[Annie and M.M. take in the aftermath of the massacre at Herogasm. She turns on the camera on her cell phone and offers it to M.M.]
MSMother's Milk
This is a bad idea.
ASAnnie/Starlight
Homelander helped make me America's sweetheart. He's gonna regret that.
[M.M. takes Annie's cell phone while she takes a few steps back]
MSMother's Milk
You ready?
[Annie nods. M.M. presses a button on Annie's phone to start recording an Instagram livestream]
ASAnnie/Starlight
I'm in Montpelier, Vermont. Twelve heroes and civilians are dead. A lot more are wounded. Now, Homelander and Vought are going to tell you that it was the supervillain, and that they have it handled. They don't. It was Soldier Boy. I know I sound insane, but Soldier Boy doesn't care about protecting Americans and he probably never has. Most heroes don't care about you. They only care about their image. And Homelander is the worst of them. He's hurt people. He's done something to Maeve. [beat] I don't know what they're gonna do to me for telling the truth… but I'm going to keep doing it, and I should have done it sooner, and I'm sorry. And one more thing: I'm not Starlight anymore. My name is Annie January… and I fucking quit.
[Homelander visits a prisoner, revealed to be Queen Maeve, inside a Vought holding cell]
Hey, how you doing? Look, I–I'm sorry about all this. I wish I could say you get used to it, but you never do. So… where are they hiding? [beat; Maeve doesn't say anything] Butcher and Soldier Boy. Where are they?
Wait, is… [gets up and walks up to Homelander] is that concealer? Do you have a bruise?
Yeah. Do you have any idea what you've set loose? Butcher has powers. I assume thanks to you. They've killed Crimson Countess and seven other heroes, Maeve. Seven. The ones that–that survived are done; they're powerless. Soldier Boy fried the V right out of their blood somehow. Maeve, do you understand that could happen to any one of us?
Yeah. That's the difference between you and me. You need to be a Supe. I can't wait till that's over.
Why are you letting me live?
Maeve… You know, back when things were better between us… [sighs] I used to dream of having kids with you. [chuckles] No, I did. A family. Nesting, you know? I–I mean, can you imagine how perfect our kids would be? Sublime. Twice as strong as Ryan. No kid of mine would ever know a room like this, I'll tell you that.
Just so you know, I'll fucking shatter whatever you try to stick up there.
Maeve, don't be so crass! We're not savages. I respect what you are, even if you don't. I would never force myself on you. [pause] But I am gonna harvest your eggs. That way, if… God forbid, you do die–whether by accident or choice–you'll die knowing that the very best of you carries on. With me. See, Maeve, I'm not letting you live. I'm keeping you alive.
[smiles and snickers] This is still a top-three day in my life. Because today is the day I saw you scared.
[Butcher has been put into deep sleep by Mindstorm and Hughie tries to rouse him. Soldier Boy, who is very stoned, looks for Mindstorm.]
Butcher, wake up! Wake up!
Fucking freak slipped away. He's gonna pick us off…
Come on, wake up, Butcher. Butcher! Wake up!
No, you're wasting your time. He's gone.
Well, if it's his usual MO, trapped him in an endless nightmare until he dies of terminal dehydration.
No, there's gotta be a way we can wake him up.
Mindstorm put him into this. He can snap him out.
But he's about to be dead.
Wait. Wait, just hang on. If we–If we grab Mindstorm, we make him help Butcher…
…and then–and then you can kill him. Then, you can go to town on him, man! I don't give a fuck!
Hey! If you're gonna act hysterical, I'm gonna slap you like I'm Connery. Now, unless you wanna end up like your friend there, it ain't worth the risk. Look, chin up, okay? Deal's a deal. You help me finish this, I'll kill Homelander. Butcher would've given up his life for that in a heartbeat. [pause; Hughie looks down at Butcher] So, we doing this or not?
[Hughie walks back to pick up his backpack]
Leave it. We gotta move fast. [pause] Ah… Do you hear that?
Uh... You might wanna lay off the weed, huh?
And you might wanna gargle my ballsack.
[...]
Still can't believe this shit is legal. I locked up so many assholes for it back in the day. [beat] What the fuck did you say?
How hard did Butcher suck your dick that you miss him that much? His mouth must feel like a Hoover Deluxe.
God, every single thing you say is so gross. He saved me, okay? More than once. So I owe him.
Oh, bullshit. You're on a mission. You get the job done, okay? I stormed Normandy. I fought the Nazis. You wanna know what I do when I'm sad or scared? Fucking nothing. 'Cause I'm not a fucking pussy.
