The Boys has found new ways to make Butcher unlikable, with a small revelation from season 4 laying the groundwork for his anticipated position in the show’s forthcoming fifth and final season.

Butcher has been a purposely shady character in The Boys from the outset. Although Butcher’s animosity for Homelander and other corrupt Supes makes sense in the framework of the story, his willingness to execute some truly heinous deeds to exact his revenge has always made him difficult to fully root for.

Season 4 of The Boys has elaborated on that facet of the character, particularly as Butcher’s health deteriorates as a result of the temporary Compound V he used in season 3. While his noble streak has appeared on occasion, he is still the most cruel and unlikable member of The Boys’ main cast. A new discovery emphasizes his character weaknesses, potentially making it simpler for spectators to root against him if he follows the overall course of his comics counterpart.

The Boys Revealing Butcher Cheated On Becca Makes Him Much Harder To Like

Butcher Has Never Been The Real Hero Of The Boys

The Boys has been steadily revealing more about Butcher’s worse qualities, with the revelation in “The Insider” that Butcher cheated on Becca making him increasingly unlikable. Butcher was never necessarily designed to be an overtly peppy or likable character. While he may be tragic and interesting, his dark side has always given him a dangerous edge. He’s someone who can be selfish and unintentionally cruel, with the fallout of those decisions impacting those he loves. It makes the character easier to root against, especially when compared to the more overtly good-hearted Hughie or MM.

It plays into the show’s deliberate approach to the muddled morality of heroes and villains, and gives viewers plenty of reason to be distrustful of Butcher. While he ultimately does still come off as someone trying to do what he thinks is right, his selfish attitude and unlikable qualities position him as less of a hero and more of a chaotic (and potentially dangerous) wildcard. This actually fits well with the overall arc of the source material, and could be a clue towards the show’s final arc.

The Boys Is Setting Up Butcher As The Final Villain In Season 5

Why The Boys Is Probably Making Butcher Into A More Despicable Character

The Boys seems to be increasingly setting up Butcher as the final threat of the series, which actually tracks with the source material. In the original comics, Homelander’s plan to forcibly take control of the world was quickly squashed, with the villain 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed in a brawl with his clone. The final storyline of the original comic series, “The Bloody Doors Off,” saw Butcher decide to eliminate anyone with Compound V in their system — including his teammates. This builds an emotional final confrontation between Hughie and Butcher for the fate of the world.

The Prime Video show appears to be on track to make Butcher the series’ last nemesis in season 5.Season 4 of The Boys highlights Butcher’s unstable and hazardous behavior, prompting the other characters to confront his darker side. Joe Kessler’s influence on Butcher could push him away from the gang, and his worst acts (such as cheating on his beloved Becca) explain the character’s self-centered behavior.The Boys may not entirely duplicate the comic’s denouement, but it appears to set up Butcher for a similar role in the finale.