Gen V Season 2, Episode 5 Review: ‘The Kids Are Not All Right’

Gen V Season 2 Episode 5, “The Kids Are Not All Right,” has me questioning everything I thought I knew about the series. Taking us back to Elmira feels familiar and yet not familiar at the same time. This entire 47 minutes had me thinking back on everything I believed was true. Marie’s power has fully doubled down on everything — bodies, memories, narrative — and it’s something that could shake the entire Boys-verse.

Elmira Isn’t Just a Prison, It’s a Lab

The entirety of this episode had my jaw on the ground. I couldn’t pick it back up, especially after some theories possibly being confirmed. Cipher being a puppeteer? I saw it coming, but does that mean the man in the chamber is actually Thomas Godolkin? That he’s taken over Cipher’s body until Marie reaches her full potential?

Having done a little research prior to this episode, we are introduced to Sister Sage, played by Susan Heyward, who also happens to be a major antagonist in The Boys. Her reintroduction opens a domain I feel many fans didn’t see coming. She and Cipher clearly had a plan beyond what Marie, Jordan, Emma, and Cate imagined. I was screaming at my screen watching them try to save Cate — possibly the worst idea they’ve had. Cipher is always one step ahead, but this time he looks scared. Why? I’m not sure yet, but Marie taking him down is something I need.

Cipher and Sage as a duo are manipulative in the worst ways. The flashback confirmed their alignment, and it reframes Elmira as more than a prison. It’s a lab designed to force Marie into choices she never would have made on her own. And I wouldn’t count out them using Jordan as a pawn in their game.

Sam, Love, and the Couples We’re Rooting For

Sam’s detour home was a nice balance after all the chaos. It grounded the episode and gave us a chance to see what he thinks of himself outside Elmira. He clearly isn’t a Cate fan anymore, and I can’t lie — I miss Emma and Sam together. But he’s not ready to be with her, not after everything. I found myself silently rooting for Greg and Emma instead (and definitely not so silently when he popped up on my screen).

The only couple I want to see right now is Jordan and Marie. Marie could finally open a part of herself that’s scared to hurt others, especially Jordan. But I’m worried. Too many theories suggest Jordan could die, and now I’m clutching every fiber of myself bracing for it.

As a fellow Cate hater towards the beginning of the season, I have started to feel for her. I do feel for her. She, like everyone else, makes choices we wouldn’t do unless under a certain amount of pressure. I’m not forgiving her — like ever — for what she did and how she betrayed them, but it shows that she’s willing to do anything to help. I’d like to see her powers return to normal and possibly reach her full potential. There is definitely more to her powers.

Marie the Reckoning

Now the part that rocked my world, and hopefully yours: the resurrection. Marie can resurrect people. She brought her sister back.

I am fully team Marie taking out Homelander, and now it feels canon. Watching her resurrection scene was emotional and terrifying at the same time. It looked like she was taking life from others, maybe even herself. Every power has consequences, and we’re about to learn what hers really cost.

This revelation reframes Cipher’s obsession with her — and shows just how far he’ll go. He wanted her to resurrect Annabeth. He wanted to push her. Sister Sage feeding him the idea also proves he’s not as strong as he pretends. Even Jordan’s words rattled him, and that tells me Cipher’s weaker than he looks.

When Marie closed her eyes, I couldn’t breathe. She’s powerful enough to challenge Homelander. Those last three minutes solidified it. This is only the beginning, and Cipher knows it. It could literally kill her, and that terrifies me the most.

Final Thoughts

This episode sets up the rest of the season in a way that’s both thrilling and terrifying. If resurrection is on the table, Marie is now the most valuable (and dangerous) supe out there. People are going to have feelings about that, and it’s guaranteed to tie directly into The Boys Season 5.

Only blood will tell.