The anticipated second season of “Gen V” released its season finale on Oct. 22. A spinoff of Amazon Prime’s “The Boys,” “Gen V” seeks to further flesh out the original show’s universe while satirizing superhero and young adult genres.
After a well-received first season, “Gen V” returns to Godolkin University as Marie Moreau, played by actress Jaz Sinclair, who tries to uncover the plot of the school’s new dean with the help of her new friends and old enemies.
The show is able to balance new and old characters well, as well as properly handling the character of Andre Anderson, played by actor Chance Perdomo, who passed away not long after the premiere of the show’s first season. The character’s passing is worked into the story organically and tastefully, as the character continued to have an effect on the story while also respecting the memory of the actor.
The new characters fit in well for the most part and complement the main cast members.
The major emotional moments with the important characters hit well. The acting is never usually a strong suit in the “The Boys” universe, save for scattered outstanding moments, but it never falters from a solid level of quality.
“The Boys” universe’s classic social commentary was surely present in “Gen V” season 2. The show makes clear allusions to social issues concerning race, class and education, though it’s fairly surface-level.
In terms of genre commentary, “Gen V” and “The Boys” have both been slowly losing their signature satirical flair over time, gradually eroding the unique concept to something like any other superhero show, while the mainstream superhero genre is what they are claiming to satirize. The style needs to be characterized and differentiated by more than just gross-out sexual jokes and gore; there must be a greater purpose given to these aspects if they are to be emphasized so heavily.
In the final episode, the villainous Thomas Godolkin — played by Ethan Slater — finally enters the equation after he was built up since the season’s first episode. His powers establish him as potentially the most powerful being on the planet, but Moreau is able to kill him before he does anything, which feels like a wasted opportunity and makes the finale feel anticlimactic.
Although the season finale felt unsatisfying, it also got me excited for “The Boys” season 5, as the final scenes put the “Gen V” team on track to unite with the titular Boys in the fight against Vought and Homelander.
Despite its issues, “Gen V” season 2 is an enjoyable watch that serves its purpose of putting a temporary close on the setting of Godolkin University while also bridging the gap between “Gen V” and “The Boys.”
