I know Gen V is an extension of The Boys, the show it spun off from, but all of my favorite details are in what it does completely differently. The Boys’ infamous gore and nudity are still there, but the college-aged characters bring an added level of whimsy. It’s this tonal tweak that gives us elements like the puppet sequences from Sam’s point of view, or the interpersonal drama that feels straight out of Riverdale, and that’s a refreshing change of pace from The Boys’ high octane action.
A related and underrated strength is how Gen V handles real-world issues, often using its superpowers to provide a model for the problems of young adults. Marie uses her bloodbending powers by cutting herself, which reflects self-harm. Emma’s shrinking powers are controlled by her eating disorder; no analogy needed. But in Season 2, this trope falls apart thanks to Gen V’s strange attitude towards the shapeshifting Jordan Li. Even when it’s attributed to the villainous powers that be, it’s a disappointing step down from Season 1.
