Why is ‘The Boys’ trying to kill off its Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez-inspired character?

Imagine for a moment that one of your favorite characters from a television series decides to attack a renowned political figure. This is precisely what happens in the series “The Boys” when one of the superheroes tries to eliminate a character inspired by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But why was this controversial decision made by the writers? Are they exploring new horizons or just generating buzz? This is a question that deserves closer examination.

The Victoria Neuman enigma

The series The Boys of Amazon Studios has accustomed its fans to shocking twists and sharp critiques of contemporary society. However, the decision to refocus the plot of season 4 on the extirpation of Victoria Neuman, a character inspired by the famous politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), generated a heated debate. Why make Neuman, a so-called progressive, a top priority when more obvious threats remain?

By introducing Neuman as a progressive figure early in the series, The Boys seemed to want to attract the viewer’s sympathy towards her. But, his violent actions and his secret alignment with the corrupt corporation Vought come to dynamite this image.

Some critics see this development as a scathing critique of the sincerity of progressive politicians, arguing that even those who appear as allies can be traitors. This message aligns with a cynical view of politics where corruption is pervasive, regardless of political side.

The choice to refocus the plot on the destruction of Neuman instead of Homelander, the sadist Superman of the series, leaves you perplexed. The series seems to advocate the idea that fighting a hypocritical progressive is a more urgent priority than stopping a proven fascist. It’s a narratively troubling decision, especially when you consider Homelander’s atrocious actions.

One possible reason for this choice is purely pragmatic: the writers seek to stretch the plot. With Homelander being a central pillar of the series, he cannot be eliminated easily. So, by creating secondary antagonists like Neuman, The Boys continues to renew interest without touching its essential figure.

However, Neumann is a complex and charismatic character, making it difficult for fans to fully hate her. His dual nature and ambiguous actions create a fascinating antagonist, but perhaps not a perfect choice for a main enemy.