Gen V, Prime Video’s splashy spin-off to The Boys, is returning for an eight-episode second season on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The episodes ahead see both Godolkin and the world adjusting to the reign of Homelander as Supes begin to view themselves in a new light — one as superior to their human counterparts.
Unthinkably, following last season’s shocking turns, Marie (Jazz Sinclair) and her friends are faced with the prospect of returning to Godolkin or life on the run. As the country slides towards a tipping point, the students discover Odessa, a secret program that could change everything.
We’ve binged the season a little early, thanks to our friends at Prime Video, and have some thoughts to share on the season as a whole. Please note, this is a spoiler free review. (The first three episodes of Gen V air on Wednesday.)
The first thing fans might notice is the absence of actor Chance Perdomo, who played Andre Anderson last season. Perdomo died in a motorcycle accident before the filming of Season 2. The show creators and EP Eric Kripke were adamant about not recasting the role of Andre, and the show handles his loss with care and thought.
Andre’s absence calls for more scenes with Sean Patrick Harris as Andre’s Dad, Polarity. Given more to do this season, Harris shines in moments both dramatic and comedic, as Polarity evolves beyond his Season One role as a shill for Vought.
Tonally and narratively, Gen V season 2 is a lot like its first season, with the guideline here seeming to be: if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Our misfit Supes-in-waiting continue to navigate a world in the midst of frightening change, and their evolving relationships with one another.
The universe of The Boys and Gen V continues to hold up a mirror to Trump’s America, with everything from Trad Wives to Trans fear to the hashtag #MakeAmericaSuperAgain putting in an appearance. If certain far-right conservatives wondered if the show might be poking fun at their values in the past, there can no longer be any doubt.
Last season introduced us to Marie, Emma, Jordan, Cate, and Sam. Season 2 aims to break these characters down and rebuild them into more complex, engaging and powerful versions of their earlier counterparts. This year both Emma (Lizzie Broadway) and Jordan (Derek Luh and London Thor) benefit from more screen time.
As friends become enemies, and vice versa, we begin to understand that we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg with these characters, and Gen V still has a lot more to reveal about each one. Their evolution this year is an additional narratively cool contrast to the show’s backdrop of a society coming apart at the seams.
Of course, a new year at Godolkin calls for a new villain, and Gen V hits the mark with Hamish Linklater as the university’s new Dean, Cipher. Some fans of the genre might recognize Linklater from his role as Father Paul Hill from Mike Flanagan’s Netflix miniseries Midnight Mass. Ever charismatic, Linklater excels at ominous eulogising, and is at home as the cryptic Cipher, determined to usher in a new era for humanity by forging it right at Godolkin university. What exactly is Cipher’s super power? Gen V keeps its cards close to its vest on that score, and so must we.
While the new season may need an initial trio of episodes to truly begin firing on all cylinders, the tone, direction, and energy of those final episodes exceed expectations. And while Gen V still wants us to know the raucous, suped up dormitories and corridors of Godolkin are still there, and still sticky, there’s simply too much story to linger long on the over-sexualized, over-powered and overbearing antics of Godolkin’s elite this time around.
Can we expect some cameos from The Boys universe? Yes, we can! In fact, Gen V is working hard to establish links to its predecessor that are sure to resonate as The Boys enters its fifth and final season in 2026. The Boys already featured both Gen V’s Cate (Maddie Phillips) and Sam (Asa Germann) in its Season 4 finale. Gen V fans can likewise expect to see a number of familiar faces from The Boys this season.
Fans can look forward to a season that sticks to the formula, while leaning into its core character development with more precision. Added to this, an intriguing new villain, a powder keg of political tension, a sprinkling of cameos and guest appearances, and some deeper world building all make for a solid watch.
All that and ass tentacles too? What’s not to love?
Gen V makes its triumphant, blood-soaked, irreverent, frenetic return on Wednesday, Sept 17 on Prime Video.
3 episodes kick off the new season with individual new episodes following weekly until the finale on October 22.
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