The Boys’ first four seasons have been filled with thrilling, horrific moments, but despite the excitement around the fourth season, Eric Kripke’s past with Supernatural has me concerned about its future.

When Amazon originally released The Boys in 2019, I was fascinated. The realistic yet violent representation of superheroes made for some very unique television, leaving me astounded by how graphic and unedited it was in comparison to Marvel and DC. I’ve been looking forward to the premiere of each episode since the first season, but the series’ current path has me apprehensive.

With news about The Boys season 4 being released on a regular basis, the wait for TV’s best band of misfits to return grows shorter, yet The Boys’ time on our screens appears to be indefinite. Eric Kripke compared The Boys’ future to Supernatural, implying that he couldn’t have been more incorrect about his five-season plan. While more content from one of my favorite programs should be a good thing, I can’t help but be concerned by these comments, especially after Supernatural’s finale.

Supernatural Declined After Going Beyond Its Original 5-Season Plan

The Show Struggled To Maintain Its Quality As Time Went On

Despite its popularity,  Supernatural failed to maintain its quality across 15 seasons.Even in its later years, the drama series produced some fantastic episodes, but it was not the show we had grown to love in the mid-2000s. The series finale of Supernatural, which lasted over 300 episodes, was never going to satisfy everyone. However, although I can forgive the final episodes, I can’t forgive the show’s unnecessary length.

The fact that the program was able to keep Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki for all 15 seasons still amazes me, but stretching the show out for this long was always going to result in additional actor exits and viewer fatigue, which is difficult to overcome.Although Supernatural did not see the same downturn as shows like The Walking Dead or The Big Bang Theory, it nevertheless suffered from overstaying its welcome, which is disappointing given its potential for a strong ending.

Although I don’t think Supernatural has a horrible reputation, the series isn’t as admirable as other shows that ended at the perfect time, even if they still had more to offer. Kripke, who loves Supernatural as much as the fans, suffers with saying goodbye. Although I hold Supernatural in high esteem and believe it should be recognized for its strengths, I cannot deny the show’s decline in its later years. I am concerned that Kripke may follow this trend with The Boys.

The Boys Going Beyond Season 5 Could End Up Hurting The Show

The Boys’ Story Doesn’t Need To Last Much Longer

Although I am a big fan of The Boys, I am concerned that extending beyond season 5 could harm the show. Kripke had planned a five-season run for The Boys, similar to Supernatural. However, it appears that the showrunner has revised his decision, signaling that it may last much longer. With Gen V renewed for season 2, the news concerning The Boys is not surprising considering the series’ success. However, I’m concerned that this could negatively impact the quality.

Seasons 1 and 2 of The Boys are generally popular, Gen V had a terrific reaction, and while The Boys Presents: Diabolical is an acquired taste, I think a mostly non-canon spinoff series deserves a place in the franchise. The third season of The Boys marked a turning point for the popular superhero show. Personally, I felt season 3 was excellent. The Boys’ captivating content, including the debut of Soldier Boy, Butcher’s war against Homelander, and Black Noir’s unique plot, drew me in. However, not everyone agreed.

“The Boys season 3’s finale proved to be incredibly divisive, starting an interesting dialogue about the show as a whole.”

The Boys’ latest installment was criticized for being overly repetitious and lacking a compelling narrative. The season 3 conclusion of The Boys sparked a heated debate about the show’s overall quality. The series still has plenty of stories to tell, and I’m convinced the political battle between Homelander and Starlight will be one of the best arcs yet. However, another 10 seasons of Prime Video’s superhero show fills me with dread, and clearly, many viewers would check out before the finale.

Of course, there is no guarantee that Kripke plans on repeating his 15 Supernatural seasons with The Boys, but changing his original plan definitely poses a risk of the show burning out. After just three seasons, concerns are already beginning about its future, and this looks destined to continue. Even if season 4 provides us with some of the best scenes and interactions yet, it must achieve more story progression than season 3; otherwise, The Boys‘ post-season 5 future could be troubling.

We want to see the story conclude, and we want to see Homelander get what’s coming to him, but waiting season after season for a tiny bit of progress will turn even its biggest fans away, creating a potential problem for The Boys season 6 and beyond.

How The Boys Running For Longer Could Work

The TV Adaptation Has Been Much Stronger Than The Comics & Could Continue To Make Some Major Changes

While The Boys may face challenges in the future, extending the show could benefit them.Amazon’s eight-episode format limits the number of storylines that can be addressed in a single season, thus extra seasons may prevent the program from reaching a hasty end. Although Supernatural suffered from a long run, I’ve seen many of episodes with rushed finales, leading to a lackluster sendoff, and The Boys deserves better than this. Instead, extending a couple more seasons could provide it with the breathing room it requires to fully conclude its story.

“With Gen V still to have another season and The Boys: Mexico arriving in the future, The Boys sticking around is beneficial for these spinoffs, providing another reason for the main show to stick around.”

Prime Video’s “The Boys” has outperformed the comic series, with potential for a different ending due to these adjustments.The Boys should avoid the contentious comic finale, as it might potentially lead to an extended franchise. With upcoming seasons of Gen V and The Boys: Mexico, the continuation of The Boys benefits these spinoffs and adds to the core show’s longevity.

While I don’t want to see The Boys become another Supernatural, I’d hate to see it stop too soon, missing out on some really wonderful stories. With Jeffrey Dean Morgan joining the series, I’m still very excited about season 4, and as long as Kripke has some amazing ideas, I’ll be along for the ride. When the show loses momentum, it’s important for The Boys to finish it before it fades away.