Gen V Season 2 Episodes 1–3 Review: Blood, Secrets, and a New Dean at Godolkin

Season 1 of Gen V feels like a million years ago, but season two of Gen V wastes no time reminding us just how dangerous and twisted Godolkin University truly is. It’s as bloody and wild as The Boys, and even after all the shocking twists Season 1 brought to the table, Season 2 feels just as dangerous. The twists and turns are bound to come, and while they may feel a million miles away, they’re probably right in front of us. In this Gen V Season 2 Episodes 1–3 review, I dive into the chaos and grief that continuously pull me in, along with the jaw-dropping reveals that keep me coming back for more.

The arrival of Dean Cipher (Hamish Linklater) shakes the university to its core. Following the events of season one, Marie, Emma, Jordan, and Cate are left to pick up the pieces of a world that once was theirs — a world where power always comes with an ungodly price.

These opening episodes strike a perfect balance of grief, chaos, and humor in that twisted way that pulls us right back into the madness of Godolkin. Believe me when I say this: there are jaw-dropping reveals, and this season is fully set up to be mysterious and promising more mayhem ahead. If Season 1 was about finding identity, Season 2 is about digging deeper and surviving powers they never asked for. Episodes 1–3 prove the stakes have never been higher.

A New Year, A New Dean

The arrival of Dean Cipher left me with questions before the episodes even dropped. There’s clearly a change at Godolkin, and it brings an unsettling feeling to both his role and the campus. His very first scene had me questioning his presence. I thought, “Why does he look so eerie?” I know he’s manipulating everyone. He’s not just here to clean up the mess of the previous dean, that’s for sure. His charm — which I’m not falling for — hides something dark and deep.

We already know he was at Elmira, and his connections have me questioning almost everything. He seems to know things before they happen, especially the incident with Cate, Marie, Emma, and Jordan. Sure, Cate told him, but it feels like he’s the eyes and ears of the university. At the end of episode three, we find out that Cipher delivered Marie, that she is Odessa, and that somehow she is a weapon. I don’t trust him. I don’t think anyone does. And if you do, I dare you to rewatch every scene with him and tell me you don’t feel that unease.

Picking Up the Pieces

I feel like this season will dive deeper into each character and make me even more connected to them. Marie remains my favorite — seeing her try to connect with herself and her powers makes me excited for more. She didn’t ask to kill her parents or have powers. Her moment of vulnerability with Aunt Pam showed how deeply her parents’ deaths and her sister’s absence affect her. She’s becoming a leader as much as she’s a target.

Emma’s ongoing struggle with her image makes me ache for her. Andre Anderson’s death (and Chance Perdomo’s passing) hit her hard. Andre was the one person who believed in her — that she could be a hero, even her own hero. I’d love to see Emma influencing others to see through Godolkin’s manipulation.

Jordan, my beloved. I fell in love with their character the second they were introduced. Their storyline continues to explore identity, but it also highlights the pressure of being number one. People idolize Jordan for being bi-gender, but not in the way Jordan wants. That tension feels so real. And with how episode three ends, it’s not even clear if they’ll keep that “number one” spot.

Meanwhile, Cate and Sam are more complicated. I can’t forgive Cate just yet — the guilt she carries is heavy, and these episodes don’t let us forget it. Her betrayal of the group still feels raw. And Elmira, Andre’s death… none of it should have happened.

Trauma and Satire

I rarely get hooked by shows with this much gore, but Gen V nails the balance of satire and raw emotion. One minute, Sam is talking to puppets, and the next, Marie is at her most vulnerable. Her conversation with Jordan about Andre gutted me. Andre was deeply loved — both the character and the actor — and the show handled his absence with respect. They gave him a farewell that’s both moving and understated, woven into the narrative without overshadowing it. It reminds me why this universe works: it’s messy, it’s chaotic, but it has heart.

Easter Eggs and Crossovers

Okay, yell at me if you want, but I’ve never watched The Boys (yes, I yell at myself for it too). Still, I recognized Starlight, and her cameo was perfect — a reminder that these students exist in a larger, dangerous world. Project Odessa being mentioned adds even more intrigue, and it’s clear fans are already connecting dots between the shows.

Final Thoughts

As this Gen V Season 2 Episodes 1–3 review makes it clear, Gen V isn’t just a spinoff anymore. It’s carving its own brilliant path. The mix of mystery and character-driven arcs creates a ride that’s overwhelming at times but always worth it. With Cipher’s motives looming and the Godolkin students facing greater danger than ever, I can’t wait to see what happens next.