[pause; chuckles] You didn't storm shit. Your whole Marlboro Man act? It's fucking crap, and I–
[Soldier Boy punches Hughie hard in the jaw]
[Hughie and Soldier Boy come across a priest and a nun stranded on the road when they make it out of the woods]
PPriest
Son, are–are you a superhero?
Yes, Father. You folks need some help?
Okay, well, it's not safe. There's a fugitive in the area. You should get out of here before you get hurt.
PPriest
Uh, well, we can't. I don't suppose either of you know engines?
PPriest
Oh, I'd appreciate that very much.
Uh, so, where you guys headed?
PPriest
We're just on our way to a Samaritan's Embrace retreat over there in Danville.
[Soldier Boy shoots the priest in the head, killing him instantly. The nun screams in horror.]
Oh! Oh, my God! Oh, my God! What the fuck?!
This is Mindstorm's MO; he brainwashed them. That priest was gonna shank us, and she will, too.
[Hughie gets in front of Soldier Boy when he aims his gun at the nun]
NNun
[kneels down over the priest's dead body] Father Wallace, no!
Hey! Hey, she doesn't look brainwashed to me.
Take my word for it. Everyone's coming for us. Everyone, every day.
Whoa! No, no, no! You have PTSD! You have PTSD, and you are super fucking stoned, alright?! Maybe this isn't what you think it is!
She's a human being! A nun! And if there's one thing I know–
NNun
[tackles Hughie from behind and bites him] DIE, YOU FUCKING COCKSUCKERS!
Oh, my God! Do something!
Fuck you! Get her off me!
[Soldier Boy shoots the nun in the head. Hughie pants as she falls to the ground.]
OH! FUCK! ME! NO! Hard pass on this Exorcist shit!
[looks down at the dead nun and priest] What's black and white and red all over? [pause] Okay, first off, I don't have shellshock. Fuck you. Second, this is what I'm talking about. This is being a soldier!
[Annie is waiting for an elevator at Vought Tower after stealing several Compound V samples. Homelander sees her standing by the elevators.]
Here she is. Did you think I wouldn't know the second you walked through the door?
Well, we broke up. It was time to pack my shit and go.
[chuckles and smiles] Okay. So, here's what happens now. You're gonna march into VNN Studios, and you're gonna recant everything you said. It was a tragic cocktail of heartbreak, Zoloft and despair. You regret any harm that your lies have caused Vought or me, but… me in particular.
Okay, but you wanna hear my counter? I stop Soldier Boy before he murders more people, and I find Maeve. If she's still alive.
Maeve's just learning her manners. And you should do the same. Seriously, before you throw away everything you've worked so hard for.
You know what? I could give a shit.
Really? You sure about that? Your fame is the only thing protecting you.
Here's the thing: I'm not scared of you anymore. I'm not. I see who you are. I see how small you are. I saw it. [pause] I saw it the night that you killed Supersonic.
You know what I remember from that night? I remember I told you what would happen to Hughie. You walk, that's next.
[Annie pulls out her cell phone, which is recording a livestream for her Instagram followers]
Now that you've told my 190 million followers. I'm still pretty famous.
[laughing] Hey, everybody!
[hears elevator doors open] Oh, that's me. I gotta go.
[Annie walks backwards into the elevator while still recording Homelander]
Starlight, wait. You're not supposed to record us when we're running lines!
[Homelander's cheery demeanor quickly changes to one of sheer anger and he glares at Annie as the elevator doors close]
I need to talk to Hughie. Where is he?
Oh, Starlight. How delightful. He's just popped out for a bit.
Okay, well, he's not answering his phone.
Bit hard to keep a phone when you're teleportin' all day, innit, love? How can I help?
Temp V is gonna kill you both.
Well, it's gonna have to join the queue.
I was just in the lab. It causes lesions, okay? It turns your brain into fucking Swiss cheese! So please be honest with me, and tell me how many doses have you taken.
Jesus Christ. Butcher, three to five doses kills you. You need to tell Hughie.
Yeah. Yeah, I will. I will. I promise.
Okay, but I'm calling back every five minutes until… [Butcher hangs up on her] Butcher? Goddammit.
[Hughie comes back with food for himself and Butcher]
Okay, hi. Only thing open was Long John Silver's, so... I guess that's kind of fish and chips, right?
It's, uh… It's the Temp V.
[beat] We gotta swing by the office and get some more. [pause] And then you, me, and Granny Fucker are gonna finish this fuckin' job.
Yeah. [chuckles] Fuck, yeah.
