Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Gen V episodes 1-6.
With all the powerful characters introduced in The Boys, the show’s protagonists have faced many dangerous foes — but Gen V might have introduced the titular group’s biggest threat yet. Homelander may be the main unstoppable force the series has focused on, but with Vought International’s shady intentions, there are other useful assets to the organization. Butcher, Hughie, and the rest of The Boys’ priority is to take down Homelander and expose Vought. However, those aren’t the only antagonists they’ve dealt with. Stormfront and Soldier Boy have thrown obstacles the group’s way, and one Gen V character could do the same, becoming Vought’s secret weapon.
While Gen V introduces supes who genuinely want to help save people, the darker intentions of Godolkin University reveal how carefully controlled its students are. It comes as no surprise that the likes of A-Train and The Deep are Godolkin graduates, as Vought controls them in much the same way Godolkin influences its students. Gen V’s Godolkin University has the same intention of trying to manipulate students into being the perfect heroes — not in terms of their actions, but instead their image. Even if these students have good intentions, one could be a future threat to The Boys.
How Cate Could Be The Boys’ Greatest Challenge Yet
Cate Dunlap’s power could make her The Boys’ most difficult challenge yet. Gen V episode 5’s villain twist reveals Cate has been wiping her friends’ memories to make them forget about the Woods, the university’s hidden facility that keeps supes imprisoned. After the main group discovers that Golden Boy’s brother Sam is being kept there, they break him out. They attempt to uncover the truth about the Woods, but this is shut down after the young supes lose their memories. After slowly piecing things together, Gen V‘s characters realize that Cate is behind this — something she herself confesses to.
This ability makes Cate an incredibly dangerous and powerful character. Not only can she make people forget memories, but she can control minds, as seen by what she does to Rufus. All it takes is a touch from her hand, and Cate can essentially take over someone’s thoughts. So far, the series hasn’t shown anyone capable of resisting this or being unaffected by her powers. This means she could easily use this, even on The Boys’ strongest members, like Kimiko. Her powers may not be the most threatening in a combat situation, but if she has the element of surprise, Cate’s a nearly unbeatable enemy.
Cate Could Become Vought’s Secret Weapon
Cate’s involvement with the Woods means she is clearly valuable to Godolkin University and likely Vought as well. Considering she was Golden Boy’s girlfriend and that he was supposed to join The Seven, there are probably plans for Cate. Even after Golden Boy’s death, Godolkin still finds a use for her, using her powers to ensure the secret about the Woods doesn’t get out. Gen V episode 5’s Cate twist confirms how far she’s willing to go, even if she does feel remorseful.
And while Cate confesses to her friends, her admission means that most of the people she cares about now resent her. This will only push her further into Godolkin’s and Vought’s arms. They can make her feel wanted and promise her the world while being able to use her power to their advantage. The Boys know what they are up against with The Seven. However, with no knowledge of Cate, they could be undone by her. With Cate’s powers, Vought can easily foil The Boys’ plans, wiping their memories or even turning them against one another.
Vought Doesn’t Completely Control Cate
Although Cate is clearly being controlled and manipulated by Godolkin University, this doesn’t mean Vought has complete control over her. For one, while they clearly have business relations, Vought and Godolkin are two separate entities and have slightly different goals. This means that, while Cate is loyal to the university, there is no guarantee she will be to Vought. Moreover, Cate is not a villain in the same way Homelander or Stormfront is. She is clearly struggling to influence and lie to her friends, claiming she’s only doing so because she wants to help people.
It may sound like an excuse, but Cate’s personality suggests she genuinely wants to be a decent person. She still cares about her friends and people in general, meaning she won’t easily sell out to Vought and become a puppet. Joining the organization wouldn’t be about fame or money. Instead, she would want the opportunity to help people on a larger scale. If Cate learns Vought’s true intentions, there is a high chance she’ll oppose them. Gen V may show Cate’s true motivations and prove that she’s really a misunderstood hero.
