#theboys #homelander #atrain #spiderman SUBSCRIBE AND IG: highchd?hl=en TWITCH: / highchd DISCORD: / discord Discussing A-Train's Redemption In The Boys Season 4 The Boys, The Boys Season 4, Homelander, A-Train, Spider-Man
I think his plan is solid. I’m not sure how homelander would counter it. Unless he just chooses to come back on his own. Unless he just decided he wants to die it’s a solid plan.
Its interesting how they made a train and deep mirrors of each other, both started out as assholes and are perceived by everyone to be jokes but a train after his brother chewed him out got tired of hating himself and tries to actually be a hero for once, deep instead is continuing down the road of being essentially homelanders yes man and is even going full malicious with absolutely no point of return
@@LagSammiches That's the thing. He does have people like Nate. It's just the fact that since they're women he doesn't take them serious. Remember that one cult girl. Yeah, she was a little messed up but if the Deep ACTUALLY paid attention to her and what she was saying. He would have been more successful in the long run but he chose to think with his dick. SPOILER, Remember the octopus, I'm not gonna say TOO much since the episode came out. She speaks a lot of sense but the Deep brushes her off only for her to be right at the end. Literally, EVERYONE who is a woman basically tells the Deep. Hey can you stop and listen for a second he's so focused on pleasing the men, That he ignores all the women who actually have good advice. Hell the only time he really listened to the SMARTEST woman(I know it's person but in this context, I'm highlighting gender). The only time he truly listened to Sage was when she was literally brain-dead.
@@LagSammichesThe deep pretends like he wants to change, but when the opportunity presents it's self he always makes the wrong choice. Dude even murdered Ambrosius once it wasn't convenient anymore.
You can tell that young boy's gaze of adoration and wonder really left a deep impression on A-Train. As he said: no cameras, no screaming crowds - just one person witnessing an act of kindness. Something intimate and real.
It reminds me of such moments like Superman saving the suicidal girl in All Star. Or the kid who collects Spider-Man. A-Train had a moment like that. Being a real hero just to save one person. If A-Train dies at the end of the season, perhaps its much like the old adage. You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Or maybe even the opposite?
@@galahad6300 Yeah, I'm hoping it's the latter. Perhaps the writers will 'subvert expectations' and not kill him off. A lot of horrible shit happens in this show; it's nice, just once in a while, to get something wholesome and benevolent. :)
@@Jay_The_Cat I agree with that. If its dark and misery all the time then you become used to it and you always expect the worst. Death stops being impactful. The Boys doesn’t have me scared for the lives of the characters, because i know the show can make them suffer more in other ways (like Robin and Hugh Sr). And it has me more scared about that. And good things happening to them once in a while, thats the kind of stuff that makes it worthwhile. If Starlight got out of Vought, maybe A-Train can do it too. I hope.
Ashley deciding to stay behind means that Homelander's ability to FIND A-Train is limited by what she's willing to share. He kicked out Sage. Homelander's got too much on his plate to just check every nook and cranny.
It was so good that Noir II had to break character in public lol. I loved the scene with him and Ashley afterwards, too. The fact that it was a tragic mirror to the comedic scene between the two earlier, without feeling hokey or forced, was amazing.
The fact A-Train can’t beat Homelander is what makes him heroic this season. If he could beat Homelander than his actions are just what a regular person should do lol
@@OTOBIOhazordYou're 100% right. Drugs have a hell of a way of skewing your world view. "Im not the problem they are" kind of mentality. And when you quit the drugs it changes you alot both physically and mentally more than people realize.
I loved that scene where the kids saw him helping MM. It was a perfect end to A trains "you don't actually save people" arc. Not only did he put his standing in the seven on the line, and did what *he* thought was right; it was also a beautiful way of showing that there is more to saving peoples lives than being praised for it. Edit: damn just saw the new episode I knew I interpreted that correctly
When you think about it A-Train’s Development is similar to Omni-Man, they both were aware of their own Actions and Terrible Deeds but it all took One Love One getting Hurt that it made Them Feel Regret and Opened the Humanity that was Hidden all these Years, While I don’t believe Homelander and Deep can be Redeemed, A-Train has the most Natural Development out of the Seven as he went from a Terrible Man to Someone Who regrets his Actions and is Tired from it, in the End, he’s Becoming Heroic but there’s a Price that he has to Pay, it’s hard to say if A-Train will Survive or Die as depending on the Direction, it’s a 50/50 and even I hated this Character after Season 3 made me have a Small Change of Heart and Season 4 I’m growing to to Love the Character, in the End we just have to keep on Watching.
