Ryan quotes from The Boys

Wow, look at this handsome devil. Hey, pal. You know who I am?

Ryan

Homelander.

[laughs] Yeah, that's right, but… you know who else?

Ryan

No.

[The other person is revealed to be Becca, which means the boy is her and Homelander's child. She and Butcher look absolutely shocked to see each other.]

Becca?

Huh. Mommy didn't tell you. Well… I'm your father. And we are a family.

[The boy's eyes widen in surprise and start glowing just like Homelander's]

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When I was your age, I didn't have many friends either.

RBRyan Butcher

Mom says being lonely makes you know yourself better.

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.

Ryan

Wait, you... You didn't?

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.

Ryan

I… I–I should probably go to bed now, you know?

Sure. [pats Ryan]

[Homelander gets up from Ryans' bed and turns off the lights. He turns around before leaving.]

I love you, son. [pause; Ryan just stares at him] You know, you can say it back.

Ryan

Um, I… love you, too.

This is nice.

[Homelander leaves Ryan's bedroom and closes the door. He sees Becca standing close by.]

Your turn, Mom.

BBBecca Butcher

You need to leave.

Excuse me?

You need to get the fuck out of my house.

[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.

Don't.

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.

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[Homelander and Ryan are standing on the roof of Becca's house]

Your mom ever bring you up here?

Ryan

No.

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?

Ryan

Um... ready for what?

To jump.

Ryan

[pause; nervously looks down at the ground] Wait, you can't be serious. I'm not gonna jump.

Ryan, you're my son. You can fly just like me.

Ryan

I–I don't want to.

You take a big deep breath, you step off, and your body will just do the rest. It'll just take over.

Ryan

But I–I can't fly. I'll just fall right off of here and get–

Hey, buddy. You're gonna love it. I promise.

Ryan

I'm nothing like you. I–I can't fly.

You can. You can. I promise you can.

Ryan

Dad, please. Please, don't make me jump.

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?!

It's fine. It's a twenty-foot drop. Relax.

You inhuman fucking monster! [to Ryan] Come here.

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.

[laughing] He's fine!

I don't think he's breathing! I don't think he's–

Ryan

[wakes up with a gasp] Mom?

Hi, hi.

Look. See, told ya.

Hi, sweetie. Are you hurt? [kisses Ryan on the forehead] Does anything feel broken?

Oh, for God's sake. Broken?

Let me see.

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.

I'm his father.

You don't get to say that after what you did!

What I did to you [grabs Becca's wrist]... was give you a son that you are raising like a little girl.

Let go of me.

He's mine.

Ryan

Get your hands off of her!

[Ryan pushes Homelander away from Becca. His eyes are glowing and he starts breathing heavily.]

[pause; sits up] Good boy. See, I told you.

Ryan

[quietly; his eyes return to normal] What?

You're just like me, Ryan.

Ryan

No, I'm not like you! I'm nothing like you! I FUCKING HATE YOU! LEAVE US ALONE!

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So, are you into anything that kids are into?

Yeah.

Like, uh, NBA 2K? PewDiePie?

Ryan

What's that?

Uh, what about one of your dad's movies?

Ryan

[to Homelander] You're in a movie?

[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.

Thank you.

Ryan

Mom, can I see them?

When you're old enough, we can talk about it, okay?

Ah, they're PG. He can see them now. You're old enough.

You're absolutely old enough.

For sleepovers and baseball games and visits to Vought Land.

Yeah. Did you know that your dad has his own rollercoaster?

Ryan

Can I, Mom?

We can talk about it.

Whenever you want.

[to Homelander] I need to speak with you.

We're having a good time here, right?

Outside. Now.

[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.

Nope, you don't.

Yes, I do. I–I can see…

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.

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.

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[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.]

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.

Ryan

But at home, when I say "hate", I have to put a quarter in the swear jar.

Well, there's no swear jar here. So, you can hate away. [chuckles]

Ryan

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.

Ryan

We are?

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.

Ryan

Really?

It's called white genocide. And we're gonna need people like you to protect our kind.

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[Homelander finds Ryan frightened and guilty over accidentally killing Becca and brutally maiming Stormfront with his powers.]

