The Boys Season 1 quotes

[to M.M.] Listen, mate, we can't hang about here lookin' for him, right? He's Ivan's problem now. We gotta get Kimiko home to a proper doctor.

You don't give a shit about Kimiko. Or anyone else.

Oh, come off it, mate. Look, I took a fuckin' drug. And in case you forgot, I just saved your life.

[pause] You killed Gunpowder, didn't you? Did you use your little laser eyes?

You're too fuckin' right, I did. And it felt good. For once, I leveled the fuckin' playing field.

Butcher, the whole point of what we do–the whole goddamn point–is that no one should have that kind of power.

Well, ain't that just fuckin' fairies and dancin' dildos, eh? I happen to live right down here, mate. On planet Earth.

Hughie

Hey, come here. Come here. [hugs Annie] I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry.

I shouldn't be here. It's not safe for you.

Hughie

I don't care. It's okay.

Hughie, Homelander killed Alex. He fucking murdered him, and it's all my fault.

Hughie

Hey… It is not your fault. Come here, come here. Come here. [takes Annie to the kitchen] We got Charleston Chew. We got Almond Joy, Bit-O-Honey. There's White Claws in the fridge. Some of that gross lavender bath bomb shit in the tub. Look, I know this doesn't make this any better, but I just… Let me take care of you for a second.

Tell me you found it.

Hughie

[sighs] Moscow was a dead end. I'm sorry.

No weapon or gun or anything? [pause] Fuck. Then what killed Soldier Boy?

Hughie

You know what? I'm gonna get you a White Claw.

Uh, Hughie? Your arm is broken. Where the hell is your cast?

Hughie

You're really gonna want a White Claw.

Hughie

Wow. Alright. Gonna have another one. Um... I'm just trying to get a bead on what part you're most upset about. Is it the part where Soldier Boy's loose in Russia, or the part where I took some temporary Compound V?

Um… it could be both parts. Uh, all the parts.

Hughie

I told you right away, though, right? That's–That's... No secrets. That's gotta be worth some points.

You want points for not lying to me?

Hughie

I... would like to retract that statement. Um–

Hughie, you shot up an untested drug from Vought. You could've gotten yourself killed!

Hughie

We don't have any more. And even if we did, I–I wouldn't take it. It was awful. Like, [groans] the hangover–all of it–just… absolutely hated it. [sighs]

…You loved it.

Hughie

I really fucking loved it! It was awesome! I mean, you know me. If a guy in the car next to me gives me a dirty look, I'm like fucking Dom Torreto taking off, trying to get away from him. 'Cause I'm quick and I'm all about family. But in Russia… [chuckles] I wasn't scared. I–I... I saved M.M. Me! I could, like, teleport.

Teleport?

Hughie

Yeah, I... I just–I knew how to do it. I just clenched my butt, and–and I jumped, and–

No. Hughie, that was stupid and dangerous. I can't lose you, too.

Hughie

Oh, God, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You're right. [sighs again] It's over.

So… what do we do now?

Hughie

I don't know. But whatever it is, we'll figure it out together. You and me against the world, right? I love you.

I love you, too.

I done 'em all: Coke, E, meth, smack. [holds up V24 sample] Ain't nothing like this. Used to be months of leg work to take down a Supe. Gunpowder… not even a New York minute.

Queen Maeve

Must've felt good.

I hated every second. [shakes his head] No. The V just made me more… me. With great power comes the absolute certainty that you'll turn into a right cunt. [sips from the bottle] I mean, that's the thing, right? You're all just people. All the V does is just amp up all that shit that's already inside. Your lot? Just a bunch of walkin' nuclear erections, y'know? And it's not just Homelander. I mean, you–you fuckin' all gotta go. Every fuckin' last… one of ya.

Queen Maeve

Yeah.

Queen Maeve

What? You still think you're too good for me?

I swear on my kids' lives.

You hate your fucking kids.

So would you, if you met them.

Homelander

You think it really was Edgar and the mayor, maybe Jake Tapper? Just trying to fuck with me? Make me look ridiculous?

Queen Maeve

Or maybe, you're just a paranoid malignant narcissist who thinks everything is about you.

Homelander

[smiles slyly] Mmm, it's not paranoia if they're really out to get you, though. And you, Maeve... You're out to get me, aren't you?

Queen Maeve

What are you talking about?

Homelander

William Butcher. I can smell him all over you. You really will do anything to hurt me, won't you? So, what are you and William cooking up, hmm? Maybe you two brought that supervillain to town.

Queen Maeve

Oh, John. John, come on! You're talking crazy. I'm not cooking anything up with Butcher. Let's talk about this.

Homelander

Don't you dare fucking "John" me. You're not gonna weasel your way out of this. You know, the real tragic thing in all of this is that more than anyone, I knew what it was like for you. Swarmed everywhere we went. Every little mistake, front-page news. It is lonely at the top, yes. But at least we had each other. We were lonely together. And I loved you in my own... way. But you... what happened? Was anything about us ever real? Hmm?

Queen Maeve

[beat; leans forward and whispers in his ear] From the start... I hated you. But what's more... I fucking pitied you.

