Warning: This review is packed with full spoilers for the initial three episodes of Gen V Season 2. If you prefer to stay spoiler-free, we recommend seeking out the complete season review.
Following the established pattern of The Boys and its spin-off, Gen V Season 2 kicks off on Prime Video with a three-episode premiere. This staggered release format suits the season well, as there’s a noticeable dip in narrative momentum early on. The show seems to backtrack on some of the impactful events from the Season 1 finale, largely returning to its familiar superhero college setting. Despite this, there’s still plenty to enjoy within these first few hours.
The Season 1 finale hinted at a dramatic shift, leaving Marie (Jaz Sinclair), Andre (Chance Perdomo), Jordan (London Thor and Derek Luh), and Emma (Lizze Broadway) imprisoned by Vought, while Sam (Asa Germann) and Cate (Maddie Phillips) were hailed as unlikely heroes after the Godolkin University campus chaos. Season 2’s immediate priority, however, is to reset the chessboard. Almost instantly, Jordan and Emma are freed and sent back to God U. for re-enrollment. Marie, who had already escaped, also finds her way back to the school after a brief detour.
(An embedded video player shows the official Season 2 trailer for Gen V.)
One can’t help but wonder if this return to the established order was truly necessary. While Marie’s brief team-up with Erin Moriarty’s Starlight offers a passable reason for her return, we personally would have loved to see more of her time as a fugitive.
But there’s a shining beacon in these early episodes: the arrival of Hamish Linklater as the new dean, Cipher. After his predecessor’s brutal demise in Season 1, Cipher steps in to usher in a new era for Godolkin U., one where ordinary humans are treated as lesser beings. Both The Boys and Gen V have consistently offered sharp commentary on contemporary politics. Here, Gen V feels almost prophetic, depicting a college dean locking down his campus and promoting a nationalist, pro-supe agenda. It’s a chilling reflection of real-world academic environments grappling with issues of free speech and control.
Cipher himself is an absolute delight to watch. He easily stands out as one of the most compelling villains the franchise has produced, rivaling even Homelander. Linklater brings a captivating blend of charm and overt menace to the role. From the start, it’s clear that Cipher operates with a twisted logic, a trait that becomes terrifyingly evident in a tense scene where he nearly incapacitates Cate. His true background, powers, and ultimate objectives remain shrouded in mystery, promising exciting revelations as Season 2 unfolds.
While the plot might take a moment to find its footing, the main cast’s performances are consistently strong. Lizze Broadway shines as Emma, imbuing her character with both vibrant charisma and deep emotional complexity. Maddie Phillips also deserves significant praise for her portrayal of Cate; despite her character’s actions in Season 1, Phillips manages to maintain our sympathy for Cate in her precarious situation. If this is Cate “winning,” one can only imagine the extent of her struggles if she were to lose. Asa Germann’s Sam is the only one who feels slightly underserved, with less screen time than his co-stars.
(An embedded video player features a review of Gen V Season 2.)
Finally, it’s important to acknowledge how Season 2 addresses the tragic passing of Chance Perdomo. Perdomo passed away in 2024 while en route to filming, which necessitated a re-scripting of Andre’s character. The show’s solution is to reveal that Andre met a heroic end during a prior escape attempt from the Vought facility. This is as thoughtful a resolution as could be hoped for, fitting seamlessly with Andre and his father Polarity’s (Sean Patrick Thomas) ongoing struggle with their powers’ destructive nature.
Andre’s death paves the way for Polarity to take on a more prominent role in Season 2. Polarity, now a grieving father, is driven by a desire for vengeance against God U and its ruthless new dean. Thomas delivers a powerful performance, depicting a father’s profound sorrow, yet still finding moments for unexpected levity as he reluctantly partners with a disoriented Emma for a perilous heist. Their unlikely pairing proves surprisingly effective.
Verdict: Ultimately, Gen V maintains its strong core, but Season 2 experiences a slight narrative hiccup at the start. The finale of Season 1 hinted at significant changes, yet these initial three episodes quickly revert Marie, Emma, and Jordan back to the God U campus. Nevertheless, the series introduces a formidable asset in the utterly captivating Dean Cipher, who easily ranks among The Boys universe’s most compelling villains. While the show may take some time to fully regain its stride, these first three episodes lay a solid groundwork for what promises to be an intriguing season.