Scenes with Homelander 95
To what do I owe the pleasure?
HomelanderWell, you never come up to 99, so figured I'd pay you a visit.
Homelander
Right? After all, you run a superhero company and you never check in with your superheroes, do you? Like–oh, I don't know–about the hiring of that girl, for example.
You wished to be consulted on Stormfront.
Homelander
Well, why not? I signed off on all the rest. I'm the leader of The Seven.
For which you have my undying respect.
Homelander
See, I don't think I do. No. Not even Madelyn would've dared to try and pull this kind of shit.
Well, of course, you know how important you are to everyone at Vought.
Homelander
No. No, Stan. I am Vought. You show my photo to some illiterate fuckin' camel jockey in the middle of the Sahara, he's gonna turn around and say, "Homelander," in perfect American. [sits down in a chair] You know what? My contract's up at the end of this year. [props his feet on the coffee table] Maybe it's time I move on. How do you think your shareholders would feel about that?
[Edgar stares down Homelander for several moments. The smug look on Homelander's face quickly disappears as it occurs to him that Edgar is not falling for his threats.]
What do you know about Frederick Vought?
Homelander
Excuse me?
Frederick. Vought. [gestures to a portrait of Vought] Our esteemed founder.
Homelander
Well, I don't know. Um… not a lot, probably. I only read his autobiography… five times?
Not the self-serving bullshit that we peddle to the shareholders. The real story.
Homelander
Enlighten me.
Got his doctorate from Munich. Ahead of his time in genetics. Such the rising young star that in '39, Hitler appointed him chief physician at Dachau, where he enjoyed a ready supply of human subjects on which to test his earliest iterations of Compound V. For which we condemn in the strongest of possible terms. Early in '44, he felt the winds change, got spirited away to the Allies. When Oppenheimer was flailing with the bomb, Dr. Vought already had practical applications of Compound V tested in the field. Heroes like Soldier Boy, killing Germans by the dozen. So Roosevelt pardoned him, and he became as Wonder Bread American as Disney and Edison.
Homelander
Well, this is a truly fascinating–if not slightly condescending–lecture, but um... I don't think I see the point, Stan.
The point... is that you are under a misconception that we are a superhero company. We are not. What we are, really, is a pharmaceutical company. And you are not our most valuable asset. That would be our confidential formula for Compound V. Which you, manchild that you are, released into the wild.
Homelander
[slight scoff] I don't know what you're talking about.
Well, let me remind you. You slipped Compound V to terrorists all over the globe to get you and your cronies into national defense. But maybe at the cost of destroying the whole company.
Homelander
[slams table and approaches, venom in his tone] I don't think I appreciate your tone, sir. Not much at all.
And I don't appreciate that the FDA now knows about Compound V, or that it's only a matter of time before the public finds out. While you're preening at the Golden Globes, we're busy running around like maniacs trying to clean up the mess you made. I don't have to consult you about Stormfront or anything else. Now... I believe you have a premiere of Tek-Knight Lives to go to?
Homelander
When I was your age, I didn't have many friends either.
RBRyan Butcher
Mom says being lonely makes you know yourself better.
Homelander
Well... that's not wrong, I suppose. Can I tell you a secret? Man-to-man, you know? [chuckles] My dad and I... we never played catch in the yard with a World Series ball. The truth is… I never had a dad. Or a mom.
Homelander
See, sometimes it's hard, Ryan, being... [sighs] superior to every single other person on the planet. It's–It's... isolating. And gods... should not have to feel that kind of pain. Because that is what we are, Ryan. You and me… we're gods. Son, we can do anything we want. And no one can stop us. Now, that... that's a good feeling. A really good feeling. And now, you... and me... can share it together.
I… I–I should probably go to bed now, you know?
Homelander
Sure. [pats Ryan]
[Homelander gets up from Ryans' bed and turns off the lights. He turns around before leaving.]
Homelander
I love you, son. [pause; Ryan just stares at him] You know, you can say it back.
Homelander
This is nice.
[Homelander leaves Ryan's bedroom and closes the door. He sees Becca standing close by.]
Homelander
Your turn, Mom.
BBBecca Butcher
You need to leave.
Homelander
Excuse me?
