You may be drawn to a new series because medical series are your jam.

Or because your favorite book is finally making its long-awaited journey to the small screen.

Or maybe your favorite actress or actor is starring in something new, and that’s the sole reason you’ve decided to watch something.

When a recognizable star shows up on a series, it’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of security because there’s no way they’ll kill off someone they’ve included in the marketing for the series.

Someone who’s bringing new viewers in to enjoy the show! Surely not!

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Well, as we’ve seen over the years, shows are never above shock value, and numerous shows kill off prominent characters right out of the gate.

And a lot of times, these reveals end up shaping so much of the rest of the series.

We’re taking a lot at some of the most memorable first-episode deaths that still have us confused, upset, impressed, or all of the above.

Big Sky

We can discuss Big Sky’s shortfalls in another article.

However, one thing the thriller got right was its decision to kill off Ryan Philippe’s character, Cody Hoyt, in the series premiere.

The marketing for Big Sky was heavy on Phillippe, which was understandable because he was the most well-known cast member.

A movie star in his own right, many people decided to check out the show, set in the beautiful Montana mountains, because of Phillippe.

Cody is a former cop dealing with a lot of personal drama who takes an interest in the case of two girls who go missing on their way to visit his son.

His digging around puts him in contact with Rick Legarski, a Montana Highway Patrol officer who is involved in the kidnapping of the two young girls, and shoots Cody dead when he gets too close to the truth.

It’s a shocking murder.

Not only are you expecting Phillippe to be THE star of the show, but Cody’s death changed so much of the show’s tone.

Fans were not pleased about his untimely passing, though the show didn’t suffer too badly, as it went on to have a three-season run on ABC.

It’s interesting to look back on it now, though.

If Cody hadn’t died, we may never have seen Jenny and Cassie come together as partners the way they did throughout the series.

Their friendship was truly the heart and soul of everything, and it may never have come to be if Cody had lived and stood between them.

Yellowstone

At this point, we’re all well aware of the behind-the-scenes drama that has plagued Yellowstone over the last few years.

And it’s a shame that so much of that has clouded the series, which was terrific in its early seasons.

No one knew what to expect when it first premiered, outside of a massive movie star in Kevin Costner at the helm and the sprawling landscape of Montana in the background.

The story of the Duttons and their claim to their land followed the Dutton siblings throughout the first episode, including eldest brother Lee, played by Brothers & Sisters alum Dave Annable.

Fans of Annable were eager to see him in another starring role after his long run on the ABC sudser, but Lee’s character was killed off swiftly in the series premiere, leaving fans stunned.

No one knew what kind of show Yellowstone would become or what kind of cultural phenomenon it would spark, but they learned early that no one was safe — even if your last name was Dutton.

A Million Little Things

The marketing for the ABC tearjerker made it very clear what this series was going to be about and what the catalyst was for everything we were about to see; Jon Dixon was going to commit suicide.

We knew going in what was about to happen, and yet, we were still absolutely crushed when Ron Livingston’s Jon passed away in the inaugural hour.

This one may not have been as bait-and-switch as the others, but it was still painful, mainly because he was so prominent in the marketing push.

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Livingston is a popular actor with many credits, and losing him so early was difficult, even if he did pop up now and then throughout the rest of the series’ run.

This may not have been a surprise death or departure like some of the others on this list, but we still felt all the same emotions.

Mayor of Kingstown

Do me a favor and go back and watch the early trailers for the Mayor of Kingstown.

It’s obviously Jeremy Renner’s show, but Kyle Chandler has a steady presence throughout the promo, which led many, including myself, to assume that he would be a major factor in the series.

Chandler’s character, Mitch McLusky, is the “Mayor” of Kingstown when the show begins, with Renner’s Mike as his righthand man.

And while there could have been a play here on Mitch and Mike vying for power, even though Mike seemingly doesn’t want it, the series pivots to just getting rid of the dynamic by offing Mitch in the first episode.

Chandler has made quite a name for himself, with leading roles on Early Edition, Friday Night Lights, and Bloodline.

Many people tuned in to see Chandler and Renner opposite one another, but unfortunately, that dream was cut very short when Mitch bit the bullet early on.

Gen V

People were guaranteed to tune into Gen V if only because it was a spinoff of The Boys.

But with a fresh cast and intriguing premise, fans were excited to see what this universe was poised to produce next.

One reason for that excitement was the presence of Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Starring alongside a cast of up-and-coming actors and actresses, and coming off the highly successful HBO Max miniseries The Staircase, Arnold’s son helped to generate major buzz for the series.

Schwarzenegger’s Golden Boy was poised to be the next Homelander and was a promising recruit for the Seven.

However, throughout the pilot, you could tell something sinister was happening at Godolkin University, and it directly involved the most popular kid on campus.

Golden Boy’s death shocked fans who assumed he’d have a much more significant role in the series, and it set the tone for the entire first season.

No one is safe, and anything can happen at any given time. This is The Boys-adjacent, after all, and you’d do well to remember that.

Fringe

Fringe truly became the little show that could.

When it first premiered, it didn’t move the needle, but it eventually found its footing and a rabid audience that stuck with it until the end.

It’s a series that is the very definition of a cult classic.

When the series first premiered, it wasn’t on anyone’s radar, and the biggest draw was Joshua Jackson, fresh off his long run on Dawson’s Creek.

