[A-Train walks out on stage to present the next segment of Homelander's televised birthday special. He is wearing a completely new supersuit]
What the fuck is he wearing?!
AAnnouncer
Yeah, alright. Let's hear it for Supersonic, everybody.
Get me fucking wardrobe! Get me fucking wardrobe so I can fucking choke them out!
Alright, so now, I would like to bring out our co-captains. So let's give it up for Starlight and the man of the hour himself, Homelander! Happy birthday, Homelander.
[muffled by the cheers while feigning his smile] I can see your girdle, you disgusting fat fuck! Get off the fucking stage!
ASAnnie/Starlight
Wow, I'm so honored to be with you guys tonight to celebrate my dear friend and mentor, Homelander. I'm here to do more than wish you a happy birthday, though. I'm thrilled to be announcing a project that is near and dear to my heart. The Starlight House is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping homeless and at-risk youth.
AHAudience Heckler
Hey, Homelander! Your Nazi died!
Did he just say his Nazi died?
SSecurity
[to audience heckler, grabbing him by shoulders] Let's go.
ASAnnie/Starlight
Homelander… He's just–He's a human. He's just like the rest of us. And we all make mistakes, right? But we all deserve second chances. In that spirit, Homelander has agreed to donate $10 million to the Starlight House, which is–I mean…
ASAnnie/Starlight
Give–Come on. Give it up!
ASAnnie/Starlight
Give it up for this guy!
No, no, no! Starlight lied to you just now. She did. I don't make mistakes! I'm not "just like the rest of you"! I'm stronger, I'm smarter, I… I'm better! I AM BETTER! I'm not some weak-kneed fucking crybaby that goes around fucking apologizing all the time! And why the fuck would you want me to be?!
Quick, Roger! Stop rolling, go to fucking commercial! Go to fucking commercial!
[pointing to an offscreen camera operator] Don't you DARE stop rolling, Roger! All my life, people have tried to control me my whole life. Rich people–powerful people–tried to muzzle me, cancel me, keep me impotent and obedient like I'm a fucking puppet! And you know what, it worked. Because I allowed it to work, and guess what? If they can control me, then you can bet your ass they can control you! They already do. You just don't realize it. [pause] I'm done. I am done apologizing, I am done being persecuted for my strength. You people should be thanking Christ that I am who and what I am, BECAUSE YOU NEED ME! YOU NEED ME TO SAVE YOU! You do. I am the only one who possibly can. You're not the real heroes. I'm the real hero. [beat] I am the real hero.
[Hughie is surprised to see M.M. setting up his desk in the Boys' Flatiron Building office]
MSMother's Milk
The prodigal son returns.
What the fuck? Hey, man. [laughs as M.M. hugs him] Yeah… Wait. Wait, are you… Are you back?
MSMother's Milk
We'll see.
Don't get me wrong. I'm happy, but are–are you sure?
MSMother's Milk
[sees the bloody bandage on Hughie's hand] What the fuck happened here, kid? You jacking off with razors again?
You know, you should see the other guy. The other guy's my penis.
MSMother's Milk
[laughs] I missed you, kid.
I missed you, too, man. [pause; notices Butcher staring at him and sighs] Look, I know what you're gonna say, and I just–
No. No, mate. I'm just chuffed to have all the Boys back under the same roof, alright?
Yeah. [to Frenchie and M.M.] I mean, there he was, right? In his fancy pants, lordin' it over us like the viceroy of Vought Square, eh? And that whole time, he weren't nothin' but a Supe's bootlick.
That, my son, is a Lifetime Achievement at the Cunt of the Year Awards, innit?
Yeah, it is. It is a Lifetime Achievement. [Butcher laughs] Are you done?
No, mate. I am just gettin' started, believe you me.
Great. Listen, we need to get Ryan somewhere safe. Vicky knows where she is because we fucking told her, which means Stan Edgar knows, too.
Yeah, one step ahead. Colonel's already done a runner with the boy. They're well outta sight. In fact, we were gonna pay 'em a little visit.
Monsieur Charcutier, I cannot go. I have a matter of great importance.
Oh, I'm sorry. I must've forgot to run it by your bleedin' secretary!
Nah, you skive off today, and that congresswoman might split your pretty little buns.
Yeah, thought of that. Uh, Kimiko. [pause; Kimiko removes her headphones] Kimiko, hi. Can you please… break my arm? Vicky will smell it if I fake being sick, so it's gotta be real, and it's gotta last for days.
