Gen V Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Jumanji

Of course, a trip down memory lane isn’t going to be a happy one when it comes to this damaged group of supes. After confronting Cate, she has a power meltdown that sucks their consciousnesses into hers on Gen V Season 1 Episode 6, “Jumanji” (written by Lauren Greer and directed by Rachel Goldberg).

A trip through someone’s mind and memories isn’t the most original idea for an episode format, but it’s effective in illuminating a lot about Cate and the rest of the gang. If you thought you knew all their secrets by now, you don’t.

Gen V’s premise is largely “What if the supes were the good guys?” but this episode reminds us that in this universe even the good guys have a ton of baggage. They may not be Homelander levels of evil, but they’re not saints either.

The happiest part of being inside of Cate’s mind is a fun surprise cameo from Jensen Ackles returning as Soldier Boy. Gen V has been careful to not rely too heavily on cameos and allow the show to stand on its own, but Soldier Boy is a brilliant piece of fan service.

After all, it’s not really Soldier Boy but Cate’s imaginary friend version of him which makes it even better. Ackles delivers his monologue about patriotism and teaching Cate how to masturbate with aplomb and a litany of euphemisms (“Diddle that skittle”).

From Andre already having an affair with Cate before Luke’s death to Jordan having hidden the fact they already saw Luke try to confront Professor Brink before and helped take him down, it’s hard to feel bad for them. Marie is the only one who seems completely innocent, so it makes sense that she’s the one to get through to Cate in the end.

They remember, and remind the audience, that the real villain here is Shetty for using them all. It’s a great segue out of this journey through the mind to the big reveal of what Shetty is planning.

The reveal that the virus is working isn’t that shocking, but Shetty asking Cardosa to make it even deadlier is. Suddenly, the pieces fall into place and it’s clear that Shetty’s villainous plan is not just carrying out Vought’s orders.

Shelley Conn deserves her flowers for creating a cold, calculated, and compelling addition to the long-line of morally bankrupt women to grace The Boys universe. We support women’s rights but most importantly women’s wrongs.

She’s not looking to control supes, she’s looking to wipe them out. It’s a good twist that makes her pretense of helping Marie and Cate even more sickening. All this time we thought she was a twisted Professor X when she’s General Stryker.

With the plot moving fairly quickly I mourn the fact that we don’t get more chances to see superhero college in action (give me the world-building!). Still, I appreciate that this episode sets up the season for an epic conflict and one that could impact the entire The Boys universe.

Additional Thoughts:

• “Didn’t you learn CPR?” “Where?” “At superhero school!”
• RIP Dusty, I guess.
• What was the point of Cate’s room having a steel door but seemingly normal windows?
• Cate is never beating the Jean Grey knockoff allegations now that we know she’s also a mind reader!
• Puppet sex soundtracked to Wolf Alice, eat your heart out other teen shows!
• It feels like a missed opportunity to not get a puppet version of Soldier Boy.

What did you think of this episode of Gen V? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Gen V streams Fridays on Prime Video.

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