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Mark Valley was also well-known in broadcast television circles after his run on Boston Legal, and audiences were interested in seeing him in the sci-fi series opposite Jackson, John Noble, and Anna Torv.

Valley’s John Scott is a massive part of the pilot, as he’s exposed to chemicals that leave his body decaying rapidly.

He’s cured in a process that brings the Fringe team audiences know and love together, but he ultimately dies in a car crash.

Considering how much time is devoted to saving him, Scott dying in a car accident feels anti-climactic on top of being a major bummer for all those Valley fans out there who hoped he’d have a bigger role in the series.

Silo

Silo had a lot of things going for it when it premiered on Apple TV+ in 2023, including a star-studded cast.

Rebecca Ferguson, Rashida Jone, David Olyelowo, Common, and Tim Robbins are just some of the actors that bring Silo to life.

And the series premiere leaned heavily into the dynamic between Oyelowo’s Holston Becker, who is the sheriff of the Silo, and Jones’ Allison Becker, his devoted wife.

The premise of Silo is simple. In a dystopian future, a group of people live underground in a silo, bound by rules meant to protect them.

They don’t venture outside the silo, for fear of death.

Throughout the pilot, Allison became more and more disillusioned with the Silo and its history, which led her to be expelled.

There was hope that Allison would survive her foray outside the silo, but those hopes were dashed rather quickly when she got a few feet away and collapsed.

Jones has been acting for a while, with many notable roles. This looked to be star turn in a prestigious series.

But Allison’s death is incredibly heartbreaking to watch from a plot standpoint and genuinely surprising because of Jones’ cache and presence in the promotional material.

The Last of Us

The Last of Us was one of the biggest shows to debut in 2023, and it delivered one hell of an opening episode, which felt at times more like a movie than an episode of television.

The post-apocalyptic drama begins in Austin, Texas, from the point of view of teenager Nico during what will become a devastating day.

As we follow Sarah Miller, played beautifully by Nico Parker, it’s easy to become enraptured in her view of the deteriorating day.

The pilot was helped so much by the early minutes, which set us up for the post-apocalyptic universe we stepped into.

But Sarah wasn’t long for that world, which was a horrifying blow to dad Joel, played by the talented Pedro Pascal.

If you were a fan of the video game from which the series was adapted, then you already knew Sarah’s fate.

But many new to the universe were surprised and upset that we didn’t get more of Sarah and Joel’s relationship.

Sarah’s presence continued to loom large over the season, but her death in the premiere still felt like a significant blow.

Over to you, TV fanatics! What’s your favorite example of a show that killed off a major character in its premiere episode?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!

The post Bait and Switch: When TV Shows Kill Off the Reason You Watched in the Premiere appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Perdomo was born in Los Angeles on October 19, 1996, and raised in Southhampton, England.

His transcendent talent led him from the historic streets of the UK to the pinnacle of international fame. 

Best known for his riveting portrayal of characters that resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, Perdomo's untimely departure leaves a void in the hearts and minds of many fans. 

His passing is a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the preciousness of burgeoning talent. 

Who Was Chance Perdomo?

Chance Perdomo was a multi-talented actor and rising star in both the TV and film landscape. His dynamic performances and undeniable charisma captured viewers' hearts.

On a meteoric rise with no signs of slowing down, Perdomo had already shown an incredible range of emotion and depth in his roles, promising a bright future in the industry.

The Role That Defined Him

Chance Perdomo, celebrated for his compelling portrayal of Andre Anderson on Amazon's Gen V, tragically passed away at the age of 27 in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, March 30th.

Perdomo, who gained fame from his role in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix, recently emerged as a leading man in Gen V, a popular collegiate spin-off of The Boys on Amazon. 

His portrayal as one of Godolkin's top-ranked students, coupled with his fears of living up to his father, a legacy hero, revealed the complexity, vulnerability, strength, and humanity of this character.

This role showcased Perdomo's ability to bring nuance and authenticity to his characters, making him a beloved figure among viewers and critics alike. 

This role, among others, not only solidified his place as a significant figure in contemporary television but also hinted at the vast potential of what was yet to come. 

The show, which received acclaim and was gearing up for its second season, now faces an uncertain future. 

The Impact of His Loss on Gen V

Chance Perdomo's passing has left Gen V's cast and crew in profound grief. They are struggling to come to terms with losing a co-star and a family member. 

Integral to the series' narrative, his character's absence will now present a delicate challenge for the writers and producers as they navigate the show's future without him. 

Perdomo's absence will undoubtedly leave a palpable void in the storyline and the hearts of the audience. 

The sudden news of Perdomo's passing reached his fellow cast members as they initiated table reads. Production was slated to commence on April 8, just over a week from then. 

This unforeseen event has led to an indefinite delay in producing Gen V's eagerly anticipated second season. 

The production now faces the daunting task of either significantly reworking the script or finding a new actor to fill the void left by Perdomo's untimely passing. 

A Legacy Unfulfilled

Reflecting on what could have been, it's heartbreaking to consider the heights Perdomo's career could have reached.

With his talent, passion, and dedication, the possibilities were endless. The premature loss of Chance Perdomo not only robs the industry of a gifted actor but also deprives audiences of witnessing the full extent of his potential. 

The Industry Mourns

The Loss of Chance Perdomo has reverberated throughout the entertainment world, prompting tributes from colleagues, fans, industry leaders, and friends, including Patrick Schwarzenegger and Kiernan Shipka. 

Patrick took to X, the popular social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to share his grief over Chance Perdomo's death. 

