Gen V Season 2 review: A bloody good return to God U, campus power play and secrets!

Eric Kripke’s Gen V season 2 premieres with a promising three episodes, holding up to the gory, fantastical storyline with hard hints of social commentary.

One thing about the Boys universe is the fun that the creators have with giving us a satirical version of the superhero world, which is not just well-written content but also social commentary on the real world. While most spin-offs of a popular series struggle to live up to the original, Gen V manages to hit the bullseye. Staying true to everything you would expect from this universe, season 2 looks promising. From continuing to link it to The Boys to addressing the loss of one of their lead actors, the season manages to captivate without feeling crass.

Gen V Season 2 picks up from its first season and the finale of season four of The Boys, where the original Guardians of Godolkin, Jordan, Emma, and Marie return from Elmira, the institute where they were held. While the three are still seeking reasons for their return, they uncover a new secret that could either help them tackle everything wrong with the university, Vought, and those involved, or become the cause of their harm.

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If you look at it, Gen V is like every college drama that you have seen. There are the cool kids that everyone looks forward to being friends with, the weird guys, the social media influencers, the accidental hero, mental health issues, frat parties and everything in between. What makes it stand out is how most of them are superheroes, who, if and when given a chance, can stir things up and take their college mischiefs to another level. Fights that end up in either the dorm rooms literally collapsing or in blood are just another Thursday. The pacing of the show felt slow, but the intensity of the fights and tension of what's to come made up for it. While the season follows the life of these young supes and their college life melodrama, you realise what you are in for right off the bat when you get a glimpse of Thomas Godolkin's lab experiments that end up as the most graphic, diabolical fail. As the V melts someone's face, burns one into flames and literal tentacles stick out of another guy's butt, fans of the show immediately feel right at home. 

Season 2 of Gen V consistently maintains its satirical edge, addressing real and often controversial issues through a humorous yet accurate depiction. For instance, it includes a class for influencers that teaches superheroes how to market themselves online, led by a conservative teacher who argues that 'feminism has killed America.' The show also portrays the dismantling of the college’s diversity and equity centre to make way for a hero optimisation class. This gladiator-style class is designed to prepare heroes to combat a bigger threat, echoing the "humans vs supes" narrative mentioned in The Boys. The series also illustrates how humans occupy smaller roles on campus while facing bullying and objectification, highlighting the perception of superheroes as superior beings. This portrayal serves as a commentary on the class structure of the world, emphasising how those in power maintain their dominance while pushing down those with less power. Not to forget the PR lead casually misgendering Jordan as trans, even after they corrected her of being a bigender, and her ignoring it as 'it all being the same' couldn't be any less real.

A significant portion of the season focuses on uncovering the reasons behind the ‘safe’ return of every original Guardian of Godolkin, especially in a world dominated by Vought, where vigilance is crucial. This season incorporates elements of manipulation, mystery, and jump scares, primarily expressed through instances of full-frontal nudity and inappropriate sexual references that have made this anti-superhero universe a favourite among fans. Although we don’t see the lab torture the characters endured, their trauma and subsequent distrust of anyone from the university effectively convey the intensity of their experiences. Jordan (London Thor and Derek Luh) and Marie (Jaz Sinclair), the college sweethearts we have been rooting for since season one, are back together, providing a glimmer of hope in this chaotic world. Emma (Lizze Broadway) is a charming addition to the group; despite her struggles with controlling her powers and dealing with the trauma from being tortured in the lab, she manages to inspire confidence in those around her. She is ready to take action and motivate others to respond to the challenges facing them.

The first three episodes introduce some significant cameos, including Erin Moriarty’s Starlight and Chace Crawford's Deep, reminding us of how everything is interconnected within this universe. Starlight's appearance feels like a preview of what to expect in the next season of The Boys, adding to our curiosity about how Project Odessa will unfold. Meanwhile, Deep's cameo adds the random comic relief we always anticipate from his character. Apart from this, the show also focuses on the need for forgiveness, loss and bonding. Addressing the loss of Chance Perdomo by incorporating his death as part of the show, we get to see every character trying to come to terms with the loss. 

With its mix of blood-soaked chaos, biting satire, and heartfelt character arcs, Gen V Season 2 proves it’s more than just a spin-off; it’s a bold, entertaining, and necessary extension of The Boys universe. We can't wait to see how the season unfolds, new secrets that could maybe help bring down Vought, and ultimately Homelander.

Gen V Season 2 is now streaming on Prime Video