Fans are calling out The Boys after Hughie was sexually assaulted for the second episode in a row.
Thepenultimate episodeofThe BoysSeason 4 ends on a wild cliffhanger. Earlier in the episode, Hughie, Annie, and Butcher had failed to catch Shape Shifter, a supe who can assume anyone’s identity inthe gnarliest fashion possible.
Shape Shifter takes on Annie’s appearance and replaces her. In doing so, she tricks Hughie by putting on Annie’s old Starlight costume and having sex with him. Though he’s not aware of it yet, it’s the second time this season that Hughie has been sexually assaulted.
Previously, he was assaulted by Tek-Knight and Ashley while undercover and donning the guise ofWebweaver. Fans were quick to call out the episode’shypocritical tone, whereHughie’s assault was played for laughs.
Needless to say, those fans were shocked to see the very next episode do it again. Now they’re calling out the show on social media for its treatment of Hughie and how The Boys continues to ignore the seriousness of Hughie’s multiple assaults.
As one fanpointed out, “Well, spot on to the Redditor who said that Hughie would get over his sexual assault nightmare from the last episode. It’s almost as if it DIDN’T F***ING HAPPEN.”
“Lost his dad, got assaulted by freaky batman and the enemy CEO, had sex with with fake girlfriend, leave him alone ffs” anothersaid.
“So Hughie gets sexually assaulted last episode and now he gets raped in this one,”saidone fan. “What the f*** do the writers have against him?
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These incidents mark the latest in a pivot The Boys has been going through, as fans note it’s becomemore like the comicsin the worst ways.
With onlyone episode leftthis season and a slew ofedgy political commentaryon the horizon, fans will just have to wait and see if Hughie can find a modicum of justice.
If you’re looking for more The Boys, check out how one star wants the show to end or read about thedeath that has confused fans. You can also keep up with theSeason 4 release scheduleand find othernew TV shows to streamthis month.
Christopher Baggett was a TV & Movies Writer on Dexerto’s US team and a comics expert, across DC Comics and Marvel. He also has bylines at ComicsBeat, Comic Book Resources, and The HomeWorld.
