The Boys: 5 Ways Season 2 Is Better Than Season 1 (& 5 Ways Season 1 Is Best)

Season 2 of The Boys has concluded, and there is so much to process since the intense finale from season 1. Season 2 gave us a new villain, shocking deaths, and complicated character arcs. While several aspects of season 2 worked to buildup the finale and set up the show’s third season, other elements of season 2 do not compare to the content and quality of season 1.

As a show that took a different approach to the superhero genre, season 2 continued the conflict between good versus evil. Just like its first season, we saw so-called superheroes bring havoc into society. Powerless characters like Butcher and Hughie try to stop members of The Seven from hurting anyone else. Though season 2 is only just the beginning of it all and with a season 3 renewed, viewers can take a look back at what has been seen so far throughout the show and how season 2 fares against season 1.

10 Season 2 Is Better: Female Supes Are Badasses

Season 2 showed that female superheroes can fight and that too not sparing anyone. We saw superheroes like Starlight and Maeve getting more action and even making decisions that seem unusual.

Of course, the battle between the female superheroes and Stormfront takes the cake on how exciting it was to see the sheer visual of girl power. While doing so, it was the boys that watched from a distance and realized that women have the guts and strength to fight.

9 Season 1 Is Best: Jaw-Dropping Cliffhanger

Season 1 had clear intentions on the expectations of season 2. Not only was the focus on The Boys taking down The Seven but also the complications of Supe-Terrorist that would make it harder to convince the public to stop Vought. Also, the cliffhanger regarding Maddy Stillwell and Becca’s whereabouts set the direction for season 2.

Even though the season 2 finale did leave some surprises, it does not compare to the cliffhanger set by the season 1 finale. The season 2 finale felt as if everything was resolved, with each member of The Boys going their direction. Even with the reveal about Victoria Neuman, it still leaves questions about the expectations of season 3.

8 Season 2 Is Better: A Diabolical New Villain

Despite slight changes to the character, nevertheless, Stormfront followed a similar story and background to that of the comic version. This following of the comics meant that Stormfront was going to be ruthless from the start.

To also give Kripke some credit, Stormfront’s arc was created to manipulate the system by using social media to appear as a progressive influencer. Her motives are sneaky when Stormfront comes off as a feminist, which hides her identity as a nasty and brutal Nazi. She was a challenge that The Boys faced in exposing her true intentions.

7 Season 1 Is Best: The Story & Pacing Is Consistent

Season 2 had a problem with pacing, which also impacted the consistency of the season’s story. Even though this was the buildup to the finale, fans cannot deny that some episodes felt underwhelming. Also, some of the subplots contributed little to the season. These subplots include The Deep going to the Church of Collective and Black Noir hunting down The Boys.

As for season 1, the pacing and tone always felt consistent. It focused on the arcs of the main characters and maintained a balance of comedy and seriousness with the story. Also, season 1 was always about stopping The Seven and avenging those that The Boys loved. Each episode of season 1 never felt less important and contributed to the main storyline of the show.

6 Season 2 Is Better: Telling The Backstory Of Supporting Characters

While season 1 focused on the arcs of Butcher, Homelander, Hughie, and Starlight, season 2 decided to center on character arcs of multiple supporting characters, such as Frenchie and Queen Maeve.

By doing so, viewers now have a different perspective on these supporting characters, which only makes them even more sympathetic and humane. While some of the subplots for these supporting characters could have worked better, others like Queen Maeve had their stories properly written and changed their motives later in the season.

5 Season 1 Is Best: Hughie Had More Action

When Hughie joined The Boys in season 1, he appeared as one of the central characters of the show. The Boys were even formed, following the death of his girlfriend by A-Train. Robin’s death led Hughie on his vendetta against him and The Seven.

Unfortunately, Hughie seemed to be taking a side seat and contributed little to the team. Coming from the fact that Hughie had killed Translucent in season 1, Hughie was letting everyone else do the work while he spent time with his girlfriend and occasionally argued with Butcher. Even when season 2 tried to establish a complicated relationship between Hughie and Butcher, that story seemed to have ended by episode 5 and contributed little towards the season finale.

4 Season 2 Is Better: Surprisingly Making Some Supes Sympathetic

Surprisingly, season two not only gave us more backstory of The Seven members, but their stories left viewers somewhat sympathetic. During the early parts of season two, some of the Supes like Queen Maeve and The Deep have their arcs written to reveal their darkest hidden secrets that impacted them emotionally and psychologically.

Then there is A-Train, who decided to help The Boys to take down Stormfront and comeback in The Seven. Most of all, when the supes learned about the origins of their power, just seeing a Black Noir cry in the corner broke our hearts. Also, the show briefly introduced Lamplighter, who was a former The Seven member. He was haunted by his actions of accidentally killing children, which also left him psychologically scarred.

3 Season 1 Is Best: It Was Funnier

One of the great things about The Boys is the cheekiness of the jokes, particularly by our favorite British vigilante, Billy Butcher. However, for this season, the comedy toned down a notch. Even if The Deep had his story written to balance out the humor, it was not consistent nor contributing throughout the whole season.

Since the show’s beginning, The Boys balanced the crime-fighting action with the comedic gestures by the characters. Specifically, the scene with the dolphin was the funniest thing throughout the show and one that even fans will not ever forget. Even some of the most cringe moments from season 1 had some of us laughing for a while.

2 Season 2 Is Better: A Mind-Blowing Finale

The season 2 finale, “What I Know,” might be the best episode so far seen in The Boys. Considering so much was at stake leading up to the finale, fans were in for a treat. It was an episode exceeding our expectations, and honestly, blowing our minds literally.

We got the girls versus Stormfront fight, Stormfront’s secret exposed, and The Boys at least halted Vought from expanding their empire with Compound V. The season finale also had some of the biggest shocks and saddest moments. These moments included the death of Becca and the revelation of Victoria Neuman.

1 Season 1 Is Best: Homelander’s Arc

As the Superman of the series, Homelander’s story was consistent in season 1, where his intentions were clear about stopping The Boys, controlling over Vought, and having some “mommy” problems. Not only was his arc well-written, but it also contributed to the main story in season 1.

Though Homelander was still one of the focal characters in season 2, his story arc seemed all over the place compared to his character arc in season 1. During the beginning of season 2, Homelander was having issues with his ego and trying to move past the death of Maddy Stillwell. However, the execution of his story arc was not well-developed as it quickly transitioned to his relationship with Stormfront and that of his son, Ryan.

About The Author

Fariba Rezwan
(165 Articles Published)

Based in South Florida, Fariba Rezwan is a list writer for CBR and Screen Rant. Though working on her graduate degree at the University of Florida, her science education does not take away her love of movies and TV shows. She is a huge geek and considers herself a huge fan of many fandoms, including Star Wars, Marvel, Game of Thrones, Supernatural, and many more. Expect to see her watch movies on the first day they come out. While she will watch any film, she especially likes superheroes, mysteries, sci-fi, and thrillers. However, since she is in her early 20s, she also takes the time to educate herself about cinema by watching classics and well-received films. While she aspires to become a physician one day, she also hopes to try out screenwriting during her spare time.

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