[laughing] Fuckin' hell, Hughie!
At least take something for the pain. I got opium. [tosses prescription bottle to Hughie]
Government employees can't fail a piss test. [tosses prescription bottle back to Frenchie; to Kimiko] Let's just get this over with, okay? Just do it pretty fast.
[Kimiko takes Hughie's left arm and prepares to twist it]
MSMother's Milk
Hold on. Hold up, hold up. Have a seat, please. Only been here three minutes, and it's already The Bold and the Batshit. [puts garbage bag on Hughie's lap] Alright, go ahead.
[Kimiko places one hand on Hughie's shoulder and the other near his wrist]
MSMother's Milk
Nah, nah, nah! [points at Hughie's forearm] Right here. Clean break, no permanent damage.
[takes a deep breath] Yeah? [pause; Kimiko nods] One, two–
[Kimiko snaps Hughie's arm, making him scream in pain. Butcher calmly watches while drinking his tea.]
Neuman's head of the Bureau because I said so. I tried to save her from the attack on Congress that she fucking caused!
Well, at least you didn't spend the last year getting her oatmilk lattes and every piece of intel she asked for.
[to Butcher] I would very much like to know the plan to eliminate her.
Well, that depends on what you can tell us about your little holiday down in Nicaragua.
[pause] I've never been to Nicaragua.
Really? 'Cause a little birdie told me you were Payback's case officer down there, on a classified job that Soldier Boy never come back from.
MSMother's Milk
[pause; Mallory scoffs] Colonel?
Whatever it is William thinks he may have heard… he's mistaken.
Is he? You know that safe you got in your home office? The one behind the picture of Bush number one? Well, I borrowed a ledger from it–the one with all your assets around the world. How long do you think them and their families will last when I put every one of their fuckin' names on Facebook?
You'd sign the death warrants of dozens of innocent people who had nothing to do with this?
I'm embarrassed for the both of us that you're askin'.
[pause] Nicaragua's ancient history. Not to mention, I could be killed just for telling you.
And all your agents will get killed if you don't. [pulls out chair and sits down] Blimey. What a pickle.
[beat] It was part of Operation Charly.
Reagan's pet project, off the books. Helped the Contra rebels fight the Russian-backed Sandinistas, but we needed a way to pay for it. Some of the cash came from selling arms to Iran. Oliver North's epic fuck-up. But the rest? If there's one thing that the Contras had plenty of, it was cocaine. I was in charge of trafficking the coke into the U.S. and then using the profits to buy more weapons in the fight against the Reds. Whatever it took.
MSMother's Milk
That's some self-justifying bullshit. Were you part of that other thing, too?
MSMother's Milk
She knows. [to Mallory] Tell him.
The unwritten policy was to sell the cocaine strictly to minority neighborhoods–destabilize, demoralize–while staying out of white ones. Late in '84, we were gearing up for a major offensive. So the higher-ups, in their infinite wisdom, decided it was the perfect time to throw a wrench in the works: Fucking Payback. Each more ridiculous than the next: Crimson Countess, Mindstorm, Swatto, the TNT Twins, Noir, Gunpowder, and the most idiotic of them all…
You came to me after Becca disappeared and promised me Homelander's head. And all this time, you knew there was something that could do the job, and you never said a fuckin' word!
Whatever this weapon is, it probably won't work on Homelander.
Even worse. Because it wouldn't end with him. You'd go after another Supe, then another, then all of them.
If you'd have told me about this sooner, Homelander might already be dead! Ryan wouldn't be runnin' from one safe house to the next, wonderin' when his nutter dad's gonna drop outta the sky! And Becca… Becca might still be alive. And for that… I'll never fuckin' forgive ya.
This was never about Ryan or Becca. It was always selfish. Always and only for you. For the hate inside that you want to let loose on the world. I thought maybe you changed, but I was wrong. You are your father. Always have been.
[to Annie] Ashley tells me that you chose Silver Kinca… Kincaid.
I have notes. I mean, I'm a co-captain. It's only fair I have a say in the new recruits, right?
ASAnnie/Starlight
No. Actually, I choose the new members.
But I am pitching the craziest twist. The audience will never see it coming, right?
ASAnnie/Starlight
Well, I've made my decision.
Oh, come on! You haven't even heard it yet! Seriously, you're–you're gonna love it. Ready?
