The following contains spoilers for the first four episodes of Gen V. The Boys’ latest spin-off series, Gen V, is already being met with widespread acclaim. The series introduced audiences to a new group of supes as they train to become the next generation of heroes at Vought’s Godolkin University. Gen V’s fourth episode was released last Friday, making it an important time to refresh on the new characters’ variety of powers.
As The Boys’ fans will know, ‘supe’ is the term used for people with super-powered abilities. In The Boys’ universe, these powers are often created using Compound V, which is most effective on young people. Compound V cannot determine what superpowers its user would generate, making it seem like a lucky dip. As The Boys’ Diabolical series explored, some superpowers are more useful than others, heightening Compound V’s unpredictability. As a result of this, The Boys’ universe is home to an abundance of weird and wacky superpowers, some of which are showcased in Gen V. With a new cast of supes on our screens, it’s important to know their individual powers.
What Is Marie Moreau’s Power?
Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) is the protagonist of Gen V with an incredibly bizarre superpower. As Gen V’s first episode revealed, Marie was dosed with Compound V as a baby, but interestingly, its effects didn’t surface until she hit puberty.
Marie has the power of hemokinesis, which is the ability to control blood. Initially, it seems as though Marie can only control her own blood, but it’s later apparent that she is also able to manipulate the blood of those around her. In typical fashion of The Boys, this power can be used for both good and evil as Marie is able to weaponize her own blood, using it to kill or harm others. In Gen V’s shocking opening scene, Marie loses control of her newly discovered power, which leads to the protagonist accidentally killing both of her parents.
However, by the time Marie is accepted into Godolkin University, it’s evident that she has gained more control over her power, resulting in it becoming less dangerous. Gen V’s first episode also showed Marie saving a woman’s life by preventing her from dying of blood loss, showcasing the positives of the protagonist’s power. Ultimately, Marie’s blood-controlling powers are a paradox, which are capable of both saving lives and harming others.
Marie’s power has an abundance of possibilities attached to it, making it one of the most memorable powers within The Boys’ universe. It’s clear that Gen V will center around the complexities of Marie’s power and will continue to explore its possibilities.
What Is Emma Meyer's Power?
Emma Meyer (Lizze Broadway) is introduced as Marie’s charismatic roommate at Godolkin University. During her introduction, audiences immediately get to see Marie’s interesting superpower, which is reminiscent of another character in The Boys’ universe. Much like Termite, Emma possesses a miniaturization power, which means that she is able to make herself incredibly tiny. However, to the relief of many, Gen V’s first episode certifies that Emma is a much more likable character than The Boys’ Termite.
Over the years, Emma has learned to exploit the commercial possibilities of her power. As shown in her introduction, Emma runs her own YouTube channel. Going by the name of ‘Little Cricket’, Emma films videos whilst in her miniature form and has a popular online presence. Whilst at Godolkin University, Emma is determined to lose her ‘Little Cricket’ persona and is set on proving that there’s more to her than her popular YouTube channel. However, Emma is immediately recognized by her peers as being the famous ‘Little Cricket’, and it soon becomes clear that the character’s miniaturization power has caused her more harm than good.
Gen V’s first episode reveals that Emma is frequently put down by her peers and is also met with cruel fetishization. Emma is often cast aside by others and her YouTube channel is flooded with hate comments. It is also revealed that Emma has to force herself to vomit in order to shrink herself, conveying the dark layers attached to the character’s power.
What is Andre Anderson’s Power?
Following in his father’s footsteps, Andre Anderson (Chance Perdomo) has the ability to control metal and also has superhuman strength. Audiences are first introduced to Andre in a dramatic chase scene. Whilst running after a fleeing man, Andre is able to trap him between two vehicles, showcasing his magnetic powers. However, like Maria, Gen V demonstrates that there are two sides to Andre’s power. When used irresponsibility, his superpower can cause great harm, as seen in Gen V’s opening episode.
Whilst flirting with a woman in a club, Andre attempts to use his magnetic powers to impress her. However, this party trick goes horrifically wrong when Andre accidentally sends a piece of metal flying into a bystander’s neck. The bystander then falls to the floor, evidently bleeding out. When Andre realizes the harm he has caused, he immediately runs away, obviously hoping to avoid any legal trouble. If Marie didn’t intervene, then the bystander would’ve died of blood loss, showing the potential dangers behind Andre’s powers.
What Is Cate Dunlap’s Power?
Another supe with an impressive power is Cate Dunlap (Maddie Phillips). Cate has the ability to control the mind of anyone she touches. In order to prevent accidentally employing this power, she is forced to wear gloves at all times.
As Gen V explores, Cate often uses these mind-controlling powers for her own advantage, such as gaining access to a club and inflicting revenge on those who have personally wronged her. As the series progresses, it’s clear that Cate also employs her powers for the benefit of others, such as saving her friends in dangerous situations. However, it’s ultimately revealed that Cate’s powers can cause her a lot of pain if they are overused, meaning that she cannot employ her abilities without a toll. Like Andre and Maria, Cate has misused her powers in the past, making it clear that her mind-controlling abilities can have severe and regretful consequences.
What Is Luke Riordan’s Power?
Often referred to as Golden Boy, Luke Riordan (Patrick Schwarzenegger) is able to light his entire body on fire. Like Homelander, Luke also has the powers of flight and superhuman strength. In a comparison to Marvel’s Human Torch, Luke is worshiped as Godolkin University’s prodigy and is destined to join The Seven. Luke is evidently the most popular student at Godolkin University and is seemingly on path to a bright future. However, as Gen V’s first episode progresses, it’s clear that Luke is battling some mysterious inner demons, which leads him to misuse his esteemed powers.
The character’s outburst demonstrates the darker uses of his powers. By setting his own body on fire, Luke is able to incinerate others to death. In his fight scene against Jordan Li, Luke showcases his exceptional strength. He is undefeatable, only brought down by himself, as seen in the first episode’s dramatic finale. His death creates a layered mystery, which is unraveled in the series’ later episodes.
What Is Jordan Li’s Power?
Jordan Li (London Thor & Derek Luh) is capable of changing their gender at will. Jordan’s ability to shift between genders is fascinating but is also incredibly powerful. Interestingly, Jordan’s powers can alternate in sync with the gender shifts. Whilst they are presenting as a female, Jordan can fire energy blasts from their hands, which are overwhelmingly powerful. Whilst they are presenting as a male, Jordan is virtually immune and has superhuman strength, so much so that they even gave Golden Boy a run for his money in the pair’s dramatic fight scene.
Arguably, Jordan has some of the most impressive powers in The Boys’ universe. However, they are frustratingly cast aside by Vought, exposing the company’s multitude of prejudices. Off the screen, Jordan’s character is receiving the recognition they deserve after frequently being dubbed as Gen V’s strongest supe.
Gen V is clearly home to some fascinating powers, which makes for some exciting viewing. Interestingly, many of the new supes’ powers are two-sided and have the possibility of being used for darker purposes. It will be interesting to see how the series explores these new powers in greater detail.
The first four episodes of Gen V are available to stream on Prime Video, with new episodes dropping weekly.
Gen V
Gen V, a spinoff of Prime Video's The Boys, follows the super students of Godolkin University. However, the school is hiding a dark secret, and it's up to freshman Marie Moreau and her friends to bring the truth to light. Gen V maintains the anarchic spirit of The Boys, and is filled with just as much dark humor and gritty, bloody violence.
- Cast
- Jaz Sinclair , Lizze Broadway , Chance Perdomo , Patrick Schwarzenegger , Derek Luh , London Thor , Maddie Phillips
- Seasons
- 1