We knew that The Boys season four would end in an explosive way. With an assassination plot in progress against Robert Singer, a shape-shifting supe LARPing as Starlight, and the Boys trying to figure out how they are going to kill Homelander and stop all this chaos, there was going to be a death or two. But we did not expect Victoria Neuman to actually die in The Boys season finale, nor did we expect how it went down at all. Let’s recap Victoria’s final stand in this episode.
Homelander Outs Victoria Neuman as a Supe on National Television
Victoria Neuman starts the episode still on board with Homelander’s plans for her to become the first superpowered President. The duo, along with Firecracker, go onto VNN to talk about her role as VP only for Homelander to go left field. He’s already pissed about Ryan having a photo of Butcher and Becca in his bookbag and he goes rogue on live TV once again. Homelander outs Victoria Neuman as a supe. She’s livid but there’s not much she can do to refute it, especially after Homelander lasers at her head and she’s able to stop it.
Meanwhile, Homelander believes that the shapeshifter will kill Robert Singer so he can change the world alongside her. But things don’t go to plan when the Boys figure out that Starlight is actually the assassin in disguise. The real Starlight shows up and they eventually defeat the assassin, allowing agents to hide Robert Singer in a more secretive location.
Victoria Neuman Attempts to Team Up With the Boys
She begins to deeply regret her alliance with Homelander, especially after he threatens to murder lots of people and rip Zoe to shreds if Victoria steps out of line. She calls Hughie, saying she cannot go along with this because she will just be Homelander’s puppet. Victoria says she will resign from her position without a fight. However, she needs the Boys to get the CIA off her back and help her and Zoe disappear. Hughie is upset at first for obvious reasons but she reminds him that they also betrayed her. She’s legitimately scared and doesn’t want her daughter to die over this mess.
Butcher Kills Victoria Neuman and Leaves With the Supe Killing Virus
The Boys eventually agree to work with him but are still on guard with the supe killing virus in case she makes a wrong move. Victoria tells them where to find Zoe and they all meet up to devise a plan but Butcher shows up looking miraculously healthy. Teaming up with his inner evil seems to do his body good. He uses tentacles from his chest to subdue everyone while he rips Victoria Neuman in half. Her eyes are covered so she’s unable to pop anyone’s head and save herself. Butcher says “you’re welcome” and leaves with the virus. Predictably, his choice does extreme damage to his former colleagues and the world.
The Impact of Victoria Neuman’s Death in The Boys Universe
The Boys Are Blamed for Victoria Neuman’s Death and Taken Into Custody
This all actually works into Sage’s overall plan, some of which she kept from Homelander because he is, well, not that smart. The shapeshifting supe recorded Singer in the bunker saying that the Boys should have killed Victoria Neuman like he said. Singer gets taken into custody and the Boys become fugitives. They attempt to go on the run but legal forces and several supes, including Cate, Sam, and Love Sausage, track down everyone and take them into custody. The only one who escapes is Starlight, who is able to use her powers to fly away.
Homelander Basically Becomes the President and America Is Under Supe Control
Zoe ends up at Red River Institute, which is probably the last place her mother wanted her to be. (It is unclear where Stan Edgar is at this time nor if Sameer will resurface to claim his daughter.) Now, the next in line to be President is Speaker of House, Mr. Calhoun. He pledges allegiance to Homelander and immediately puts the country under martial law with supes in charge. All of the supes patrolling the streets will report to Homelander. Sage is thrilled that she could pull it off (she’s one twisted chick) and will continue to advise Homelander.
Butcher Goes Off on His Own to Be Absolutely Unhinged
Meanwhile, Butcher drives off to an unknown destination with the supe virus in hand. He has no team, no Ryan, and no Grace Mallory to ground him. The only voice of reason is Joe Kessler, who is unreasonable. The death of Victoria Neuman was what the Boys thought they wanted so badly. But it is perhaps the worst thing that has happened to them so far. The wait begins to see how this saga will end when The Boys returns for its fifth and final season.