In the twisted world of The Boys, where the Amazon Prime show challenges traditional notions of heroism, every other unprecedented superhero character appears flawed and tangled in corruption and plagued by power. But as the series gears up with its fourth season, fans speculate a tragic fate awaiting Karl Urban’s lead character Billy Butcher.
Throughout the show’s previous seasons, Karl Urban’s character has been a force to be reckoned with, fueled by his own inner demons. However, from season 3 onwards the series hinted at a darker path for Billy, as he got addicted to Temp V and got terminally ill. Thereafter, although season 4 showed Billy surviving for the time being, what does his future actually hold?
The Boys Hinted at Billy Butcher’s Tragic Fate Since Season 3
Introduced as a character, driven by vengeance and unwavering determination, Karl Urban took on the role of one of the main characters in Amazon Prime’s The Boys – Billy Butcher. From his rugged charm to character complexities, Urban has delivered a relatable and compelling portrayal of Billy since the premiere of the show.
However, from season 3 onwards, as the hit satirical superhero series took its narrative to the next level and introduced V24, aka Temp V, the show witnessed both Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) and Hughie (Jack Quaid) experiment with the drug. In an attempt to gain their own superpowers, while both the characters get involved in drug abuse, the show only turns Billy into an addict.
By the time season 3 wrapped, Karl Urban’s character was already trapped in his addiction which rapidly deteriorated his health. Thereafter, the fan-favorite foul-mouthed antihero was left terminally ill from his constant use of Temp V. However, following the release of the first three episodes of season 4, The Boys greeted fans with the plot of Billy Butcher surviving his ailment.
What’s Awaiting for Karl Urban’s Character in The Boys Season 4?
While Karl Urban’s Billy Butcher made it out of the first three episodes of The Boys season 4, alive, fans speculate what might be his ultimate fate, since the show nearly steered him towards his end in season 3. Well, ahead of the show’s season 4 premiere, showrunner Eric Kripke briefly addressed Billy’s worsening condition, while speaking with CNET.
[Billy] got quite the ticking clock of only a few months to live. So, you very inevitably start thinking of your legacy: ‘What are you leaving behind? What do you want to do with the time you have left?’ He’s screwed up so badly.
He’s pushed away the only part of his life who’s still alive: Ryan. His team doesn’t trust him and the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. He has a lot to try to put together in the little bit of time he has left while he’s at his weakest and most vulnerable.
Considering Eric Kripke’s comments on Billy Butcher having ‘only a few months to live’, fans believe it’s a direct hint into the grim reality of the character’s tragic fate. Therefore, as the fourth season kicks off, it’s clear that Karl Urban’s character is in a downward spiral suffering the aftereffects of Temp V. To make things worse Billy even hallucinates an encounter with his late wife, Becca.
Further, in the second episode of season 4, during an encounter between Cameron Crovetti’s Ryan and Karl Urban’s Billy, the duo is heard discussing death, when the latter casually responds with “I’m alright with it”. But much like Ryan sees through Billy’s facade, even fans become aware of the vigilante’s thoughts that hint at a looming tragedy possibly awaiting him.
Although Billy is still surviving in the show, his future doesn’t appear quite promising, for what’s remaining of season 4.
The Boys is available on Prime Video.