[Ashley opens the doors and reveals…]
Hey. What's up, guys? How are you?
[Annie is visibly upset at seeing the Deep and his wife, Cassandra at the door]
No, no, no, no, no. Starlight, before you say anything, doesn't Christ tell us to turn the other cheek?
CCassandra
[hugs Annie] I really want us to be sisters.
I had something made for you, Starlight. It's a peace offering. [opens a jeweler box with a gold dolphin necklace inside] It's 24-karat gold with certified conflict-free diamonds. I've put in the work. And I realize that when you've made an unforgivable mistake, the first person you have to forgive… is yourself.
ASAnnie/Starlight
What makes you think that I want a daily reminder of the guy who fucking mouth-raped me?! [to Homelander] I need a word.
Let's let these two chat, shall we?
[Ashley leads The Deep and Cassandra out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar]
ASAnnie/Starlight
[to Homelander] Absolutely not.
Do you really think I'm gonna let a fucking Muslim in The Seven? Captain Al-Qaeda? We're Americans.
ASAnnie/Starlight
I'm taking this to Mr. Edgar.
My speech last night? Thirty-eight-point-six rating and a 59 share. Oh, and they're saying that the live-plus-threes are gonna be even bigger. Edgar said it himself: Popularity is power. He won't die on this hill.
ASAnnie/Starlight
[pause] Do I need to remind you of the Flight video?
[Homelander scoffs, gets up and closes the door shut]
Go ahead. Release it. Let's light this candle, huh? I mean, sure, I'll lose everything, but then… I'll have nothing to lose. First, I'll take out the nerve centers: White House, Pentagon. Then, any domestic defense capabilities, and then critical infrastructure like cellular, Internet–that kind of thing. And then… Well, I think then I'll just wipe New York off the fucking map. For fun. I'll even throw in Des Moines and that little cousin-fucker hick town that Maeve's from, 'cause why not? See, Starlight, I'd prefer to be loved. I would. But if you take that away from me… Well, being feared is A-one okey-doke by me. So… go ahead, partner. Do it. [pause; Annie doesn't say anything] No? You don't wanna to do it? Well, then I would have to say that you have absolutely no fucking leverage because I am the Homelander… and I really can do whatever the fuck I want.
ASAnnie/Starlight
Homelander's had a breakdown. He's lost his fucking mind.
Hey, hey, hey. Hey, slow down. Slow down. What?
ASAnnie/Starlight
He's bringing the Deep back into The Seven, so I brought up the video, and he said to go ahead and release it. You were right. Co-captain was a bad idea. I have to leave.
Look, I–I know I should tell you to run out of there like a house on fire, and I want to… [sighs] but you gotta stick it out.
ASAnnie/Starlight
I'm sorry?
Listen, I'm–I'm back with Butcher.
We're onto something that could kill Homelander.
ASAnnie/Starlight
What? What is it?
Some kind of weapon. Uh… I'm not sure, but you gotta buy us some time. Keep your eyes on him.
ASAnnie/Starlight
How much time?
ASAnnie/Starlight
You don't know. So for God knows how long, I have to paste on a smile with Homelander growing more unstable by the hour, hoping that he doesn't kill me or worse.
If that's what it takes, then yeah. [pause; sighs] I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Just… Homelander and Vicky, they–they're running laps around us because… because we keep trying to do it the right way. The high road just doesn't work. We–We have to be as mean and fucked-up as they are.
ASAnnie/Starlight
Now you sound like…
Like Butcher, I know. But Annie, he's... he's right. He's been right all along. I'm just so… tired of losing.
ASAnnie/Starlight
[sighs] Okay. You better pull this off, Hughie, but… okay.
[Homelander and Annie are filming the finale of their Vought reality show]
Well, this has been quite a long road for all of you. You've shown us the best of what heroes can be.
ASAnnie/Starlight
The first of the two selections, and the newest member of The Seven is… Supersonic.
[Supersonic walks up to the centerstage and hugs Annie]
[shakes Supersonic's hand] Welcome.
SSupersonic
Thank you, sir.
[in Spanish] My friend, the honor is all mine, brother. [chuckles; Supersonic is weirded out] Well... this is it. The final new member of The Seven is… [beat] Lord of the Seven Seas, The Deep!
[A spotlight shines on The Deep, who is standing behind them, far away from the stage. The other two female Supe finalists, Silver Kincaid and Moonshadow look disgusted and distraught.]
