Gen V: Review
By Sioph LealGodolkin University is a prestigious University solely for the super-abled to be the next generation of heroes to save the world or star in Vought productions with lucrative endorsements no matter what major is decided. Not all superheros start corrupting but with chaos of college, finding yourself and competing against peers for the top spot, the stakes are much higher when you’re super-abled. In Goldolkin there is a mystery that consumes some of the future heroes and could determine if they become heroes or villains.
The world of Gen V feels real, well rounded, and immersive with detail given to background characters to create the competitive atmosphere in Goldolkin. The crime fighting majors are more serious with a deeper drive but the performing arts majors are just as competitive. The two majors work in tandem with each other to showcase the different sides of the superhero reality that Marie quickly learns when she is rejected from crime fighting and told performing arts will be more suited. The side characters have little time but make their mark, most notably Jeff (Dan Beirne) with quick and witty one lines and great comedic timing. From the first episode, it feels like an original series rather than a spin off.
It is a spinoff from the world of The Boys but it stands out on its own. As there is no other faction to share screen time, the series dedicates all its time to the young superheroes, and you see more power variety than in the predecessor. If you have never seen the original series and don’t want to, don’t worry. Gen V works on its own and creates its own clear world and character without needing to familiarize yourself with The Boys. Let’s face it, everyone knows about superheroes and the general concept and Gen V doesn’t break from that mold but looks for another avenue and it works. The plot follows a simple structure typical of many high school movies. Main character is an attractive yet isolated loner new to the area and school but finds herself with the popular crowd and we explore the world through her. A little cookie-cutter but it’s a good introduction to the world through the eyes of Marie.
Following season 1 of The Boys, it can be argued that they focus primarily on shocking moments to grab attention and cause headlines or reactions over character and writing. That isn’t a bad thing, that is the show's driving force, but Gen V is a refreshing take that relies on strong writing and performances while combining it with grotesque moments to match the parent show. However, Gen V is undoubtedly character driven and makes you invested in the majority of the characters, most notably Jaz Sinclair’s Marie Moreau and Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Luke Riordan aka Golden Boy.
Goldokin University is the place to be for any supe who has dreams of crime fighting or performing arts, and upon blood-wielding Marie Moreau’s (Jaz Sinclair) enrolment, we are introduced to a few of the students, including the star of God U, Luke, who also goes by his supe name Golden Boy. With indestructible powers and firepower, he is poised to be the next member of the Seven, bypassing a draft and heading straight for the Tower. Alongside Golden Boy, we meet Andre Anderson (Chance Perdomo), the son of Polarity and Golden Boy’s best friend, whose powers are magnetic. We also meet Cate Dunlap (Maddie Phillips), and with her powers of persuasion and romantic links with Golden Boy, she is the most popular girl on campus, and Jordan Li (London Thor/Derek Luh), who is closely catching up to the top spot in the rankings. As Jordan’s gender shifts, so do their powers. The female counterpart has agility and energy blasts, while the male is indestructible. They are poised to be the most influential Supes on campus. The other supe we meet is Little Cricket, or Emma Meyer (Lizze Broadway), Marie’s roommate, who is determined to make it in the Crimson Countess School of Performing Arts while her powers allow her to shrink to any size
With a relatively large cast, there are going to be standout characters, and unfortunately, those who fall short, but thankfully, the list of standout characters makes up most of the show. As the main character, Marie has a lot to live up to. She is out of her element in a new world with pressures to be the best weighing heavily on her, as well as some personal trauma. It would have been easy to have Marie as the cliché new girl, but somehow the writers manage to balance out the character, which is helped by Sinclair's authentic portrayal of someone who isn’t naive but is simply exploring the new world she’s in while exploiting it for her own benefit. While Marie navigates this new life, Andre has been living his father’s and best friend’s shadow quite comfortably, but it’s his own resourcefulness that will make Andre one of the favorites of the show.
Fans of the original series will compare these new characters to some of the most well-known characters. One comparison that can’t be helped is Little Cricket, a.k.a. Emma. She’s at God U to pursue an acting career but finds herself in some vulnerable situations. Her desire to be liked and her own personal mission will easily have her compared to season one Starlight (Erin Moriarty), but where Starlight’s bothersome inexperience got in the way of her being a more likable character, Emma managed to be a character that you’ll root for. She is the ultimate friend, there to help and to hype up when needed, but as the series progresses, hopes to be more Queen Maeve than Starlight.
Critically, the show is let down by some characters, and unfortunately, in the main cast, that is Cate (Maddie Phillips). Though Cate is a supe who uses powers of persuasion, she somehow manages to suck the energy out of any scene she is in with a vacant state. It's unknown if this is a bad acting choice from Philips or if the writing and directing let her down. Unfortunately, it appears to be a matter of all three. While other characters have depth and personality, Cate seems like a last-minute addition to the show, not really bringing anything of substance to the plot or overall series.
The first three episodes of Gen V were provided for review.