[to Ashley on the phone] Obviously, I didn't realize the little bitch was recording me, did I? [pause] No, no! Ashley, I don't fucking care! You're the spin doctor, go fucking spin it! [hears phone line beeping; to operator] What?!
OOperator
Sir, I apologize for disturbing you… but you have a call. He says he's… Well, he's claiming to be Soldier Boy.
[stammers] Put him through.
[Homelander presses a button to accept the other call]
[to Soldier Boy] This really you?
The situation's changed. I thought we should have a conversation.
I don't know who the fuck you think you are, but you got lucky once because you fucking ambushed me.
Fall 1980, I get called into Vogelbaum's lab for an experiment. Some shit about genetics. I still remember the Penthouse I used: June. Danielle Deneux, bush like a Pomeranian.
I beat my meat into a cup. Turns out… Vogelbaum made a kid. Born in spring 1981: A boy. You know what the bitch of it is? If they'd have just kept me around, I'd have let you take the spotlight. What father wouldn't want that for his son?
Listen, Ryan. Your mom, she wanted what's best for you. And so do I. You have a real family.
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.
[Hughie has Annie pick him up at the gas station where Butcher abandoned him]
Thanks for picking me up. I'm sure you wanna tell me to go fuck myself.
'Cause if you did wanna say that, I mean, you could. [sighs]
Uh... Butcher. Just out of nowhere, knocked me out.
That Temp V is fatal. If you shot up any more, you'd probably be dead right now. [Hughie stares at her] Oh, my fucking God, he didn't tell you! That asshole!
Saved your life? It looks like he gave you a concussion.
He stopped me from taking more V. [pause] Have you ever had pizza rolls?
Like… middle school sleepover pizza rolls?
Yeah. Dad bought them in bulk after Mom left. Every night, we'd have pizza rolls, watch Remington Steele, try not to touch her spot on the couch. And he never fought back for her or anything. Just sat there eating pizza rolls. I spent so much time thinking he was… sad and–and weak. Just a loser. But you know what? Dad… was there. Taking care of me during the worst days of his life, just trying to keep the lights on and a… and a roof above our heads. He wasn't weak. I just, I–I didn't know what strength was. Annie, I'm–I'm so sorry. I've been an asshole. I never should have… I–I never should've put any of this onto you.
Thank you for saying that.
Literally every neuron in your brain is screaming "I told you so", so why don't you just say it before your head explodes?
Oh, my God! I fucking told you so!
Feel good to get that out?
[sniffs whiskey] Whoa. That brings me back. Used to sneak my dad's Manhattans when I was a kid.
I didn't have to nick nothin' from my old man. He used to get me and me little brother lagered just for the hell of it.
Well, I gotta admit, that does sound funny. The old man still around?
Arse cancer. [pause; sees Mallory calling him and shuts his phone off] Shittin' his guts out as we speak, one hopes.
You ever see The Soldier Boy Story?
It's a classic. We lost Best Picture to An American in Paris that year. At least I got to ass-fuck Jane Wyman in the coat check. It's about a poor kid from the streets of South Philly, discovers he's got incredible powers to match his heart of gold. It was all bullshit.
[sarcastically] Blimey, you don't say.
Actually, my father owned half the steel mills in the state. I went to boarding school. Got kicked out of boarding school because I was a fuck-up… but he made sure I knew it.
Never laid a hand on me. He couldn't be bothered. He said I was a disappointment. Not good enough to carry his name. So I went to his golf buddies in the War Department, and they got me into Dr. Vought's Compound V trials. I became a superhero. Strongest man alive, fuckin' ticker-tape parades when I came home.
And what did the old man say then?
Ah… he said I took a shortcut. [pause] That a real man wouldn't have cheated. [beat; clears throat] How 'bout you? You got kids?
I always assumed I had a few out there… somewhere. I always wanted 'em, 'cause I thought I could do it better than my father did.
Homelander ain't yours. Not really.
He's the only blood I've got left.
It don't matter. You didn't name him, didn't raise him. Vought grew him in a fuckin' test tube to take your place. He's the fuckin' reason they left you to rot with the Ivans. Look, mate… we had a deal.
[Soldier Boy finishes his glass of whiskey, stands up, and walks out]
[The Deep plays a voice recording of Annie calling Vought security for Ashley, A-Train and Homelander]
[over the recording] I'm Starlight, and I'm telling you that you need to evacuate the Tower now.
VGVought Guard
[over the recording] Why?
[over the recording] Because Soldier Boy is alive, and he–
We ran it through the voice thingamabob. It's really her, so… you know, I think we should probably evacuate.
Nobody's evacuating anything. We have to project strength.