Homelander

You're completely and utterly alone. You're getting old and bitter. You pity me? [chuckles] That's actually kinda funny, don't you think? [leans into Maeve's face with a sinister smile] Hey… You wanna know something else that's funny?

Ashley

[reads off card of gift flower basket] Congrats from Lindsey Graham. [to A-Train] He's such a gooch-licker. Anyway, I hope you know how much Homelander appreciates your loyalty. Now more than ever, he needs people he can trust. So, to thank you for being a team player, Homelander has agreed to a meeting with you and Blue Hawk.

A-Train

Okay, great. Thanks.

Ashley

Yeah. I'll just pop outside and get him. [walks over to door]

A-Train

What? Like, right now?

Ashley

[opens door] Hi.

Hey. [walks in]

Ashley

Thanks for coming on such short notice, Blue Hawk.

Oh. [points and laughs heartily] A-Train, hey. Big fan.

A-Train

Cool. Yeah. [Blue Hawk sits] Blue Hawk... Yeah. I wanted to talk to you about your patrols in Trenton. Little excessive.

Hmm? Says who?

A-Train

Well, a lot of black folks.

No. No. This has nothing to do with... African Americans. You and me both trained with Coach Brink at school. We were taught to dominate totally.

A-Train

Yeah, but you're mostly just doing it in–in black neighborhoods. And you don't want people to say that you're being racist, right?

You know, it's actually racist to call somebody racist. What is this? Is this, like, a "cancel" thing? Am I being canceled? What can I do to make this right?

A-Train

Wouldn't take much. [chuckles] I don't know. Make an apology or some shit.

Ashley

What a great idea. Thank you for saying that. I'm sure Homelander would really, really appreciate that, Blue Hawk.

Hey, name the time and place.

Ashley

It is so important to do the work, to have the difficult conversations. This is so great, you guys.

You're that asshole from the lab.

That's right. I'm the arsehole that let you out. Russian Porta-Loos, eh? You want the Countess' head on a spike, don't ya? Well, she's in there. Yours for the takin'. Consider it a gesture of good faith.

Good faith for what?

[pause] I was thinkin' that you and I could come to a little arrangement. What you lot call… a team-up.

Ben? Is that really you? You look so young.

You don't.

I'm so, so sorry. It wasn't my idea. God, you gotta believe me. I–I...

How much did the Russians pay you? Hmm?

They didn't.

What? They didn't pay you anything? [pause] I loved you. All those years... that they burned me… and that they pumped me full of poison, I held onto the hope that you would come. That you would save me. Because I still loved you.

I didn't love you. I hated you. We all did.

Where's the Chop Socky Oriental sauce?

Hughie

They don't… have that anymore?

Why the fuck not?

Hughie

Many… many good reasons.

Did you get the other shit?

Here you go, guv.

Oh… Man, I missed bennies. It's how we won D-Day, you know? We were wired to the fucking gills.

[as Soldier Boy crushes the pills with a jack knife] Listen, let's have a little chat about this team-up, yeah?

What the hell do I need a team for? The last one handed me to the Reds.

And we got you outta that pickle. We wrapped up Crimson Countess and delivered her like a fuckin' Christmas turkey, and I even sorted Gunpowder for ya.

What, am I supposed to be impressed with that? That's like killing Emmanuel Lewis. [laughs; snorts the crushed-up pills]

Yeah, well, he grew up a bit since you last saw him.

[to Hughie, who is staring at his shield] Hands off the fucking shield.

Anyway, you want payback on Payback, don't ya? Well, it just so happens that we are experts at exterminatin' shitbag Supes. You see, it's a whole different world out there now, son. We're here to help you find your way.

Well, I can find them on my own.

Hughie

Are you sure? I mean, do you know what a GPS is? Or Bluetooth, or… [chuckles] the internet?

… [smirks] You made those words up.

Hughie

Nope. No, those are real words. And–And you need those to find them, alright? You need us.

Kid's right. All we ask in return is that you add one more name to the list.

Who?

A right cunt named Homelander.

I've seen pictures. Who is he?

He's the new you.

No one's the new me, pal. [pause] But why him?

Let's just say, you're not the only one who wants payback.

Alright. You help me find the rest of my team, and I'll help you with this Homelander.

Why the long face, tiger?

Homelander

What if I can't handle him? I mean... If Noir ran–

Oh, you can handle him. You're the top of the food chain! Hey, hey... when we were kids, alone in the Bad Room, I got us through it, right? Don't I always?

Homelander

[nods] Always.

No matter what.

Homelander

No matter what.

And now, I'll get us through this, just as long as you and me stick together.

Homelander

What if Edgar's right? What if it was a-- a mistake to take over Vought? And then... I am just talent, and they all know I'm a fraud?

Now, what do you care what a bunch of mud people think? C'mon. Tell me the real reason, I wanna hear you say it. [pause; Homelander hesitates] SAY IT!

Homelander

I want them to... love me.

Yahtzee! Only it never seems to work out, does it? Madelyn, Maeve, Stormfront, even your own son. So why do you keep running headfirst into the same brick wall?

Homelander

[looks down and shakes his head] I don't know.