In a couple of emotionally charged posts, Patrick expressed his sorrow and reflected on the special moments they shared on and off the set. 

His words made it clear that Chance's passing was not just the loss of a talented colleague but the departure of a dear friend whose memory would be cherished forever.

Kiernan Shipka also paid a touching tribute to her cherished friend and former Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina costar through a poignant Instagram post on Tuesday. 

The 24-year-old actress, known for her role in Mad Men, shared a collection of tender photographs featuring herself and Chance, capturing moments of their friendship. 

Shipka's thoughtful and heartfelt remembrance post on her Instagram about Chance reiterates how wonderful their friendship was outside of their jobs.

His impact on the industry and those who knew him personally will not be forgotten, serving as a testament to his talent and the incredible mark he left on the industry.

Remembering Chance: A Talent Gone Too Soon

As we mourn the loss of Chance Perdomo, we celebrate his contributions to the entertainment world. His performances will continue to inspire and move audiences, preserving his memory and talent for generations to come.

Chance Perdomo's tragic death marks a profound loss for the entertainment industry and a moment of collective mourning for all who admired him and his remarkable work. 

Reflecting on his life and illustrious career, we are reminded of the bittersweet legacy he leaves behind — a vivid testament to the extraordinary talent that graced our screens and a poignant acknowledgment of the myriad stories and transformative roles he will never have the opportunity to explore. 

For now, we can remember Chance for the impactful footprint he left on this world.

His departure unquestionably leaves an irreplaceable void, serving as a poignant reminder to embrace each moment and treasure the luminous memories we create along the way.

The post Chance Perdomo’s Tragic Death Deprives Us All of His Incredible Talent appeared first on TV Fanatic.

While Gen V was billed as a spin-off with a much younger cast of characters, they have proven that they can handle themselves, and some of them might be ready to occupy the much-coveted spot in The Seven.

Gen V Season 1 Episode 8 was a wild episode that saw the partial resolution of some storylines.

Many existing storylines took a turn as they prepared the characters for their debut in the flagship series.

While the episode was fun to watch, the ending was quite cryptic.

Why Were Sam and Cate Called The New Guardians of Godolkin?

The descent into supe-remacy by Cate and Sam was so quick. If someone didn't pay attention, they would miss it.

One moment had Sam trying to stay sane, and the next, he was waving the supe-remacy flag and fell for the false narrative that paints supes as victims.

While it was too quick, it was understandable why they felt that way because they had been used and abused for their powers.

They were also mourning the loss of Luke, whom they both loved. That forged the connection between them.

Throughout the season, we saw students fight to get higher rankings so they may join The Seven. But with things going south fast, Ashley decided to shock the world by announcing a new student who had joined the team.

She struggled to find the right fit because supes had run amok outside, and her life was in danger.

Why Did Homelander Drop By?

When Homelander shows up in any situation, he is bound to make it worse and spends time covering up his crimes while committing fresh ones.

It is a never-ending cycle, and civilians are the biggest victims. He loves crises so that he can swoop in and be hailed as the day's hero.

But Homelander is as bad as they come. He has many shortcomings, the most prominent being he's a supe-remacist.

Marie: Sir, I…

Homelander: What kind of animal are you?

Marie: What?

Homelander: Do you like attacking your own kind?

Marie: No … I …

Homelander: Stay back!

_{🔗 permalink: Stay back!}

When he found Marie had hurt Cate Dunlap, he was personally offended. He blasted Marie, who passed out.

There was a major time-lapse, where a lot must have gone down.

When Coleman's report came in, the actual events had been twisted to paint Cate and Sam as the heroes.

Having Cate and Sam carry the day solved one problem that might arise from the massacre at God U.

If indicted into The Seven, it would create the distraction Vought needs as they try to clean up the mess at God U.

Cate and Sam are the perfect candidates to join Homelander's team because they are also supe-remacists.

They fight for themselves and their kind, which Homelander approves.

Where Were Marie, Jordan, Andre, and Emma?

The ending didn't explicitly say where the four were, but clues about what happened after Homelander's blast were left behind.

All of them were dressed in hospital gowns, meaning that whoever's custody they were under cared about them.

Marie Moreau noticed there were no doors, meaning they weren't in prison, as evidenced by the lack of cuffs, too (are there special supe cuffs?)

The room was clean, and they were all together.

This would mean that they were with the good guys, and the good guys are The Boys team.

Something must have happened after the blast that saw The Boys save the four of them from Homelander's wrath.

It would be an excellent decision for The Boys team to keep the four to fight the impending battle with The Seven. They are a great addition to the team because they know Cate and Sam well and would be able to expose their weaknesses.

What Was Butcher Doing in The Woods?

What was happening in The Woods was not a secret anymore. Grace Mallory was aware of the experiments, and if they had the four with them, they knew the whole story.

Butcher must have been there to confirm that there was indeed a virus and there were victims. As far as Mallory was concerned, Shetty might have photoshopped the pictures she showed Mallory.

Butcher walked into the cell with Andy, the dead supe, and it confirmed the unbelievable story he had heard.

Butcher: What a bunch of cunts.

_{🔗 permalink: What a bunch of cunts.}

Where Is the Virus?

Even if the events in that ending tied the show to The Boys Season 4, earlier events hinted at that.

Neuman visited God U on Gen V Season 1 Episode 7 to talk supe politics but left with something valuable — the virus.