You need to get the fuck out of my house.
Homelander
[beat] What happens one day when Ryan asks to go to a baseball game, swim in the ocean, or eat at a Burger King? How do you think he's gonna feel when he finds out that you've lied to him his whole life? You think he's gonna be happy that you kept him in this pretty prison? Or... do you think he'll fucking despise you? Hmm? Let's go ask him.
Homelander
You were right. I'm not gonna get bored and move on. I'm not going anywhere. So feel free to tell Dr. Park to go fuck himself.
[Homelander and Ryan are standing on the roof of Becca's house]
Homelander
Your mom ever bring you up here?
Homelander
Nah, of course not. You see, that is why a boy needs his father. Hey, I think it's time. [brief pause] Yeah. You ready?
Homelander
To jump.
[pause; nervously looks down at the ground] Wait, you can't be serious. I'm not gonna jump.
Homelander
Ryan, you're my son. You can fly just like me.
Homelander
You take a big deep breath, you step off, and your body will just do the rest. It'll just take over.
But I–I can't fly. I'll just fall right off of here and get–
Homelander
Hey, buddy. You're gonna love it. I promise.
I'm nothing like you. I–I can't fly.
Homelander
You can. You can. I promise you can.
Dad, please. Please, don't make me jump.
Homelander
Aw, buddy. You called me Dad. [chuckles]
[Homelander pushes Ryan off the roof. Instead of flying, Ryan falls with a thud on the ground. Becca overhears and runs outside.]
Ryan...? Oh, God, Ryan! Hey! [to Homelander] Hey, what did you do?!
Homelander
It's fine. It's a twenty-foot drop. Relax.
You inhuman fucking monster! [to Ryan] Come here.
Homelander
Don't help him up. Let him do it himself.
Come here. Baby, hey. Hey, Ryan, I need you to wake up. Baby, can you hear me? I'm right here. [pause; Ryan is still unconscious] I don't think he's breathing.
Homelander
[laughing] He's fine!
I don't think he's breathing! I don't think he's–
[wakes up with a gasp] Mom?
Homelander
Look. See, told ya.
Hi, sweetie. Are you hurt? [kisses Ryan on the forehead] Does anything feel broken?
Homelander
Oh, for God's sake. Broken?
Homelander
Come on, look at him. There's not a scratch on him. You know why? 'Cause he's my son. And you–you… [scoffs] You're raising him to be a pussy.
You don't get to tell me how to raise my son.
Homelander
I'm his father.
You don't get to say that after what you did!
Homelander
What I did to you [grabs Becca's wrist]... was give you a son that you are raising like a little girl.
Homelander
He's mine.
Get your hands off of her!
[Ryan pushes Homelander away from Becca. His eyes are glowing and he starts breathing heavily.]
Homelander
[pause; sits up] Good boy. See, I told you.
[quietly; his eyes return to normal] What?
Homelander
You're just like me, Ryan.
No, I'm not like you! I'm nothing like you! I FUCKING HATE YOU! LEAVE US ALONE!
[The Seven are attending an emergency meeting with Stan Edgar]
I know I don't come up to 99 enough, and I apologize for that. But times like this [points at his iPad, which shows footage of Kenji] tend to give us clarity, don't they? You and me are partners after all. A symbiotic part of a larger thing. A living thing named Vought. And that's how we'll get through this: Together, as Vought.
But, sir… I gotta say… [pause; looks at Annie and shakes his head] We didn't know about this Compound V shit. None of us.
Is that so? Well, we're all victims here, A-Train. But we'll get to the bottom of it. I promise. Right now, catching this superterrorist is–
Homelander
Villain. Supervillain.
Sure, whatever. It must be our priority, and it changes the conversation.
So you want us to go out there? Now? I mean, we still need to be prepped by legal and PR. [scoffs] We'll be eaten alive out there.
There's no time for that.
Well, I'm sorry, but I don't think we have to damage-control your fuck-up.
Homelander
Hey, guys… Enough. We gotta pull together here.
Homelander
Shhh. Not you. Us. The Seven. See, [gets up from chair] it doesn't matter who made us or how we got here. The point is… We are here. Together. Family. You guys… you are my real family. [points at Edgar] This guy… he doesn't care about us. We're not his partners; we're his product. So who gives a shit if Vought burns to the fuckin' ground?