I disagree on the deep part well idk the first 3 seasons he was arguably one of the most. Non bad out if the 7 sure he did really bad things but he was like one of the only ones to actually have good qualities but after years of being a joke it took a couple forced murders for him to enjoy it because he likes being the one in power for once.
@@Hhjoougg3344 Hold on. Are you saying the man who sexually assaulted a woman on her fist day on the job and threatens to fire her if she dosn't. Is one of the good ones? Did you not watch the show. Dude was always in power especially when it came to women. "In power for once" dude he was always in power he used it to take advantage of those around her. HE EVEN SAID IT HIMSELF. He takes advantage of women to feel powerful
@@sclarinet9088 he was one of the only ones who actually had redeemable qualities yes. I mean atrain has murdered countless people but he’s seen as a hero now
@@Hhjoougg3344 Because he *has* regrets, because he knows what it feels like when someone you love is hurt by a supe. He knows what Hughie feels now, and he knows what it's like to lose the trust of someone you love. A-Train is facing the consequences of his actions and is trying to do better, trying to *be* a better person and *actually* become a hero. The Deep *NEVER* faced any consequences for any of his actions, he never apologized or tried to do right by Annie or anyone else he's hurt and he's still the same person who blackmailed Annie into give him sexual favors. He never had any redeemable qualities to begin with.
The Deep is meant to be a mirror of Hughie. Hughie is a good influence on Butcher, reacts to his trauma with resolution to do better, and has a meaningful relationship with Starlight who The Deep assaulted. The Deep is corrupted by Homelander, uses his traumas as justifications for his selfishness, and doesn't respect any of the people he has relationships with. That's why The Deep will continue to get worse and worse, shown by him convincing Noir to be violent, while Hughie continues his personal growth and remain a positive influence on everyone around him, like with his advice to 'Starlight'. There's loads of other mirroring like this, Butcher amputating a guy's leg for selfish reasons, representing his view of people as tools; whereas, Frenchie amputates Kimiko out of love because he values human life, which is also why he is so overcome with guilt and regret in this season. I expect Butcher's to symbolise him becoming increasingly 'bad', while Frenchie, compounded by finding out Kimiko's muteness, will start accepting and loving himself. Such a dope show 😂
While I in no way want to use this as justification for his actions, The Deep is deeply (pun intended) insecure, due to the fact that he has the gills... he has probably been mocked his whole life for the fact that he looked different, and that can seriously impact on a person's psyche. I feel that it is this insecurity that is causing him to try so hard to hold on to his place in the Seven, no matter what... As for his attitude towards women... this could also be linked, if he found it hard to attract women naturally because they were "put off" by the gills...
Season 4 of the boys is like season 3 of Castlevania. Everything went to shit for the main characters while a previous minor villain got one of the best redemptions of the show. A-Train is this show's Isaac when it comes to redemptions
A-Train in the comics does not get a redemption arc and comic a-train is nothing like show a-train. He still killed hughie's girlfriend, but he also does a lot of even worse things. You know how starlight in the show was SA'd by the deep? Well in the comics, she was SA'd by Homelander, Black Noir and A-train at the same time. He tries assaulting her again later on, but starlight blinds him. And then later billy has him tied up and when hughie finds him, after he vents his frustrations, hughie straight up kick his head off of his shoulders.
10:47 I agree that A-Train obviously couldnt Solo Homelander but he wouldn't get No deff'd etheir. Homelander isn't even fast combat wise and doesn't have fast reaction time so him physically hitting A-Train is out of the question. If the two actually got into a fight A-Train would prob wear himself out letting Homelander get a lucky heat vision shot.
As far as I'm concerned, he doesn't have to win. He just has to SOMEHOW do better than soldier boy or Maeve. Especially if it's a "his last stand" type of thing. Let A-train go out letting homelander know he underestimated the wrong one.
A Train would only have a chance to win if it was a team fight vs Homelander like the first episode of Invincible vs Omniman. Kimiko and Starlight could hold HL's attention and Butcher could hand him a nice titanium crowbar to bash HL with.
I don’t recall ever Hating A-Train the way you described. Thanks to certain events, it was apparent early on that he was a malleable character, not a set in stone fucker. The herogasm episode is incredible. The amount of satisfaction with seeing A-Train changing was great. There was so much buildup to that.
