The Boys Showrunner Eric Kripke Has Perfect Response For Annoying Fan Complaints

Some fans of The Boys feel like “there’s no action” this season. But, showrunner Eric Kripke had a perfect response to those gripes.

Kripke spoke to TV Guide about some of these fan complaints concerning “filler” in the final season. As is becoming normal with superhero TV shows now, a loud contingent of the viewers expect nonstop fireworks in a finale or a final season of television. When they don’t get that, they chafe!

But, for The Boys head man, the emotional stuff has to come first. Because, if there’s not that bedrock to draw from, we’re just playing with action figures. And, unfortunately, there are some people out there that would love that approach just as much.

“None of the things that happen in the last few episodes will matter if you don’t flesh out the characters. I’m getting a lot of online dissatisfaction, to put it politely,” Kripe said. “And I’m like, ‘What are you expecting? Are you expecting a huge battle scene every episode?’” 

As with most showrunners, he was also focused on being practical. There’s a lot more to these shows than just superpower laser shows. He explained that fights without the emotional undergirding “would be so empty and dull, and it would just be about shapes moving without having any import.” 

I have to say, this is an accurate read. And, Kripke’s thoughts here echo what a lot of people were asking for out of superhero media a few years ago.

The Boys Final Season brings emotional payoffs

One of the prevailing thoughts from some of the less ponderous fans is that “nothing happened” or that there were “filler episodes” in the last season. But, what’s being construed as “filler” here is really just emotional maneuvering to make it hurt when everything goes kaboom.

To be frank, Kripke bristles at all that talk. It’s hard in this era of fandom to have the pacing necessary to satisfy all kinds of TV fans. But, that’s what’s asked of shows like The Boys from season to season. But, the showrunner had to put his foot down!

“At no point during the writing of it was I like, ‘Oh yeah, we’re making filler episodes. So who cares?’ We all thought at the time we’re really getting these important character details,” Kripke shared. “We have something like 14 characters, maybe 15. And I owe it to all of them — in that television is the character business — I owe it to all of them to flesh them out and humanize them and their stories.” 

Fans complaining about “filler”

“But apparently, just because it’s not plot, you’re like, ‘Nothing happened!’ I’m like, ‘Nothing happened, what?’” chirped Kripke. “The craziest, biggest moves happened. It just wasn’t someone shooting someone else and going, pew, pew, pew. And if that’s what you want, you’re just watching the wrong show.” 

 With the entire publication history of the boys and its incarnation on Prime Video, it would be hard to disagree. Just look for the signs from the last two seasons of parts of the fan base discovering that Homelanders actually a bad guy. It’s enough to send your mind reeling if you didn’t know it existed.

Everybody’s allowed to watch TV. And folks are allowed to have their own opinions. But, don’t expect the showrunner to have a ton of sympathy for your vision not being realized when it’s his show.

(featured image: Prime Video)

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