[Cole436]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Spoiler!

The discussion about fathers and the themes in the show about feeling like a failure and taking it out violently on others kind of weird me out. Like, it seems culturally relevant to the time we're in, but it's also pretty messed up. The idea of having detestable heroes in contrast with the traditional tropes of heroes that embody the most admirable traits already seems like it's targeting people who grew up loving super heroes and wanting to be like them and now feel like under-achievers. The extra male daddy issues and social isolation feels a bit heavy-handed on top of everything else. I can't honestly tell what the intended message is though in the end, or what the intended impact of the show is, if there is one beyond making money. I can't tell if it's ironically condemning these traits or empathazing with them.

Spoiler!

I think it's intending to show the pain and consequences of generational trauma. Looking at Butcher, Solider Boy and Homelander, all three of them are detestable but so much of who they became is due to the failings and abuse of people they trusted to love them.

Who could Homelander have been if he was loved instead of isolated and abused by Vought scientists throughout his childhood? Butcher's rage and bloodlust is the same violence he experienced from his father. Solider Boy was denied any emotional care or support from his father and because of that abuse he was broken and alone and hurt others the way he was hurt inside. All of them were failed and it wasn't their fault. Those abused and broken children grew up and hurt others because they didn't know how to regulate the pain inside of them.

None of them ever felt like they could ask for help, or that there was a way to get better. It's a pretty heartbreaking message.

I think it's a really complex and thought out exploration of toxic masculinity and how many abusers are victims of a generational cycle that has to stop. I don't necessarily think the show is talking down to people who like superheroes, I think it's trying to show that even the most irredeemable of us are still human underneath the evil they show.