How Soldier Boy Changed The Way We Look at Villains (The Boys)

Summary

The video script discusses the complexity of villain portrayal in the TV show 'The Boys,' particularly focusing on the character Soldier Boy introduced in season 3. It explores the moral ambiguity presented by the show, where characters like Soldier Boy and Homelander, despite their villainous acts, are given depth and humanity that makes the audience question who to root for. The script praises the performance of Jensen Ackles, who plays Soldier Boy, for adding layers of complexity to the character. It also draws parallels with the villain in 'Daredevil' season 1, Wilson Fisk, another well-humanized antagonist. The discussion highlights how Soldier Boy's introduction and his relationship with Homelander add to the narrative's richness, making the audience empathize with characters they know are not good. The script concludes by expressing anticipation for Soldier Boy's future appearances and the continuation of the story in season 4.

Takeaways

• 📺 The show 'The Boys' features complex characters, with Soldier Boy from season 3 standing out as a particularly interesting villain.
• 👊 Soldier Boy starts as an ally to the protagonists but ultimately becomes the primary antagonist due to his conflict with his biological son, Homelander.
• 🤔 The season explores the theme of 'Fathers and Sons,' creating a moral dilemma for the audience on who to root for between Homelander and Soldier Boy.
• 🎭 Despite his villainous actions, Soldier Boy is portrayed with humanity and likability, largely due to Jensen Ackles' performance.
• 🧐 The show makes an effort to provide Soldier Boy with a backstory and motivations, making him a relatable and well-rounded character.
• 🎬 Soldier Boy's character development and traits, such as his singing and reminiscing about the past, add depth and make him stand out.
• 🔥 The character's actions are purposeful, contributing to his realism and challenging the traditional concept of a villain.
• 🌟 The dynamic between Soldier Boy and Homelander is central to the season, with their relationship driving key plot points and emotional moments.
• 🤝 Billy Butcher's goal to kill Homelander leads to an alliance with Soldier Boy, despite Butcher's own moral ambiguities.
• 👨‍👦 Homelander's character is further humanized through his relationship with Soldier Boy, showing a softer side despite his evil actions.
• ⚔️ The final battle in the season presents a complex question of loyalty and morality, as each character has a reason to fight, challenging the audience's allegiance.

Q & A

Which character from 'The Boys' is considered the most interesting by the speaker?

Soldier Boy from season 3 is considered the most interesting character by the speaker.

What is the central theme of season 3 of 'The Boys'?

The central theme of season 3 is 'Fathers and Sons'.

How does Soldier Boy's relationship with Homelander affect his role in the story?

Soldier Boy's relationship with Homelander, his biological son, becomes his main conflict and ultimately turns him into the primary antagonist by the end of season 3.

Why is Homelander considered one of the best and most consistently written characters on television?

Homelander is considered one of the best and most consistently written characters due to his complexity, the depth of his character development, and the consistent portrayal of his actions and motivations throughout the series.

What makes Soldier Boy's character likable despite his actions?

Soldier Boy's likability comes from Jensen Ackles' performance, which adds a level of humanity to the character, making the audience understand his point of view in certain situations.

How does the show 'The Boys' challenge the traditional concept of a villain?

The show challenges the traditional concept of a villain by humanizing characters like Soldier Boy and Homelander, presenting them with understandable motivations and internal conflicts, thus making it difficult for the audience to choose a clear side.

What is the significance of the scene where Soldier Boy accidentally blows up civilians?

The scene signifies Soldier Boy's internal conflict and his attempt to convince others (and perhaps himself) that he is not a bad guy, despite his actions.

How does the show 'Daredevil' season 1 handle its villain, Wilson Fisk, in a similar way to 'The Boys'?

Both shows humanize their villains, providing backstory and motivations that allow the audience to understand and even sympathize with them, making it harder to simply dislike them.

What is the main goal of Billy Butcher throughout the series?

Billy Butcher's main goal is to kill Homelander, which drives much of his actions and alliances throughout the series.

How does the character of Mother's Milk relate to Soldier Boy?

Mother's Milk has a genuine reason to hate Soldier Boy because he threw a car through his house, killing many of his family members.

Why does the speaker believe Soldier Boy has changed the way we look at villains?

The speaker believes Soldier Boy changes the way we look at villains because the character is complex, has a full backstory, and elicits both rooting and questioning from the audience, making it difficult to decide who to support in his conflict with Homelander.