This article contains discussions of suicide.
Summary
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Gen V
proved to be unpredictable, with twists and turns that changed each character’s perception and dynamics throughout the season. - The show explores the divide between supes and humans, leading to some perceptive moments, as well as some darkly comedic lines.
- Memorable quotes reflect the characters’ growth and struggles, showcasing the complexity of their journeys and the moral dilemmas they face.
The Boys’ Gen V spinoff had high expectations to live up to, but the Amazon series managed to knock it out of the park — and deliver some memorable quotes to boot. Gen V follows a group of college-aged supes as they begin to uncover corruption at Godolkin University. As Marie Moreau and her friends peel back the layers of conspiracy, the tension between supes who want peace and those who hate humans grows. In typical The Boys fashion, this leads to some pretty dark and perceptive moments, as well as a number of comical ones.
Gen V proves itself a worthy addition to The Boys universe because it’s consistently unpredictable. The many twists and turns throughout Gen V season 1 alter the characters’ perceptions and dynamics from episode to episode. Throughout the first outing, there are quite a few memorable one-liners that crop up. Some highlight the moral complexities of The Boys universe, while others serve as welcome comic relief amid all the chaos.
10 “Shades Of Gray Don’t Sell Like Black And White, Do They?”
Season 1, Episode 3 – “#ThinkBrink”
After Golden Boy commits suicide, the ongoing narrative pushed by Godolkin University is that he was having a mental breakdown right before. Cate tells Marie that Luke wasn’t the person the media is making him out to be, emphasizing his positive qualities. Her statement offers a perceptive commentary on the media, as it often does fall into extremes. Her anger also foreshadows her own involvement in Luke’s death, as it’s later revealed that she’s the one who wiped his memories of Sam and the Woods. Her guilt shines through as she sees the aftermath, but this line also shows Cate’s more empathetic side despite her later becoming Gen V‘s villain.
9 “Use Your Gift For Good, No Matter How Hard It Gets. Because You’re The Only One Who Can Keep Your Friends Safe.”
Season 1, Episode 5 – “Welcome to the Monster Club”
Indira Shetty tells Cate this during Gen V episode 5, when Cate expresses doubts about lying to her friends. This line is an attempt to comfort Cate, but it also highlights how manipulative Shetty actually is. While it’s true that she genuinely cares about Cate — and even views her as family — the comment about keeping the other students “safe” comes off as a veiled threat. The implication is that Cate’s friends will be harmed if they continue seeking the truth about the Woods. Shetty is also stroking Cate’s ego so that she’ll cave to her demands, though this eventually backfires and contributes to Cate’s dark turn at the end of Gen V season 1.
8 “I Just Wanted To Be A Hero, Someone My Sister Could Be Proud Of. But I Don’t Give A S*** Anymore. I Just Want To Be A Good Person.”
Season 1, Episode 8, “Guardians of Godolkin”
Marie says this to Cate to try to talk her down after Ashley orders Marie to kill Cate. While she wants to stop Cate, she also wants to appeal to Cate’s humanity. Still, the words are clearly spoken from the heart, and they highlight how much Marie changes over the course of Gen V season 1. After seeing the upsides and downsides of being a well-known superhero, Marie realizes her training is only making her a puppet for Vought. This isn’t what she wants; she just wishes to do right by other people. Marie’s Gen V story mirrors Starlight’s journey in this way.
7 “I’ve Never Changed, Dad. I’ve Always Just Been Me.”
Season 1, Episode 3 – “#ThinkBrink”
In Gen V episode 3, Jordan Li tries to explain to their parents that they are not a boy and accept that, hoping their dad will too. Jordan reminds their parents that they’re the same as they’ve always been, saying, “I’m just the kid addicted to their PlayStation, who goes to Olive Garden just for the breadsticks, who binges Property Brothers. I’ve never changed, Dad. I’ve always just been me.” This emphasizes the fact that a person’s gender isn’t what makes them who they are. It’s one of the sadder Gen V quotes, as Jordan doesn’t get through to their parents. However, it’s also among the most powerful lines.
