College Life, but with Superpowers

Credit: Wikipedia Commons

By: Jolie Richards

College is stressful enough, but imagine a campus where everyone has superpowers. Your roommate could have fire manipulation, while you can shapeshift into anything or anyone you want. Here at Godolkin University, students can major in programs like “Lamplighter School of Crimefighting” or the “Crimson Countess School of Performing Arts,” training to become the next generation of heroes. 

What students don’t know is what lies underground, where the institution is run by a corrupt corporation that is mainly focused on profit rather than the students. “Gen V,” Amazon Prime Video’s spinoff of “The Boys,” showcases this storyline with a mixture of superhero action and strong satire that takes a jab at power and corrupt institutions. 

Marie Moreau, played by Jaz Sinclair, is a first-year student navigating the true potential of her blood-manipulation power, while also tackling the trauma of her past. She hopes to become the number one top-ranked “supe” at the university and escape her troubling past life, but the more she’s settled in, she realizes that Godolkin is hiding very dangerous and controversial secrets behind all the supe propaganda and PR training. She befriends Emma Meyer, played by Lizze Broadway, who has self-size altercation powers; Jordan Li, played by London Thor and Derek Luh, has gender-shifting powers; Andre Anderson, played by Chance Perdomo, has magnetism manipulation; and Cate Dunlap, played by Maddie Philips, has mind control powers. Together, this group takes on Godolkin University as they face challenges in almost every episode hoping to stay alive by the end of it. 

Season one explores challenges that are relatable to college students such as schools or institutions that look supportive on the outside, but act differently to the support behind the scenes. Godolkin University and Vought International act as metaphors for these types of institutions that only care about their image and how much money they can make off of others. Even though “Gen V” is its own show, it still plays a part in the “The Boys” universe, highlighting Vought’s influence and their corruptiveness extends beyond the series and creates the next generation of supes. While you don’t need to watch “The Boys” to understand “Gen V,” it's always good to have a better understanding of their universe; you may get confused on characters from the original series that make an appearance in the spin-off. 

Season two expands the plotline beyond campus, putting Marie and her friends in even more intense and dangerous situations. Cipher, introduced as the new dean at Godolkin University, is mysterious and is very fond of Marie specifically. His actions start to shake up the campus in expected ways and it’s up to Marie and her crew to figure out his motives. The series also honors the passing of Chance Perdomo, as they honor his character in each episode by using Andre’s  death as part of the main storyline of this season. 

“Gen V” is more than just a superhero show; it tackles real life events with dark humor and thrilling action that leaves you stunned after every episode. Each scene is mirroring-real life events, when it’s just “accidental,” it feels so spot on.