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The latest episode of The Boys sees the hunt for V-One continue as Homelander tries to solidate his power. However, the cracks in his inner circle are beginning to show as even the most loyal seem to be doubting his divine right to rule.
The Boys season 5, episode 5, 'One-Shots' tells its story through shifting narratives that reveal more about Firecracker, Sister Sage, Black Noir, and, uh, Terror the dog… However, don't be distracted by some highly disturbing pooch dreams, when the episode enters its third act, it builds up to being one of the bloodiest sequences we've seen yet.
Article continues belowThe Boys season 5, episode 5 'One-Shots' recap
The episode starts out with the launch of the Democratic Church of America, with Firecracker sharing the good news that it's already starting to gel with congregants. Homelander even gets his own bible (written by AI of course), but it soon starts feeling a bit close to home for Firecracker. She gets a call from her hometown reverend who tells her that they're haemorrhaging constituents to the new church.
It all leads Firecracker to have something of a crisis of faith, which is a dangerous place to be in a sea of Vought traitors. She then learns that her hometown church has been raided by Praying Mantis, leading her to blame the church for Starlightering activity on her Truthbomb show. It's a particularly painful watch to see her destroying her hometown connection to stay loyal to Homelander. We hope it pays off…
The narrative then switches to Black Noir, or method actor Justin, who's got a side gig acting in a Bee Gees play. He's using acting to work through his feelings about The Deep's betrayal claiming that he gave Stan Edgar to Homelander. He has Oh Father on his podcast with The Deep, suggesting that he goes on stage and gets healed by Homelander for Easter. It all seems to be looking up for the actor before The Deep murders his play director, (Rise of the Seven's Adam Bourke), and blackmails him to stay quiet.
Perhaps the weirdest perspective of the episode comes from Billy Butcher's dog Terror. After having an interesting dream about Homelander, he watches the goings on at The Boys HQ as Butcher and Mother's Milk try to locate Bombsight. Terror eats Frenchie's discarded chocolate souffle, leading to a surprisingly domestic moment where Hughie helps him throw up and get the poison out. Butcher says he'll give V-One to Annie and Kimiko to keep them safe in thanks as Terror goes back to pining for Homelander.
After a few weeks of stewing on the sidelines, Sister Sage's plans also start to emerge in the new episode. She brings Ashley (and Bashley) in for a drink to get information about what Homelander is planning to do with the V-One. She's also keen to know whether Soldier Boy is warming up to his son at all as this will interfere with her plans.
Sage and Ashley have a heart-to-heart about their tough childhoods before she opens up about what Phase Two of her mission is. Apparently, it's about setting "the end of the world" in motion as she wants the Supe virus out, leading to World War Supe. Her plan during all of it? Sitting it out in her bunker while everyone (including Homelander) is destroyed. Then, she says, she'll be free to read her books in peace. Bit extreme, if you ask us.
Soldier Boy and Homelander decide to join forces to interrogate Stan Edgar and try to find the V-One. When they threaten his daughter, he sends them to Los Angeles to meet with Mister Marathon, who used to be part of the Seven before he was replaced with A-Train. Now a washed-up actor, he has a group of stars hiding out in his home, including Seth Rogan and Kumail Nanjiani who are discussing who in the industry has been rounded up so far.
Meanwhile, when Mister Marathon is asked about V-One, he confirms that Bombsight has it and tells them to wait it out at his mansion. They end up in his collecting room which features lots of teases for Vought Rising (more Clara Vought hints too). However, it's quickly revealed that Marathon has another plan to take down Homelander as Malchemical gases him. The pair try to get Soldier Boy on board but he's warmed to his son, affectionately calling him his "fucking asexual weirdo". Bloodshed ensues as Soldier Boy kills Malchemical and several of the Hollywood cameos, tricking Marathon into offing the rest.
He then corners Mister Marathon to see if he's telling the truth about Bombisight as Homelander comes to. They kill him and then Soldier Boy says he's ending things with Firecracker, but not before mentioning her pillow talk questioning her faith in the leader of the Seven. Uh oh.
The episode ends with Homelander confronting Firecracker about her conflict. "You don't believe in me," he tells her, forcing her to leave the tower. She tries to convince him to let her stay, but he ends up killing her instead by shoving her head into an eagle statue. At least it's a patriotic end for the Supe.
The Boys season 5, episode 5 Easter eggs and cameos
Praying Mantis – This Supe is mentioned as being behind several church attacks, including Firecracker's hometown parish. We've yet to meet this Supe but it feels like the mention could be setting up a future cameo.
Adam Bourke – The Dawn of the Seven director is back once again. This time he's directing Black Noir's play about the Bee Gees before he meets an untimely end at the tentacles of The Deep. He gets a few shots off before he bites the dust though, saying Paul Rudd is "not who you think he is" and airing his jealousy for Andor creator Tony Gilroy.
The Legend – The Vought insider gets a quick reference during Mother Milk and Billy Butcher's search for Bombsight. The previous informant for The Boys is thought to make a comeback at some point this season so it seems like this is setting up his return.
Supernatural reunion – After Jensen Ackles joined The Boys back in season 3, we've been waiting for a full Supernatural reunion. We finally got it in episode five with Jared Padalecki's Mister Marathon and Misha Collins' Malchemical all meeting on screen again. As Stan Edgar says, it really is "a delightful reunion".
Movie posters – There are a whole bunch of movie poster nods too, which recognise the actors' Supernatural pasts. These include one of Mr Marathon Vampyre Hunter and Ghost Runner 2, which has the apt tagline, "Supernatural speedster".
Sony Pictures TV – There's another inside joke during this section as Sony Pictures TV is labeled as "where washed up Supes go to die". Alongside Amazon Studios, Sony Pictures TV is one of the producers of the show.
Hollywood cameos – There are a whole bunch of cameos at Mister Marathon's house with Kumail Nanjiani, Seth Rogan, Will Forte, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and later Craig Robinson all playing themselves. Rogan has been a producer on The Boys since the start and has made several cameos over the seasons too.
More Stormfront – Mr Marathon's basement is a room full of set-up for the upcoming spin-off Vought Rising. Included in his collection is a picture of Clara Vought, which Soldier Boy looks at. There's definitely some history there…
Who dies in The Boys season 5, episode 5?
There are a fair few casualties in episode 5.
- Adam Bourke – killed by an eel controlled by The Deep
- Malchemical – strangled by Soldier Boy
- Kumail Nanjiani, Seth Rogan, Will Forte, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Craig Robinson – obliterated by Mister Marathon
- Mister Marathon – squashed by Homelander
- Firecracker – impaled by Homelander
Which Supes appear in The Boys season 5, episode 5?
- Homelander
- Firecracker
- Oh Father
- Sister Sage
- Praying Mantis (mentioned)
- Billy Butcher
- The Deep
- Black Noir
- Kimiko
- Starlight
- Ashley (Bashley)
- Mister Marathon
- Malchemical
- Bombsight (mentioned)
Looking to get up to speed on The Boys season 5? Check out our recaps so far:
- The Boys season 5, episode 1 recap
- The Boys season 5, episode 2 recap
- The Boys season 5, episode 3 recap
- The Boys season 5, episode 4 recap
For more, check out our picks for the best shows on Prime Video and the best movies on Prime Video.