6 “Your Parents Shot You Up With A Dangerous Drug When You Were A Baby To Make A Buck Off You… Don’t Spend A F****** Minute Crying Over Them.”
Season 1, Episode 3 – “#ThinkBrink”
During the Think Brink Foundation Gala’s charity event, Cate tells Marie not to feel sorry about what happened to her parents since they were the ones who were trying to exploit her to begin with. Cate says this because she has a bad history with her own parents and knows they are responsible for burdening her with powers. While it sets up Cate and Marie’s blossoming friendship, it also offers a glimpse of Cate’s contempt for humans, which grows stronger as Gen V season 1 continues.
5 “Whenever Either One Of Us Does Something On Their Own, S*** Gets Screwed Up Big-Time. But I Know We Do Some Amazing S*** Together.”
Season 1, Episode 8 – “Guardians of Godolkin”
When Cate begins her rampage alongside the supes from the Woods, Andre tries to reason with her, saying that they can accomplish so much when they’re on the same side. Unfortunately, Cate is past the point of no return despite the strong connection the two Gen V characters have. This line reflects well on Andre’s character because, despite seeing the darker parts of Cate, he also sees the good in her. Plus, he’s correct: together, he and Cate manage to expose Godolkin’s secrets. Their potential is wasted as enemies, making her turn to the dark side that much more tragic.
4 “Sometimes, People Don’t Have An Angle. Sometimes, They’re Just Actual Human Beings.”
Season 1, Episode 4 – “The Whole Truth”
When Jordan questions why Marie gives them credit for what happened with Luke, Marie lets her know that people don’t always have an ulterior motive; sometimes, they just do things out of the goodness of their hearts. This strikes a chord with Jordan, allowing them to see Marie in a new light, as the two have a combative relationship up until that point. Jordan also hasn’t gotten unconditional support before, so this feeling draws them to Marie. This moment is ultimately what flips their relationship from rivalry to mutual attraction. It also seems to change Jordan’s approach to being a hero.
3 “You Would Do Anything For Everyone To Like You. You’re Not A Hero.”
Season 1, Episode 8 – “Guardians of Godolkin”
When Sam joins Cate in her rampage against non-supes, Emma attempts to calm him down and appeal to his humanity. In response, Sam delivers a powerful monologue about how he’s suffered a lot more than she has. He then makes a perceptive statement about Emma: that she’s not trying to be a hero because of selfless goals. This line stings because it speaks to the loneliness Emma fights throughout Gen V season 1. She tries so hard to make everyone, including Sam, like her. To be called out by someone she shares a genuine connection with is rough, but it will likely help Emma grow in Gen V season 2.
2 “You’re Not Here To Study. The School Is Here To Study You. You’re Subjects, Not Humans.”
Season 1, Episode 7 – “Sick”
In Shetty’s final moments, Cate forces her to tell the others about Godolkin’s true purpose. She reveals that the university is a front to study superheroes in the hopes of controlling them. This line demonstrates Vought’s corruption and how it’s perpetuated by Godolkin University. It also highlights that characters like Shetty are no better than Homelander. Even if Shetty’s hatred of supes is understandable, her actions suggest supes don’t deserve the same empathy, compassion, and right to life as ordinary humans. This mirrors Homelander’s position, which posits that supes are the superior race.
1 “What Kind Of Animal Are You? Do You Like Attacking Your Own Kind?”
Season 1, Episode 8 – “Guardians of Godolkin”
As the students of Godolkin University fight one another on campus, Homelander makes a surprise cameo — and his response isn’t all that surprising. He addresses Marie as though she’s responsible for the attack, dropping this line to emphasize his disagreement. It’s clear Homelander puts the well-being of supes above anything else, and it’s no surprise that he manipulates the situation to make Cate and Sam the heroes. This line proves that Homelander is vying for supes to have power over other humans, and that theme will likely carry over from Gen V into The Boys season 4.
Gen V is streaming on Prime Video.
