Homelander is struggling with a plummeting public image while Starlight is promoted to co-captain of The Seven by CEO Stan Edgar to rehabilitate the company’s reputation. Key Plot Developments
Queen Maeve secretly meets Butcher to provide him with V-24 , a temporary Compound V that grants superpowers for 24 hours. She directs him to investigate the legendary 1980s team Payback , led by the supposedly deceased Soldier Boy , believing a weapon used to "kill" him could also defeat Homelander. The Boys 3x1[supervideo tv]
The episode concludes with a major twist when Hughie witnesses Victoria Neuman murder an old friend named Tony in an alley using her "head-popping" powers. This shatters Hughie's belief that he is working for the "good guys" and sets the stage for a return to vigilante justice. Production and Reception Homelander is struggling with a plummeting public image