[to Supersonic] Congratulations, bro.
Alright. [to Silver Kincaid and Moonshadow] Well, unfortunately, it won't be either of you two. I'm sure you understand, you just can't put a price on experience.
ASAnnie/Starlight
Please hang up your capes and go.
Now Deep, I gotta say, I am… Well, frankly, I'm moved and inspired that Starlight here has chosen to forgive you.
ASAnnie/Starlight
I accept your apology, Deep. You deserve a second chance.
Thank you, Starlight. Looks like we've all grown.
Just to be clear, it wasn't my idea to bring you back, buster. Not at all. Starlight here insisted on it. But you keep your distance, pal, because… Well… [laughs] she's my girl now.
[Annie laughs uncomfortably as Homelander wraps his arm around her]
[chuckles softly] Sorry, I–I can't keep it a secret anymore. It's time we let the world know. Starlight and I are in love. #HomeLight.
[Hughie closes his laptop after seeing the Homelight clip]
ASAnnie/Starlight
Tonight.
#Homelight. You agreed to this?
ASAnnie/Starlight
It's like what you said, Hughie. Whatever it takes. This is… This is what it takes.
[pause] Hey… [takes Annie's hand] it's gonna be okay. Really. Let me save you for once.
ASAnnie/Starlight
[sighs] Hughie… This has to work.
[enters common room] What'll work?
ASAnnie/Starlight
Uh, my VoughtSonic speaker setup. I'm sorry, how did you get in?
I have a key. [pause] Yeah, I gotta keep an eye on my best girl, right? By the way, you're a sound sleeper, Starlight. [pause; Annie and Hughie look shocked] Oh, look at you two. I'm kidding. Come on, lighten up. I'm joking! But we gotta go. Running late. [to Hughie] Rolling Stone cover shoot, hot issue. We got "Hottest Ship."
[Homelander takes out a Sharpie pen and signs an autograph with it on Hughie's cast]
Don't you worry, Hughie. This little love affair is strictly for the cameras. Although, that's how me and Maeve started out, and that… [inhales sharply] got quite spicy. [laughs] Yeah, I'm not kidding, man. Let's just say that Maeve can bend a steel pipe without using her hands. [pause; chuckles] What's she like? She a good fuck?
[Annie's eyes start glowing and Hughie gradually inches up towards Homelander]
ASAnnie/Starlight
Touch him or anyone he cares about, and I'll walk. And I'll take my approval points with me.
[whispers to Hughie] Women. [to Annie] I'm kidding. You really need to lighten up, guys.
Who asked you? Back there. Who the fuck asked you for your opinion?
[offended] I am a member of this team.
Please. [pause; looks around] Homelander's a great man, [lowers his voice] but the way that you kiss his ass is fuckin' gross.
Hey, man. Look, I get it, okay? This is tough. You know, me handpicked by Homelander to come back, and you on your way out again. And a rebrand? This late in the game? Ouch. The new A-Train… How'd that work out for Eagle the Archer when he became Eagle the Rapper? Oh, that's right; it fucking didn't. It's just sad, man.
You're like Ashton Kutcher fucked a clownfish. You're a joke. And you're so dumb, you don't even know it.
[gets in A-Train's face and whispers angrily in his ear] Oh, yeah? Well, how about I tell Homelander who really leaked all that Nazi shit on Stormfront?
How about I tell him you fished the Flight 37 video out of the Atlantic and gave it to Maeve?
[shoves A-Train] What, come on! Run at me, bro! I forgot your legs don't fuckin' work!
[A-Train punches him hard in the chest]
[doubled over in pain] You gill-punched me!
[The Deep tackles A-Train into the wall, but both collapse to the ground, groaning in pain. Homelander walks up to them]
[Homelander helps The Deep stand back up and pats him on the back, then looks down at A-Train still hunched on the ground]
A-Train… just stay there and rest those useless fuckin' legs.
MSMother's Milk
Butcher, what the fuck is wrong with you, man?
I'm sure you're gonna tell me.
MSMother's Milk
That shit you pulled with Ryan and now this cold-hearted shit you said to Kimiko? How could anybody be such a complete asshole?
MSMother's Milk
You knocked on my doorstep, motherfucker. Now, I respect the chain of command, but this? I'm not gonna tolerate your bullshit anymore, man.
Do you remember when we met?
