(Image Source: Prime Video)
The series finale of The Boys copied a key scene from the end of the very comics that inspired the show. This was unexpected given the Prime Video series went out of its way to try and tell its own story, and the lift proved to be a mistake.
The series finale of The Boys, “Blood and Bone,” found Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) finally getting his revenge on Homelander. However, this fails to give him the closure he hoped for following the death of his beloved wife, Becca. This, coupled with the rejection of Becca’s son, Ryan, and the death of his dog, Terror, sends Butcher over the edge.
Butcher then elects to release the superhuman-killing virus his team had developed, setting up a final confrontation between Butcher and Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid). The two meet in The Seven’s headquarters in Vought Tower, with Hughie ultimately killing Butcher.
(Image Source: Dynamite Entertainment / Darick Robertson)
This twist was taken directly from the ending of the The Boys comic book by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. In the penultimate story arc, “The Bloody Doors Off,” Butcher plots a genocide of every superhuman on Earth. He ultimately dies after goading the idealistic Hughie into stabbing him to death.
There are some minor changes, such as the comics’ Butcher’s plan involving superhuman-seeking missiles rather than a plague. Also, the final confrontation takes place in Vought Tower rather than the Empire State Building, with Hughie shooting Butcher rather than stabbing him. Even so, this sticks far closer to the original comics than The Boys’ show has in some time.
(Image Source: Prime Video)
Why The Boys following the comics finale was a mistake
Some fans of The Boys comics have complained about the departures the show took from its source material. However, others appreciated that the showrunners were attempting to create something new and true to the spirit of the comics which could be enjoyed by fans and newcomers alike. It is debatable how well they ultimately succeeded. However, given that intent, it seems odd that they would suddenly try to mimic or homage the comics directly in the final chapter.
Beyond that, the confrontation between Hughie and Butcher makes little sense within the context of the show. In the comics, Hughie was forced to confront Butcher alone, as he had already killed the rest of The Boys. Here, Hughie figures out Butcher’s plan, but apparently heads off to face him alone without telling the rest of the still-living team.
(Image Source: Prime Video)
The show does try to address this point, with Butcher telling Hughie he should have brought an army. While it could be argued Hughie thought he had a better chance of talking sense into Butcher alone, this apparently wasn’t a consideration. Hughie freely admits to wishing he had brought an army after Butcher shoots down the assertion that he would have already released the virus if he were really going to do it. In any case, trying to shoehorn this fight from the comics into the Boys show did not work.
