The Boys Season 5 Episode 5: One-Shots
On The Boys Season 5 Episode 5, “One-Shots,” the narrative is broken up into five characters’ perspectives that include Firecracker, Black Noir, Terror, Sister Sage, and Soldier Boy.
On the surface, this mode of storytelling can cover a lot of ground with plot development. However, little to no development occurs.
Instead, characters are having the same conversations that have been established since the season’s beginning. With three episodes left, the plot hasn’t progressed in any monumental ways. It’s becoming apparent that any and all big plot points may be left unresolved until the finale.
There still hasn’t been much advancement regarding Homelander’s quest for ascension and God-like status, which begs the question: Where exactly is this plot line going in terms of defining Homelander as a character?
It’s clear that Homelander’s desire to be untouchable is there to serve as a mockery of his self-righteousness. Yet, beyond the comedic aspect, it’s unclear what The Boys want to achieve.
Shock value and crude humor can only go so far, and it starts to become noticeable when there is a lack of sincerity to further the plot along.
Arguably, the most compelling perspective on “One-Shots” goes to Firecracker. Up until this point, she’s largely been a one-dimensional character whose purpose has been to uplift and serve Homelander.
We’re finally shown Firecracker’s religious origins through her encounter with her past reverend, which elicits a different side to her.
The fact that she’s bare-faced, in normal clothes, and fidgety as opposed to her usual overconfident exterior suggests a level of humility.
It presents an intriguing turmoil within Firecracker as she grapples with her loyalty toward Homelander and her relationship with Jesus.
When Firecracker hears her hometown church got raided, she’s in her dressing room, which reiterates to the audience the persona she has to upkeep through makeup and costume. However, despite being in such a space, she’s not Firecracker at all; rather, she’s presented as just a girl who used to attend church in Daytona, Florida.
There’s a close-up shot where tears pool in her eyes but never quite fall, signifying her need to push down any of her real emotions in favor of maintaining a certain facade around Homelander.
Firecracker’s point of view is seemingly written with more intention because of her imminent death at the hands of Homelander. However, her backstory doesn’t disregard the awful things she’s still done.
In that vein, it’s not really a surprise to watch her go.
It’s rather poetic of Homelander to plunge the side of her head into an eagle statue. The act reflects the power that remains in his hands. No matter the amount of submission or reassurance Firecracker tried to give to him, it was never enough.
As for the other perspectives on “One-Shots,” they are, quite frankly, pointless and offer no real stakes for the remaining episodes.
Why do we spend an unreasonable amount of time viewing the show through Butcher’s dog’s perspective? It isn’t that funny as much as it is weird.
Sure, there are much weirder things on The Boys. But this far into the show’s last season, there’s an expectation that there should be more of a focus on overarching plots than filler segments.
Soldier Boy and Homelander’s little trip to LA adds no new information on the whereabouts of V1. It seems like it’s only there to include Supernatural cameos from Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins.
Once again, shock value shouldn’t be the driving force of developing a sound narrative.
Black Noir’s screen time is similar to Firecracker’s in that we learn more about his character beyond the supe exterior, which is nice in and of itself. However, where will this lead in terms of the character’s fate?
The pacing of the season acts like there are more episodes left than there actually are, and it presents a frustrating narrative where nothing is really accomplished.
There’s still time for The Boys to turn this around, and hopefully, the show will do it soon.
What did you think of this episode of The Boys? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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New episodes of The Boys air Wednesdays on Prime Video.
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Revati Gelda
Revati Gelda is a writer and journalist whose work focuses on the arts and their importance in today’s society. Her reporting has appeared in Hudson Valley Magazine, her alma mater’s newspaper Pipe Dream, where she served as Arts & Culture Editor, and more. Currently, she is an Assistant Poetry Editor for Decolonial Passage, a literary magazine.