The virus was a massive development in the universe that was bound to affect every supe's life.

The fact that the virus landed on Neuman's hands was the closest supes will ever be to a miracle.

While it had the opportunity to decimate the whole world, the virus was now contained for the time being because Neuman had the only dose, and the scientist who developed it was dead.

It was unclear what Neuman planned on doing with the virus but being a politician, it is not hard to guess that she would use it to her advantage.

She must also tread lightly because it will affect her if the virus gets out in the current state. She is a supe, and no supe is safe from the contagion that would arise.

The Boys Season 4 must deal with the balance in dealing with the virus.

On the one hand, it can be the lethal weapon they have been looking for to fight bad supes like Homelander, but there are people, especially in the anti-supe team, who would be okay with wiping out all supes.

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If The Boys team has Marie, Andre, Emma, and Jordan Li with them, it might persuade them to hold back because they have examples of good supes.

It seems like everyone from Gen V (well, not EVERYONE everyone) will make an appearance on Season 4 of The Boys, and they will be instrumental.

Now would be the time for you to consider chiming in with your theories about the season finale and its impact on the next season of The Boys.

Hit the big blue Show Comments button and chime in.

The post Gen V Season 1 Ending Explained: How it Connects to The Boys Season 4 appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Some of the decisions that have been made regarding the characters and plot points have been genuinely disappointing and might amount to crimes against the show.

But one thing the show has not been is boring. It has been a nice ride with the numerous shocking scenes, wild action, and enticing ships. Gen V Season 1 Episode 8 completed this part of the ride by delivering a fantastic season finale.

With this show, one can never know what to expect. It can be a good thing, or it can sink the ship.

I stopped trying to figure out where the story was headed a long time ago, and maybe for the better, because Gen V Season 1 Episode 7 took a turn and had the narrative going in another direction.

For some reason, Supe-remacy took center stage in the final two episodes of the season, and this episode was a conclusion.

With Indira dead and the virus out of Godolkin, nothing stopped supes from wilding.

Alliances were formed quickly, with Sam and Cate becoming besties because of their shared interests. For some reason, Sam had forgotten that he hated Cate for what she did to him and his brother.

They held hands and sang kumbaya like they were from the same choir.

Cate: You can beat me. But do you really think you can beat him?

_{🔗 permalink: You can beat me. But do you really think you can beat him?}

Sam has been the most inconsistent character in the show, with a faulty, if not broken, moral compass.

Throughout my Gen V Season 1 reviews, I kept iterating just how dangerous he was. He was physically strong with powers that made the rest of the group look like children, his brain was broken, and now he had been radicalized.

But he was not all gone because his conscience would manifest Luke, who would caution him against raging terror.

God U has seen some pretty wild occurrences because how could they have not when they are a hotbed of supe activity?

But I'm willing to bet nothing could compare to the bloodbath after supes from The Woods were out.

It was chaotic, with no one knowing what to do and winging it. Winging it is a bad plan in a place flooded with supes.

Elsewhere, Andre was dealing with a storm of his own. After Polarity's mishap during the interview, Andre was forced to confront what the future held for him.

Many main characters have gone through hell with their powers, but Andre's journey was easier than most.

His dad was a supe, so he understood Andre and was always there to guide Andre, even if it was sometimes suffocating.

But the powers were destroying them. Polarity knew it and accepted it. The ball was on Andre's court. Will he play?

With chaos raging at God U, everyone desperately sought an ally or escape.

Cate Dunlap pleaded with anyone who would listen to join her. If they didn't, she would just command them.

Sam had his feelings blocked, and for the first time, he killed with a lot of peace in his mind — no puppets needed or anything.

The episode's highlight was the numerous cameos by characters from The Boys.

Ashley Barrett was always on top of things, and she does nothing better than crisis management. Thinking of the hundred-and-one things that could go wrong during the day and how she will fix them all gives her the drive to wake up.

Ashley: Hello, Marie Moreau, Ashley Barrett, Vought. We are considering you for The Seven. Congratulations! We’re so excited! We just need you to take out some escaped students. Cancel them. Cancel them from Planet Earth.

_{🔗 permalink: Hello, Marie Moreau, Ashley Barrett, Vought. We are considering you for The Seven….}

She always seems stressed out by the many crises, but I think she loves and is addicted to it.

Homelander made an appearance, and I know he is a piece of sh*t, but I f*cking love that man. Well, maybe the actor and not the character.

Antony Starr plays him beautifully, where he doesn't need to utter a word to inspire fear. It is all in the facial expressions and gestures. And when he talks, he says some of the darndest things.

Marie: Sir, I…

Homelander: What kind of animal are you?

Marie: What?

Homelander: Do you like attacking your own kind?

Marie: No … I …

Homelander: Stay back!

_{🔗 permalink: Stay back!}

His arrival at God U had all the flair from the heroic music as he descended from the sky to the campus coming to a standstill.

After seeing her himbo about to be turned into a killing machine, Marie waded into unfamiliar waters, at least for her, where she exploded Cate's hand, putting her directly against Homelander.

Marie: See? We’re good together.

_{🔗 permalink: See? We’re good together.}

Elsewhere, Emma Meyer and Sam had a falling out after Sam thought being told not to kill people was infringing on his rights.

Sam: Yeah, I didn’t ask for you to rescue me, Emma. You did that for you, and you never asked what do I want. You just came in, and fuckin Sam, do this, Sam don’t kill people.

