I love that when MM is sharing what happened to their family with his daughter his OCD flares up and he continually taps the picture of his grandfather, only for his daughter to hold his hand to calm his nerves. Its a small detail but it added a lot to a scene that really resonated with me. We dont need our parents to be perfect or strong all the time we just need them to be present and open. To level with us and share their trauma and experiences so that we dont repeat their mistakes.

10:53 It's not just that everyone begins to cheer at the gruesome display, it's that the person who starts the cheering is Todd, Monique's boyfriend. It's terrifying that he's the one who starts it as the stepfather of one young child and the teacher of a dozen others.

Hughie's trauma was having his love murdered in front of him and not having the power to get any type of justice. He and MM at least had parents that showed them unconditional love...

I love that some people get why S3 is so good. Some say it went nowhere, but character wise, we got more development than the first 2 seasons combined.

I definitely do wish Black Noir would’ve been able to get his revenge to soldier boy but I felt like his death truly was tragic

I feel like so many people miss the true meaning that superpowers had to Hughie. He’s traumatized by his own inability, he blames himself for every time the team chose to save/help him over furthering their own goals. He is shown to be tired of always having to be saved and wants to give back. He doesn’t want to be the one who drags the team and Annie down. To him the V made him worthy of standing alongside people who have superpowers and incredible training, despite being some random pawn that managed to stick around. The conclusion of his arc is that he doesn’t need superpowers to stand alongside the team, he is already worthy of being with them. His strength isn’t in some bottle, it’s in his ability to support them and lift them up, he is the anchor to reality that holds everyone back from going too far. It’s exemplified in what he said about his dad. His strength is being there for those he cares about and not giving up on them.

The Boys has a lot of heart, underneath all the blood and guts

seriously blown away by your work ethic Leo, the fact that you can put out so many videos and still maintain such a high production value is genuinely inspirational. Killing it with the use of music too

A lot of people looked at Butcher betraying SB in the end as being kinda rushed, while I do agree it could have been worked on more, I think it is the natural progression for Butcher’s character to finally stand up against a blatant abuser and bully instead of using them to get even with Homelander. In Butcher’s own view after the Mindstorm incident and Ryan almost getting killed by SB, I think he’s slowly learned that his self destructive nature is not only pushing away his friends but now literally poisoning him giving him a set deadline.

Butcher, a victim of abuse helps an abuser, Soldier Boy, murder his victims 🤯

Black Noir this season was great. I always felt like the show was waiting to play his card, and now that they did, I'm happy it turned out the way it did. Also, his imaginary friends were a very neat addition in all fronts, like the animation was amazing and the insight they offered into Noir is very much appreciated.

One thing, Hughie is very much motivated by trauma just like the others, it's talked about in season 2 how affected he is by his mother abandoning him, and how much it motivates who he is and how he makes decisions. "I guess that's why I always hang in there, no matter how bad it gets, because... I don't want to be like her." He's unique among the cast not because he's the only one without trauma, but because he's the only one who expresses it non-destructively, at least for the most part. But throughout season 3 the more destructive side of it is brought out of him as well, as he goes off the rails on V due to his life leaving him with some degree of an inferiority complex, and a resentment of being powerless and thus unable to stand up for himself. His arc is about facing and working through that side of himself, much the same as Butcher's is.

I was feeling a little confused about how I felt about the season finale but you gave me a different perspective that I really enjoyed. Amazing video

The fact this only took you 5 hours to make is nothing short of incredible, amazing video!

I saw a reddit post complaining about how none of the plot progressed, that the story basically resolved to the same beats at the end of the season. Trusting Kripke, I figured this take was wrong, but couldn’t figure out why. Thanks for such a clean essay about the actual progress made during this season, for pointing out the significance of them ~choosing~ to be in the positions they are at the end.

Now I see why this series always hit me so hard, as a survivor of trauma and with someone who deals with PTSD the last two episodes hit me hard and I couldn’t fully understand why I was crying, until now lmao now it makes so much sense why the series was low key triggering for me

People might come to this show for all the crazy - the violence, the blood, the orgies - but I hope they go away with the beautifully subtle character work. it's in the development of the characters, and the intimate moments of growth and realisation that we witness, that it really sings. Holy moly, this is impressive work.

Loved how the ending of season 3 is a mirror image of s2 ending!

I have to disagree with (or at least addendum) your statement that Hughie "was only exposed to love." I'm not sure how this fits with your overall thesis, but his mother's abandonment - the ultimate amputation of love - was this trauma. As he stated, it made him choose to not be the kind of person who abandons others - to be the man who holds on. Ironically, we see his second major trauma ,(Robin's death) as he's literally holding on to her hands even after death. The value of passivity he had is shattered and is replaced by Butcher's manly activism. I think his journey is more that he went from passive victim, blaming his father for not being more active, to becoming an active potential abuser, to realizing how to be active without aping the behavior of abusers like Butcher. To quote Thor, "It's what heroes do."(Hughie's discussion with Lamplighter about cuckolds and his subsequent figurative cuckolding by Homelander is important as well, but yada yada...)