Bro. I’m GLAD the show FINALLY made “A-Train” likable. It took 4 goddamn seasons. For him to properly Die a horrible death on the last episode. Probably. “Jessie T Usher” played that character phenomenally
Honestly he was so interesting for me because he kept doing bad and good things either for himself or his brother like when he was hurt and other stuff, even though I was scared of him relapsing throughout the seasons 3-4 but now I am satisfied
Not trying to compare and contrast, but the redemption arc with A-Train Damn near reminds me of Zuko, who by far has the best redemption arc in the world. Talk about a change of heart. So far, A train redemption is the best thing for The Boys season 4.
Was kinda hoping the kid would tell all of his friends and then a news segment would say that A train saved MMs life and then A train would be on the run Cementing that no good deed goes unpunished
a-train had my vote once he apologized to hughie at herogasm. that’s when you could see he was truly sorry because his brother had gotten hurt so he understood
I think the secret might be in the most overlooked character of the season: Sage. We're told Sage is the smartest person in the world but we're not really seeing it. Maybe there's a reason for that. I think Sage has had a hand in everything that's happened this season because she had a plan right from the beginning. She invented a cure for fucking cancer! Her long game is that virus. She's the one person that can make that thing kill Homelander without killing her or the other supes. And now that she's out she can do just that. But I don't think that'll pay off until season 5. As for this season, I think she was protecting A-Train for a reason and not the one she gave Homelander. And as of right now Homelander is completely alone. No Sage. No A-Train. Can't rely on The Deep or Black Noir 2, and is starting to think Firecracker it just another dunce. He now sees Neuman as a rival after she upstaged him at Tek Knight's party. Even Ryan disappointed him on live TV. Who's he got left? Stan Edgar? Or maybe, just maybe, he goes back to family: Soldier Boy.
it started with A train, it needs to end with him to make it feel emotionally impactful. Maybe not his death but is powers. His weakness and addiction to his powers started all this, so him willingly sacrificing his powers would bring it full circle imo. Let's say he gets the courage to return and has to run so super fast in order save the gang or even Ashley in some way, Flash levels fast, but he ends up burning up the Compound V in his blood. His final scene could be with him simply walking and pushing his brother along, with his nephews looking up at him cheekily, maybe even tease him getting them back like Xmen 3 XD
I honestly thought the best character this season was Atrain. I was feeling his redemption plot hard and seeing that little boy smile at him when saving MM brought a legit tear to me eye
From the start of the show all the way into season 3, there was no way I’d have ever thought I’d like A-Train, even if he did shape up. But man, I was like FUCK YEA! A-Train, my man! This show is so good and it’s impressive how consistently good it is through the seasons, at least imo. Can’t wait for season 5
You know i just watched a video with damn near the same title so when i scrolled down & saw yours i was like i dont need to watch this.....im glad i clicked though. Geeat vid! Subscribed
A-train definitely doesn't beat homelander, but I think it would be more like cecil vs omni man than a onesided murder, he would literally just have to run around him as a distraction before dipping
If A-Train ends up dying savinf the boys ir fighting Homelander i think it would be cool in the ending they could show a statue built of A-Train with ones of the other 7 or Homelander being taken down. The actual hero who would give his life would truly be remembered
I know people feel A-Train dying would make sense as a cap off to his development. I kinda feel like now they should let A-Train live and have him be an actual hero. Of course Maeve as well.
If a virus can’t kill Homelander, a speedy guy can’t kill Homelander! I love you covered his arc bc it’s been the best part of this season for me! Happy to see it!
I recall someone positing the theory that he didn't actually rat out Super Sonic. Homelander picked up their conversation but made it look like he did to sow discord amongst those who sought to overthrow him.
I feel like the narrative online is that s4 isn't very good except for Homelander, but this highlights there are still lots of strengths in this season.
I love A-Train and his arc this season. My only gripe is that he didn’t push harder for Ashley to come with him when he bailed. She hasn’t been of sound mind this entire season, and she’s really not in a state where she can be trusted to make good decisions. I am curious to see what the Compound V did to her though.