Ryan? Did you do this?

Ryan

I didn't mean to.

Let's go. Come here. Come. Ryan... Ryan, come here.

[Ryan walks over to Butcher instead of to Homelander]

No.

[beat; laughs maniacally] He's mine. What, are you gonna blow yourself up to save the little shit that fucking murdered your wife?

I promised.

Have it your way.

Stop.

What are you doing here?

Queen Maeve

You're gonna let them go.

And if I don't?

[Maeve plays the Flight 37 video on her phone and tauntingly shows it to Homelander]

Queen Maeve

Let them go. You're gonna stop hunting Starlight, you're gonna leave me and Elena alone… or I release this.

If you do that… I'll destroy everything and everyone.

Queen Maeve

Great. As long as everyone sees what a fucking monster you are. As long as no one ever loves you again.

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Listen, Ryan. Your mom, she wanted what's best for you. And so do I. You have a real family.

Ryan

But aren't you mad at me? For what I did?

You know it wasn't your fault, right? Son, when you're as strong as we are, accidents happen, things break… and sometimes they are the things that you love the most. But- but that's all it is: An accident. And nobody on this earth knows that better than me. Nobody. That's why I'm always gonna love you. No matter what happens, no matter... what you do. I'm not going anywhere. I will always be here.

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[Homelander is inside a Vought lab watching an archival video of Soldier Boy when Butcher appears behind him]

Scorched earth, eh, William?

Scorched earth.

[Butcher walks into the Vought lab. Soldier Boy and Queen Maeve follow him inside.]

Where's Noir?

[pause] He's dead. I killed him.

Why?

Because he didn't tell me about you. I'm alone. I just wanna talk. I know what it's like to have your team betray you. But with you and I together… they wouldn't stand a chance. Nobody would.

Unless we kill each other first.

That's true, but why? What, because he says so? [chuckling] He's nothing. He's a human.

[to Soldier Boy] Don't you listen to this fuckin' twat. He ain't your kid.

YES, I AM! I AM YOUR SON! I am your blood. That's all that matters.

Maybe.

[Homelander opens a door and brings Ryan out]

Ryan…

[to Soldier Boy] This is my son, Ryan. Your grandson.

Ryan

Hi, Grandpa.

You see? You have a family. You have him… [tearfully] and you have me.

[pause] It's a shame that I've missed… so much. I wish I could've raised you and taught you, father to son.

Me, too. That's okay. We're not alone anymore. We have each other.

Maybe if I'd raised you, I could've made you better… and not some weak, sniveling pussy starved for attention. But there's no fixing that now.

Weak? I'm you.

I know. You're a fucking disappointment.

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Listen, Ryan, I got a lot to say and fuck-all time to say it. I got a lorry out back. I can get you out of here.

Ryan

What are you talking about?

I know you're angry with me, and you got every right to be. But you know how dangerous Homelander is.

Ryan

He's my dad.

Ryan, he–he murdered some poor sod right in front of your eyes!

Ryan

But that guy was a pedophile.

Ryan, it ain't true. He's lyin' to ya. Let me take ya to Grace, alright? And then you don't gotta see me no more... Please, son. I'm beggin' ya. It's what your Mum would want.

[walking into the room] "No" means "no", William. This isn't the Neverland Ranch. Don't worry. Nothing bad's gonna happen, right? [pause] Oh... Seems it already has. Look at that big, black mass curdling around your brain. What do you got, six months? Less? It's too bad, we're not gonna have that last dance together. I'll miss us.

Bloody hell, you wank to your own voice, don't ya?

That's the spirit, champ.

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[The Vought marketing team pitches Ryan's new Supe identity]

EEvan

Small-town kid grows up on a Montana ranch with his mom. On the surface, he's an everyday all-American boy.

SSeth

But deep in his heart, he knows he's different, special. He's always asking himself, "Who am I?" Then one day, that question is answered when Homelander flies down from the sky and says, with tears in his eyes…

No tears.

SSeth

…and says proudly, [Homelander mouths along with Seth and grins] "Son, it's time for you to take your place by my side".

EEvan

And for Ryan it feels surprising, yet inevitable. He always knew he was destined for greatness.

SSeth

Because he came from greatness!

