I’m quite confident The Boys will 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 this supe character after his dramatic season 4 redemption, but I’m still hoping for a different ending.
Since season one, Amazon’s The Boys has taken a no-holds barred approach to character fatalities. From the first episode, the show demonstrates that, in this world of morally twisted superheroes, no one is truly secure, and anybody can die as a result of a single mistake by a powerful superhero. As a result, Hughie’s arc opens with the murder of his girlfriend Robin, establishing the tone for the show’s harsh treatment of character destinies.
Despite their superhuman power and durability, the superheroes in The Boys are just as vulnerable as regular mortals. This is why many very powerful supes, including Blue Hawk, Mesmer, Popclaw, and the original Black Noir, have suffered cruel and abrupt deaths. I’m afraid that after redeeming one of its primary supe characters in season 4, The Boys is gradually laying the groundwork for his death, continuing its history of 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing appealing characters to keep the stakes high.
A-Train’s Redemption Might Be Setting Up A Death He Doesn’t Deserve
A-Train’s Doom Seems Imminent After His Season 4 Redemption
In The Boys season 3’s final arc, A-Train was already on his way to redemption when he began questioning Homelander’s methods rather than blindly following his directives. Although his brother appears to be angry with him in The Boys season 4, A-Train continues on the path of redemption by secretly assisting Billy Butcher and the group. He risked his life by infiltrating behind Homelander’s back and acting as an informant for the guys. However, after choosing the ethically correct option, he appears to be much more confident in himself and his abilities.
“From portraying A-Train as another selfish and ruthless supe, The Boys has completely flipped his script and turned him into one of the most likable characters from the series.”
One of A-Train’s biggest regrets was accidentally 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing Hughie’s girlfriend. In season 4, he makes amends for that as well by helping Hughie and finally earning his respect. The Boys season 4’s episode 6 also features an awe-inspiring scene where A-Train drops MM at a hospital and feels proud when a child looks up to him. From portraying A-Train as another selfish and ruthless supe, The Boys has completely flipped his script and turned him into one of the most likable characters from the series. This is scary because his redemption might have already sealed his fate.
The Boys Season 3 Made Black Noir This Likable Before Killing Him Too
The Boys Take The “Kill Your Darlings” Trope Too Seriously
The Boys never truly redeemed Black Noir, but made me and several other viewers empathize with him by giving a glimpse of his tragic past. Although Black Noir was initially depicted as a ruthless 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁er and Homelander’s most loyal enforcer, season 3 reveals that Noir lost his ability to think after Soldier Boy brutally assaulted him. He even experiences delusions of cartoon mascots from Buster Beaver’s Pizza Restaurant, who present themselves as his imaginary best friends and help him deal with his traumas.
I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Black Noir after witnessing his tragic relationships with his imaginary companions and learning about his history with Soldier Boy. Unfortunately, just as I was developing feelings for him, he was 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed off in the final episode of The Boys season 3. What made his death even more terrible was that he had not even betrayed Homelander. He simply struggled to inform him that he was Homelander’s son due to his incapacity to organize his thoughts correctly. Given how The Boys assassinated Noir shortly after making him more likable, A-Train’s demise does not seem farfetched.
A-Train’s The Boys Season 4 Death Would Be Too Predictable Now
The Boys Season 4 Must Avoid Being Predictable By Not Killing Him
A-Train has redeemed himself by betraying Homelander, and Homelander will not spare him once he realizes he has been assisting the youngsters. However, given how The Boys has already 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed or obliterated several characters, such as Queen Meave, Black Noir, and Supersonic, after redeeming them, A-Train’s death seemed a little too predictable. The Boys’ reputation for unpredictable character deaths gives me optimism for A-Train’s survival.
As a result, while it appears improbable that A-Train would outrun Homelander once the overpowered supe discovers his treason, I am hopeful that he will find a way out. Because he and the boys have buried their differences, the boys may eventually save him before it is too late. I hope season 4 of The Boys defies expectations and shows mercy to a redeemed character.