

A romantic relationship between a gender-shifting superhero and a blood-bending badass is the dynamic dating duo taking over The Boys spinoff series, Gen V.
Harnessing the power to move blood at her will, Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) spent season one in a will-they/won’t-they situationship with Jordan Li (London Thor and Derek Luh). Wondering why they need two actors? Jordan’s super ability involves changing from male to female, to be bigender.
Both Thor and Luh bring a connected depth that really sells the illusion, and a lot of queer fans are happy to see the characters back in season 2, which is airing now on Amazon Prime.
The college action-dramedy follows the next generation of superpowered people in The Boys universe, which is based on the acclaimed comic series turned streaming franchise. Season 2 begins with our ragtag group of college kids on the run from evil professors and their secret, nefarious facility, The Woods.
Aforementioned blood-bender Marie is on the lam and ends up meeting with her fellow classmates in Weehawken, New Jersey. Much like Alexander Hamilton, their journey to Jersey is not without a showdown. Old friends are exposed as foes, someone almost dies, and you learn the in-universe explanation as to why one main cast member is no longer with us.
A main member of the cast and rising talent, Chance Pedermo, tragically passed away during filming from a motorcycle accident. This installment is dedicated to him. The show addresses his loss with a “For Chance” title card at the start of the new season.

Gen V is more than just a superpower show that isn’t afraid to turn up the violence. The characters are rich with wants and needs, flaws and all. An overarching mystery is underway that connects the crew to something truly sinister, all while dodging the looming wrath of a new Dean (Hamish Linklater).
Jordan Li can switch between male and female presenting genders whenever they want. They also developed sonic blasts and super strength that are effective in battle. Jordan’s identity, bouncing between the binary, is uniquely explored as Marie learns to love every part of them.
The series pokes fun at right-wing media’s absurd interest in gender, and has a new character try to define Jordan’s identity. Jordan shuts that down real quick and makes fans proud by standing firm in themselves.
Jordan has an interesting arc in the first season. They confront their parents about why they preferred a certain gender version of them over the other. They are also one of the strongest fighters at Godolkin University, making them one of the most formidable heroes around.
Specific shoutout to actress Lizze Broadway. She can grow big or super tiny, but that comes so secondary to her fun personality. She’s observant, snarky at people who deserve it, and always calls out BS. She is a fan-favorite for sure. Her struggle with an eating disorder ties directly into her power usage, thinking she needs to vomit as the only way to change her size.
She learns to grow and shrink based on her inner confidence, but still struggles with returning to that quick pinch solution. It’s a great metaphor for self-love and exploration of bulimia on a scale that audiences can understand. Not to mention, she leads a team of quirky rebels this season! We love to see it.

The show touches on many real-life themes that eerily, yet accurately, reflect the pressures of college life, how corrupt fame can be, and has plenty of fantastical elements to elevate those hard-hitting moments even further. People get thrown into metal bars or have their spines broken; truly, nobody is safe.
It’s action-packed and full of fun, boasting impressive VFX that doesn’t make you cringe. There’s the signature toilet humor that The Boys defaults to (exploding butts in episode one had my eyes rolling), but when the show is good, it’s good.
Gen V has many moments that hold a mirror to our society today. It showcases violent protesters and how violent powers clash with that (crowds get eye lasered, folks.) There’s a trad-wife parody that mirrors the recent rise online of women against feminism, who brag about being subservient wives all day.
Either mainstream or minute, the show isn’t afraid to point out how truly weird society has gotten in the last few years. Once this era passes (hopefully), I know Gen V will be a fun time capsule into the misdirected anger plaguing America in the 2020s. And Jordan Li’s relationship with Marie Monreaux will be one for the queer history books.
























