[Seth unveils a poster of Ryan wearing a supersuit that looks identical to Homelander's with the Supe name, Homeboy]

Oooh! [chuckles and claps] Wow. [to Ryan] Oh, buddy, can you believe that? Wh–What do you think?

Ryan

It's cool… I guess.

You guess? [chuckles] Uh… I think it looks amazing.

Oh, so amazing. Really marketable.

AAAlso Ashley

So marketable.

The whole pitch blows.

It… does not blow.

It blows, harder than Nancy Reagan on the MGM backlot.

I'm sorry, why are you here?

Vought got rid of most of the sidekicks after Gunpowder. The settlements exceeded profitability.

Yeah, but I don't think Ryan is gonna file an HR complaint against me. [laughs with the rest of the marketing team]

Ryan

What?

Ryan is the first natural-born superhero, and his brand needs to reflect that. He's not one of Vought's lab rat freaks. He was chosen by fate, God, whatever… to be the one who saves the world.

Yes. But let's not forget why he is special, shall we? He's my son. Chosen by God, sure, but uh… made by me.

The chosen one narrative only works if he stands alone. Harry Potter, Neo, Luke Skywalker. Hollywood's trained people to fall in love with white boy lone saviors. So, America will want to fall in love with Ryan.

[Sage hands Ryan her iPad, which shows a crime itinerary document]

Ryan

What is this?

It's a crime itinerary. Your first save. Congratulations, son. [whispering to Sage] I'm not on the call sheet.

You wanted a kingdom for your son. I'm helping you get it.

[beat] Excellent. Just as we discussed. Feel free to move forward.

Thanks. [pulls out cell phone; to Homelander] Ah, if you don't mind? [takes a quick selfie with Homelander; to Ashley] I'm here because Homelander wants me here. Because he trusts me.

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[Homelander finds Ryan crying into a pillow after his first save results in the accidental death of a Vought stuntman]

Who wants a creamy, delicious milkshake? Hmm? [pause; Ryan continues crying] Oh, Ryan… Okay, come on. Come on. It's okay. Don't worry, okay? Don't worry. You'll get plenty of solo saves, I promise. But I really do think that my being there is good for your numbers.

Ryan

What?

Yeah.

Ryan

No.

Yes.

Ryan

No, no…

Yes.

Ryan

I killed Koy.

That's what you're upset about? Koy? [sighs] Okay. Accidents happen all the time, okay? Humans are fragile. You can't save them all.

Ryan

But isn't that our job?

Look, Koy died doing what he loved, okay? It'll be better next time.

Ryan

No.

Yes.

Ryan

No, I'm never doing that again.

Jesus Christ. How many times do I have to tell you?! They're only human, Ryan! Toys! [sighs] You can't go around feeling bad about what you are 'cause a few things break. Who cares? You are destined for so much more, you understand? You're chosen, young man. Sooner or later, you gotta accept it.

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[Butcher has baked cookies laced with halothane to feed Ryan during his visit]

I’ve got Connect 4, and LEGO. Plus, a special little something just for you. [opens cookie jar] Your mum’s recipe. World-famous, some say.

Ryan

Mom used to bake them every year for my birthday instead of cake, but… No, thanks.

Really?

Ryan

I’m not hungry.

Alright. Maybe later, then. Fancy a game?

[Ryan points at Butcher's ear, which is leaking blood]

It’s nothing. I’m fine.

Ryan

Butcher. [pause] Are you… scared?

Scared of what?

Ryan

To die, I mean.

…I’m alright with it.

[...]

I saw your save on the telly. So you’re a big hero now, eh?

Ryan

Not really.

Come on, you’re a star. Nailed your lines and all.

Ryan

I actually… I accidentally hurt someone.

What do you mean, “hurt ’em”?

Ryan

I was supposed to throw them… but I did it too hard.

They gonna be alright?

Ryan

[shakes his head] My dad says I shouldn’t even care. [pause; tearfully] I get why you don’t want me. I wouldn’t want me either.

Hey… Now you listen to me. Them horrible things I said… I didn’t mean ’em. I have this, uh… I have this habit, see, of pushin' people away.

Ryan

Why?

