Here's Why You Need to Binge-Watch 'Gen V' Before Season 4 of 'The Boys'
'Gen V' holds its own as a standalone series, but its first season serves up plenty of backstory that ties directly into Season 4 of 'The Boys.'
Published June 12 2024, 11:43 a.m. ET
Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers for Season 1 of Gen V.
Since it burst onto our TV screens, Prime Video's satirical superhero series The Boys has charmed audiences with its savage and wickedly funny portrayal of superhumans. As time rolled on, the show's popularity surged, propelling the streaming service straight into the superhero big leagues, complete with its very own franchise!
In this shared universe, you'll find the spinoff web series titled Seven on 7, an animated anthology spinoff called Diabolical, and the live-action spinoff series Gen V.
Set against the backdrop of college life, Gen V premiered in September 2023 and laid the groundwork for significant developments in the franchise. Now, if you're debating whether to binge-watch Gen V before diving into Season 4 of The Boys, keep scrolling — we've got the answer you're looking for!
Do you have to watch 'Gen V' before Season 4 of 'The Boys'?
Let's cut to the chase: You don't have to watch Gen V before diving into Season 4 of The Boys. However, if you're keen on keeping the storyline consistent, the last two episodes in Gen V's first season set the stage for some epic battles ahead — think a nasty Supe-killing virus and a chaotic presidential race!
In the penultimate episode, Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit) visits Godolkin University's campus for a town hall. Representing Robert Singer's (Jim Beaver) campaign, she woos the nation's young superhumans, promising to protect their rights and amplify their voices.
But, post-Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles) chaos in New York, doubts arise about controlling supes. God U students swiftly reject Neuman's political spiel — they even accuse her and Singer of suppressing them — and rally around Homelander (Antony Starr) in protest.
As for the finale, the season ends with telepath Cate Dunlap (Maddie Phillips) and Sam Riordan (Asa Germann) staging a daring breakout of imprisoned students, inciting a riot on campus.
Marie (Jaz Sinclair), Andre (Chance Perdomo), Jordan (London Thor and Derek Luh), and Emma (Lizze Broadway) leap into action to save many, but Homelander swoops in to ruin the day and flips the narrative. In the aftermath, Vought brands the quartet of heroes as terrorists, while Cate and Sam become the new "Guardians of Godolkin."
Cate and Sam will appear in Season 4 of 'The Boys.'
Along with Homelander and Victoria Neuman, Gen V turns up the heat with cameos from other The Boys characters like Vought CEO Ashley Barrett (Colby Minifie), A-Train (Jessie T. Usher), and The Deep (Chace Crawford).
Plus, in the Season 1 finale's mid-credits scene, Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) stumbles upon the Supe virus in the Woods' ruins, teasing what's to come in Season 4 of The Boys.
Now, just as these The Boys characters hopped into Gen V, some from the college spinoff are set to appear in the original series. Look out for Cate and Sam in the official trailer for Season 4, standing alongside A-Train at Vought Tower. As the new Guardians of Godolkin, this duo is thrust into the spotlight, representing the university in the public eye.
Season 1 of Gen V is now streaming on Prime Video. Don't miss the Season 4 premiere of The Boys on Thursday, June 13, on Prime Video, with new episodes releasing weekly.