RECAP: ‘Gen V’ Season 2 Episode 4 — “Bags”

Season 2 of The Boys spin-off Gen V is off to a rollicking start. After episodes 1-3 set a firm foundation, though, Gen V Season 2 Episode 4, entitled “Bags”, feels as if there’s still a lot of table-setting happening, despite some fun reveals that move the plot forward ever so slightly. You know the drill, let’s dive into the latest installment of Gen V!

In the aftermath of last week’s episode, Gen V Season 2 Episode 4, directed by Alrick Riley and written by Brant Englestein and Chris Dingess, has Godolkin campus up in arms over the admission by Jordan Li (London Thor and Derek Luh) of Andre’s death and what they had done to Cate Dunlap (Maddie Phillips).

Of course, none other than The Seven member Firecracker (Valorie Curry) helps lead the charge against Jordan through her Vought News Network program. That organic cameo from The Boys is followed by another when Dean Cipher (Hamish Linklater) calls both Jordan and Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) into a meeting. 

Dean Cipher lives up to his sinister nature in Gen V Season 2 Episode 4.

Waiting for them is Vought Marketing’s Seth Reed (Malcolm Barrett), who has put a mock-up for a fight between the two, entitled “The Blood Bender versus The Gender Bender.” Dean Cipher explains that due to the controversy Jordan has sparked, this public fight will help the public get some catharsis watching Jordan get beaten up as the two compete for the #1 spot on the rankings.

If they don’t cooperate, both will be sent back to the Elmira Adult Center. The episode starts off relatively strong with a scene that highlights the sinister nature of Cipher and just how far he’ll go to retain control. Having no clue how to avoid the inevitable, Marie suggests asking Cate for help, since her powers to “push” people could allow them to get into Cipher’s office. A reluctant Cate agrees, and she and Jordan make their way for Cipher’s.

This scene between the two is particularly nice, highlighting what has been working this season. After trading jabs, their insults turn into laughs regarding shared memories. Jordan then makes the moment very serious, declaring they don’t know if they’ll ever be able to forgive Cate for her betrayal in season one. 

Gen V Season 2 Episode 4 continues the gross-out humor the franchise is known for.

It’s then that Cate tries to use her powers to get the security guard to let them in. Unfortunately, her powers don’t seem to be functioning correctly as the security guard begins having sex with a nearby guardian gnome. Now there’s the gross-out The Boys humor we all know and love.

Additionally, Maddie Phillips’ vulgar line delivery is hilarious. Either way, they snag the security guard’s keys and make a strange discovery. Dean Cipher has an old man in a hyperbaric chamber behind a locked door. On her side of things, Marie Moreau makes her own discovery training with Dean Cipher. He has her concentrate on moving blood bags, hence the name of the episode, before moving on to live subjects.

Specifically, Cipher brings out a sheep aptly named Elon. As Marie lifts the sheep into the air via its blood, she realizes, upon analyzing Cipher’s blood, that there’s no Compound V in it. In other words, he’s not a Supe, he’s a human. The realization causes Marie to accidentally explode the sheep, yet her critical discovery is already made.

Emma starts to realize she’s an inspiration to her new friends.

On Emma’s side of the story, she’s beginning to bond with her new friends, Harper (Jessica Clement), who has the ability to copy anyone’s powers for a small amount of time, and Ally (Georgie Murphy), who can manipulate her pubic hair. They’re trying to figure out a way to be proper revolutionaries. There’s a sweet dynamic where Emma (Lizze Broadway) begins to realize she’s an inspiration to these girls.

Once again, Gen V Season 2 Episode 4 showcases the huge heart the series retains in its sophomore season. Nevertheless, she recommends that the three find a way to disrupt the fight between Jordan and Marie. However, in the background, Emma is struggling with not knowing how to grow big or small without vomiting. 

The rest of the Guardians of Godolkin agree to Emma’s plan and, with the aid of Harper and Ally, Gen V Season 2 Episode 4 gets a fun sequence where Emma goes through the pipes and ends up rerouted into Dean Cipher’s toilet.

As Dean Cipher sits down to relieve himself, the audience sees his private parts. Emma narrowly avoids disaster as she plants a tiny camera on Dean Cipher’s desk as Cate enters the room. When Emma leaves and reconvenes with Harper and Ally, she realizes that she’s grown big again on her own.

There may be a bit more to Cipher’s humanity than meets the eye.

Back at the fight, Cate reveals to Dean Cipher that she knows about the man in his office. Cipher clarifies that the man is his father. As Cate also reveals she knows he’s human, Cipher laughs, acknowledging what she said, then acknowledging the camera. It seems there’s something a little more to Cipher’s “humanity” than meets the eye, as the fight between Marie and Jordan starts. Marie kisses Jordan, attempting to start the fight, before Jordan starts beating her mercilessly. 

Cipher reveals to Cate that he’s controlling Jordan as a “meat puppet.” This huge reveal is barely processable because, to defend herself, Marie lifts Jordan like a bag. Just as they’re about to pop, Marie lets them plop down on the floor. And that’s all for Gen V Season 2 Episode 4, “Bags.” While not the best superhero show on TV right now, Gen V continues to be fine superhero television. 

The only thing that really hurts Gen V Season 2 Episode 4 is the comparisons to the first season, where every episode felt like a massive development. The slow, character-driven approach, with a caper to capture the audience’s interest, is a fine one for Prime Video’s series. There’s no denying, though, that the wheels are beginning to spin, and it’s time for Gen V to up the ante next episode.

Gen V Season 2 Episode 4 is streaming now on Prime Video.

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