Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Boys season 4.
Summary
The Boysseason 4 has been one of the show’s most divisive yet, but I have absolutely loved the opposite story between two supes from The Seven. With just one episode remaining, season 4 has almost reached its conclusion, and there has been plenty to unpack. While the protagonists' attempt to stop Homelander has continued, several other storylines have shined, such asThe Boys' Joe Kessler twistand Frenchie confronting his past. However, the conflicting paths that two of The Seven’s main supes have been on is undoubtedly the highlight of season 4 for me.
AlthoughThe Boysseason 4’s audience scoreis the show’s lowest yet, I’ve still found plenty to be excited about, andthe contrasting roles between two long-serving Seven members have stolen the show. The Seven has been the main antagonist group since the beginning of the series, and while one Supe has only gotten worse this season, another has had the perfect redemption story. With the stakes only getting higher, it has been fascinating to see how both members have dealt with the stress and pressure of Homelander’s evil plan, and their opposite reactions prove how different they are.
Episode 4 - Wisdom of the Ages
The Boys Is Perfectly Highlighting The Different Paths A-Train & The Deep Are On In Season 4
The Deep’s & A-Train’s Journeys Couldn’t Be Any More Different In The Boys Season 4
While The Deep has found validation in using his power and wrath to feel superior, A-Train has finally stood up to the group and become a true hero.
A-Train and The Deep have been an integral part ofThe Boyssince the very first episode, but despite being villains for the majority of the series,season 4 puts them on completely different paths.The duo came into this season doing Homelander’s bidding and having no real freedom in The Seven, leaving them in search of a purpose. While The Deep has found validation in using his power and wrath to feel superior, A-Train has finally stood up to the group and become a true hero.
With his brother acting as a constant reminder of how toxic his role in The Seven was,A-Train finally found redemption inThe Boysseason 4by helping the main protagonists. This season alone has seen A-Train give Hughie Compound V, provide intel on The Seven’s plans, bring MM to the hospital during a panic attack, and rescue Starlight during her fight with The Deep. Given the character has flirted with redemption in the past,watching him finally do the right thing and even enjoy being a hero has been incredibly satisfying,making him one of season 4’s MVPs.
On the flip side, The Deep has craved admiration and attention throughout his time onThe Boys, and rather than take the A-Train redemption path, he has fallen even further into villainy. He has attempted to belittle Ashley and Cameron Coleman at various points during season 4 to prove his superiority as a Supe. Now, he has pledged his loyalty to Homelander, as violence seems to be the only thing that provides a feeling of self-worth. As a result,both characters have headed down opposite roads,and I have loved the wayThe Boyshas told each of their stories.
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The Boys season 4, episode 7 features a major choice made by Ashley Barrett, and here’s why she rejects A-Train’s offer to take her away from Vought.
A-Train’s Redemption Is Made Even Better By His Similarities To The Deep
Both Characters Shared Plenty Of Similarities Heading Into Season 4
A-Train’s redemption has been a crucial part of season 4, andhis story is made even better given his similarities to The Deep.Although they were both demoted from The Seven for different reasons, the duo were trying to find a new purpose during season 2 and joined the Church of the Collective to do so. While they had contrasting experiences, both eventually rejoined The Seven; however, they were essentially brought back to obey Homelander. Given Homelander’s exceptional power and intense personality, they were both scared to challenge him, resulting in A-Train and The Deep becoming his lackeys.
Perhaps their most horrifying similarity is that they both killed their own partners. In season 1, A-Train was dating Popclaw and seemed to have a genuine connection with her, but after she gave up intel to The Boys, he injected her with drugs, causing Popclaw to overdose. The Deep’s experience was once again very different, as he had a complicated relationship with an octopus named Ambrosius. Despite the unorthodox nature of their romance, Ambrosius truly loved The Deep; however, after an argument erupted between the two,The Deep smashed her tank and refused to put her back in the water.
Ambrosius suffocated as a result, causing the antagonist to fully devote himself to Homelander. Both scenes were truly horrifying, and while there is no justifying A-Train’s past, he has slowly begun to reform since then. Sadly, The Deep continues to provide some ofThe Boys' most ridiculous momentsand has only gotten worse by showing no signs of growth.With the two characters having such similar backgrounds, it makes A-Train’s atonement even better, and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him become a real hero in season 4.
The Deep & A-Train’s Fight Brilliantly Demonstrates Their Differences
The Duos Fight In “Insider” Highlighted How Much A-Train Has Grown Compared To The Deep
Given their opposite trajectories this season,A-Train and The Deep’s fight is an excellent demonstration of their differences.While The Deep attempted to kill Starlight and Butcher purely on Homelander’s orders, A-Train showed up to stop him because he felt it was the right thing to do. The Deep was shocked at A-Train’s betrayal, especially as he thought they had some sort of bromance, but A-Train seemed relieved to tell his former ally that he always hated him. This revelation hits even harder given how much The Deep relies on other people’s approval, whereas A-Train no longer craves the spotlight.
The fight was also one-sided, as A-Train’s powers are much stronger than The Deep’s. While neither of them has much actual combat experience, A-Train at least had one real save prior to their fight, giving him the upper hand. They both reached their own breaking points this season, butwhile The Deep chose the cowardly option to remain loyal to Homelander, A-Train willingly blew his cover to make one final save. The duo’s fight could be A-Train’s last big moment inThe Boysafter he seemingly fled the country, but it would be a fitting end that highlights his progression.
Source:Prime Video
The Boys
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