MSMother's Milk
Hard to forget.
Me and the colonel, we had our pick of officers. Some, uh… [chuckles softly] Some real haircuts. D'you ever wonder why we picked some grunt Marine stuck in the brig?
MSMother's Milk
Let's see. I knocked out my racist C.O. Sent him to the ICU with one punch, so you knew I was strong. And you read my file, so you knew I hated Vought.
Yeah, it weren't none of them. I mean, they didn't hurt, mind ya, but no. We spoke to the blokes that you went through basic with. And to the man, they said that you were the one that held that platoon together. A natural-born leader.
MSMother's Milk
You never told me that.
Mate, I'm under no illusions about who I am. And that's why we brought you in. 'Cause no matter how hard I gotta be… you're here to look after the Boys. Now, if I thought to do that, I can't be a complete arsehole, can I? Just mostly one.
[Hughie enters the bathroom just as Butcher is about to inject himself with V24]
Butcher, can I uh… [Butcher breathes heavily] What are you doing?
Contingency. In case things go arse over tit at the lab.
[pause; closes the door] I wanna try some.
Don't be daft. This shit is poison, Hughie. A lad like you don't want no part of it.
What, you mean like a loser? A fuck-up?
Sooner or later, Homelander will find Ryan, okay? It's just a matter of time. I have to do this, alright? You don't.
Annie's in just as much danger. Homelander almost lasered me in half in front of her, and it was like... it was like I was back with every bully that I ever had, just taking it. And then she had to save me again! Butcher, please. Please. Please… because right now, I am so angry that I can't even breathe.
[sighs] Oh, Hughie… It's shittier. It's not power; it's punishment. You don't deserve none of it.
Get ready to go. [closes the door on Hughie]
You do have a hell of a view from up here. I'll give you that.
You should see it from space. [pause; stares at Edgar] Unbelievable. 80 over 60. Your entire life is imploding and it's as if you're reading fuckin' John Grisham. I heard about your, uh, temporary leaves of absence by the way. Those things do have a nasty habit of becoming permanent, though, don't they? Don't blame Vicky, either–
I don't. If there's one thing I taught her, it was to play all sides. She's more like me than I ever imagined. But I am curious. What did you give her?
A little respect, Stan. Something you should've given me.
What good would that do? Where would it even go but to the bottomless, gaping pit of insecurity you call a soul?
[shudders playfully; laughs] Oh, God. You wanna know something? I used to be intimidated by you. I did. And now I look at you, I'm just… I–I have no idea why. Truly, you're not even pathetic. You're–You're just... nothing.
Then why are you still here, looking for my approval like I'm your daddy? And even if I were, what would there be to approve of? The company is yours. No one left to stand up to you. But I think you'll come to sorely regret that.
Because there's no one left to cover for you either. Eventually–probably soon–the world will recognize you for the pitiful disappointment you are. You are not worthy of my respect. You are not a god. You are simply bad product.
I have a view I really wanna show you. It's gonna blow your mind. Hold on tight.
[Homelander carries Annie and they fly up to the rooftop of the building they walked out of]
This really is a beautiful city.
ASAnnie/Starlight
You know, you don't need to do this. The cameras are gone.
[laughs] Yeah. But, see, that's the thing about me, Starlight. If I promise something, I deliver. [turns Annie around and points at something offscreen] Now, that is the view of a lifetime.
[Annie is horrified to see the brutally beaten corpse of Supersonic]
ASAnnie/Starlight
Alex… Alex! Oh, my God! You fucking psycho! [her eyes start glowing]
Stop it! You know how that ends. [brief pause; Annie's eyes return to normal] And besides, this is your fault as much as it is mine.
A-Train told me about you two mutineers and your little plot. You just don't get it, do you? I mean, you have no fucking grasp of the situation you're in at all, right? I'm gonna break it down one more time, and I'm gonna make it crystal clear so that even you can understand it, okay? There will be no more plotting, planning, playing around. That is over, okay? From here on out, there is only my dutiful, loving main squeeze Starlight, worshipping me and me alone. Because if you step one inch out of line–I mean, if you so much as fucking blink the wrong way–then [points at Supersonic's corpse] that, my love, will be Hughie. Do you understand this time? [pause; Annie just nods and cries] Good. Then, say it. So I know. "That'll be Hughie."
ASAnnie/Starlight
That'll be Hughie.
There it is. [sighs] Find your own way home.
