The Boys Review: The Bloody Doors Off (Season 2 Episode 6)
With only two episodes left on The Boys‘ second season, the satirical drama is quite aware of the little time remaining, not only airing a high-stakes hour of television but providing the emotional development as well — not just for the focal relationships of the show, but between The Boys as a whole with Frenchie’s admission.
On The Boys Season 2 Episode 6, “The Bloody Doors Off,” Stormfront’s goals and intentions are also further revealed, and with her blatant use of the word “race,” The Boys once again reminds us that Stormfront doesn’t fall far from the Nazi tree.
Also, is Ashley still looking for Starlight?
Stormfront finally divulges her true motives, or does she? The news of Stormfront’s century-long life isn’t news, and neither is the less-than-subtle racism that she hints at throughout the season.
Even as she admits that Homelander is the man to lead the battle (which isn’t much of a battle if she successfully is able to create Supes in adulthood), The Boys still produces mystery as the audience is led to wonder if this is her true motive.
Racist-fueled world domination, however, isn’t easy. Hell, look at what happened to the Nazis. With a highly polarized modern world, the only way to achieve her goals is through force; although, is Homelander really the best option? Or is he the perfect option to mould him into the mold that Stormfront needs?
Regardless, Stormfront is a fun bad buy, and the entertainment level of Homelander coping with his own insecurities in the context of a romantic relationship is sky-high.
Homelander devolving is interesting enough, but Antony Starr is talented as ever, from him pacing and staring at the flowers he gets for Stormfront, to him burning down his trailer. Stormfront has made him putty in her hands.
But Homelander isn’t the only Supe with relationship drama. Queen Maeve has her fair share of troubles in corporate paradise, as well. Even though she’s worked to free her and Elena from the grips of Homelander and Vought, it seems to all be for naught as Elena discovers Maeve’s complacency when Homelander allowed a plane of civilians die.
It does bring up the question about where the line should lay and how important personal preservation should matter in these types of decisions.
Maeve’s story is tragic, however, with the way she’s jerked around by Homelander and Vought and her sexuality and relationship used as ammunition. In the end, it may not even be worth it, seeing that Elena may be exposed and separate from her in the end.
Meanwhile, emotions run high among The Boys — Lamplighter’s appearance triggers negative emotions among everybody, but especially Frenchie, who holds himself responsible for the death of Mallory’s children.
Frenchie keeps much of his life a secret from The Boys which has resulted with much more tension than necessary, but this episode goes far to try to mend Frenchie’s relationships, even with himself.
Because while the truth coming to the service allows The Boys to sympathize with Frenchie and perhaps forgive him for what happened to their leader’s family, Frenchie has also lost family that day.
The person who needs to forgive him more than anyone is Frenchie himself. He is an incredibly caring man whose immense loyalty gives him a decision he would never be able to swallow easily. This is even if Mallory’s family did not get murdered by Lamplight.
Add in the fact that Frenchie loses Jay, and his story really is tragic.
Frenchie shows growth as he comes to terms with what happened and how he constantly tries to make up for it, especially when it comes to Kimiko. Which is, honestly, something that more people need to realize.
The dramatization of this inclination can’t be more obvious than when it’s said about a Supe.
Kimiko has been hurt before, but she does have incredible physical prowess. If Frenchie feels like he has to protect her, then what’s to be said about normal women who don’t need saving even as it’s perceived on the behalf of gigantic egos or internal traumas?
Kimiko is strong, even in the face of her brother’s loss, and it’s nice to see Frenchie finally provide what she needs.
Tomer Capon is a stand-out performer this week as The Boys dives deeper into his tragic story. Here’s to hoping there’s more to delve into and Frenchie doesn’t end up on the death-watch. After all, The Boys hasn’t gotten rid of any of its Boys yet, and hopefully it won’t start anytime soon.
Annie and Billy are also on the path to forgiveness, but not nearly as far or as quickly as Frenchie and Kimiko have managed on “The Bloody Doors Off.”
Annie struggles, especially when she unintentionally kills a father to commandeer a vehicle to save Hughie. Annie truly remains as a medium between all parties — not quite as adverse as Hughie is, but still with more strict morals than the characters that make up The Seven and The Boys.
However, it’s the softness and relationship she shares with Hughie that makes concessions from Butcher possible, despite the chemical that runs through her veins.
Even so, maybe it’s that softness that also never allows Butcher to take a step forward, as his connection to Hughie (probably thanks to the likeness of his deceased brother) inspires some type of jealousy.
After all, much of this episode seems like the beginning of some sort of weird love triangle between the three. It’s obviously not, but the vibes are there.
Still, having Annie and Butcher bond over Hughie’s weird quirks in the hospital is a highlight scene, providing the much-needed warmth on a show that uses violence and gore gratuitously to make its thematic points.
These types of stories don’t work without finding the moments of joy in between, giving our heroes something to drive them forward and fight for, even when it seems like there’s no escaping the monster that is Vought.
What did you think of this episode of The Boys? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Boys airs Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.
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Amanda Reimer
In addition to working as a freelance writer, Amanda also works with animals and stage manages various live performances. She has an invested interest in the perspective and experience of fandoms as well as anything in the science-fiction genre. She also loves spoiling her cats, Drummer and Kiki.