‘Cause, uh… ‘Cause I’m a bad man. I ain’t got no business lookin' after a kid.

Ryan

That's not true.

Before, you asked if I was scared. And the truth of the matter… is I’m bloody terrified, mate. I’m leavin' this world with nothing to show for it. I lost me bruv… your mum. And I could be leavin' without makin' things right with the one part of her that is still alive. And that… that scares me more than anything.

[Butcher takes the cookie jar and dumps the halothane cookies in the trash]

Ryan

Why’d you do that?

I fucked ’em up. Put way too much sugar in ’em.

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Where have you been?

Ryan

Sorry. I flew to Coney Island to get those hot dogs.

You’re lying.

Ryan

No, I’m not.

You’ve been at William Butcher’s. I can smell him on you.

Ryan

I wanted to see him. [Homelander scoffs at him] He’s going through a tough time.

Why do you care when you have everything here?! You have a home, you have a father! I’ve given you everything that I ever wanted, and it’s still not good enough for you! WHY?! You’re ungrateful. You go behind my back, you lie to me. Why? [softly] Fuck. Why am I not good enough for you?

Ryan

[stammers] No, I… It’s just Butcher–

Butcher. You know what? If you love him so much, why don’t you get him to be your dad?

Ryan

No, I don’t want him to be my dad. You’re my–

Enough! ENOUGH!

[Homelander throws a statue at a mirror in a fit of rage. Ryan runs away from him.]

Aw, fuck. Fuck.

MHMirror Homelander #1

John? John… Come here.

[Homelander gets up and walks over to the shattered mirror, where he sees three reflections of himself]

MHMirror Homelander #1

John, come here. You really made a mess this time, tiger.

MHMirror Homelander #2

Come on, champ. Pull yourself together. Deep breath.

MHMirror Homelander #1

For God’s sakes, look at you. A few Starlighters hate you, Ryan spends some time with Butcher, and oh boo-hoo, you’re a fucking mess!

MHMirror Homelander #2

You have to be stronger, John. For Ryan.

MHMirror Homelander #1

You still need love!

MHMirror Homelander #2

You’re pushing him away.

MHMirror Homelander #1

So much love! You still crave it!

No, that’s not true.

MHMirror Homelander #1

You’re gonna make him weak and needy, like you.

MHMirror Homelander #2

You can still fix things. He’s your son.

MHMirror Homelander #1

He hates you. He’s gonna turn on you.

MHMirror Homelander #2

Your blood.

MHMirror Homelander #1

Everyone hates you.

[The third Homelander reflection shushes the other two]

MHMirror Homelander #3

It’s time to overcome this need for love–this sickness–once and for all. You’re never gonna be your true self until you transcend your humanity.

What do I do?

MHMirror Homelanders

You need to go back to the start.

[Homelander remembers the laboratory where he was raised as a child]

MHMirror Homelander #3

John, you need to go home.

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Ryan

So, you’re… you’re really not mad at me?

No. I’m proud of you for speaking your mind. Ryan… [sighs] I’ve been manipulated by people my whole life. Being told what to say, where to stand. It–It’s like being a slave, only worse. I did some reflecting, and I realized that I’ve been doing the same thing to you. But no more. From now on, no more rules. For either of us. We are both emancipated from slavery. We’re free. Sound good?

Ryan

Yeah. [chuckles]

Yeah? Oh, buddy, I–I don’t care what anyone else thinks but you. Far as I’m concerned, this whole planet is empty. Except for you and me.

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Ryan

Stop, stop, stop! This song isn't cool. Well, honestly, none of this is cool.

Go to fucking commercial!

Ryan

No, don't go to commercial. Keep rolling, please. Your family isn’t your enemy. Your family is all you’ve got. [pause] I’ve been thinking about my mom a lot lately. She died. But she loved Christmas… and s’mores with Reese’s. And Terms of Endearment… and she loved her husband, Billy, but she wouldn’t love this. She wouldn’t want me doing it. My mom always told me to tell the truth, which is why… I’m sorry.

[Cut to Butcher watching Ryan on TV at a bar]

And that… is why I got faith in the kid, [points at Ryan on the TV] you little fuckin' beauty. [downs bourbon shot]