The Boys is a show that I have a lot of love for, although I have semi-recently thought that the series should consider calling it quits after season 4, lest it overstay its welcome and become stale. That being said, I was interested in seeing its spin-off Gen V purely because it would allow us a look at a different aspect of this world: supes in college. This concept allows for a lot of opportunity for unique storylines, a wildly different cast of characters, and a far less cynical look at this universe. However, this is weaker than any season of The Boys. It is not bad by any stretch of the imagination, but Gen V just does not work as well as The Boys does. 

Many of this show’s story decisions felt like they existed solely for the purpose of shock value. The Boys is also somewhat guilty of doing things for shock value, but I found the characters in The Boys far more engaging throughout. A lot of the characters in Gen V don’t really feel overly defined beyond “Oh, my best friend has died” or “Oh, my boyfriend has died”. They’re too archetypal to be compelling at the moment. Not all of the characters are that simplistic, though, and I will admit that a second season could very easily alleviate some of these problems. Jaz Sinclair is a solid lead and she does a decent job as Marie. That being said, Marie, like almost every character on this show, did not feel like fully fleshed out. I use the word “almost” because Lizze Broadway as Emma is the clear standout in this show. She brings a genuine earnestness and likability to the role that few other cast members do and is the only consistently great part of the show. The other characters are all okay, but generally forgettable. 

The direction throughout the show’s 8 episodes are on par with a standard episode of The Boys. The show is shot and put together quite well, and I presume it’s because the people behind the scenes have been doing this for a few years now. The visual effects have actually improved upon some of The Boys’s earlier ropey effects and look fairly seamless. The practical effects are also as good as expected, although it has all been done before. Giant versions of genitals and the like may have been interesting and shocking the first time, but it’s kind of old hat now.  

On that note, the show’s biggest weakness is its uninspired writing. There are some decent ideas at play, but the way each one is executed just feels too generic to be interesting. Despite its killer concept, this show just isn’t all that unique. There are some moments that are meant to be outwardly shocking with some impressive props and sets built, but I can’t help but feel underwhelmed by it all. I’ve already seen everything this show tries to do in a better film or show, and I’m a bit tuckered out of series like this desperately trying to shock me. These kinds of shows work best when it’s focusing on the characters, but as previously mentioned, Gen V’s cast of characters aren’t nearly as engaging as that of The Boys. 

Overall, Gen V’s first season is a decent season of TV, but I do hope The Boys as a franchise draws to a close before it becomes something that just spins its wheels without any creativity.

7.5/10