Emma: OK, that’s pretty normal

Sam: I’m not normal, Emma. This is what normal looks like when you’ve had my fucking life. You know, while you were worrying about, ohh maybe, starring in a reality TV show, I was having a needle shoved up my fucking spine.

Emma: That is not what I meant. No, Sam, I want what’s best, and you know that.

Sam: You want what is best for you.

Emma: I risked everything for you.

Sam: Emma, you would do anything for everyone to like you. You’re not a hero.

Emma: No, Sam. Don’t say that!

_{🔗 permalink: No, Sam. Don’t say that!}

Emma had lost herself in him, and she reaped the bitter fruits. The ordeal was harrowing for her and unlocked a new method of shrinking. Apparently, all that was needed was someone to dress her down without reservations.

The final cameo was Butcher's, who had somehow found a way into The Woods.

Butcher: What a bunch of cunts.

_{🔗 permalink: What a bunch of cunts.}

Toward the end, the narrative shifted. Sam and Cate were the new Guardians on Godolkin while the rest of the group was in a hospital, a lab, or even prison.

It was a cryptic ending that will make for an exciting Season 4 of The Boys. There will be a crossover in the stories told in the shows.

Intrusive Thoughts

• Rufus is cringy, but he somehow made one of the songs I find unremarkable in Anti by Rihanna sound quite good.

• So, the show cast a different voice actor for Maverick? Because that was not Nicholas Hamilton.

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• Cameron's segment after the God U tragedy was typical of American news media. When supes go insane, find more supes. When shooters ravage schools, arm everyone with guns.

Cameron Colman: It’s happened yet again, America — tragedy on campus. Four Godolkin students went on a brutal murder spree. At least 12 people are now dead; many more undoubtedly would have been killed had it not been for the Guardians of Godolkin. Excuse me, the new Guardians of Godolkin, Kate Dunlap and Sam Riordan, proving once again that all Americans are safer with heroes like Sam and Kate protecting us, our values, and our way of life.

_{🔗 permalink: It’s happened yet again, America — tragedy on campus. Four Godolkin students went on a…}

"Guardians of Godolkin" was a good season finale that was entertaining and set up cliffhangers for the next season. It was also quite hilarious.

What did you think? Which was the most exciting cameo, in your opinion?

Chime in in the comments section.

The post Gen V Season 1 Episode 8 Review: The Guardians of Godolkin appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Starting the season while having no idea what you're in for, slowly discovering what the writers have prepared for you, and then getting an epic conclusion is one of the best feelings.

Gen V Season 1 spent considerable time developing the season-long arc, but on Gen V Season 1 Episode 7, the show abandoned that for other vane pursuits.

Most of what the writers had been trying to keep a secret was revealed apart from the motivations behind Shetty's work in the woods.

We tried to predict what that was in our Gen V Season 1 Episode 6 review; it would seem I was half-right.

She harbored a great disdain for supes, which didn't come as a surprise because destruction is their middle name.

Shetty: It’s not just Homelander. You all leave a path of destruction behind you. You have ruined countless lives. Just look what you did to your parents. You can’t help it. It’s your species.

_{🔗 permalink: It’s not just Homelander. You all leave a path of destruction behind you. You have ruined…}

Like she said, they leave pain and suffering in their wake.

But she needed to distinguish between these young kids who were only trying to play with the cards life had dealt them and awful assholes like Homelander, The Deep, or A-Train.

Everyone should not suffer for the sins of the group.

While it was true supes worked on a very long leash and abused that privilege severally, that was not uniform to everyone.

Homelander was aware of what he was doing most of the time, and the bad things Marie or Cate had done were by pure accident.

Student: Thank you for being here today. We all saw Homelander kill a human in broad daylight unprovoked. Is he gonna be held accountable?

_{🔗 permalink: Thank you for being here today. We all saw Homelander kill a human in broad daylight…}

If anyone was to blame, it was their parents.

While I understood the pain that she felt from losing her family, the course of action she thought of taking was not good.

I was convinced early on that Shetty was up to no good, and behind that proper accent and attractive features was something sinister.

However, you couldn't help but empathize with her plight.

Her death by Cate's hand didn't invoke strong feelings in me, but what it did for the story had me climbing the walls in anger.

For an arc the season had spent a considerable amount of time developing, having it overtaken by something else was not pleasing.

There is a lot the writers can explore from The Boys' universe. Every season, they come up with something new, which is quite exciting.

Storylines are usually a parody of popular culture but dialed up to a hundred percent with gore and dicks.

"Sick" saw Sam have a fun day out and fall in with the wrong crowd.

Supe 1: Fucking narc. You don’t know shit

Neuman: We’re gonna find common sense solution here…

Rufus: [Shouting} You will not control us!

Neuman: It’s not about control…

Rufus: [Chanting] You will not control us!

Crowd: [In unison] You will not control us!

Neuman: People are passionate about this issue

Sam: Why is everyone so angry?

Rufus: Because they’re trying to limit us. Limit our powers. But Homelander is white.

_{🔗 permalink: Because they’re trying to limit us. Limit our powers. But Homelander is white.}

Nothing makes an issue more polarizing than when it gets into the political realm, and even straightforward issues with straightforward solutions become entangled in the language and process of politics.

This breeds strong opposition to issues that progress to fanaticism, and the next stop is terrorism in the name of the issue.

There was a turning point for supes when the source of their powers was exposed as coming from a lab. They lost their revered societal position, and the "special people of God" narrative died down.