You should think before you say something you don't mean.
Homelander
Really? Should I? We are not Vought! You see, companies, they come and go. But talent… Talent is forever. The world still needs superheroes, and that, family–that's what we are. So let's get out there and do what it is we do. Let's take this cocksucker down.
[Cut to The Seven all walking out of the main conference room]
Fuck Vought, huh? I did not see that coming from you.
Homelander
Maybe you don't know me that well.
ASAnnie/Starlight
Uh, who invited you… exactly?
Starlight. Listen, what I did was unforgivable. I'm gonna do whatever in my power to renew my light. Not just for you, but for all the female people that I've offended.
Renew your light? Did you just fucking join The Church of the Collective?
Hey, easy on the religious persecution. Okay, new girl? [to Annie] Starlight, maybe one day you can welcome me back into The Seven. I know my road is long and hard.
ASAnnie/Starlight
Are you serious? There is no fucking way you're coming back!
There's no need for language.
Homelander
Alright, enough! We do not have time for this.
[holds hand up to stop Homelander; to Annie] Look, I am with you, sister, but first we have to go get the terrorist, okay?
Homelander
Alright, everyone in the tunnels.
Yeah, everyone in the tunnels.
Homelander
Not you. Anyone gets eyeballs on the target, he's mine. Understood?
[to Black Noir] Go get 'em, Noir.
Homelander
Alright, you… need to hang back a bit, okay?
Homelander
Still got some work to do with the ladies, but it's gonna be okay. They'll be back in no time.
Homelander
Sure. One other thing: You ripped your vest.
Homelander
Your gill is showing. Cover it up. It's disgusting.
[Hughie runs into Annie while The Seven search for the rest of the Boys]
You got my message. Annie, I–
[Annie uses her light powers to blind Hughie and throw him back. Homelander comes walking out of the opposite tunnel and sees Hughie.]
Homelander
Oh, come on! You gotta be fucking kidding me! This guy? Again?!
ASAnnie/Starlight
I did not know…
Homelander
Shut it. What, do you got rocks in your fucking head? Come here. Alright, I'd like you to do something for me, okay? Kill him.
ASAnnie/Starlight
N–No, wait. [stuttering] He… He–He's wanted. Shouldn't we... take him to the police?
[Unbeknownst to them, Butcher is watching Annie and Homelander standing over Hughie]
Homelander
Yes, he is. Yes, we should. Kill him. Right now. [to Hughie] Chicks, right, Hughie? [pause; to Annie] Oh, for God's sakes. Come on, it's easy. Hands in the air, like you just don't care. [pulls Annie's fists up; chuckles] Kill. Do it. [beat; Annie is still silent] More incentive? Okay. You kill him or I'll fucking kill you both. Do it.
[Hughie nods to Annie and closes his eyes, appearing ready to accept his fate. Just as Annie is about to attack Hughie again, Butcher sneaks up behind Homelander.]
Homelander
William. [laughs] What a surprise! Hey… You know, I had a great breakfast with your wife this morning. Pancakes. Mmmm, de-licious.
Yeah? Eat this, motherfucker.
[Annie gets into an elevator at Vought HQ. Homelander walks in just as the elevator door is about to close]
ASAnnie/Starlight
Hey, Homelander.
[When the elevator starts going up, Homelander presses the emergency button to stop it. He takes off his right glove.]
Homelander
Maeve begged me to spare your life. So I gave you a second chance, and... you failed me.
ASAnnie/Starlight
What are you talking about?
Homelander
No more lies.
[Homelander shoves Annie up against the wall and grabs her by the throat]
Homelander
You go ahead and scream as much as you want. [jabs his other hand hard against her side]
ASAnnie/Starlight
What–What did I do?
Homelander
I told you to kill Hugh Campbell, and you hesitated.
ASAnnie/Starlight
I–I said that we should go to the police!
Homelander
You disobeyed my orders because you're with him. [presses his hand harder into Annie]
ASAnnie/Starlight
Fuck you! Hughie Campbell broke my fucking heart. Worse than anyone ever has. And part of me wants to blast his fucking face off, so no, I'm not "with him." But if you wanna kill me because I'm not a murderer and I won't straight-up execute someone, then go ahead. So, tell me… Am I lying?
