“The Boys Season One”
Genre: Action-drama, Dark Comedy & Crime Fiction
Released: July 16, 2019
Runtime: 55-70 mins
Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Amazon Freevee
Rating: 10/10 Stars
The following review contains violent content which may be too intense for some readers. Viewers discretion is advised
In a world where superheroes are often considered popular as celebrities, influential and sometimes even regarded as gods. “The Boys” Season One is an American satirical superhero television series developed by Eric Kripke, based on the comic book of the same name created by Garth Ennis.
The show follows a team of vigilantes who are combat experienced superheroes called Supes. Supes have abused their power for personal gain and work for a powerful company known as Vought International. Vought ensures the general public views the Supes as heroes, not threats.
On the other hand, The Boy’s are corrupted, self-serving, and reckless outside of their heroic personalities and want to take down Vought. The overall concept of the series shows how popularity and fame can affect the public viewer’s decisions and others. Supes are more obsessed with power and fame than using their powers to prevent a citizen from falling off a building.
Season One starts with Hughie Campbell Jr, played by Jack Quaid, a civilian in Washington DC. Campbell is a retail tech specialist who works for Bryman Audio-Visuals store. While Campbell is closing up, Hughie’s girlfriend Robin Ward, played by Jess Salgueiro, comes in to pick him up once his shift has ended. While they are walking Ward takes one step off the curb and the Supe by the name A-Train, played by Jessie T. Usher, uncontrollably and unthinkable, runs through her killing her violently,leading to her spreading all over the street.
A-train stares at Campbell after what happened, before panicking and begins to say to him, “Can’t stop, can’t stop” before running off into the distance.
This introduction sets up the plot perfectly for the show because it leaves the audience wondering if the character Campbell will ever be the same after what happened to his girlfriend. While this is happening we cut to Des Moines, Iowa with a girl by the name of Annie January, played by Erin Moriarty who is also a Supe that goes by the name Starlight, who can draw power from nearby sources of electricity, generating project and emanating blasts of energy with her hands giving her the ability to fly. January is trying out to join the team, The Seven which is one of the most powerful groups owned by Vought., The leader of the team is Homelander played by Antony Starr, who is one of the members, who consistently steals the spotlight from others. January wants to use her power for good and be the beacon of light in a world of darkness and corruption. After training January’s mom, played by Ann Cusack receives a phone call from Vought telling her that her daughter, January is the new member of The Seven and is waiting for her arrival.
Cutting back to Campbell, he is having a conversation with his father Campbell Sr. played by Simon Pegg, regarding Ward’s funeral. Campbell Sr. turns on the news to see A-Train and Madelyn Stillwell played by Elisabeth Shue made a public apology on TV regarding Robin’s death. While this is happening, a knock can be heard, Doug Friedman, played by Bruce Novakowski, an employee who works for Vought knocks on Campbell’s door.
Doug Friedman begins to talk about how Vought is willing to give Campbell a settlement offer of $45,000 only if he agrees to sign a non-disclosure agreement or an (NDA) which means he can not talk about what happened to Robin.
Campbell initially does not want to sign the NDA and instead intends to sue them, but Campbell Sr. tells him he should because that’s a lot of money. Even if they could sue him, they can’t afford a lawyer, and since the company is a massive multi-billion-dollar
corporation, they can afford the best lawyers.
Campbell asks Friedman if he can think about it, making Firedman leave a card with the number to reach him before leaving. This event leads to Campbell to see The Seven and A-Train as corrupted.
While Campbell is working a quiet night shift until someone wearing a black trench coat, and untied black boots. Campbell walks over to the mysterious black trench coat figure who introduces himself as Billy Butcher, played by Karl Urban. Butcher tells Campbell he heard about what happened to Ward, saying “She was one step off the curb and you didn’t take the money” Without a second thought, Campbell decides to join Butcher in his team of vigilantes to help take down Vought.
Overall, “The Boys” Season 1 not only entertains its audience but also challenges the viewers to reflect on how superheroes can change when money, power, and fame instead of protecting their world from evil, making “The Boys” Season 1 a must-watch in today’s television landscape.
