Homelander (Antony Starr) in ‘The Boys’ season 5, episode 6
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Can Homelander be killed?
The dramatic ending of The Boys season five, episode six, “Though the Heavens Fall,” implies that Homelander (Antony Starr) has become unstoppable.
However, that fateful injection might turn out to be a terrible decision.
Warning—Spoilers Ahead
‘The Boys’ Season 5, Episode 6, Explained
The Boys is heating up as it inches towards the much-anticipated series finale, the question of how to kill Homelander hanging over the entire show, dramatically accelerating after he injects himself with V-One.
Much to the shock of Sister Sage (Susan Heyward), Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles) simply hands over the substance to Homelander, concluding that that’s what Stormfront would have wanted.
The immortality elixir could have some negative side-effects on the world’s most powerful superhero, but I wouldn’t bet on it—Homelander tends to get what he wants, and more.
The brief moment where Soldier Boy hands over the vial to Homelander is surprisingly revealing, possibly hinting at what’s to come.
Despite all the terrible things Homelander has done (and will do), Soldier Boy’s love for Stormfront triumphs over logic. For a split-second, Homelander appears teary, perhaps haunted by the knowledge that he will never know that kind of love.
Then, Homelander injects the V-One, and with a dramatic laser blast, appears to ascend into a demigod.
So, what’s going to happen now?
Did The V-One Make Homelander Invincible?
While the V-One injection only promises immortality, not invulnerability, the series has already shown us a glaring weakness in the formula, with Bombsight’s immortality extracted out of his body by Soldier Boy’s radioactive blast.
Fans theorize that Homelander is likely to have his immortality removed during the finale, some even speculating that Soldier Boy is planning to betray him. That twist might be a little too obvious, and seems to clash with the fate of Homelander.
Given Homelander’s skyrocketing trajectory throughout the series, the V-One seems likely to empower him beyond his wildest dreams. Homelander’s story is unfolding as a classic parable—“be careful what you wish for.”
Homelander is a modern-day King Midas, the man with the golden touch, cursed with an unstoppable winning streak that will eventually spell his doom.
Fans are expecting Homelander to die in the series finale, but it might be more interesting (and thematically appropriate) if Homelander is the last man standing.
The dynamic between Bombsight (Mason Dye) and Golden Geisha (Naoko Mori) could be a clue—The Boys might be squeezing in some content for an upcoming prequel spin-off, but their story hints at something deeper.
Geisha viewed immortality as a curse, understanding that youth means nothing without old age and death. As she puts it, “summer is only beautiful when you know winter is coming.”
Homelander seeks an eternal summer, and it’s likely going to burn him.
What If Homelander Wins?
Despite his blatant egotism, Homelander has managed to greatly expand his power and authority, but he has eroded his humanity in the process.
It’s no coincidence that the peak of Homelander’s superpowers came after his lowest moment—episode three of season five saw Homelander beat his son Ryan (Cameron Crovetti) to a bloody pulp, in response to Ryan’s failed assassination attempt.
Homelander might be a shameless narcissist, but he has some love for Ryan, in a sick, twisted way.
It’s not a fatherly love, exactly, but Homelander appears to view Ryan as an extension of himself and his legacy, wanting his son to have a better childhood than he did.
His affection for Ryan is vital to whatever trace of humanity still remains in Homelander, and their relationship already seems sabotaged beyond repair.
However, Ryan still has a role to play in the final two episodes, and it’s likely that Homelander’s fate will be directly tied to his son’s.
Now that he’s immortal, Homelander no longer needs an heir. If Homelander chooses himself over Ryan, that moment will likely complete his transformation into a monster.
The ultimate punishment for a hollow narcissist like Homelander might be a complete, total victory, in which he is the last superhero standing, and there is nothing left to conquer.
Without a superpowered rival, Homelander can never be killed, and would eventually understand that immortality really is a curse.
Given enough time, Homelander could even outlive the entire human race, leaving him alone on an empty, dying planet.
Winning the battle against the boys might be the bittersweet victory Homelander truly deserves.