[Annie and Homelander continue angrily staring at each other. Cut to the elevator working again, with Homelander walking out and letting Annie go.]
Homelander
You're not lying.
[A-Train is upset over seeing Shockwave at Vought. He confronts Ashley, fearing that Shockwave might replace him in The Seven.]
Don't bullshit me, Ashley!
Shockwave is just here to talk about Vought for Tots. I swear to God!
What the fuck is Vought for Tots?
It's a new fitness outreach for toddlers. Apparently, they're getting obese.
Well, shit! I fucking love fat kids! Use me!
Homelander
[enters Ashley's office] Oh, good, you're here. [to Ashley] You tell him yet?
I thought we were gonna have a strategy meeting.
Homelander
A-Train, you're out.
Homelander
Out of The Seven. You did great, but we're going in a different direction, so... You're out.
What the fuck? [to Ashley] You just said everything was fine!
You're gonna have a whole year of parades, tribute concerts. You're gonna hit the talk show circuit. You're–You're gonna have your own reality show on Vought+. The outpouring of love and gratitude is gonna be off the charts.
Oh, this is bullshit! You used to get my fuckin' coffee! [pause; looks at Ashley and Homelander knowingly] Oh, fuck this! I'm not going!
Homelander
A-Train, you can't run.
Yes, I can run. I just... I–I just...
Homelander
Buddy… You think I don't know what's been going on? It's your heart. I doubt you're even cracking the Top 20 anymore, and that makes The Seven–me–look pretty ridiculous. [pats A-Train on the shoulder] I do want you to know, this was really hard for me, okay? It's nothing personal. We'll always be friends and, uh... etcetera. Attaboy.
Homelander
Who the fuck do you think you are? What, you think I don't see it? Trying to undermine me, steal my team.
Homelander
Let me tell you right now, it won't work. I'm the face of The Seven! Not you! Me! I still score higher in every demo that counts: 18 to 34, 18 to 49, 25 to 54! They all love me!
[sarcastically] Well, congratulations. I mean, this constant need to be loved by everyone is kinda pathetic, but um… Yay! [beat; Homelander activates his laser eyes] Okay. Okay, calm down. [pause; Homelander's eyes return to normal] I clearly pushed you a little far. I'm sorry. Look, I'm… I'm just trying to help.
Homelander
Really? How? By taking what's mine? Let me tell you something right now: I built this team from the ground up, and there is no fucking way that anyone is gonna take it away from me.
You spent $273 million on that "Saving America" bullshit, and I am running circles around you with five guys on laptops churning out memes. I practically pay them with Arby's gift cards. You… You can't win the whole country anymore. No one can. So why are you even trying? You don't need fifty million people to love you. You need five million people fucking pissed. Emotion sells, anger sells. You have fans, I have soldiers. [pause] Look, I know that you probably won't believe this. I think that you are the best of us. I think that you are everything we should be. You just need a little help connecting with your audience. You know, change with the times. God knows I did.
Homelander
[beat] I don't need help connecting with my audience. Thank you.
Okay. Well, just know I'm always here. Door is always open for anything.
[Ashley shows Homelander a viral video of him killing an innocent civilian boy after confronting a Supe in an African village]
Homelander
Oh… [scoffs] So, what? They're all starving, but one of them's got a fuckin' cell phone?
You know, I really wish you had cleared this with me before you went over there.
Homelander
Oh, Jesus Christ. I don't have to clear shit with you, Ashley. I saw a chance for an easy win, and I took it. How many views?
Well, they posted last night. We scrubbed it seventeen minutes later, but that's forever, and there's been some blowback.
Homelander
Blowback? Alright, fine, fine, fine. So, what? I–I'm down a point? Point and a half? Two?
[clears throat] No, nine and a half.
Homelander
Nine and a half? Nine... Nine and a half?
[Ashley switches to another video of a huge crowd protesting against Homelander]
Homelander
What, th–they're fucking protesting… me? Oh, my God. Th–They're pro... They're protesting me.
They've been at the Tower all afternoon.
