Season 4 of The Boys has been one of the most polarizing episodes yet, but I’ve really enjoyed the contrasting plot between two supes from The Seven.

With only one episode left, season 4 is almost over, and there has been a lot to unpack. While the characters’ efforts to stop Homelander have persisted, various other storylines have stood out, including The Boys’ Joe Kessler twist and Frenchie addressing his history. However, the opposing routes that two of The Seven’s primary supes have taken are without a question the season 4 highlight for me.

Although The Boys season 4 has the show’s lowest audience rating yet, I’ve found enough to be enthused about, including the contrasting positions of two long-serving Seven members who have stolen the show. The Seven have served as the series’ principal antagonists from its inception, and while one Supe has only become worse this season, another has had the ideal redemption narrative. With the stakes only increasing, it’s been intriguing to witness how both members have handled the stress and pressure of Homelander’s nefarious plan, and their opposing reactions demonstrate how different they are.

The Boys Is Perfectly Highlighting The Different Paths A-Train & The Deep Are On In Season 4

The Deep’s & A-Train’s Journeys Couldn’t Be Any More Different In The Boys Season 4

“While The Deep has found validation in using his power and wrath to feel superior, A-Train has finally stood up to the group and become a true hero.”

A-Train and The Deep have been an integral part of The Boys since the very first episode, but despite being villains for the majority of the series, season 4 puts them on completely different paths. The duo came into this season doing Homelander’s bidding and having no real freedom in The Seven, leaving them in search of a purpose. While The Deep has found validation in using his power and wrath to feel superior, A-Train has finally stood up to the group and become a true hero.

With his brother acting as a constant reminder of how toxic his role in The Seven was, A-Train finally found redemption in The Boys season 4 by helping the main protagonists. This season alone has seen A-Train give Hughie Compound V, provide intel on The Seven’s plans, bring MM to the hospital during a panic attack, and rescue Starlight during her fight with The Deep. Given the character has flirted with redemption in the past, watching him finally do the right thing and even enjoy being a hero has been incredibly satisfying, making him one of season 4’s MVPs.

On the flip side, The Deep has craved admiration and attention throughout his time on The Boys, and rather than take the A-Train redemption path, he has fallen even further into villainy. He has attempted to belittle Ashley and Cameron Coleman at various points during season 4 to prove his superiority as a Supe. Now, he has pledged his loyalty to Homelander, as violence seems to be the only thing that provides a feeling of self-worth. As a result, both characters have headed down opposite roads, and I have loved the way The Boys has told each of their stories.

A-Train’s Redemption Is Made Even Better By His Similarities To The Deep

A-Train’s redemption has been a crucial part of season 4, and his story is made even better given his similarities to The Deep. Although they were both demoted from The Seven for different reasons, the duo were trying to find a new purpose during season 2 and joined the Church of the Collective to do so. While they had contrasting experiences, both eventually rejoined The Seven; however, they were essentially brought back to obey Homelander. Given Homelander’s exceptional power and intense personality, they were both scared to challenge him, resulting in A-Train and The Deep becoming his lackeys.

Ambrosius suffocated as a result, causing the antagonist to fully devote himself to Homelander. Both scenes were truly horrifying, and while there is no justifying A-Train’s past, he has slowly begun to reform since then. Sadly, The Deep continues to provide some of The Boys‘ most ridiculous moments and has only gotten worse by showing no signs of growth. With the two characters having such similar backgrounds, it makes A-Train’s atonement even better, and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him become a real hero in season 4.

The Deep & A-Train’s Fight Brilliantly Demonstrates Their Differences

The Duos Fight In “Insider” Highlighted How Much A-Train Has Grown Compared To The Deep

Given their opposite trajectories this season, A-Train and The Deep’s fight is an excellent demonstration of their differences. While The Deep attempted to 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 Starlight and Butcher purely on Homelander’s orders, A-Train showed up to stop him because he felt it was the right thing to do. The Deep was shocked at A-Train’s betrayal, especially as he thought they had some sort of bromance, but A-Train seemed relieved to tell his former ally that he always hated him. This revelation hits even harder given how much The Deep relies on other people’s approval, whereas A-Train no longer craves the spotlight.

The combat was similarly one-sided, as A-Train’s abilities are far superior to The Deep’s. While neither of them has much combat experience, A-Train had at least one true save prior to their encounter, giving him an advantage. They both reached their breaking points this season, but while The Deep chose the cowardly path of remaining loyal to Homelander, A-Train willingly blew his secret to make one more save. The fight between the two could be A-Train’s final big moment in The Boys after he appears to have fled the nation, but it would be a fitting ending that showcases his evolution.