There was a time when The Boys was top dog of the Prime Video TV-show world. In the years following its 2019 debut – and especially since season 3 aired in mid-2022 – though, there’s an argument to be made that it’s been usurped by other critically-acclaimed series (Reacher), shows with similarly huge viewing figures, (The Rings of Power), or offerings that succeed in both areas (Fallout).
With The Boys season 4 launching on June 13, the brutal, melodramatic, and darkly comedic superhero show has a chance to show its siblings who the streamer’s real daddy is. Based on its first three episodes, though, it struggles to do so. It's still an excellent series; one that successfully marries superhero satirization with unambiguous scorn for real-life issues that plague our society and politics. But, in a glorious golden age of television, season 4’s three-episode premiere lacks that extra-special spark that made The Boys such a devilishly entertaining and innovative show.