Homelander
Why didn't you fucking say something?! Goddammit. Don't these fucking ingrates realize I killed that asshole for them? What do they think "Saving America" fucking means, anyway?
Well, PR is drafting a response as we speak. Acknowledgment, apology, action.
Homelander
No, no, no, no. Apology? No. You schedule a press conference, and–and I'll clean it up myself.
Uh, well, Mr. Edgar... and legal would like your official position to be "no comment at this time." Please, no press until the crisis team has an actionable strategy, okay?
[Homelander runs into Stormfront as he walks back to his trailer]
Bad day? Hey, I'm with you! Fuck these maxi pad-wearing ingrate hicks. But you know, there's a way to handle it.
Homelander
I do not need your fucking help.
Sure. You seem to be doing so well on your own. Well, I'm here when you want me.
[Victoria Neuman is holding a rally where many Homelander protestors are in attendance]
VNVictoria Neuman
Yes, it's true. Vought has all the money and the power. And we have… no offense, jack shit. [laughs] But after Homelander's war crime, how can I stay quiet and still look my daughter in the eyes? I can't. I know you can't, and guess what? The House Judiciary can't either! Finally, we are going to hold hearings on Vought and Compound V! Yes!
[Neuman and the crowd are interrupted by Homelander, who makes a dramatic entrance by landing next to her]
Homelander
Hey, everyone. [to Neuman] May I? [Neuman gives him the mike] Thank you. [to the crowd] Congresswoman Neuman, everybody. Isn't she great? Didn't you love that little "Walk Like an Egyptian" dance she did online? So fun. I loved it. But fun is not what we're here for, is it? Let me just start by saying how pleased I am to see you all here. That we live in a country where all your voices can be heard.
[Cut to Ashley watching the rally live on her iPad with members of the film crew]
Everyone get the fuck out! Get the fuck out! Fuck you, get out!
[Cut back to Homelander at the rally]
Homelander
I know that some of you are a little upset by that video online of me stopping the terrorist, and I just want you to know that I understand. I'm upset, too. I mean, come on, guys. Nobody wants innocent people to get hurt. Of course not. But sadly, well… The bad guys, they don't think like us. And so, sometimes… Well, these things just happen.
M1Man #1
Wait, this has happened before?
Homelander
Well, no. Hold on, guys. My point is, we all have the same goals, don't we? To keep our country safe.
W1Woman #1
So American lives are the only ones worth protecting?
Homelander
Of course not. But if you've served with our amazing soldiers like I have, you would know that freedom comes with a price.
W2Woman #2
You don't speak for us!
M3Man #3
Yeah, you don't speak for us!
[The protestors all start chanting, "You don't speak for us"]
Homelander
Alright, alright. Everyone just calm down. Calm down! Let's not let your hearts get in the way of your heads! [pause; the chanting continues] Everyone just relax! Calm down!
[As the chanting gets louder, another man in the crowd flips off Homelander, who starts killing the protestors row by row with his laser eyes until they are all dead. When his eyes return to normal, it's revealed that the massacre was just a fantasy in his head.]
Homelander
[beat; stares at the chanting protestors] Alright! You guys are the real heroes! God bless you! Love you guys! [flies off]
Hey, I'm so glad you're here. I wanna apologize. Please, just let me explain.
Homelander
Flap, flap, flap goes that little mouth of yours. You remember you told me that you don't break easily? Well, I've been thinking about that. A lot.
I will never lie to you again. I will tell you everything. [pause] Starting with this.
[Stormfront takes out a photograph of herself with an elderly woman]
Homelander
Your grandmother?
My daughter, Chloe. She died of Alzheimer's a few years ago.
Homelander
…How old are you?
I was born in 1919… in Berlin.
[She flips through another photograph taken during the 1940s. She is at a Nazi gathering standing with another man.]
Homelander
Is that you with… ?
Heinrich Himmler. He was a lovely dancer. And that's Goebbels, and… the most important man in the room.
[She flips to a third photograph of her and the man from the second photo on their wedding day]
Homelander
Frederick Vought.
