Life Among The Septics – The episode opens with what appears to be a younger A-Train/Reggie Franklin (Jessie T. Usher) selling crack when Coach Brink (Will Ferrell) shows up to encourage him to return to training. It’s not long before this is revealed as a scene from A-Train’s new biography. Despite the director’s enthusiasm, it becomes clear that A-Train doesn’t share it. Matters only get worse when he’s later approached by Black Noir (Nathan Mitchell), who has become apprehensive about pretending to be Noir.

While Starlight/Annie January (Erin Moriarty) visits with Kiara (Kimberly-Sue Murray) at the Central Hospital, Hughie Campbell Jr. (Jack Quaid) sits with his Hughie Campbell Sr. (Simon Pegg). They both appear to be watching the same Cameron Coleman (Matthew Edison) news reports about the courthouse incident, but Hughie’s situation becomes immensely worse when he learns that his mother, Daphne Campbell (Rosemarie DeWitt) not only works for Vought but has Power of Attorney over Hughie Sr.

Frenchie (Tomer Capone) tries to sneak away from his evening with Colin Hauser (Elliot Knight) but fails. Colin thanks him for saving him at the courthouse but they don’t get very long to discuss things further thanks to a ping on Frenchie’s phone. Elsewhere, Kimiko Miyashiro (Karen Fukuhara) attends a session with her therapist, Katrin Rodreick (Laura de Carteret) that immediately goes bad when her parents become the focus of discussion. It’s not long before she returns to headquarters where the others have just learned of Billy/William Butcher’s (Karl Urban) tumor. Despite Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso) pulling him outside, he tells Butcher that he’s off the team.

Seth Reed (Malcolm Barrett) and Evan Lambert (David Reale) pitch Ryan’s (Cameron Crovetti) brand, ‘Homeboy.’ All those in attendance, including Homelander (Antony Starr) share Seth and Evan’s enthusiasm while Ryan is only slightly interested. Sister Sage (Susan Heyward), also in attendance, wastes little time letting them know that the pitch sucks before laying out her plans. Although there is a slight hesitation, she reminds Homelander that he came to her for help and leaves. After the meeting, Ashley Barrett (Colby Minifie) approaches Sage in the elevator but only ends up insulted due to Sage’s superior intellect. Matters only worsen for her when Kevin Moskowitz/The Deep (Chace Crawford) shows up and asks to be included in Ryan’s first save. Ashley wastes little time pointing out what a bad idea that would be, being that he is still on the bestiality watch list. Sage later reminds The Deep that he is genetically superior to Ashley when they are alone.

Mother’s Milk and Annie eagerly trade theories about what transpired at the courthouse while neither Kimiko nor Hughie appears interested. Hughie does show a spark of interest when Sister Sage is mentioned. That only increases when he learns that Mother’s Milk has already got a tap on her phone, which reveals a meeting scheduled at the Vought Garden Suites & Courtyard Express.

Under the guidance of Koy (John Koyama), Ryan trains with The Deep and Black Noir to make his first save in what appears to be a mock bank heist. During a break, The Deep capitalizes on Sage’s advice about Ashley while Ryan discusses his fears of ‘looking dumb’ with Homelander. As Ryan’s training resumes, Mother’s Milk, Frenchie, and Kimko arrive early at the Vought Suites to stage for Sage’s later meeting. Much to their surprise, Butcher is already on the scene, taking advantage of the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Although there are several minutes of bickering, Butcher and Mother’s Milk decide to attend the ‘Truthcon’ together. It doesn’t take them long to spot Sage which ultimately leads them to the expo’s main attraction, Firecracker (Valorie Curry). After a quick introduction from Splinter (Rob Benedict), Firecracker takes the stage and begins spewing conspiracy theories. Mother’s Milk later sends Frenchie to follow Splinter. This almost goes bad when Kimko follows him and steals his phone after he receives a text from Colin. Despite the bickering, they follow Splinter to the locker room where he has carelessly abandoned his clothes and phone. This not only leads to them learning about a meeting scheduled for later that evening at Deep’s Blue Sea Room but Splinter’s supe ability to duplicate.

While surveilling South Riverwalk Park, Hughie surprises Annie when he says he understands and supports her decision to abandon the Starlight persona but feels that people need a mascot/symbol to believe in. They don’t get much time to debate this due to the sudden arrival of A-Train, Desean (Zayn Maloney), and Khamari Franklin (Isaac Murray). He is right in the middle of cajoling them with tales of heroism when Nathan Franklin (Christian Keyes) shows up to tell his sons that all those saves were staged.

Mother’s Milk and Butcher eavesdrop on Sage’s interaction with Firecracker. After a brief introduction and some bickering, Sage reveals herself as a close ally of Homelander, which changes the entire conversation. Despite Firecrackers’ supe ability being less than impressive, she appears to be rather intellectual herself and Sage appreciates her ability to sell ‘purpose’ to the people. Sage ultimately invites her to the same meeting location and time on Splinter’s phone.

While Butcher and Mother’s Milk take their argument about how to proceed with Sage outside, Kimko causes problems inside the expo at a Shining Light conspiracy booth. Kimko’s dispute doesn’t lead to much more than a shoving match thanks to the quick arrival of Frenchie. Annie and Hughie are surprised to return to the boy’s headquarters to find A-Train waiting on them. They are stunned even further when he gives the footage from the courthouse incident.

Ryan’s staged bank heist goes off without a hitch until Homelander shows up at the finale. His added pressure leads to Ryan killing Koy. Elsewhere, Mother’s Milk, Frenchie, and Kimko learn that the meeting was a trap. Mother’s Milk, Frenchie, and Kimko take quick advantage of Sage’s oversight to leave Firecracker and Splinter alone to deal with them. A shootout ensues and eventually spills over into the adjoining room where a Bat Mitzvah is taking place. Before both sides run out of ammo, Kimiko gets shot in the head. Although she is only temporarily out of the fight, the reprieve gives Firecracker and the duplicating Splinter the advantage. That is until Butcher saves the day. The dispute ends with Firecracker on the run and Splinter dead.

Ryan doesn’t handle his killing of Koy very well but Homelander only makes matters worse by his lackadaisical attitude about human fragility. Frenchie doesn’t handle his relationship problems any better as he ignores Colin’s calls and texts to drink whiskey and snort pills. Despite that, he doesn’t ignore Cherie’s (Jordana Lajoie) video conference and even tells her about spending time with Colin. After Annie uses the footage provided by A-Train to release her followers, she decides to use the Starlight persona again.

The episode ends with Hughie returning to the hospital to confront his mother while Butcher pleads for Mother’s Milk help with saving Ryan. Hughie’s encounter is extremely brief but what he says leaves her in tears. Butcher delivers an endearing speech about how he’s messed up his life and because of the tumor may now only have time to do one last good thing, save Ryan. Mother’s Milk tells him too little, too late but does thank him for his help at the expo.

 

The Boys Review

Not a bad way to build on the momentum from the premier. The high point of the episode for me was the expo. Despite the stereotyping of middle-class white America, I found everything from the booths to the conspiracies intriguing. Despite the depravity of Splinter running a train on himself, I even found that encounter somewhat comical. Although Hughie’s encounter with her mother was obviously a big part and weighed on his mind throughout the episode, I don’t feel like it was an overly dedicated topic.

I also enjoyed the nostalgic feel the episode inspired. It felt like most of the characters were battling past decisions. I didn’t expect Marvin to roll out the red carpet for Butcher, but I didn’t expect him to kick him off the op or refuse to help with Ryan. I’d give the episode a 5.6 out of 10, as I felt it adequately set the stage for what should be a very intriguing next episode.

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