I’ve had the privilege of working on The Boys for a few seasons now, and let me tell you, it’s been an unforgettable rollercoaster ride! I came into this project with a fan’s excitement, having worked with Eric Kripke before. But little did I know that Victoria Neuman would become such a complex and intriguing character for me to explore.
[This story contains major spoilers to the season four finale of The Boys, “Season Four Finale.”]
“We will make America strong again… we will make America Super again.”
The Boys has always been about Trumpism.
As a devoted fan of “The Boys,” I can’t help but be in awe of how brilliantly the show’s creator, Eric Kripke, has steered the narrative. He opened up to The Hollywood Reporter during season four’s inception, expressing a sense of duty to explore themes of celebrity and authoritarianism. With Trump’s election in 2016, we found ourselves delving into how social media and entertainment can be manipulated to propagate fascist ideologies. It’s uncanny how often our beloved Amazon Prime superhero series has mirrored real-life headlines. We usually write episodes years before they air, and it’s astonishing how closely the news aligns with our storyline.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice how uncannily current “The Boys” became with Thursday’s season four finale. In a chilling twist, an assassination attempt on one political figure was followed by the successful assassination of another. This episode, released just days after a real-life assassination attempt on a certain public figure, left me in awe and slightly unnerved.
Before the Saturday shooting of the GOP’s presidential front-runner, the events leading to the season four finale of “The Boys” had already been written and filmed. The episode title was changed from “Assassination Run” to “Season Four Finale” before its midnight release. Amazon also added a disclaimer stating that the finale was filmed in 2013 and explaining that any similarities between the fictional political violence depicted in the show and real-world events, such as the assassination attempt on former President Trump, are coincidental. “The Boys” is a fictional series produced in 2023, and Amazon, Sony Pictures Television, and the producers of the show condemn any form of real-life violence.
Claudia Doumit, who portrays Vice-President-elect Victoria Neuman in the series, spoke with THR about the season four finale where her character was affected. Kripke himself isn’t engaging in media interviews regarding the episode.
In episode eight of “The Boys,” it’s January 6th in the show’s universe. The character resembling Trump, Homelander (portrayed by Antony Starr), desires a nation ruled by supes. To achieve this, he devises a plot to eliminate President-elect Robert Singer (Jim Beaver). However, instead of assassinating him quietly, Homelander chooses to expose Neuman as a supe on live TV, which triggers a series of events leading to her downfall.
In the meantime, the Boys uncovered a shocking truth: A shapeshifting Supervillain had infiltrated their ranks! To protect Singer, they hid him, unaware that the assassin was already among them, disguised as Starlight (Erin Moriarty). The Supervillain came close to killing the President, but was thawed by the Boys and the real Starlight, who managed to escape. Some members of the team saved the President’s life, while Frenchie worked tirelessly on creating a virus capable of killing Supers. He successfully produced enough for a weapon, which Billy Butcher intended to use in an attempt to take down Homelander.
Neuman, driven by concern for her daughter Zoe (Olivia Morandin), feels compelled to leave Homelander. With hesitation, Hughie (Jack Quaid) helps arrange a gathering with Neuman and The Boys. However, Butcher suddenly unleashes tentacles from his body, snatches Neuman away, and brutally ends her life. Afterward, he seizes the Supe-killing virus weapon and departs from the team.
As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this:
In an interview with THR, Doumit discusses the reasons behind Neuman’s character choices in her covert Super role, the consequences of her death when the series resumes for its fifth and final season, and her thoughts on these topics before the recent tragic events at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. (Editor’s note: This conversation occurred last week.)
***
Victoria Neuman hadn’t realized she was being manipulated by Susan Heyward, or Sister Sage, and tragically, her demise led to the fall of The Boys.
As someone who has closely followed the intricacies of “The Boys” storyline, I firmly believe that Sister Sage is a brilliant character whose demise is bound to create significant ripples in the upcoming seasons. Her death doesn’t just mark the end of an influential figure; it also signals the beginning of new complexities for key characters like Butcher and Hughie.
What’s your perspective on why Butcher chose to harm Neuman rather than uphold the agreement he made with Hughie and the gang?
In the current season, it seems like he’s been trying to follow the rules or letting others take charge, but with reluctance. However, in this last episode of the series, he’s come to the realization that this approach isn’t effective. It’s almost as if he’s turned to an harsh and uncompromising mentor, who only cares about getting things done, which is quite intimidating.
It wasn’t clear. Did Butcher kill the daughter Zoe, too?
I think she’s just been knocked out.
So, if she’s not dead, that sets up a revenge factor.
It’s deeply sad to me that Neuman has strived to provide Zoe with a more ordinary upbringing, contrasting her own unfortunate past. Her childhood was marked by an orphanage and lack of parents, and she endured numerous hardships. She desperately wanted to shield her daughter from experiencing the same fate. Unfortunately, it seems inevitable that Zoe’s daughter will face similar adversity.
