‘The Boys’ Recap: ‘We’ll Keep the Red Flag Flying Here’

6/19/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Antony Starr as Homelander in Episode 403 of ‘The Boys’ – ‘We’ll Keep the Red Flag Flying Here’. (Photo Courtesy of Prime Video.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 403 of ‘The Boys’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

When we last settled in to discuss the incredible new season of the hit Prime Video series, The Boys, we made mention of the fact that the last episode, made sure to offer up some unique and fascinating character moments. Because it is the characters and their journeys that pulled us into the show in the first place and truly, the mark of a great show is that it never loses sight of its roots. Which is why the next episode of the show is of note, because it was a true return to said roots. Since ‘We’ll Keep the Red Flag Flying Here’ was all about the characters and their need to face the consequences of the choices they’ve made throughout the years and face their past in general.

Which brought about a bevy of powerful storylines. The kind that saw Frenchie and Kimiko work to put their painful past to bed. Which for Frenchie meant getting as high as a kite to figure out what the hell to do with Colin and how best to break the news to him, which he… which he failed at… as we sometimes do at solving our problems in the immediate and while Kimiko found catharsis in ripping open the skulls of the very people who harmed her, she too… didn’t get what she needed. For we came to learn she has more secrets about her life, the kind she wanted to keep that way and well, the point of these missteps were likely to point out, that the beginning of solving the complex puzzles of our sordid pasts is always this messy. For it takes baby steps to find confidence to finally put it to rest.

Of course, that duo weren’t the only ones that had to face days gone by. For Annie came to realize that her path to heroism was littered with sorrow and pain. For she and Firecracker had a bit of a showdown in this tale at Vought Tower, since Firecracker and Sage joined the Seven, and well… Annie came to learn that her cruelty ages ago, helped to create Firecracker. For the insults and bullying that Annie imparted upon her, hardened her soul and that left Annie in a deeply thoughtful state. Plus, we also saw Hughie, finally have it out with his mother in a healthy manner. Since he finally asked her why she abandoned the family all those years ago, and the answers he received gave him pause and reminded him… that sometimes there are two sides to a story, and we should take the time to hear it.

Jack Quaid and Laz Alonzo as Hughie Campbell and Mother’s Milk in Episode 403 of ‘The Boys’ – ‘We’ll Keep the Red Flag Flying Here’. (Photo Courtesy of Jasper Savage/Prime Video.)

However, the centerpiece story here regarding the past was handled via Butcher. Who was eager to capture Ryan and turn him into an asset to bring down Homelander. In fact, he was ready to drug him to turn him. But a little quality time with Ryan, free from agenda or nonsense allowed for Billy to bond with who he saw as his boy and have an honest talk about their divide and why it existed, and that let Billy be Billy for once and be honest along the way as he reflected on a life he truly felt was going to end in a hollow nature. Which made for a powerful moment of reflection for Billy, and yet… reflections didn’t end there. Because despite that being the centerpiece story, we even saw the Seven ponder upon the past and what brought them here and speaking of the Seven… the show did still find a way to inject some of the commentary it’s featured this year.

Since there were scenes that featured Trump-like rallies, and rhetoric spewing and the media manipulation that MAGA is known for at the moment. To the point where we even enjoyed a delicious send up of the nonsensical ‘War on Christmas’ the right invented to be angry about something, via snippets of Vought on Ice rehearsals. All of which served to remind us that the circus, and the showmanship, while stupid and annoying, exists to serve a purpose. To frenzy up the marginalized to stand with their noisy leaders regardless of what they want to enact. Which in this story, is a plan that resembles Project 2025, wherein a police state ruled over by Supes can exist. One led by none other than Homelander.

A plan that thankfully, might not survive. In part because there are fractures in the Seven, including Ashley since she no longer knows where her loyalties lie with Sage taking over the company. And of course, A-Train continues to surprise, and the Boys do have evidence now of the plan. Which sets the stage for more big moments and hopefully some solves on how we put an end to MAGA in our world. But while we wait and see, we can celebrate one intimate and powerful episode. One that truly took us on a powerful journey through the pain of these individuals and showcased the work they’re putting in to heal. So that when the day comes when Homelander and his movement is defeated, they can enjoy real peace and all that life has to offer. Until next time.

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