He gave me the first successful V injection. He taught me everything. And then we fell in love, and he gave me a daughter. He made me, and his genius made you. [pause; Homelander starts pacing around the room] Frederick didn't care about all the fans or stardom or any of that shallow bullshit. We are in a war for the culture! The other races are grinding us down and taking what is rightfully ours, but we can fight back… with an army of supermen, millions strong! Because that is Vought's true destiny! And you will be the man who will lead us. You are everything that we dreamed of. So I love you with all of my heart. How could I not? Everyone I have ever loved is in the ground. And then, I found you. We found each other. And now, neither of us has to be alone ever again. And that... is the truth.
[Homelander stares at Stormfront like he's about to hurt her, then pulls her in for a passionate kiss]
So, are you into anything that kids are into?
Homelander
Yeah.
Like, uh, NBA 2K? PewDiePie?
Uh, what about one of your dad's movies?
[to Homelander] You're in a movie?
Homelander
[chuckles] I'm in a bunch of movies, man. Let's see, there's Homelander: Origins, Homelander: Rise of a Hero, Homelander: Darkest Day, Homelander: Brightest Night…
Oh, your dad is so good in Homelander: Brightest Night.
Homelander
Thank you.
When you're old enough, we can talk about it, okay?
Homelander
Ah, they're PG. He can see them now. You're old enough.
You're absolutely old enough.
Homelander
For sleepovers and baseball games and visits to Vought Land.
Yeah. Did you know that your dad has his own rollercoaster?
Homelander
Whenever you want.
[to Homelander] I need to speak with you.
Homelander
We're having a good time here, right?
Homelander
[pause] That's a great idea. [to Ryan and Stormfront] You two… stay here. Get to know each other better.
[Homelander walks outside with Becca]
I know what you're doing.
Homelander
Nope, you don't.
Homelander
No, you do not. You could not possibly understand. [pause] I was raised the same way as him. That kid doesn't know anything about anything. When he sees the outside world, he's going to panic. Now, that's gonna fuck him up. I do not want my son to have to go through what I went through. His life… is different.
[sighs] He has a mother. And I know that that means something to you–I do–and if you take him away from me, this… this whole world will feel so confusing and frightening.
Homelander
Yes. But Rebecca, you… are lying to him.
Because I love him. And I know a part of you loves him, too, and that you want what's best for him. But what's best for him is to be here with me–his mother. Look, we have this opportunity to give him a childhood you never had. We can do that if he's here with me. Please. I'm begging you, please.
[Homelander tries to get Ryan to destroy a Deep action figure with his laser eyes. Ryan continues straining himself in an attempt to activate his powers.]
Homelander
Keep going. You got it. That's it, don't give up. That's it, that's it. Keep going. Little more. Little more, you got it. [pause; Ryan exhales in defeat] Oh... hey, that's okay. You'll get it, you'll get it. Um… I know what. Imagine, um… Well, sometimes it helps to imagine someone you hate, okay? So, try that.
But at home, when I say "hate", I have to put a quarter in the swear jar.
Homelander
Well, there's no swear jar here. So, you can hate away. [chuckles]
But I don't really hate anyone.
Aw. Well, that is very sweet, Ryan. But it's not something we can afford. We're under attack.
Bad guys wanna hurt us just 'cause of what we look like. They wanna wipe us from this Earth, just because of the color of our skin.
It's called white genocide. And we're gonna need people like you to protect our kind.
[Homelander finds Ryan frightened and guilty over accidentally killing Becca and brutally maiming Stormfront with his powers.]
Homelander
Ryan? Did you do this?
Homelander
Let's go. Come here. Come. Ryan... Ryan, come here.
[Ryan walks over to Butcher instead of to Homelander]
Homelander
[beat; laughs maniacally] He's mine. What, are you gonna blow yourself up to save the little shit that fucking murdered your wife?
Homelander
Have it your way.
Homelander
What are you doing here?
You're gonna let them go.
Homelander
And if I don't?
[Maeve plays the Flight 37 video on her phone and tauntingly shows it to Homelander]
Let them go. You're gonna stop hunting Starlight, you're gonna leave me and Elena alone… or I release this.
Homelander
If you do that… I'll destroy everything and everyone.
Great. As long as everyone sees what a fucking monster you are. As long as no one ever loves you again.
The Boys · 278 quotes