Based on my understanding of the situation, I believe Neuman’s connection with Homelander was a complex one. From what we know, it’s unclear whether her interactions with him stemmed purely from fear or if she attempted to manipulate him for her own gain. However, there might have been moments where she admired him as well.
In simpler terms, she didn’t care for Homelander and saw him as a danger instead. She hadn’t planned on collaborating with him during this season. They had reached an understanding in season three which she believed was over. However, when he insisted they were still teaming up, she found herself drawn to the partnership despite its challenges. He offered her something valuable, even if he wasn’t the ideal ally. But working with him proved tough due to his unpredictable nature. In the end, this alliance led to her demise.
What are your thoughts on Victoria Neuman’s character? Is she primarily focused on her own needs and those of her daughter, or does she demonstrate concern for others, as Hughie suggests?
As a fan, I’ve come to appreciate the intricacy and inner turmoil of Victoria Neuman’s character. She’s never struck me as strictly evil or good; instead, she occupies that morally ambiguous gray area. Her life has largely been defined by survival mode, and I believe this has left her with a deep sense of shame and self-loathing. Even at her core, I think she yearns to be normal, to experience the full range of human emotions.
As a curious gamer, I’ve always been intrigued by Neuman. When I joined the team, my interest was piqued to discover the real Neuman – the one hidden behind closed doors. I yearned to understand her true nature when she’s all by herself. This quest for knowledge marked the start of an exciting journey for me because if I perceive her only as a villain or self-serving, I risk stripping her of humanity and reducing her to a flat character. Neuman is far more complex than that, with layers that cry out to be explored. And I’ve genuinely enjoyed delving into the various facets of her personality.
You brought up her daughter, but she has feelings for Stan Edgar as well, don’t you (Giancarlo Esposito, who portrayed the former head of Vought International)?
She loves Stan. Stan is like a father figure to her and the closest thing she has to family outside of her own daughter. There’s a there’s a deep bond there, there’s a deep connection, there is such deep love.
As a gamer, when I overhear Mae calling Hughie to ask for help in leaving the Seven, and he’s expressing doubts about trusting her, I can relate to the complexity of their relationship. Her response, “When someone strikes at me, I strike back,” gives me insight into her character – she’s not one to back down or give up easily. It’s a powerful statement that speaks volumes about her strength and determination.
Based on my understanding of the text, I believe Neuman, the character portrayed by Alia Shawkat in “The Boys,” is someone who has been raised with a strong survival instinct and a strategic mindset. Her upbringing under Stan Edgar’s guidance has instilled in her the ability to assess situations carefully and make calculated moves to come out on top. This is not unlike the game of 3D chess, where every move counts and every outcome is significant. As someone who appreciates strategic thinking, I find Neuman’s character intriguing and well-developed, with a rich backstory that shapes her motivations and actions in the series.
So, when she reached out to Hughie, was she being sincere or was she plotting?
She’s absolutely genuine about her feelings towards Huey. It’s disheartening to note that he might be the first authentic bond and companion she has formed in her adulthood. Although she hasn’t shared all her secrets with him, only parts of them, I believe that is as much as she’s capable of at this moment. Neuman himself acknowledges this in the current season, stating “I almost told you once.” I mentioned earlier in the first episode, “I almost revealed my abilities to you,” which is a monumental thing for her given the immense embarrassment and shame associated with it. Losing Huey as a friend comes at a significant cost because he recognizes that fragile human side of her, a trait that very few others have seen.
If Neuman managed to make it through, how would her character fit into the political landscape of season five and the series finale?
When people ask me, “What do you think will happen?”, I often find myself at a loss for words because my predictions have usually been off the mark. The creators of this show consistently come up with ideas that far surpass anything I could have imagined. Consequently, I’ve learned not to expect the expected and instead look forward to being delightfully or dreadfully surprised on this program.
How did you find your way into The Boys world?
I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Eric Kripke before, and let me tell you, he’s simply brilliant. Any project he takes on, I’m all in. But when I first joined the show, I was up for the role of Ashley, played by the extraordinary Colby Minifie. Her improvisations on set are a sight to behold, and I couldn’t help but be amazed watching her perform. I didn’t get that role, and I knew deep down I wasn’t the best fit. After the first season aired, I became an avid fan. When auditions for season two rolled around, and the character Victoria Neuman came my way, I was thrilled. Not only was I already a devoted fan of the show, but this was the first time it had happened to me – auditioning for a role in a series I already loved. I was determined to book that part, and here we are, several seasons later. It’s been an incredible journey, both personally and professionally, working on this project with such incredibly talented individuals. The experience feels like a dream come true.
What’s the most common response from fans when they encounter you on the street?
The most common response I receive from people is “Please don’t squeeze my head!” (Chuckles). I find that amusing. In reply, I often maintain ambiguity and respond with a coy “We’ll see about that!”
The Boys is now streaming season four on Prime Video.
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2024-07-18 19:26