REVIEW: ‘The Boys’ Season 4 Episode 7 — “The Insider”

The Boys Season 4 Episode 7 dives deep into the notion of choices, or the lack thereof, as the narrative explores the tipping points for various characters. From The Boys themselves to Vought, the Seven, and even Victoria Neuman, everyone seems to be at a critical juncture. The episode raises the question: at what point is it too deep for heroes and villains trying to escape from under Homelander’s thumb? Do they run, or do they stay? Do they even have a choice?

The Boys Season 4 Episode 7 kicks off with Homelander’s son, Ryan, being forced to participate in a PSA against Antifa, continuing the series’s commentary on the United States. Here, Antifa is portrayed as an anti-superhero movement, encouraging the public to report such activities to the authorities. After his defiant antics with the director P.J. Byrne, it would have been beneficial to delve deeper into how much of Homelander’s influence has imprinted on him.

Instead, Ryan does what he often does—he runs off to be by himself. Although Ryan has the opportunity to choose his own path, his true desires remain unclear. His reluctance to partake in the PSA hints at an internal conflict, yet it feels rushed and underdeveloped. Butcher’s mission to save Ryan has become a minor subplot, and any new developments with Ryan’s character feel hurried and lack depth.

Annie (Erin Moriarty) faces her own set of challenges as she deals with her mother’s anger over her abortion. Her mother’s insistence that Annie is a role model ignores the fundamental truth that Annie is a person first. The narrative choice to have Annie continuously need to justify her choices feels misplaced. Even more so amid the more pressing threats of Homelander and Firecracker closing in on A-Train. Not only is he closer to being outed as the spy for The Boys, but Homelander’s ambition to assassinate the president accelerates the timetable.

Back with The Boys, Butcher comes clean about his involvement with the scientists he’s been holding. The scientist cannot work on the virus without causing a supe pandemic. This prompts Butcher to make a deal to free Frenchie, who will assist in the project. The ease with which Frenchie is freed from jail feels contrived, undermining Frenchie’s arc and quest for redemption. This creates an awkward situation with Kimiko and further complicates the dynamics within The Boys. Additionally, Mother’s Milk hands leadership back to Butcher, leading to repetitive power struggles and familiar arguments.

The tension is palpable even within Vought, as A-Train and Ashley Barrett’s secret inches closer to being exposed to Homelander. Ashley is ready to flee, but A-Train decides to stick it out, much like Mother’s Milk. Both characters feel trapped, compelled to see their paths to the end. For A-Train, The Boys Season 4 Episode 7 could mark the continuation of his redemption after his numerous misdeeds as a member of the Seven.

One bright spot in The Boys Season 4 Episode 7 is Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s recurring role as Joe Kessler, Butcher’s devil on the shoulder. Now aware that Kessler is not his old friend, their banter extends beyond Butcher’s solitary moments. However, the absence of Butcher’s deceased wife Becca Butcher, the angel on his shoulder, is felt. Her presence to counter Kessler’s influence would have added depth, especially as Butcher acts with clearer intentions.

A significant issue with this season has been its tendency to go extreme for shock value. The Boys Season 4 Episode 7, to its credit, takes its time before diving into the bizarre. The introduction of a shapeshifter who sheds their skin is a gruesomely realistic portrayal of a commonly imagined power. However, this moment is overshadowed by Webweaver’s return and his grotesque butthole web-shooting antics. The shock value here feels unearned and unnecessary in an episode focused on building tension for the season’s finale.

Family remains a central theme for both heroes and villains. In The Boys Season 4 Episode 7 it seems everyone is fighting to save their family, but how far are they willing to go? Characters like Deep are willing to sacrifice loved ones for more power, while others teeter in the grey area as the fear of Homelander looms large. However, with so many characters and so many families to consider, the penultimate episode just ships off families as a way to avoid them being used against them.

Despite these developments, The Boys Season 4 Episode 7 is thin for a penultimate episode. Frenchie’s sudden release from prison, Kimiko’s backstory reduced to a brief conversation, Deep’s disproportionate screen time, A-Train’s uncertain fate, Sage’s sidelining, and Ryan’s limited role all contribute to a sense that the eight-episode format might not suffice for the numerous character arcs. While there is hope for a strong conclusion, this episode leaves many storylines feeling rushed and unresolved, dampening anticipation for the finale.

Ultimately, The Boys Season 4 Episode 7 exemplifies the series’ struggle with trying to do too much within its eight-episode season. The ambitious plotlines and numerous character arcs are crammed into a limited timeframe, resulting in rushed developments in the penultimate episode. While The Boys thrives on its bold, boundary-pushing storytelling, it risks becoming a victim of its own ambition, unable to fully deliver on its myriad promises within the constraints of a short season.

The Boys Season 4 Episode 7 is streaming now on Prime Video.