Wait. What just happened?
If you finished Gen V Episode 4, titled "The Whole Truth," you’re probably staring at your screen feeling just as disoriented as Marie, Jordan, and the rest of the Godolkin University crew. One second they're at a rager, the next, they're waking up in random beds with zero memory of the last few hours. It’s a classic trope, sure. But in the world of The Boys, a "blackout" is never just about too many drinks at a college party. It’s much more sinister.
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The episode basically pivots the entire season from a "whodunnit" mystery about Luke’s death into a psychological horror show about consent and the literal theft of identity.
The Rufus Problem and the Mechanics of Memory
Let's talk about Rufus. He's easily one of the most punchable characters we've met in this universe so far, which is saying something considering Homelander exists. Rufus is a telepath, but not the "Professor X" kind. He's the "roofie" kind. His powers allow him to induce memory gaps and influence actions, and for a good chunk of Gen V Episode 4, he’s the prime suspect for why everyone is losing their minds.
It feels personal. When Marie wakes up and finds out she’s lost time, the panic is palpable. Jaz Sinclair plays this beautifully—it's not just confusion; it’s the trauma of losing control over her own body again. Remember, her entire backstory is rooted in a lack of control over her powers.
But here’s the kicker: Rufus is a red herring. Mostly.
While he definitely tries to take advantage of the chaos, the actual culprit behind the massive, group-wide memory wipes is far more dangerous. We’re introduced to Cate Dunlap’s true utility to Vought. We’ve known her as the supportive girlfriend of Golden Boy, the "empath" who helps everyone feel better. Gen V Episode 4 flips that on its head. Cate isn't just "pushing" people to be calm; she’s the cleanup crew.
Why the "Whole Truth" is a Lie
The title of the episode is incredibly ironic. Throughout the hour, characters are desperately searching for "the truth" about The Woods—that creepy underground lab where Sam is being held—only to have that truth ripped out of their brains the moment they find it.
The pacing here is frantic. One of the best sequences involves the group realizing they’ve been "reset" multiple times. You see them find Sam, they get close to a breakthrough, and then—snap—they’re back in a dorm room eating cereal. It’s jarring for the viewer, and it’s supposed to be. It mimics the neurological whiplash the characters are experiencing.
The Tragedy of Sam and Emma
While Marie and Jordan are navigating the social politics of Godolkin, Emma (Little Cricket) is doing the heavy lifting in terms of plot progression. Her relationship with Sam is the emotional heartbeat of Gen V Episode 4. Sam isn’t just a "super-terrorist" or a lab rat; he’s a kid suffering from extreme schizophrenia exacerbated by Compound V.
The show does something really brave here. It uses Sam’s hallucinations—depicted as a puppet-filled massacre—to show how he perceives reality. It’s gruesome, weirdly colorful, and deeply sad. When Emma finds him, she’s the only one who treats him like a human being. Their bond is the only thing in this episode that feels "real" because it’s built on vulnerability rather than Vought-sanctioned PR.
The Darker Implications for the Supe Universe
Vought International has always been about brand management. In The Boys, we see them manage the public's perception of the Seven. In Gen V Episode 4, we see how they manage the supes themselves.
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If you can’t control a supe with money or fame, you control them with their own minds. The revelation that Dean Shetty is using Cate to "prune" the memories of her friends is a level of betrayal that changes the stakes for the rest of the season. It makes every previous interaction Cate had with the group feel oily. Every "I'm here for you" now sounds like a threat.
This episode also deepens the lore of "The Woods." We start to understand that this isn't just a prison. It’s a testing ground for something specific. They aren't just holding Sam; they’re trying to figure out how to neutralize supes or, perhaps, how to create a virus. The mentions of "the sickness" and the medical testing on supes' ears and brains suggest that Vought is looking for an "off switch."
A Note on Jordan Li’s Evolution
Jordan Li remains one of the most complex characters on television. In this episode, their struggle for recognition from their parents provides a grounded, human contrast to the psychic nonsense happening elsewhere.
The scene where Jordan’s father refuses to acknowledge their female form isn't just "drama"—it’s a commentary on the rigid expectations Vought (and society) places on these kids. They are expected to be "products," and products must be easy to categorize. Jordan’s very existence defies categorization, which makes them a liability in the eyes of the Vought marketing machine. Seeing them navigate the memory loss while also dealing with parental rejection adds a layer of exhaustion to the character that feels very authentic.
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What You Should Watch For Next
If you're keeping track of the crumbs dropped in Gen V Episode 4, you need to focus on these specific threads moving forward. The show isn't just a spinoff; it’s building the foundation for the next chapter of the main series.
- Cate’s Physical Health: Notice how she gets those bloodshot eyes and headaches when she "pushes" too hard. She’s not invincible. Her power has a cost, and she’s being exploited just as much as Sam is, even if she doesn’t realize it yet.
- The Tracking Implants: The group discovered they have trackers. Wiping the memory doesn't remove the hardware. They are literally being farmed for data.
- Marie’s Power Level: We saw Marie do things with blood in this episode that she didn't think were possible. She’s essentially a "blood-bender" from Avatar, but with a rated-R twist. Her ability to sense the "V" in people's blood is going to be the key to uncovering who is actually a supe and who isn't.
Actionable Insights for Fans
To truly understand the trajectory of the series after this episode, you should re-watch the first three episodes specifically looking at Cate’s background actions. Every time she touches someone, look at their reaction. The "memory wipe" isn't a new development; it's something she's been doing since the pilot.
Pay close attention to the dialogue regarding "The Woods" in the upcoming episodes. The specific medical terminology used by the doctors there often mirrors real-world neurological studies, particularly those involving the amygdala and memory retention.
The most important takeaway from Gen V Episode 4 is that you cannot trust the narrator. Because the characters themselves don't know what's real, we, as the audience, have to become detectives. Every time there’s a sudden jump in time or a character seems unusually calm, assume Cate has been there. The truth isn't just hidden; it's being actively erased.