In the penultimate episode of The Boys season 4, the titular squad reaches its lowest point ever.

Given their previous experiences, it seemed impossible, yet Hughie, Annie, Butcher, MM, Kimiko, and Frenchie are not the only ones on the verge of disaster. The entire corporate structure of The Seven and Vought is in turmoil, leaving everyone in a hazardous situation as the season finale approaches.

The only person who isn’t completely despondent is Vice President-Elect Victoria Neuman, who fully supports Homelander’s plan and the political violence required to implement it. When the alternative is Supe genocide, which would murder both her and her daughter, it’s easy to understand her decision. The Boys has a lot of territory to cover before the season 4 finale, and this episode does a good job of setting up what will undoubtedly be an intense episode. However, it appears that the series has only one option for justifying this season’s dismal performance.

It appears that Homelander’s plan might work.

Obviously, this is not a good thing—even for Homelander.

Homelander has been in crisis throughout the season, but it appears to be working out for him for the most part. He enlisted Sister Sage, the world’s smartest person, and together devised a strategy for global dominance. Supe, the maniac, couldn’t help but succumb to his worst instincts, and he’s now abandoned Sage in favor of Firecracker and her fixation with pleasing him. Instead of strategic intelligence, it appears like Homelander may carry out his grand plan using raw force rather than intelligent planning.

While this seems almost certain to work out for him — Homelander’s powers make him the mightiest Supe, after all — he lacks the brains that are a vital part of his operation with Sage. In a confrontation between the three Supes, Sage reveals that she knew A-Train was the leak all along and that his distribution of information was intentional. To what end remains unclear.

“With nothing to hold [Homelander] back and the fifth season serving as The Boys ‘ last, it feels like anything could happen for the first time in a long time.”

Now, Homelander is surrounded by a bunch of Yes-Men, which doesn’t bode well for his takeover plan. In a sense, Homelander’s right back where he started at the beginning of season 4, only this time he’s angrier than ever. This is kind of The Boys‘ thing — Homelander goes on some journey throughout the season before ending it scarier and more powerful than ever before. This time, though, it worked.

The takeover plot heightens the stakes of Homelander’s actions, but most of all, Antony Starr continues to deliver a stunning performance, somehow avoiding the trappings of the script to exude something even more terrifying. It’s a promising sign heading into the finale, with nothing to hold him back. And with the season 5 being The Boys‘ last, it feels like anything could happen for the first time in a long time.

Episode 7 Sets Up A Promising Ending For The Boys Season 4

The stakes are high heading into Singer’s inauguration

The Boys, now in its fourth season, is showing signs of wear. Its social critique has become trite, no matter how prescient it appears to be, and the moments intended to shock and awe have either not surpassed what has come before or have been startlingly tone-deaf (Hughie’s 𝓈ℯ𝓍ual torture being the worst). Episode 7 does not correct all of these flaws, but it does build up a conclusion that might change everything.

Homelander has removed the gloves and sent The Deep and Black Noir to assault Butcher and Annie. A-Train has been identified as the source of the leak. Sister Sage has been sacked. Annie has been kidnapped and appears to be involved in whatever plan is in place for January 6. In a season that has appeared lifeless at times, The Boys now appears to have some life in it again.

The Boys’ season 4 episode 7 is now available on Prime Video.