most viewers would expect.
The series excels when it gives Sinclair the opportunity to showcase her strengths and delve deeper into her troubled past. Marie truly stands out as the backbone of the series, and it is through her exploration of her history that the real substance emerges. This journey raises questions about her parents’ roles in her superpowered origins and prompts us to consider their part in her struggles. The first season tapped into this trauma, but this season forces Marie to confront it head-on.
GUARDIANS OF GODOLKIN
The rest of the guardians aren’t as fortunate. Although some of them are afforded the time to add some depth to their characters, most get sidelined with another dose of teenage melodrama and teen romance syndrome. Perhaps the most rewarding story arc of the bunch belongs to Cate Dunlap and Emma Meyer. The series may overlook Cate’s involvement in capturing members of The Boys. Still, it allows her to delve into her part in the downfall of her former companions, as she seeks redemption at every opportunity. Emma, on the other hand, was a standout character in the first season, and this trend continues in season two.
Lizze Broadway captured the innocence, anguish, and torment in her performance as Emma throughout season one, and that comes full circle here. Although Emma has overcome many of the struggles tied to her self-loathing, there are still moments when she slips. Throughout the season, Broadway’s performance continues to impress. Her innocence and deep desire for acceptance are infectious and resonate with viewers on a personal level, and her performance truly deserves acclaim. Asa Germann gets the most additional screentime as Sam Riordan comes into his own. In this season, he becomes one of the university’s standout pupils, rivalling his brother’s legacy, but is he truly free of his demons? Only time will tell.
A NEW THREAT
The season finally gains momentum when the true villain of the series is revealed, which helps to unite our heroes once again. This leads to the inevitable team-up that the franchise is known for, and the payoff is satisfying. Along the way, we are greeted by several familiar faces that help the story along, and these moments remind us of what Gen V could have been. But in the end, the inconsistency shines through and derails any chance the show has at exploring its own identity. Instead, Gen V finds itself enveloped by The Boys, to its detriment.
VERDICT
Overall, the second season of Gen V is a mixed bag. While it offers everything expected from a universe shaped by The Boys, the series often feels overshadowed by its larger, more established predecessor. Despite strong performances from Jaz Sinclair, Maddie Phillips, and Lizze Broadway, they struggle to break free from the influence of Eric Kripke’s overarching narrative. Although the sharp screenplay highlights the strengths of the cast, the show continually grapples with the broader storyline, which risks compromising its own identity.
That being said, there is still plenty to enjoy here. From the traditional gratuitous nudity to the endless bloodletting, the series is not for the faint of heart. But those craving another healthy dose of The Boys’ formula will be eating well for weeks to come. With its rich storytelling, edgy storylines, teenage melodrama, and over-the-top vulgarity, the show is a blast, so settle in for a three-episode premiere that will satisfy your supe appetite.
Gen V Season 2 premieres with a three-episode launch event on Prime Video on September 17th. New episodes will be released weekly.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
