The series is based on a comic book by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, but the main draw of my interest (besides a few recommendations from friends) was the creator behind the TV adaptation: Eric Kripke, the maker of Supernatural. Both shows feature just the right blend of embracing their genres warmly and not being too precious or sacred about them. The Boys has the advantage of not being produced for broadcast television, and hoo boy does it lean into that.
The story posits that with great power comes great entitlement, and that if you're capable of doing anything, you pretty much will. You quickly learn when watching The Boys that in any given scenario, the worst thing you can possibly imagine is exactly what's going to happen -- assuming your imagination can venture into places as dark and dangerous as that of the writers. Black comedy and wickedly over-the-top violence get free reign.
But while a lot of The Boys is played for laughs (for those with a dark sense of humor), it also takes the underlying emotions very seriously. Characters in the show are victims of sexual assault, on quests to avenge the deaths of loved ones, and tormented by the erosion of their own idealism -- and their responses to all of these are played genuinely, despite the fantastical setting. It's a rare blend, and really not for everybody... but for many, it will be an engaging mix.
The cast is excellent. Karl Urban (who should always have a television show whenever he wants one, and who sadly has had a few thanks to cancellations) gives great brood as Billy Butcher, dry but charismatic, tortured but not all dark. Elizabeth Shue gets her best role in too long as Madelyn Stillwell, scheming vice president of the company that manages the "supes," taking charge of nearly every scene she's in. Jack Quaid (son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan) is a likeable lead as Hughie Campbell, drawn into circumstances that change him irrevocably. Erin Moriarty delivers a perfect blend of naivete and nobility as Annie, pretty much the one hero trying to truly be the stereotype. Those are just some of the highlights of a very large group of regular and recurring stars that's well cast all the way down.
It's by no means a perfect show. There are so many characters that some of the subplots can get lost (while others never quite grab you in the first place). But there's a lot more good than bad here, and I'll be interested to see if the second season (coming soon) can keep things rolling. I give The Boys a B+.
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