When a particular group of people loses their position of power in society, they usually try to regain it, but if they're overpowered, it's an exercise in futility.

But who can overpower supes?

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This episode abandoned the season-long arc (or at least what we thought it was) to pursue supe politics when Victoria Neuman visited God U.

Suddenly, there were undertones of supe supremacy when some characters talked, and within a short while, a Make Supes Great Again campaign had begun.

It seemed plausible that this would arise sooner or later, but not this soon.

Supes' (perceived) supremacy and the rise of a militant supe group seemed like an idea worth exploring in a whole season and not something to squeeze into the penultimate episode of a freshman season of a spinoff of The Boys.

It seemed like an idea that would affect young and old supes alike, which is worth exploring in a bigger context than a college.

Apart from being poorly timed, it overtook an excellent season-long story that would have made an epic season finale as Marie and her team fought for their lives and those of people like them.

Instead, we had to recalibrate our minds to grasp this new idea.

Sam, whose biggest problem was killing puppets, became a full-blown supe supremacist in a short while.

Sam: I did rip an entire person in half. I mean, in my defense, he was a puppet at the time, so…

_{🔗 permalink: I did rip an entire person in half. I mean, in my defense, he was a puppet at the time, so…}

Introducing that storyline and having it take center stage was a bad decision.

Intrusive Thoughts

• Finally, we met Marie's benefactor, another tie-in with The Boys. Truthfully, there isn't a big difference between Neuman and Shetty, which makes the story decision even more egregious.

• I don't think anyone cares enough about Polarity and whatever happens to him.

• Neuman is as untrustworthy as they come, and the fact that she has the virus is even worse.

• Neuman previewed the scope of Marie's powers, and blowing heads off is much better than using a blood rope to trip people over.

I've been trying to avoid bringing it up, but what exactly happens between Maverick and that animal? What is it, a llama or what?

Gen V Season 1 spent a lot of time dealing with obscure storylines and actions, and when we were finally on the same page, they pulled the rug from under us. It was disheartening.

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Over to you, Gen V Fanatics.

What did you think?

Did you enjoy supe politics, nonetheless?

Chime in in the comments section.

The post Gen V Season 1 Episode 7 Review: Sick appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Marie asks the rest of the group to help stop Cate and Sam.

Andre learns that his usage of powers is causing health problems, which caused Polarity's mishap.

Polarity asks Andre to do anything to protect himself and his family. He asks Andre to take the suit.

Cate and Sam release everyone from The Woods.

Rufus records a TikTok lip-syncing to Desperado.

Ashley and the board try to find the next face of Godolkin.

Escaped supes begin attacking and killing people. Cate has the social media manager blow himself up.

Sam goes off on Emma and says some very mean things.

Sam keeps seeing Luke, who asks him to stop killing people.

Cate asks Andre to join her, and they'll be together.

Cate and Sam wreak havoc on God U.

Marie, Andre, and Jordan try to save people and stop rogue supes.

Cate goes to touch Jordan, but Marie blows her hand off.

Homelander arrives and finds Cate bleeding. He scolds Marie and blasts her.

Homelander watches a news report about Cate and Sam being praised for guarding Godolkin against the attack launched by Marie, Jordan, Emma, and Andre.

The four wake up in unfamiliar surroundings.

In a stinger scene, Butcher checks out The Woods.

The post Gen V Season 1 Episode 8 Recap: The Guardians of Godolkin appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The group discusses the way forward, and Cate volunteers to force Shetty to tell everyone what she has been doing.

Jordan wants to break into Shetty's office and find evidence of her involvement with the woods. Marie wants to give the information to Neuman, who is on campus, hoping she'll expose Shetty.

Emma leaves Sam in her dorm room and asks him not to go.

Marie and Jordan go through Shetty's things and realize that Shetty's husband and daughter died in a plane accident.

Shetty seeks allies, but the woman she meets with turns her down.

Sam is lured out of the room by some students having fun in the hallway, and they move the party to another venue.

Polarity malfunctions on live TV. Andre rushes to be with him. The ambulance collapses, and Andre has to keep it in place.

Sam accompanies other students to a town hall, where Neuman is a speaker. Students ask questions about Homelander, but the conversation pivots to supe rights.

Supes goes out of control. Emma finds Sam in the commotions, and he starts spewing pro-supe rhetoric.

Cate confronts Shetty, who comes clean about what happened to her family. She also says she loves Cate, and it is true.

Marie and Neumann talk, and Marie learns that Neumann is a supe. Neumann was Marie's benefactor.

The guys gather at Shetty's when Cate calls them and compels Shetty to speak the truth.

Shetty admits that she wants to kill all supes because Homelander was responsible for the plane crash. She says God U was not a school but an experiment.

Cate compels Shetty to kill herself. Sam and Cate are on the same page about supe rights.

Dr. Cardosa gives the virus to Neumann, and she blows his head off.

The post Gen V Season 1 Episode 7 Recap: Sick appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The story finally made sense and didn't feel as disjointed anymore.

On Gen V Season 1 Episode 6, the show took the main characters — and Dustin — on an emotional journey as they confronted some of the worst moments in their lives.

Somehow, Marie, Andre, Jordan, and Dustin found themselves inside Cate's mind, and a lot went down there.

First was the cameo by Soldier Boy that everyone had been waiting for, and I'm not everyone.