Right. No, that's smart. Strength. Okay, so my Angel Fish–that's what I call Analytics–we think Soldier Boy's coming for Noir. Last member of Payback, right? So we should use Noir as bait. And that way it draws Soldier Boy directly to the…
[Homelander lays Black Noir's face mask on the table]
…Hey, is everything–Is everything okay with Noir?
He was keeping secrets from me. You know, when the company first rolled me out in front of the cameras, they told me I was gonna get my very own team. I wanted so badly for that team to be the family that I never got. And then, I got you.
I've–I've always tried to help, sir.
What, like when you ran away from Herogasm? Or maybe when you fucked an octopus? [pause; A-Train looks at The Deep with disgust] You really wanna help?
[Homelander motions for The Deep to come closer to him. He whispers something in The Deep's ear.]
Sir… [chuckles] That's sort of treason.
Anything you need, Homelander. Sir.
Ashley, take off that wig.
[Homelander just glares at her. Ashley reluctantly reaches above her head, and takes off her red-headed wig, revealing that she is mostly bald from pulling her hair out. A-Train and The Deep look shocked.]
Hmmm. [to A-Train] And then, there's you. How could you kill one of your own kind in cold blood? You are gonna tell the world that we are the one and only true justice. Noir was worth more than all of you put together. You're not my family. I don't need any of you. Remember that.
[Homelander is inside a Vought lab watching an archival video of Soldier Boy when Butcher appears behind him]
Scorched earth, eh, William?
[Butcher walks into the Vought lab. Soldier Boy and Queen Maeve follow him inside.]
[pause] He's dead. I killed him.
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.
[Homelander opens a door and brings Ryan out]
[to Soldier Boy] This is my son, Ryan. Your grandson.
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.
I know. You're a fucking disappointment.
What the fuck are you doing?
Oh, I thought you said blood didn't matter. I thought that was the whole fuckin' point!
Wait, Homelander fucked your wife? And you wanna save the brat? The hell's wrong with you?
So this is it. Everything you wanted–He's right fuckin' there, and now you blink?
Fuck you! You're weaker than he is.
Hello? It's me. Are you there?
[Queen Maeve walks out Annie's bedroom with an arm cast, wearing gauze over her right eye while her other eye is black and blue]
Oh, God. Well, you, uh… You look like shit.
[grins] Fuck off, Smurfette.
[chuckles] You gonna be okay?
Yeah, slowly. Painfully, like every other powerless schmuck in America, thanks to Soldier Boy. Question: Should I get a pirate patch or the Sammy Davis glass eye?
Oh, the pirate patch. No question.
[Maeve's girlfriend, Elena, comes out to join her]
EElena
[to Maeve] You ready? [to Annie] Hey.
Hey, Elena. Where will you guys go?
I don't know, somewhere Homelander won't find me.
EElena
A farm, ideally. She's from Modesto. She was a Future Farmer of America.
[to Maeve] Thank you. For everything.
First time your prissy ass showed up at the Tower, crying in that bathroom… You saved me. Truth is, you… you don't need me anymore. I could jump… but you can fucking fly. [beat; chuckles when Annie hugs her] You're like a walking Hallmark card. Enough.
[Hughie sees Annie holding her old Starlight uniform]
You sure you wanna do this?
[Annie thinks for a moment, then shoves the uniform into a trash chute]
I don't need it. [shakes her head] I don't. The suit never gave me any power. And Vought sure as shit didn't. [Hughie gives Annie her old boots to throw away] It's always just been me.
MSMother's Milk
[pause; clears his throat] Uh, Annie?
MSMother's Milk
You know, we're in a historic building. You need to double-knot...
MSMother's Milk
… and bag your trash if you're gonna be working here.
Butcher isn't gonna like it.
Butcher can suck my shit. From now on, this is a democracy, huh? I say you're one of The Boys.
[Kimiko and Hughie raise their hands in approval. Butcher suddenly appears and interrupts by sipping from a Vought cup. Hughie watches TV and notices something on the news while everyone stares coldly at Butcher.]
FRFemale Reporter
[on TV] After the tragic drowning of presumptive VP candidate Lamar Bishop, we go live to the Singer campaign in Sioux Falls, where Dakota Bob just announced his new running mate.
[The news cuts to Victoria Neuman walking behind Singer]
MRMale Reporter
[on TV] What would you like to say to the American people?
[on TV] As the next Vice President, I will work hard to provide a safe and secure future for all citizens on both sides of the political divide.
[on TV] And that's why I am so proud to have her on my team.
[All of the Boys, except for Butcher, watch the cheering crowd in shock]
Well… That bitch has definitely gotta go.
