The Boys has been going all in with groundbreaking revelations, gruesome bloodbaths, and explosive twists as it heads toward a climax in Season 5. And stealing the spotlight is Soldier Boy. After returning from death, surviving the super-killing virus, the character, played by Jensen Ackles, continues to stir the pot. In a recent episode, Soldier Boy is seen breaking down in tears, pouring his heart out, and even apologizing. 

What does this shocking scene mean for Soldier Boy’s arc, and does it hint at any connection with the new character Quinn?

Soldier Boy, played by Jensen Ackles, is seen following Homelander to Fort Harmony in Episode 4 of The Boys, where he encounters a (new) character, Quinn, from his past. After being convinced by Frenchie, Soldier Boy kills Quinn, but later is seen breaking down in tears. That could be because of Soldier Boy's past.

Earlier, Homelander had already shared fragments of Soldier Boy’s past and revealed that Soldier is not a WWII war hero. He shared that Soldier was a rich, nerdy, and insecure young man who envied his brother and relied on his father’s influence to secure a place in Frederick Vought’s Compound V trials. Quinn, who appears to be from Soldier Boy’s past, seems to confirm this version of events, pushing him to the edge of a breakdown.

There is also a strong possibility that Quinn was more than just an acquaintance. He could have been Soldier Boy’s brother or a fellow test subject from those early experiments. While the show has not confirmed this, subtle hints, especially the way Soldier Boy apologises while crying, suggest a personal bond, perhaps even the guilt of killing his brother.

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Although nothing is confirmed, the show seems to be holding back several details, possibly saving them for the prequel series Vought Rising.

As The Boys comes to an end with Season 5, its prequel series, Vought Rising, has already begun to draw attention. Set in the 1950s, the show will explore the rise of superhero culture, the early days of Compound V, and shine a spotlight on Soldier Boy’s past. Jensen Ackles has also expressed his excitement about the project in his recent interview.

“When they pitched it, they were like, 'Hey, we're thinking about doing this prequel thing, going back to the 1950s with Soldier Boy.' I don't think I let them finish the sentence before I was like, 'Yes!' he told Collider.

Interestingly, as Ackles has revealed, the show is expected to span multiple seasons. While an official release date has not been announced yet, it could arrive in late 2026 or early 2027. Until then, speculation is only set to grow about whether Quinn is related to Soldier Boy or not. 

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What do you think was the reason behind Soldier Boy's tears after killing Quinn? Let us know in the comments.