Soldier Boy was in like one season of The Boys, so I wasn't excited.

I could have also done without that scene based on how he was introduced.

Gen V and The Boys are known for pushing boundaries on what can be shown on TV, and we've always loved them for that, but is there a point where a line must be drawn?

Hearing Soldier Boy describe sexual acts when the subject was a young girl was not fun. In fact, it was disgusting.

Soldier Boy: I’m Kate’s imaginary friend from when she was a kid. Boyfriend, really. I taught her how to jerk off. Diddle that skittle. Flick the bean. Gotta find that man in the canoe. Came like a faucet. She’d crank up the Jonas Brothers. She’d hump a soldier boy pillow. She’d raw dog that pillow till she saw God.

Marie: Gross.

_{🔗 permalink: She’d hump a soldier boy pillow. She’d raw dog that pillow till she saw God.}

Exploding dicks, while uncomfortable to watch, are fun, but a grown man talking about a child like that was too much.

Do you think I'm overreacting?

Inside Cate's mind, the trio — and Dustin, who didn't even like Cate — were forced to confront some of their most formative experiences.

All of the supes in this show have paid the price for having these powers. Whether it is the death of a loved one or emotional torture from their parents, they have to put up with more than they should have.

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Cate lost her brother when she unknowingly used her powers on him, and nothing had been the same since. Her mother hated and was afraid of her. She spent much time scared of herself and what she could do.

It was hypocritical of Cate's mother to judge her daughter based on something Cate had no control over. Who shot up their kid full of an experimental drug?

Next, Andre Anderson was put on the spot when his memory had Luke in it, and Luke was looking for revenge.

That whole affair didn't make much sense.

I don't know if I'm the only one seeing it, but I refuse to believe that Luke and Andre were just "best friends." It felt like there were feelings between them, and Luke was mad that Andre and Cate hooked up behind his back. His back would have loved to be included in that situation, in my opinion.

A throuple was a great solution to this "conflict" because there was a lot of love between them, and it was enough to go around.

The next stop was Andre's memory, and that also didn't make much sense unless one was aware of the point these stops were meant to be making.

Why did they judge Jordan so easily for looking out for themself? Jordan had no idea what Brink and Shetty were doing in The Woods. They were simply trying to be helpful.

Another stop was inside Marie's bathroom memory as her younger sister confronted her in the aftermath of the blood accident.

The point behind all these scenes was that everyone had done something shameful, and they should not judge Cate harshly for being manipulated by Shetty and Brink to the point of breaking her boyfriend's brain.

The episode toyed with the idea of confirming why Luke killed himself, and the theory they presented was the exact one I thought of in my Gen V Season 1 Episode 5 review.

Luke's brain might have tired of all the conflicting emotions he was going through, and it couldn't handle it anymore.

Elsewhere, Sam and Emma had sex for the first time. It was hot, funny, awkward, sexy, and weird.

Being Sam's first sexual experience, the show handled it perfectly with careful attention to the important issue of consent.

Emma: Can I touch you?

_{🔗 permalink: Can I touch you?}

Emma asked him before she did something because she didn't want to overwhelm him. That, or she was afraid of him because it takes a split second for anyone to turn into a puppet for him.

And when he's convinced someone is a puppet, well….

She did turn into a puppet for a minute there, but for the first time, the puppet became human without needing him to rip it apart.

This begs the question: was virginity his sickness? Was screwing puppet thoughts out of him the cure?

Dr. Cardosa gained significant ground in his search for a virus that could harm the supes, but the results turned catastrophic when a supe died.

That was huge, you guys.

A dead supe in The Boys universe was unheard of, which is bound to shake up the entire universe. Supes usually need a lot to incapacitate, let alone kill them.

Shetty insisted that Dr Cardosa make the virus more concentrated, and that's when it appeared like she was working on something more sinister than controlling the supes.

There was a secret hiding behind that pretty face, long hair, and proper accent.

I think Shetty wants to kill all supes.

Sam mentioned that Shetty hated the students, and then she asked if a lethal virus could be made contagious.

Sam: She (Shetty) hates us.

_{🔗 permalink: She hates us.}

She wants all of them gone. Or she might be creating a disease to sell the cure. It will be interesting to see the endgame here.

Dr Cardosa: We killed a super.

Shetty: My God.

Dr Cardosa: I mean, I thought she’d get the flu, some vomiting, maybe diarrhea.

Shetty: So the virus worked?

Dr. Cardosa: Only five millimeters more.

Shetty: Alright. Now, can you make it contagious?

_{🔗 permalink: Alright. Now, can you make it contagious?}

Gen V is noticeably lacking a good villain, but the show has been surprising so far, and it wouldn't be shocking if Indira turns out to be the season's big bad.

"Jumanji" was an attempt to redeem Cate and put her actions behind a reason wall, but whether that is successful remains to be seen.

Cate: I know you guys don’t trust me.

Marie: Yeah, and you’re going to have to work really hard to get it back. Let’s start with the woods. What were you doing down there?

Cate: I don’t know. They were using Sam to augment Luke’s powers, but they were doing other stuff to him, too.

_{🔗 permalink: I don’t know. They were using Sam to augment Luke’s powers, but they were doing other stuff…}

Intrusive Thoughts

• Chance Perdomo had one assignment in this episode, and he did it. He can uniquely communicate emotions.

• The hope of Luke and Andre becoming canon took a hit when Luke killed himself, and it keeps dimming with every passing episode. I'm not okay.

