Things just got a little crazier and better in episode 4 of Gen V. Note – better only for fans who appreciate gory action shows like “The Boys”. Although the plot and characters were initially scattered in the first three episodes, the show is now beginning to find greater cohesion and intensity.
Read – Gen V Episodes 1, 2, 3 Review for plot overview
Titled “The Whole Truth”, the episode begins with a brief recap of the story so far – protagonist Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) and her college friends are leading their own investigation into the suicide of Golden Boy, who was near invincible superhero until he killed his professor and fried himself to death. The youngsters discover a top secret facility called “The Woods”, where Golden Boy’s younger brother Sam is confined against his will. Andre (Chance Perdomo) seeks out Emma’s (Lizze Broadway) help to infiltrate the place as she can shrink in size and their plain goes awfully wrong.
Episode 4 picks up the story from where Emma’s blood-laden debacle in ‘The Woods’, and also introduces a new character called Tek Knight (Derek Wilson), a superhero who hosts an investigative documentary series called ‘The Whole Truth’. Tek comes to Godolkin University with his camera crew with the agenda of pinning the blame of Golden Boy’s shocking demise on a scapegoat. Who will he choose? One of Golden Boy’s friends? The shape-shifting Jordan Li (London Thor/Derek Luh) who desperately wants to be number one? The girlfriend Cate Dunlap (Maddie Phillips) who’s already found a new lover? Or new girl Marie Moreau, who stands to benefit the most from his death. Tek Knight’s character serves as a powerful metaphor for ‘Vought International,’ the corrupt corporate company responsible for manufacturing superheroes and turning them into profit-driven puppets.
Tightly paced, with lots of blood and insane scenes that are on par with some of the wackiest moments from its parent show “The Boys,” Gen V episode 4 is completely entertaining. I will be nice and repeat my warning from the older reviews – avoid eating while watching this show, unless violently bizarre or gross scenes do not ruin your appetite. The special effects in the violent sequences are engaging. Furthermore, there’s so much happening that viewers barely have time to take in the cinematographic details, which is a testament to excellent camera work.
While the entire first season of ‘Gen V’ consists of eight episodes, episode 4 serves as a great midpoint for the plot thus far, featuring significant developments in the friendships and relationship dynamics among the primary characters. After initially opting to keep a low profile and remain a loner, Marie Moreau begins to recognize the value of human bonds and makes it her mission to discover Emma’s whereabouts, following her dispatch to ‘The Woods’ by Andre. Asa German’s character, Sam, has been on the sidelines up to this point, but he stands out in this edition as viewers gain more insight into his disturbed personality, his superpowers, and the toll the secret facility has taken on him. Are the friends making the right choice by attempting to rescue him? We’ll need to watch the remaining episodes to find out.
You can stream ‘Gen V’ on Amazon Prime Video.
Read Next: Reptile Review – Moody, Slow, and Spooky
Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Echoes Prequel’s Gothic Grit (Audio version below)