I kinda wish you talk about when Hughie got the apology he wanted from A Train.

Dude this video is literally poetry

I watched the last Trauma video one hour ago, impeccable timing!

Season 4 retrospective will be Mostest Trauma

Wow just wow. Gave me chills. You broke it down to a molecular level in about 20min for a simpleton. Incredible work. A+++

A bit of commentary on the A TRAIN situation was the only think that stopped this video from being flawless

great video. the boys is an over-the-top parody not only a superheroes but of society. the sad thing is so many other things that you talked about that the show talks about the trauma that a lot of these characters have endured gets overlooked. the MCU has a lot of characters that have been traumatized by past events in their life and they make jokes out of them. I get it we don't want to go see an MCU movie where it feels like a visit to a therapist office. that's why I like a lot of the Disney Plus shows because they delve deeper into these events with shape the hero. that was a very poignant moment where homelander says to Soldier Boy I'm you and he says yes you're a disappointment. that was some powerful shit but pretty much the only thing people are going to talk about from that is the big fight that went on and that's fine it was pretty amazing but those character moments are so important to a show like this.

This is such a masterfully done video. Your analysis of these characters is poignant and interesting. The editing is on point too. Good job.

Just finished watching the first video u made about them hearing how you were talking about Ryan and immediately had to see if there was a follow up

I'm so glad I watched this video, I think many people forget the boys is rooted deeply in trauma and how hard it can be to cope with it and what it can do to someone. Excellent video essay doing the show justice, the ending got me tearing in up as well. You're killing it dude!

You have me in tears right now. Just recently found your channel and you have such a magnificent insightful voice. Thank you.

Another beautifully done video. Still loving every one, keep it up man.

This whole video is absolutely beautiful just blown away, but I damn neared teared up when you did the tribute at the end. It was just editing so perfect I can’t stop watching that part

*This is an excellent video essay, great work!*

I barely discovered your channel & I gotta say: please keep creating content like this!

Damn I just finished the first one, nice turn around

The editing was great, made me even tear up in the end. Respect and thank you.

Just found your channel and let me tell you it's ficken awesome it breaks the shows/movies down in a way I didn't think about it.

This episode almost made me cry. Thinking of the traumas people in my life have gone through and how they are also choosing and changing… thank you for making this ❤️

I have to say,this video essay is absolutely brilliant.Love it!

This almost made me cry. These are always so good, thank you IP

This was an absolutely fantastic video. Will reference this because the explanations go beyond the boys. It touches the humanity we all experience the writers convey through the show

I just got to say I love these videos. This is probably like my 5th time rewatching your vids on The Boys. They are so well made, that they feel deep but understandable while also showing personality. Not being afraid to show some of your silly mistakes and not taking yourself too seriously. While also not feeling like it invalidates the serious moments. So, thank you for the great content.

Season 3 skyrocketed the show from an amazing show that I love to my absolute favorite show by a longshot. I genuinely believe this show is one of if not the best written shows ive ever seen

I would like to say this is one of the best videos I’ve ever watched. I loved everything about it. The analysis, the breakdown, the music. Incredible stuff.

Thank you for being one of the few video essayists who analyze and add to the media instead of mostly summarizing it

I just wanted to listen to a good video about the boys and I fell into therapy. Excellent video mate! Nice job!

another banger. please keep up the good work!

like you said in your first video this show truly has elevated itself beyond the genre and sits comfortably amongst the most prestige television. I'm still reeling from season 3.

Your biases are rampant in your analysis. Fascinating.

It’s videos like this that get me so eager for more of the Boys.

this was a fantastic video man keep it up!

Been watcNice tutorialng your vids for a good few weeks now, learning new sNice tutorialt each day. my worksoftow has improved so much since watcNice tutorialng

First, i just want to say, that you put out some absolutely killer content! I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and they keep getting better and better. Not only do you have an expert understanding of superhero storytelling, what works and doesn’t work. You also have extremely insightful ideas about, story structure, character arcs, themes, etc. i suspect that not matter the genre, your understand storytelling so well that you could probably make a compelling video about romantic comedies. You have a fantastic understanding of pop culture, that allows you to have very interesting and intelligent takes.

bro this channel is so underrated

You are easily one of my favorite TV reviewers

Oh man, Trauma discourse is incredible analysis of the human condition, I love this video and I will follow you now, please don’t stop 😩

I'm glad someone shared these insights.

You are spot on once again in your analysis of this 3rd season of the boys.

i was so dissapointed in the finale before but then after watching your analysis it's making much more sense now that i don't hate it anymore. incredible work!!

Great video, would never have thought it was a short turn over time. Also, you’re doing the batman telltales!?

