The Boys season 4 made news for one significant complaint, but that wasn’t the show’s worst flaw. With its merciless reflection on current events and gory action, The Boys has always been a contentious series. However, in recent seasons, Amazon’s anti-superhero program appears to have received even more attention. The Boys’ humor hasn’t altered much since its premiere, thus the response is most likely due to the series’ growing popularity. But there are valid criticisms about the show as well.
One issue with The Boys season 4 was significantly overlooked by discussions regarding its political content. The Boys season 4 premiered in June 2024, and it quickly became evident that it was not as compelling as previous seasons. This was likely season 4’s largest issue, and it’s a shame it wasn’t discussed more. Hopefully, The Boys season 5 will find a way to overcome this problem, even if it did not make the news.
The Boys Season 4’s main issue was its pacing.
The pace did not pick up until the end of the season.
There have been numerous criticisms of The Boys season 4, but this outing’s biggest sin was undeniably its pacing. Previous seasons of The Boys were gripping from beginning to end, with very few lulls in the storytelling. By contrast, The Boys season 4’s opening episodes were full of character moments and setup, which felt like regression after season 3’s epic finale. For much of the fourth season, it felt as though the Amazon series was simply setting the stage for season 5. This lowered the stakes and slowed down the pace significantly.
“Everything came together during The Boys season 4’s ending, but it felt like certain storylines were meandering for several installments.”
It didn’t help that The Boys’ main characters were all grappling with personal dilemmas throughout the fourth season, adding numerous subplots to the main story. Everything came together during The Boys season 4’s ending, but it felt like these storylines were meandering for several installments. The subplots involving Hughie’s father and Frenchie’s backstory ensured these characters grew in season 4. Unfortunately, they also made the first few episodes move much slower than they should have.
The Boys Season 4’s Political Commentary Dominated Headlines
The Amazon Show’s Obvious References Got The Most Backlash
The Boys’ pacing was its most serious issue in season 4, but the show’s political commentary garnered headlines instead. This was not surprising given that The Boys did not hold back in their most recent release. Since its inception, the show has poked fun at real-life political individuals and events. However, its references became even more clear during season 4, leaving some fans dissatisfied with this installment. It resulted in The Boys season 4 receiving negative reviews and dominating discussions about the most recent episodes.
Starlight dealing with the repercussions of an abortion, Frenchie’s LGBTQ+ plotline, and Homelander’s seizure of the White House all generated criticism of The Boys being “woke.” Of course, this backlash ignores The Boys’ original purpose: to satirize right-wing beliefs. Given current political tensions, it’s hardly unexpected that the show’s main discussions focused on its commentary. However, season 4’s tempo was its weakest point, and the authors will have to address this in season 5.
The Boys now needs Season 5 to pay off Season 4’s buildup.
The final season should make it all worthwhile.
After The Boys season 4 spent much of its run resolving the characters’ personal conflicts — and setting the stage for a bigger showdown — season 5 must pay off all the build-up. Although the pacing of season 4’s early episodes wasn’t great, the later ones did fix this problem. And The Boys season 4’s bombshell ending left most viewers eager to see what comes next. The Amazon series can still go out on a high note, but season 5 needs to deliver on its promises. Homelander and Butcher must get their big face-off, and the Supe army must fully go off the rails.
This will elevate the stakes for The Boys’ final season, positioning it for success when it premieres. The next season can’t afford to keep the fourth season’s slower rhythm, as there is a lot to settle in the final episodes. The Boys team must beat Homelander and his Supe army, but Butcher may also pose a threat. Season 5 of The Boys will determine Ryan’s moral compass and establish a connection to Generation V.There is a lot to cover in a limited amount of episodes, so maybe the show’s pacing can improve.
