Gen V is a spinoff show of the series The Boys, a show about “realistic” superheroes who work for giant corporations and care more about image and money than actually saving people. This spinoff show follows superheroes (or “supes” in the world of the show) in college, learning how to use their powers to fight crime and market themselves before hopefully going into a professional superhero career like the characters we see in The Boys. The school reminded me of a more twisted version of the movie Sky High, where students are labeled as either “heroes” or “sidekicks” based on their powers. At Godolkin University, the school in this show, students are either a part of the School of Crimefighting or the School of Performing Arts. Basically, those not deemed worthy enough of being heroes (based on power set or other factors) learn how to become entertainers, celebrities, and influencers. While The Boys does use the media in certain ways, Gen V leans in much harder to the social media and influencer aspect as that is much more prevalent in the college age group than the older adults in The Boys. Similarly, I really liked the way the show used the specific powers of the Supes to reflect real issues that young adults deal with like self-harm, eating disorders, gender identity, mental illness, etc. I know listing it out like that makes it sound heavy and depressing or potentially preachy about how to deal with those things but it is definitely not either of those things. The tenor of the show doesn’t allow it to go there. It is more a biting commentary under a fun and crazy tone than a sincere message. Those specific lenses make this show feel both separate from yet still of a piece with The Boys.

Also like The Boys, the main cast is mostly unknown actors. I knew the names of a few of them but hadn’t seen them in anything previously. The most well known of the group is probably Patrick Schwarzenegger as Luke, or “Golden Boy”. But for me, the most exciting cast member is Maddie Phillips as Cate. Maddie starred in one of my favorite, canceled-too-soon Netflix shows, Teenage Bounty Hunters. That’s not really relevant to this in any way but just any excuse for me to bring up that show (Netflix, please bring it back!) and Maddie is fantastic in both. There are also a few major and minor characters from The Boys that cross over onto Gen V. The most recent season of The Boys ended in early July 2022 so, at this point, I barely remember anything that happened or where things left off. But it mostly didn’t matter when it came to The Boys characters’ storylines on Gen V.

The creators of the show have said that they do not want it to be like the Marvel Cinematic Universe in that everything is interconnected. While the shows are very much entwined, you don’t necessarily have to have seen one to be able to follow the other, although it would probably enhance your understanding. If you like The Boys, I think you will like Gen V. If you’ve never seen The Boys, I would strongly urge you proceed with caution.

Excuse my language, but the only possible way to describe the universe of The Boys is that it is fucked up. Sorry, I mean profoundly, deeply, disturbingly, supremely fucked up. I’ve really never seen anything like this show before in the ways they just go for it. Whether that be in extremely graphic depictions of violence and gore or razor sharp satire of everyone and everything, these shows have it all turned up to 110%. No one is safe from being torn to shreds, physically or by words. It’s stomach-turning and horrible and incredibly funny and dark. These two shows have shown me some of the most disturbing things I’ve seen on television but also genuinely some of the funniest. 

All of that is important to say that Gen V will not be everyone’s cup of tea. I wouldn’t even recommend it to everyone. If you like The Boys, then definitely. Apparently season 4 of The Boys (which I just saw this morning will be coming in 2024) will pick up a few days after the events of this season of Gen V, so I will be curious to see how these shows continue to crossover in the future (Gen V was also renewed for a second season). But if you haven’t watched The Boys, I would start there. And only if you understand what you’re getting yourself into. I personally think it’s a fun, wild ride, but if extreme isn’t your thing, it’s okay to skip this one.

2023 Count: 27 seasons, 46 movies, 1 special