The latest episode of The Boys, appropriately titled "Dirty Business," aired on Independence Day and is packed with jaw-dropping moments, cringe-worthy antics, and some heavy-handed satire that only The Boys can deliver.
Let's talk about this episode in great detail, shall we?
SPOILER WARNING - Please continue to read at your own risk.
The Boys season 4 episode 6 recap and review - "Dirty Business"
The episode kicks off with Vice President-elect Victoria Neumann (Claudia Doumit) laying down some harsh truths (or at least her version of them) at a right-wing fundraiser. She's got the audacity to declare that democracy is nothing but a comforting illusion and that corporations like Apple, Exxon, and Berkshire Hathaway are the real puppet masters. Yikes! Her pitch to the wealthy elite? Back her up in overthrowing President-elect Robert Singer (Jim Beaver), and they can operate without pesky laws. It's a coup, The Boys-style, with Homelander (Antony Starr) cheerleading the movement, aiming to rid America of what he dubs the "woke mob." Deep breaths, folks, deep breaths.
Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid) is back, and boy, does he get more than he bargained for. Still grieving his father's death, Hughie decides to infiltrate the fundraiser as Web Weaver. What follows is a series of events that are... probably better left unseen. Hughie gets roped into a wild sex game orchestrated by Tek Knight (Derek Wilson) and Ashley (Colby Minifie). Let's just say, sitting on a chocolate cake and farting on command is the least of his worries. Hughie’s ordeal is a mix of hilarious and heartbreaking, especially considering he had just scattered his dad's ashes earlier in the day. When Ashley goes full dom and starts licking his feet, Hughie is visibly struggling, and I was very visibly cringing and fighting to keep my eyes on the screen because so awkward. I won't lie, I was pretty concerned about Hughie's mental health during this whole ordeal. He handles this so much better than I ever could have. By the end of the night, he breaks down in front of Annie (Erin Moriarty), confessing he’s far from okay. It's a rare, tender moment in the midst of chaos, and it definitely makes us sympathize with Hughie even more.
Annie and Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) aren't sitting this one out. They locate Tek Knight's secret lair (thanks to a book titled 100 Days of Sodom - how fitting!) and confront him. The fight scene with Sage and Firecracker (Valorie Curry) is action-packed, but the real kicker is how they get Tek Knight to spill the beans. No physical torture here, folks. Instead, they hit him where it hurts: his wallet. Here, entertainment mimics reality as they force him to donate millions to Black Lives Matter and the Innocence Project, and it does the trick. They learn about Homelander and Sage's sinister plans to set up internment camps.
Is it me or is The Boys basically telling us what could be in store after the Presidential Election this year?
Meanwhile, Homelander's fetishes resurface in a bizarrely familiar way. Firecracker offers him her breast milk, reminiscent of Madelyn Stillwell (Elizabeth Shue). Watching him indulge in this twisted delight is both disturbing and a reminder of his deep-seated mommy issues.
Sage's (Susan Heyward) super brain takes a hit when MM (Laz Alonso) shoots her in the head, and this seems like it'll take a much longer time for Sage to recover from that brain injury. She’s one of the more interesting new characters and, quite honestly, my favorite character in this season. Much to my dislike, Firecracker steps up to fill the void, proving her loyalty to Homelander in the creepiest way possible. Tek Knight meets his end at the hands of his butler, adding another layer of dark humor to this episode’s body count.
Last seen surrendering to the cops for his past crimes, Frenchie (Tomer Capone) is missing in action, leaving Kimiko to handle things solo. Butcher (Karl Urban) realizes Joe Kessler (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is a figment of his imagination, driven by guilt from a mission gone wrong years ago. A-Train (Jessie T. Usher) speeds off to Canada to avoid Homelander's wrath and call MM, adding some humor as he navigates through conservative jokes about race.
"Dirty Business" is a wild ride that balances outrageous NSFW scenes with deep political satire. It’s an episode that’s sure to leave you cringing, laughing, and pondering the state of the world, all at once. Whether you’re here for the dark humor, the biting commentary, or the sheer audacity of it all, The Boys continues to push boundaries in ways no other show dares.
Until next Thursday, keep your chocolate cakes away from Hughie, and remember: in the world of The Boys, nothing is off-limits!