Would be cool if he officially becomes part of the Boys (sadly, to be killed off by a “Kessler-Possessed” Butcher. I have a feeling before Butcher dies, and not before Homelander’s defeat eventually, the Joe Kessler he’s seeing finally takes hold of him and like in the comics he kills off other supes using more of the virus and even goes after the boys to get rid of “loose ends” and in the long run, Hughie ends up killing him like in the comics but not before Butcher comes to from Kessler’s grasp)
After the last episode when he officially turned on the seven, i said other than maybe hughie that atrain has the best character arc in the entire show.. and I think that works so well because of how both their arcs started together at the same time. Hughie became more ruthless and confident and a train gained sympathy and compassion
The way it becomes a masterpiece is if he confronts his family as they kinda off screened it right now. Also he cant have run away from america if he actually cared.
Excellent analysis. I agree. A train is changing, bit by bit, the right way. The way anyone would. I feel that A trains redemption though, will ultimately lead to his death. But his will be a heros death. And I think with the way THE BOYS do it. It's gonna happen when we don't expect it, and not how we expect it. But if we scroll back 5 to 10 episodes, they're gonna drop clues.
I don't know if Homelander is anywhere near as fast as A-Train could potentially be. The issue is that A-Train has a brother who has a family and he knows that if worse comes to worst Vought/The 7 would murder his family. So he'd never try it. I also think it's the fact that Homelander has been "lil bro-ing"/sonning A-Train since Day 1, so Homelander has +10 intimidation over A-Train. But more than once the show kind of points to A-Train being faster than Homelander in speed and in reaction time. The fact that he could get Hughie out of that building with Homelander almost RIGHT on Hughie's tail shows how fast he is. So in a fight, A-Train will have the speed advantage over Homelander by a sizable margin... But it won't be enough, lol.
@HighCHD A Train FINALLY showed guts toward Homelander (Even though, if follow science, any speedster SHOULD be MORE powerful than any Superman type)...........hopefully, the latter doesn't finish him off!
I came here to see your take on A-train, but now I can't help but wonder, can you play the spider-verse version of Miles in the spider-man game you have running in the background?
Choosing to hold onto anger and resentment isn't meant to be looked up to. Forgiveness is about giving your heart peace. I can't fathom how people don't understand that.
9:50 Hearing a black guy say "Jefferson Davis was a hero" is pretty wild since the only one I know about is the one who was not at all a hero to black people.
I'd go even further. A-Train's arc is the only competently written arc in the show. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end that seems bitter, yet is sweet. If you examine every character except A-Train, you'll find that they all more or less behave exactly as they did at the end of S1. I say the 'end' of S1 because S1 is the only real season that had progression for characters that stuck for the rest of the show, as S1 was the building block. Huey, Butcher, Starlight, etc.. Are all slightly 'better,' or at least certainly very different, people by the end of S1. They remain this way for the next 3 seasons, always replaying the same story. Huey/Starlight is the same story for 3 years, just told with 3 different plot-devices. Frenchie/Kimiko is the most obvious example of this- 3 seasons of IV-drip-feeding facets of their terrible pasts, except no one gives a fuck because we already know that Frenchie was an assassin and Kimiko was a child soldier. We know. We get it. Stop telling the same story for 3 years without any plot resolutions whatsoever- it's worse than saturday morning cartoons from our childhood, because even those had plot resolutions before the credits rolled. A-Train starts as a money-grubbing sycophantic asshole who is stuck on his speed gimmick and is obsessed with his mortality. He's a drug addict- but he's addicted to the spectacle, the V is just the means of staying on the stage that he's addicted to. He kills with accidental impunity. He kills to cover up his crimes- but, importantly, he feels terrible about it. It's why he tries to pin his girlfriend's death on Huey- a classic coping mechanism. When someone from A-Train's hood gets Suped to death, he immediately empathizes with Huey and begins to recognize the terrible things he's done. As you mention, A-Train is 'rewarded' As S2-3 goes on, we witness as A-Train is the only superhero to take the critique's from friends and family with grace and humility. He agrees with people when they call him a liar and a fraud. Slowly, but surely, he becomes a better human being after his heart surgery. He does several bonified acts of altruism which fundamentally change how the character behaves in later episodes. A-Train at the end of S4 is a fundamentally different man than he was at the end of S1, and we've watched it happen. Almost every other character in the show, we've just witnessed them go through situation after situation, but they behave the exact same. It's almost as if the writers decided that A Train is the main character- because every other person in The Boys feels so. Fucking. Static.
I kinda hope he got away but I feel like he's gonna come back for a self sacrifice. They did his story well. He (and now Firecracker) are two of the most controversial yet most redeemable characters. Surface level triggers all the prejudice and hate but allow the characters room to grow and change.
