Is Homelander A Better Father Than Butcher? The Boys Says Yes
WARNING: Spoilers ahead for The Boys season 3's finale
Season 2 posed the question of whether Homelander or Billy Butcher is the better parent, and The Boys season 3 finally answers. Butcher was understandably hesitant upon first learning that his wife's child belonged to Homelander, but the black-clad Londoner duly stepped up following Becca's death. Butcher becomes something of a surrogate father to young Ryan during the gap between The Boys seasons 2 & 3, but Homelander finally discovers his son's whereabouts in «The Instant White-Hot Wild.» By the time credits are rolling, Ryan has chosen his biological father over Billy Butcher.
Weirdly, The Boys season 2 suggested fatherhood might actually look good on Homelander. Despite being absolutely awful the rest of the time, Homelander evolved from a pushy parent desperate to awaken his son's latent abilities to a supportive father who empathized with Ryan's struggles. The famously egotistical supe even showed emotional vulnerability around Ryan. Nevertheless, the Battle of the Dads remained undecided… until now.
Related: The Boys Season 3 Confirms 2 MAJOR Homelander Origin Details
Amazon's The Boys season 3 finale really wants audiences to think Homelander is the superior parent. Watching his season 3 scenes with Ryan in isolation, you'd be forgiven for wondering whether the Seven supe is even an antagonist. His «I'm not going anywhere» speech is the polar opposite to Butcher's "Maybe I don't want to look at you after what you did to my Becca" scene from earlier in The Boys season 3. Skipping ahead to the final battle, Homelander rushes to Ryan's side when his son gets attacked by Soldier Boy, even though that means leaving himself exposed to an attack from behind.
Read more on screenrant.com