Mmm, pants on fire! You know. It's because, deep down, there's a part of you that is still… human.

Homelander

[on the verge of tears] No...

Mmm-hmm, part of you is. A dirty, shrivelled, anemic little part of you that still mewls for approval and love, and a mommy and a daddy and oh, boo-hoo-hoo!

Look at me, tiger. Look at me. We gotta cut that part of you out like a cancer. And then? Well then, my boy, you can finally be who you were always meant to be: Pure. Clean. Like marble.

Do men really walk around like that?

Hughie

Yeah. I mean, dads do.

Okay, well... Bill Cosby is America's dad, and I'll tell you one thing: He wouldn't be caught dead in that pussy gear.

Hughie

Lot to unpack there. Uh...

The Cos... That's a real man. Holy shit, did he make some strong drinks.

Hughie

[whispering quickly] Holy fucking shit.

But seriously, what passes as a man today? Christ on a cross. I read that we were ass-up in Afghanistan. The fuck is up with that? Those were the good guys. I mean, when I left, it was…

Hughie

Yeah, you know–

I mean, goddammit. We–We were ten and one, you know? I lead the 116th onto Omaha Beach. I was in the fuckin' Eagle's Nest! I fought for this country! I fought for this country, and what did I get for it? Forgotten. Left to rot by my own team. [beat; chuckles] You know, I wanted some rugrats of my own with Countess. Yeah, ain't that a bitch. You know, a couple little boys. Raise them up to be men. Now… Now I got nothing.

Hey, so… where's Hughie?

Oh, he's just camping with his dad for a couple days.

[laughs] Okay. Okay, good. Great. I thought he was avoiding me or something, you know… 'cause he was scared I was gonna pop his head.

[beat; swallows hard] Hmm?

Come on, Annie. [sees Annie's eyes glowing] Put them away. I'm not gonna hurt you or Hughie or your families. [Annie blinks and her eyes return to normal] Besides, you'd lose.

Then, why are you here?

Because I wanna help you.

Huh. "Help". From the psycho who blew up Congress.

Look, most of those guys passed around deepfakes of me on the House floor blowing bin Laden, so I'm not exactly overwhelmed with sympathy. Annie, you need me. You're all alone. I mean, come on. That "#Homelight" shit? That looks like you're in a hostage video. Blink twice if I'm wrong. And what, you gotta play nice with the guy that throat-fucked you on your first day of work? And Maeve? They say Maeve is in rehab, but you and I both know she's probably dead. I'm all you got. Come on, Annie. You and I were friends. None of that has changed for me.

Are you ever gonna get to the point?

You have 193 million Instagram followers. Lend me your influence, and I'll lend you mine. I can protect you from Homelander. You'll finally be team captain for real. And in return, you help me goose my numbers. I can finally get my education reform bill passed. We can make things better, Annie. For my daughter. For a lot of daughters. Come on, what do you say?

[pause] You're right. This whole place… I'm so fucking tired… of listening to people tell me I need to be shitty in order to win. Fuck you. And fuck Homelander, and fuck Vought and this "whatever it takes" crap. You're just gonna end up sitting on top of the steaming pile of shit that you built. I'm done. I'm fucking done. I'm not doing it anymore.

You're not gonna be doing anything if Homelander kills you.

Yeah, maybe. But then I'll know I'm not working with a fucking nutjob. So, either pop my head or get the hell out.

[beat; gets up] Hey, keep this between us. It'd be really tough to take out America's sweetheart, but not impossible.

Hughie

Oh, okay. So, this–this is an actual orgy. That's what this is.

Fuckin' Herogasm. Still a thing, eh?

It's my thing. I founded it in '52. Me and this other Supe, Liberty. Man, was she a firecracker.

Frenchie's gonna be real heartbroken he missed this.

A-Train

Sorry… [sees Hughie] Oh. Hey, I know you like fucking Supes, but I'm off the table.

Hughie

That's not why I'm here, okay? You're here too, you know.

A-Train

Whatever, Pornhub. I don't have time for you right now. [turns to walk away]

Hughie

[pause] Hey. You never said you were sorry.

A-Train

What?

Hughie

For Robin. You never apologized for Robin.

A-Train

Jesus. You wanna do this right now?

Hughie

Yeah, I do. [pause; A-Train says nothing] You just get away with everything, don't you? Just running past all the people you leave behind.

A-Train

Alright, you know what?

Hughie

What?

A-Train

[beat] I'm sorry. Is that what you wanna hear? 'Cause I am, okay? It's fucked up seeing somebody that you love get hurt like that. [pause] I'm sorry. I'm fucking sorry, Hughie.

Homelander

William Butcher and Soldier Boy. Of course. You are behind this. This whole thing… it really is all about me. William, we made a deal to fight to the death. You and me. This is cheating. Deal's off.

Homelander

[to Soldier Boy] You were my hero growing up. I watched all your movies hundreds of times. You were the only one that was nearly as strong as me.

Buddy, you think you look strong? You're wearing a cape. You're just a cheap fuckin' knockoff.

Homelander

Oh, no, no, no… I'm the upgrade.