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It's been almost two years since we saw Ashley inject herself with Compound V, and it's safe to say fans have been desperate to find out what superpowers the substance gave her. Well, now we finally know, thanks to the first episode of The Boys season 5.
Spoilers to follow! If you've not yet watched The Boys season 5, episode 1, turn back now.
As revealed in 'Fifteen Inches of Sheer Dynamite', Ashley has the ability to read minds. A handy skill, really, when you're the vice president of the United States. We get the update during a scene set at the White House, where Ashley (Colby Minifie) is holding a press conference about the unearthed video of Homelander threatening – and dooming – the passengers of Flight 37.
"Tough day. Sad day, when a great American like Homelander is attacked with lies," she begins, as she condemns "Marxist Starlighters" for putting out a "deepfake" clip.
She then opens the floor up to questions, but immediately interrupts an inquisitive journalist (actual MS NOW political commentator Chris Hayes) to say, "Look, Chris, I know exactly what you're thinking. Literally," as she points to her noggin. "And, no, just because I happen to be a super-abled American does not compromise my objectivity or allegiance to the U. S. of A. That is exactly the kind of Super-phobic question that kept me in the closet for so long. Honestly, do better?"
With her being confirmed as a telepath, we can't help but see the new tongue-in-cheek meaning behind her dramatic hair loss across season 4 – especially given the other X-Men references in the premiere. Professor X is famously bald as a side effect of his psionic powers, and while it was explained in the previous chapter that Ashley was pulling her red locks out due to extreme stress, her now having the same look as the wheelchair-bound mutant is undeniably a teasing nod to Marvel. (That said, a shock reveal in episode 2 suggests she has more in common with Harry Potter's Voldemort than Charles Xavier).
On a serious note, though, Professor X is considered one of the most formidable X-Men due to his clairvoyance, so we're wondering what ramifications will emerge from Ashley possessing the same type power going forward. Will she be able to figure out Starlight and Billy Butcher's virus-based plans?
There's a chance Ashley could have more abilities that have yet to be revealed, too, with fans convinced she'll have some sort of defensive power given her anxious nature. "I know it has to be humiliating, and I know it has to be disgusting," Minifie speculated of the powers back in 2024. "Those are the two requirements in the world of The Boys. She pops her arm up and her armpit hair grows really fast and lassos people?" she wondered aloud in an interview with TV Guide. "I was thinking something hair-related would be really funny because of her baldness. But that might be too on the nose."
We'll just have to wait and see.
The Boys rolls out new episodes every Wednesday. Ensure you never miss any of the action with our guide to The Boys season 5 release schedule. If superheroes ain't your bag, check out our picks of the best shows on Amazon Prime for some watchlist inspiration.
