As Gen V episode 4 begins, a TV news report tells us about the crazy back and forth between the truth of Cate’s attack and those defending agendas. It’s like a giant rumor fest. The university dean declares a spin on the disaster by forcing Jordan and Marie to a public brawl. Naturally they both resist the idea but Cypher gives them no choice. To refuse means Emma gets sent back to detention.
In an attempt to figure out how to get around the fight, Jordan and Marie reach out to Cate. Emma conspires with her new Starlighter friends for ways to screw up the fight. My favorite quote: “The enemy of my enemy is an extra enemy.”
After learning that Cypher hides something in his house, Cate plots with Jordan and Marie to find out what it is and, hopefully, use it against him to stop the fight. Meanwhile, ads for this Gender Bender vs Blood Bender fight flood social media. The event is titled No Safe Space.
Marie agrees to a training session with the dean to buy time for the others to break into his house. As much of a scumbag as he is, I admit he’s helping her build up her power usage. I had to laugh when he brings out a goat named Elon Musk and asks Marie to levitate it with blood manipulation. It doesn’t end well.
The secret Cypher hides in his house is revealed, but it opens more questions than it answers. Marie believes he doesn’t have any superpowers after all. She, Emma, Cate, and Jordan plot to expose him during the fight. Emma goes small and takes to the arena pipes. She aims to plant a tiny video camera in Cypher’s suite. When the water is restored, she runs for her life.
As with the big superpower fights in The Boys, this fight’s a giant spectacle, complete with smack talking announcers and booing/cheering crowds. Away from the flashing lights and waiting fight ring, Marie and Jordan have a heartfelt conversation. That they’re pitted against one another in this fight is harder on them due to their romantic relationship.
Cate meets with Cypher and he reveals to her information about his father. She lies about her powers fully coming back. He then shows her who he really is, to Marie and Jordan’s detriment.
This episode concludes with all our heroes realizing the dean is a bigger threat than ever and one of the fight combatants face down on the mat.
This episode is intriguing in that it’s building anticipation for something bigger. I’m more interested in that than the arena battle. It was a short-lived fight, though plenty of action packed in there. Hmm…I wonder if Cypher’s father is actually Thomas Godolkin. That would make for an interesting twist.