Wow. What a video. Nice job dude!

Fuckin beautiful dude I ended tearing up right before that tribute which was just perfect timing, amazing work 👏

Please do a video on the soldier of Trauma Boy

YES YES YES YES YES MORE OF THIS AWESOME SERIES

So after I binged the first two seasons I watched the other one and have been patiently waiting for this.

Fantastic video essay, keep it up.

was waiting for something like this

Absolutely beautiful video

Your work is always incredible. :D My fingers are still crossed for an Arcane video in the future!

this is so beautifully made

This was such a great video

Holy shit just found your channel I am definitely gonna binge. the quality of your vids are just amazing 👍 keep it going my dude

I’m not crying! YOURE crying!

Geez I got here early, three hours?! (These trauma vids r my favs tbh) Edit: CANT WAIT 4 ARCANE VID FROM U!

It's official, this is my favorite channel on KZfaq.

You put into words my reasons to like the show, that I couldn't explain

your videos truly are Amazing. I just wanted to say thank you Also which video was your favorite to make

Congrats on 100k

Please consider making a video on "Hannibal" someday. It's right up your alley!

Amazing video!!

It’s my deadbeat dads birthday today. Needed this.

loved the music video at the end ✌️

I dub thee “the trauma guy”

Great job man

Your 2 videos on this show are absolutely fabulous, really. They are easy to follow, the analysis is on point, and one can easily feel that you're incredibly passionate about every subject you're talking about ! Tho the only point I don't agree with is the moment when you say that Butcher leaving his home for the army is an act of neglect that led to Lenny's death. I don't really understand how it's his fault instead of... Idk, his abusive father or neglectful mother ? Yes, he was the oldest, but protecting his little brother from his father should never be something he had to do in the first place. And Billy clearly didn't neglect his little brother : they shared a strong bond, he's shown to be playing with him, he deeply cares for him, he takes the beatings to protect him : he has a protective and caring nature, and those sides of him reemerge when people he loves are in danger (Hughie or Becca). And, yes, in this scene we can see Butcher talked to Lenny using the very same words than his father, but you can also see he instantly regrets doing so, unlike their father who thinks he's doing a great job at raising his boys to be strong. The same way he feels regrets for pushing away his friends and Ryan later on. Lenny killed himself because of the physical and verbal abuse he endured from his father. Sure, if Billy stayed, Lenny would have gotten some support, but I can hardly blame Butcher for leaving before reaching his breaking point, it would be frankly unfair. When you're in an abusive family, there are no good decisions, and whatever happens you end up screwed up, often reproducing the behaviours of the very people you hate without even realising it, especially without any therapeutic help. One can see that Lenny's death haunts Billy for the rest of his life, he feels guilty and deeply hates himself, unlike his father who sees it as "natural selection". What happened with Becca broke him even more and then he becomes obsessed with vengeance to the point of neglecting others. It doesn't excuse the shitty things he does, and he does cross some serious lines in every season ; he can be a jerk, he treats his friends like shit, he's reckless, he's arrogant, he's violent and sometimes mean, but him leaving his little brother wasn't an act of neglect, at least I can't see it like that considering the reason why he left.

What a gem of a channel did i discover?

when you start looking into the source material as a casual viewer (me), you know it's good shit

I love your content and when I saw you made a video based on The Boys I had to stop everything that I was doing lol

lenny’s and billy’s story is so heartbreaking. ive seen time and tome again through real people and therapists that in the end in an abusive household you need to save yourself even if it means leaving your younger siblings at home and ive seen the effects it has on the older sibling that leaves. i know why billy feels guilty. he so desperately wishes he could save lenny and judges himself for not making it work. but that was what he had to do to make sure he didnt face an early grave as well :/

The first time I watched Huey say that appreciative stuff about his father to Starlight, I paused the show before the next scene and turned off the tv. That post happy ending message made sense to me right there. That shit hit me like you wouldn’t believe. We are the products of our pasts, but we are not the destiny of our devices. We can grow and we can still fall, but YOU are stronger together. Encourage Bravery

4:58 Minor nitpick, but I think this moment is present Butcher trying to talk to young Lenny, that he is not a person to idolize and his brother should try to get a life away from his father. Otherwise, brilliantly told!

Amazing work. 👏

Does Kimiko choosing to take Compound V again contradict MM's belief that no one should have that kind of power?

Masterpiece..well done

Much needed video haha

While I really like this video I think Hughie not having trauma isn’t true at all, it’s just we’ve witnessed all of that during the show. However I think you captured why he’s different because Hughie, MM, and Starlight all had better role models growing up and so act as moral compasses of the show.

Nice edit and presentation

if Butch eliminates all supes just like in the comics.. does that include Homie junior? hmmm

I think season 3 was really good and I’m very excited to see where it goes from here

for someone with lot of trauma like me this helps. Thks neglect,abandoment and hate can turn angels to demons