The Boys Season 5 Episode 6 Review: Though the Heavens Fall

The Boys Season 5 Episode 6, “Though the Heavens Fall,” is a strong episode in terms of plot progression and allows its characters to have honest conversations. However, it still manages to fall short of being satisfying and continues to leave us with more questions than answers. 

A strength of the episode lies in how it deals with the idea of eternity — a key element to understanding the nature of V1. 

Through the character Golden Geisha, we’re introduced to Vought Villages — a retirement home for supes. This presents an intriguing notion that, despite their powers, supes do in fact age, which suggests their inevitable plateau into a low-profile existence.

Only now that we’re more than halfway through the season does Bombsight make an appearance. This allows for the major arc of the season to move forward, albeit slowly. 

Bombsight’s history with Golden Geisha reveals that his motivations to steal the remaining V1 were for her. However, she didn’t want to choose the path of immortality.

Through Golden Geisha’s decision, the show depicts the nuance amongst supes and how their powers are not the sole thing which defines them. 

Even though we’re not privy to the extent of Bombsight and Golden Geisha’s relationship, their struggles mirror Kimiko and Frenchie’s relationship, one we are familiar with.

On “Though the Heavens Fall,” Kimiko and Frenchie have the most honest discussion they’ve had all season, which puts into perspective where the fate of this couple may lie. 

Kimiko and Frenchie are not new to being vulnerable with one another, but up until this point, that element of their relationship has been lacking this season.

Now, we finally see a bit of it shine through in the writing, and it acts as a reprieve from their constant bantering and bickering. 

Another refreshing development is Sage’s switch-up on Homelander. 

Sage is a hyper-independent character, and ultimately, she will do whatever is in her best interest. 

Sage’s dynamic with The Boys allows the show to pivot from what was a pretty one-note arc for her and turn it into something more intriguing now that she’s attempting to bring Homelander down.

Unfortunately, Soldier Boy and Homelander’s relationship continues to be a glaring weak spot on The Boys.

It’s unclear why Soldier Boy constantly meanders back and forth between undermining Homelander and being there for him. 

What are his motivations? Why is he so unpredictable when it comes to making decisions that involve Homelander? None of these questions has truly been answered, and with only two episodes left, it’s concerning that they’ll remain unknown. 

Without a doubt, blood is a driving force on The Boys, and it gets a whole new meaning by the end of “Though the Heavens Fall” when Soldier Boy takes away Bombsight’s powers. 

The blood that immediately appears on Bombsight’s upper right shoulder is a mark of his return to mortality and his immediate understanding that he won’t have to live alone forever now that he has a second chance with Golden Geisha. 

When we think of blood on The Boys, it’s almost always associated with death, but in this case, it serves as the undeniable proof of a return to human life.

In a not-so-shocking turn of events, the end of the episode is a testament to Soldier Boy’s somewhat nonchalant attitude toward Homelander as he hands over the V1 like it’s nothing. 

There’s a close-up shot which lingers on the exchange of the needle between both of their hands, and it reflects the stark contrast between the simplicity of the entire handoff versus the amount of power Homelander now possesses.

How will The Boys defeat Homelander now that he’s seemingly unstoppable? 

It looks like The Boys is heading toward a direction where Homelander may come out undefeated, and if that’s the case, it’s surely not going to be a satisfactory conclusion.

Stray Thoughts

• Why is there such an emphasis on Soldier Boy and Homelander’s shared love for Clara this far into the season? It seems like it comes out of nowhere. 
• Noir’s death is sad mainly because it’s so underwhelming. 
• How is The Deep still alive? It’s unlikely that he’s going to play a significant role in the remaining episodes, so why keep him around? 
• The show needs to let Starlight win a fight. How is Oh Father so easily able to knock her around?  

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New episodes of The Boys air Wednesdays on Prime Video.

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