Spinoffs can often come off as unnecessary extensions of successful franchises. They usually struggle to be as good as their parent shows and add little to no depth to a franchise’s main story. However, one spinoff show on Prime Video is a rare exception that not only does a brilliant job of expanding its franchise’s lore with new character additions but also etches its own distinct identity.
The Prime Video spinoff show in question is now essential viewing for viewers who look forward to its parent series because its narrative ties directly into what lies ahead in the franchise’s overarching storyline.
Why Watching Gen V’s Seasons 1 & 2 Is Important Before The Boys Season 5
For the most part, Gen V can be seen as a standalone series about the struggles of teenagers with superpowers. Especially in season 1, the spinoff show tries to do its own thing instead of drawing too many connective threads to the overarching parent series. In season 2, however, Gen V seems like The Boys‘ season 4.5 as it sets up many story threads that will be resolved in the parent show’s final installment.
For starters, the supe-killing virus, which Billy Butcher also mentions in The Boys season 5’s trailer, was first introduced in Gen V season 1 and developed by experimenting on Young Supes at Godolkin University.
It seems very likely that the virus will become a major plot driver in The Boys season 5. Gen V introduces many intriguing young supe characters, and most of them will also likely have major roles in the parent show’s final chapter. However, among them, Marie seems to be the most important player because of her potential to eventually go toe-to-toe with someone as overpowered as Homelander.
Gen V season 2’s ending arc also established that the smartest supe in its universe, Sister Sage, can make some grave mistakes, which could eventually spell trouble for Homelander. Not to mention, the Guardians of Goldkin, including Gen V‘s young supes, join Starlight’s The Resistance, making her team of supes even stronger than Homelander The Seven.
With so many crucial developments in Gen V‘s seasons 1 and 2, it is necessary to watch the spinoff before The Boys season 5 premieres on Prime Video.
The Boys Ending With Season 5 Means Gen V May Never Return
Given how Gen V‘s narrative is so deeply tied to The Boys, it seems unlikely that it will return after season 2. The Prime Video spinoff series could still continue doing its own thing, but stretching it too far beyond the main show’s overarching conflict would risk making it feel disconnected from the very story that gave it purpose.
Also, it is possible that many young supes from Gen V‘s roster will end up dying in their battle against Homelander and his team in The Boys‘ season 5. The spinoff could still continue by focusing on a whole new generation of young supes at Godolkin University. However, this, too, would feel like an unnecessary extension of a series that has run out of stories to tell.
The Boys season 5 premieres on Prime Video on April 8, 2026.
While it is still hard not to hope that Gen V will eventually return, no official announcements about its renewal have been made yet. Hopefully, after The Boys season 5, Prime Video will confirm whether Gen V season 3 will happen or not. Fortunately, even if it does not see the light of day, fans of the franchise can look forward to the upcoming Soldier Boy prequel/spinoff, Vought Rising.
