This New The Boys Character Is The Secret MVP Of Season 4

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Boys season 4, episode 4, “Wisdom of the Ages.”

The Boys season 4 introduces several new characters in its early episodes, and a surprising addition to the show has proven to be this outing’s secret MVP. Although The Boys season 4 is building up to the series’ fifth and final season, it still brings in newcomers — most notably, the Supes who join The Seven after Queen Maeve’s and Starlight’s departures. There are additions on the other side of the conflict as well, including Frenchie’s love interest, Colin, and Butcher’s old friend, Joe Kessler. With these characters, The Boys season 4 continues to expand the show’s cast and world.

Of course, some of the Amazon show’s new characters take on more prominent roles than others — and one, in particular, steals the spotlight in The Boys season 4’s opening episodes. Although Homelander’s volatile behavior and Butcher’s worrisome antics remain entertaining, this newcomer brings something fresh to the fourth season. As things get increasingly darker, it’s crucial to have characters who add humor and unpredictability — even if they’re pretty dark themselves.

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Valorie Curry’s Firecracker Is A Perfect Addition In The Boys Season 4

Of all the new additions to The Boys season 4, Valorie Curry’s Firecracker is by far the most entertaining character to join the action. Firecracker is one of the Supes who becomes a member of The Seven in season 4, and Sister Sage seeks her out specifically for her captivating energy. Prior to her work with The Seven, Firecracker runs a podcast, where she fuels right-wing conspiracy theories and has a fairly large following. Her audience at Truth-Con highlights how much people listen to her, and Sister Sage picks up on this — and uses it to Vought’s advantage.

Firecracker goes on to become a figurehead for Vought, and given her negative history with Starlight, she’s more than happy to turn the company’s audience against The Boys. What makes Firecracker more interesting is that she doesn’t seem to truly believe in or abide by the things she preaches. Curry’s performance does a great job parodying this type of talking head, striking the right balance between being hilarious and chilling. All her quirks, expressions, and lines make the character believable, and they ensure Firecracker is the highlight of every scene she’s in.

The Boys Somehow Makes Firecracker Even Harder To Like Than Homelander

Firecracker Feels More Realistic & Human Than The Seven’s Leader

Firecracker is nearly as entertaining as Homelander in The Boys, and her character is actually harder to like than The Seven’s leader, as she feels more realistic and human. Homelander is essentially the Superman of The Boys universe, and his loneliness is indicative of the fact that no one understands him. Most viewers wouldn’t know someone like Homelander in real life. However, Firecracker seems far more realistic, especially since she hasn’t showcased any impressive fighting skills with her powers.

Firecracker’s true power stems from her ability to manipulate people, as well as her mastery of various platforms to spread her messages. Most people can point to politicians, media personalities, or average people who remind them of her. Firecracker’s brand of villainy showcases a far more human wickedness than Homelander, making her one of The Seven’s most believable members. Knowing she doesn’t believe everything she says makes her even more diabolical, and her history with Starlight does little to make viewers feel for her, especially seeing how far she goes for revenge.

Firecracker Is The Boys Season 4’s Most Unpredictable & Exciting Character

Homelander is wild and violent, and Butcher can be pretty unpredictable as well, but viewers have gotten used to their behavior in The Boys. This makes their actions less surprising, even as The Boys season 4 takes Homelander further than ever in his quest for Supe supremacy. Firecracker, on the other hand, feels like a wild card. She’s undoubtedly season 4’s most unpredictable and exciting character, as it’s totally unclear how low she’s willing to go for her own interests.

The Boys season 4, episode 4 really drives this home — first, with her shocking reaction to Butcher and MM’s blackmail, then by having her publicize Starlight’s medical records. The Boys think they have her cornered when they discover she had a sexual relationship with a minor, but Firecracker goes public with the information herself. She then uses her religious beliefs to avoid accountability, underscoring just how diabolical she really is. It works, too, and it’s probably not the last surprising thing thing Firecracker will do in The Boys season 4. If nothing else, she’s keeping things interesting.

The Boys

The Boys is a superhero/dark comedy satire series created by Eric Kripke based on the comic series of the same name. Set in a “what-if” world that reveres superheroes as celebrities and gods who experience minimal repercussions for their actions. However, one group of vigilantes headed by a vengeance-obsessed man named Billy Butcher will fight back against these super-charged “heroes” to expose them for what they are.

Cast

Elisabeth Shue , Jensen Ackles , Goran Visnjic , Jessie T. Usher , Chace Crawford , Dominique McElligott , Laz Alonso , Nathan Mitchell , Aya Cash , Colby Minifie , Karl Urban , Erin Moriarty , Karen Fukuhara , Jack Quaid , Antony Starr , claudia doumit , Tomer Capon

Release Date

July 26, 2019

Seasons

4

Franchise(s)

The Boys

Writers

Eric Kripke

Directors

Erin Moriarty , Karen Fukuhara , Karl Urban , Jack Quaid , Eric Kripke

Showrunner

Eric Kripke

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