• What's with the short episodes? The runtime for this was also thirty minutes.

• I didn't get any dick references in the episode. Were there any?

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• Sam is dangerous. He was juicing Luke up and was left with enough strength to wipe the floor with soldiers. If he goes rogue, no one can stop him — not even the core group. See how he took them all?

What did you think?

What is Shetty up to?

Click the big blue "Show Comments" button below and chime in.

The post Gen V Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Jumanji appeared first on TV Fanatic.

What started with The Boys in 2019 has become a bonafide franchise.

Recent entry, Gen V, burst onto screens last month and has been another crown jewel in the streaming service's line-up.

Gen V Officially Renewed for Season 2

We're unsurprised to report that Gen V Season 2 has already been ordered, meaning this suped-up universe is going from strength to strength.

"Expanding the universe of 'The Boys' with a series as bold as 'Gen V' has been an incredible journey for us and our wonderful partners at Sony," said Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, in a statement obtained by Variety.

"From our first conversation with showrunners Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, along with Eric Kripke, Evan Goldberg, and Seth Rogen, we knew 'Gen V' would push the boundaries.

Their unapologetic approach is exactly what audiences love, and it has helped 'Gen V' become the No. 1 series on Prime Video in over 130 countries.

'Gen V' is Prime Video's most acquisitive new Original series of 2023, and we're excited that our incredible cast and crew are going to continue telling brave and bold stories from 'Gen V' to our customers."

What is Gen V About?

Gen V features an electric cast of younger superheroes, each with their own powers, and the footage hints at some powerful team-ups.

Related: House of the Dragon Season 2: Everything We Know

Set at America's only college exclusively for young adult superheroes (run by Vought International), Gen V explores the lives of hormonal, competitive Supes as they put their physical, sexual, and moral boundaries to the test, competing for the school's top ranking.

"Gen V explores the training of the first generation of superheroes to know about Compound V, and that their powers were injected into them, rather than God-given," according to the official description.

"These young, competitive heroes put their physical and moral boundaries to the test, competing for the school's highly coveted top ranking."

"They quickly come to learn that ambition comes with sacrifice, and the difference between right and wrong is not as clear as they once believed," the logline for the Prime Video drama continues.

"When the university's dark secrets come to light, the students must come to grips with what type of heroes they are going to become."

Gen V: A Resounding Success Story

While Gen V Season 1 has been stellar, thanks to the series' risks in the storytelling department, none of those revelations would be possible without an impressive cast.

Seriously. It's such a great ensemble, and it's a shame that genre fare is generally overlooked in mainstream awards shows.

Gen V Season 1 Cast

The cast includes Jaz Sinclair, Chance Perdomo, Lizze Broadway, Shelley Conn, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, Derek Luh, Asa Germann, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Marco Pigossi.

Gen V also features guest stars Clancy Brown and Jason Ritter and appearances from Jessie T. Usher, Claudia Doumit, Colby Minifie, and P.J. Byrne, reprising their roles from the original series.

Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters serve as showrunners and executive producers.

Related: Wednesday Season 2: Everything We Know

Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Ori Marmur, Pavun Shetty, Ken Levin, Jason Netter, Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, Craig Rosenberg, Nelson Cragg, Zak Schwartz, Erica Rosbe, and Michaela Starr also serve as executive producers.

We still have three episodes of Gen V Season 1 coming up.

TV Fanatic has already watched them and can confirm there's so much still to come that you'll be counting down the days until Gen V Season 2.

The Boys Season 4 Should Be Premiering Soon!

The good news? The Boys Season 4 shouldn't be too far off.

Filming has wrapped, so hopefully, it's in the coming months.

There has been a connective tissue between the two shows, so there's a chance some of our Gen V favorites could appear.

Many franchises struggle to create an organic cross-pollination, but Kripke, Fazekas, and the rest of the creative team have pulled off the impossible.

What are your thoughts on the renewal?

Are you excited to keep up with the events of this wild university?

Hit the comments.

Denis' Gen V reviews drop every Friday at noon E.T., so stay return for his sentiments on all the action.

Gen V airs on Fridays on Prime Video.

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The post Gen V Scores Speedy Season 2 Renewal at Prime Video appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Andre and Marie talk about Cate.

Dr. Cardosa makes strides in his experiment when a supe gets sick from the virus, but Shetty wants the dose concentrated.

Marie, Andre, Dustin, and Jordan find themselves in Cate's head.

They meet Soldier Boy, Cate's imaginary childhood boyfriend.

He says she loves Andre.

He tells them that Cate's mind is deteriorating and that they ought to get out fast or die.

Emma finds Sam, and they have sex.

The group watches Cate's memory of the first time she met Indira.

They find themselves in a classroom memory, and Luke's in it. He confronts and attacks Andre for hooking up with Cate behind Luke's back.

They enter Jordan's memory and see the first time Luke attacked Brink, and Jordan helped put him down. Brink made them TA.

Emma and Sam engage in some bedside talk.

Marie, Andre, and Jordan watch Cate, making Luke forget about The Woods.

The trio goes into Marie's memory of the bathroom her parents died in.

Marie and Andre convince Cate to let them go and wake herself up.

Sam and Emma find them, and Sam attacks Cate, but Emma convinces him to stop.

A supe dies. Shetty wants Cardosa to make the virus contagious.

The post Gen V Season 1 Episode 6 Recap: Jumanji appeared first on TV Fanatic.