Everything's falling apart. Honestly, that’s the only way to describe the vibe of The Boys season 4 episode 3. If you thought the first two chapters of the season were just setting the stage for a slow-burn political thriller, "We'll Keep the Red Flag Flying High" basically threw a Molotov cocktail into the room and walked away. It’s chaotic. It’s messy. It’s exactly what the show needed to remind us that nobody is safe, especially not the people we’re rooting for.
The episode starts with a heavy sense of dread. Ryan is stuck in the middle of a literal tug-of-war between Butcher and Homelander, and you can feel the kid's soul eroding in real-time. It’s painful to watch. Butcher, fueled by a ticking clock and a brain tumor that’s literally hallucinating his dead wife, is desperate. But desperation makes people do stupid things. Trying to drug a kid to kidnap him? Not your finest hour, Billy.
Homelander’s Midlife Crisis and the Sister Sage Factor
Let’s talk about Homelander. He’s aging. Finding a grey pubic hair in the first few minutes of the episode isn't just a gross-out gag; it’s a profound shift in his psyche. He’s mortal. Or at least, he feels mortal. This vulnerability makes him more dangerous than ever because he’s no longer just looking for adoration—he’s looking for a legacy.
Enter Sister Sage. She is easily the most terrifying addition to the Seven because she doesn't use lasers or super strength. She uses math. She uses psychology. Her plan to turn the trial of Homelander into a tinderbox for a civil war is chilling because it feels so plausible. When she tells Homelander that they don't need to win over everyone, just the right amount of angry people, it’s a direct reflection of real-world polarization. It’s uncomfortable television.
The dynamic between them is weirdly lopsided. Homelander is used to being the smartest person in the room simply because he can kill everyone else. Sage? She actually is the smartest. Watching her navigate the Vought tower like a grandmaster playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers is a highlight. She knows exactly which buttons to push to get the crowd at the courthouse to riot. It’s calculated. It’s brutal. It works.
The Deep and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Poor Kevin. Actually, no, don't feel bad for him. The Deep is a monster, but he’s a pathetic one. His arc in The Boys season 4 episode 3 involves a lot of existential spiraling and some genuinely bizarre interactions with Sage. The show has always used him as the punching bag, but there’s a darker edge to it now. He’s becoming a true believer in the "Supe Supremacy" narrative because he has nothing else.
A lot of fans were surprised by the sheer level of gore in the skating rink scene. Seeing the A-Train, Deep, and Black Noir II (who is just a confused actor trying to find his "direction") take out the protesters was a turning point. It wasn't a clean fight. It was a massacre. A-Train’s face during the whole ordeal says it all. He’s the only one left with a shred of a conscience, and it’s clearly eating him alive. He’s the mole, and the tension of him trying to help the Boys while staying under Sage’s radar is the best subplot of the season so far.
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Hughie, His Dad, and the V-Factor
While the world is burning, Hughie is dealing with a much more personal hell. Simon Pegg is finally getting some real meat to chew on as Hughie’s father, but it’s heartbreaking. The hospital scenes provide a much-needed grounding for the show. Amidst all the flying men and exploding heads, here is a guy just trying to deal with his dad’s stroke.
The decision Hughie makes at the end of the episode—to steal a vial of Compound V—is a massive "oh no" moment. We’ve seen what V does to people who aren't prepared for it. We’ve seen what it did to Robin in the very first episode. For Hughie to even consider giving it to his dying father shows how far he's willing to slide down the moral slippery slope. It’s a desperate move from a man who has lost almost everything.
That Ending Explained: The Riot and the Fallout
The climax at the courthouse is where everything boils over. The Seven aren't just heroes anymore; they are political martyrs. By staging the murders of the three Homelander supporters and framing the Starlighters, Sage has successfully weaponized the truth.
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It’s a classic false flag operation.
The Boys are now officially the villains in the eyes of half the country. Starlight is losing her grip on her movement. Her anger is being used against her. When she loses her cool and starts punching Firecracker, she’s doing exactly what Vought wants. They want her to look like a violent extremist. They want the public to be afraid of the "woke" mob. It’s a masterclass in manipulation.
Key Takeaways from Episode 3:
- A-Train is the MVP: His internal conflict is the emotional core of the season. He is the only Supe actually trying to do the right thing, even if it’s out of fear.
- Sister Sage is untouchable: For now. Her ability to stay three steps ahead of MM and Frenchie is making the Boys look amateurish.
- The Ryan Problem: He’s not a weapon; he’s a kid. Both Butcher and Homelander are failing him in different, equally damaging ways.
- Frenchie’s Past: The revelation about Colin’s family adds a layer of tragedy to Frenchie that makes his current spiral feel earned, if a bit repetitive.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re caught up, stop looking for leaks. The nuances of The Boys season 4 episode 3 are found in the background details—the news tickers, the posters, the way the characters react when they think no one is looking.
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Go back and re-watch the scene where A-Train delivers the evidence to MM. Look at his hands. He’s shaking. That’s not a guy who’s confident; that’s a guy who knows he’s a dead man walking if he gets caught.
Keep an eye on the "V" vial Hughie took. That is a Chekhov's gun if I've ever seen one. Whether he uses it on his dad or himself, it’s going to change the trajectory of the season. You should also pay close attention to the shifting alliances within the Seven. Black Noir II is a wildcard, and the Deep is becoming increasingly unstable under Sage’s influence.
The political divide in the show is only going to get wider from here. The best way to engage with the upcoming episodes is to look at how Vought is spinning the events of this riot. They are no longer a pharmaceutical company; they are a state-run media machine.