The Boys Season 4’s hallucinations of Becca highlight Butcher’s inner conflict and inspire him to improve.
Butcher may have been experiencing hallucinations due to his use of Temp V, which could be connected to the worm under his skin.
It’s also possible that Hughie is seeing hallucinations as a result of his trauma and brief usage of Temp V.
The Boys’ fourth season has already pitted its heroes against impossible odds and hopeless situations. While Homelander (Anthony Starr) is more unstable, Neuman (Claudia Doumit) is more unstoppable, and Frenchie (Tomer Capone) is higher than ever, Ryan (Cameron Crovetti) is only growing stronger and more confused. The most depressing part of season 4 to yet, though, has probably been Butcher’s (Karl Urban) internal conflict about the ticking clock he now carries around. Butcher’s problems go beyond just being ill and wanting to save Ryan from Homelander; hallucinations of his late wife Becca (Shantel VanSanten) have been plaguing him.
The exchanges between Butcher and himself or with Becca reveal Butcher’s frailty and desire to mend the damage he has caused. They always appear before we notice a worm burrowing beneath Butcher’s skin, acting as a reminder of the errors he has done in the past. Eric Kripke, the showrunner, has given very little away and been quiet about the whole thing. But maybe we can start solving some of the puzzles surrounding Butcher’s hallucinations and start to consider the possibility that Hughie (Jack Quaid) could also be having some of his own.
Becca Returns in ‘The Boys’ Season 4, But It’s More Than Just a Quick Snapshot
Becca’s return to the show might serve as a prime illustration of the adage “it’s all about who you know,” which is often used to both movies and television. The excellent rapport between the actress and showrunner was a major factor in Kripke’s decision to bring back VanSanten’s character, as he revealed in a TVLine interview. Kripke also stated that he plans to collaborate with VanSanten “every chance [he gets].” However, a compelling storyline is just as important as excellent working relationships, and Becca’s comeback has both. These exchanges between Butcher and a delusional Becca, in Kripke’s opinion, “really dramatize the promise” Butcher made to Becca to protect Ryan. This portrayal of Butcher’s internal conflict allows The Boys to maintain their innovative approach to narrative, introducing musical numbers without fear, using animated characters, having superhero orgies, or having total hallucinations of deceased individuals.
In a manner, these hallucinations are Butcher’s humanity speaking, forcing him to own up to his flaws and push himself to improve. Maybe they are more a sign of Butcher’s present fears of passing away without making amends with Ryan than they are of Temp V. Butcher is motivated to improve by the hallucinations, which forces him to discard the drugged cookies he was going to give Ryan. Thus, even though Kripke has provided plausible explanations for Butcher’s hallucinations, it is still unclear whether these hallucinations would have occurred if Butcher were dying of natural causes as opposed to cancer brought on by Temp V.
Is Temp V the Source of Butcher’s Hallucinations?
Is this the last justification for Butcher’s illusions? Maybe not. Kripke’s second question to address in that same interview concerned the thing we see slithering beneath Butcher’s skin. The showrunner said, “Compound V isn’t quite done with Butcher,” but he continued to be evasive. Is the worm the source of these hallucinations? Several possibilities have been created by other viewers, some of whom even wonder if the parasitic critter might be assisting Butcher. Even though it is clear that Butcher’s Temp V is what is creating the worm, the parasite may have contributed to Butcher’s hallucinations, which would add a dramatic twist to the whole story.
There is unquestionably a distinction between Temp V’s direct cause of the hallucinations and Butcher’s impending death. Real character advancements for Butcher would be instances like saving Ryan from Kessler’s ruthless plot to train him as a killer, if Butcher would still be experiencing these hallucinations if he were dying without taking Temp V. But what would happen if Butcher recovered if Temp V, the worm that was generating his hallucinations, was actually the cause? Though improbable, it is conceivable. Butcher has always liked Ryan, but these moments of bonding with him will undoubtedly stay with him. Should he recover and no longer experience hallucinations, Maybe Butcher will return to His self-destructive habits, which included opting to use Homelander to “scored earth” and permanently use Compound V.
In ‘The Boys’ Season 4, Hughie May Also Be Experiencing Hallucinations
Hughie may be seeing visions of his own mother, Daphne Campbell (Rosemarie DeWitt), if the worm or Temp V is the direct cause of Butcher’s hallucinations. Perceptive viewers have previously conjectured that Hughie’s mother may not actually exist. Given that Hughie might be talking to himself in the sequences where he and Daphne are the only ones sharing the screen, there is evidence to support this theory. Furthermore, Hughie’s mother has not yet been identified or seen by any other characters in the show.
Butcher and Hughie had different talks with their mothers. While Hughie sincerely believes he could face legal action from his mother, Butcher is aware that Becca is a fraud. Hughie’s hallucinations may not be as severe as Butcher’s because they are limited to the hospital rather than accompanying him. This could be the case because Hughie received fewer doses of Temp V. This would also explain why Hughie’s hallucinations can mislead Butcher, while his are so blatantly phony. This would demonstrate even more clearly the connection between Temp V and the hallucinations, ruling out Butcher’s fear of death as the only possible explanation. Perhaps Temp V is igniting the terrible relationships that both guys are coping with with women from their past.
As Kripke’s remarks would imply, Butcher’s hallucinations are undoubtedly more than just theatrical license, but it will take time to discover what more is going on beneath the surface and what the worm is doing beneath Butcher’s skin. Any direction it takes will have a significant impact on the characters of Butcher and Hughie, and you can be sure that whatever occurs will be surprising, gory, and likely lead to even more mystery.
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