02x08 - What I Know

[bunniefuu]

Okay, this is insane.

We need more Compound V!

- Absolutely.
- We need more Supes!

CROWD [CHANTING]: More Supes! More Supes!

More Supes! More Supes! More Supes!

More Supes! More Supes!

Come with me.

What are you doing here?

BUTCHER: But on the bright side,

I'm sleeping in a basement beneath a pawnshop in East Flatbush.

We never wanted that for you.

HOMELANDER: We all just have Ryan's best interests at heart.

I want us to be a family.

RYAN: They just flew me up and showed me.

This house is fake, the neighbors are fake, you're fake.

No, Ryan!

You have five minutes to make your opening st...

[SCREAMING]

SHERIFF FLANAGAN: There's a supervillain on your school campus.

- [SCREAMING]
- You hear the calls of distress.

You witness a violent display of superpowers.

What do you do?

I'm Sheriff Ed Flanagan,

and I'm here with Homelander to talk about school safety.

On the first report of an active supervillain,

a hero will immediately rush to your campus.

But to stay alive in the moment, remember,

stay calm and follow the law.

Lock all doors and windows.

Arm yourselves.

Your teacher should have an authorized firearm.

But use whatever you can.

And wait for a hero.

- [SCREAMING IN DISTANCE]
- FLANAGAN: Unfortunately,

the possibility that you will experience

a supervillain att*ck grows more likely every day.

But by having an action plan, you can dramatically increase

your chances of survival.

And survival is all that matters.

[TV PLAYING INDISTINCTLY]

- Jody, where's my flag pin?
- How should I know?

Well, I can't go to this thing without a flag pin.

Bob, before he makes any decisions,

- just let me talk to him.
- One, the president doesn't like you.

He used the word "standoffish".

And, two, he's decided.

He's declaring a national emergency, bypassing the FDA, and authorizing Compound V for use by law enforcement

- and first responders.
- NEUMAN: Wait, Robert.

- Are you f*cking kidding me?
- I wish I were.

Doses are going for five million a pop.

Pentagon's got a big order in, and ICE is next in line.

You can't release V into the mainstream.

We're talking an avalanche of Supes; it's su1c1de.

In one hour, I will be standing at the memorial service for the fallen heroes of the House att*ck, with my flag pin, giving my thoughts and prayers, and pledging to keep America safe.

The best way to do that is with Compound V.

NEUMAN: Yeah, we know.
We were there. Remember?

Covered in my chief of staff's brains.

Look, there was no t*rror1st. It was Vought.

It's a f*cking coup.

- A bunch of their guys d*ed, too.
- To cover their own tracks.

For the record, I agree with you.

And I hate this.

But you've got no proof.

Folks are scared.

If Vought took a sh*t in the middle of Fifth Avenue, they'd throw a ticker-tape parade.

- Here's what we do have, Bob.
- Oh, let me guess.

A tape of me f*cking my kids' nanny at her daughter's quinceañera?

Release it. Please. I'm begging you.

A plum gig at Fox, and this sh*thole in my rearview?

Sounds dreamy.

Okay, what if we got hard proof? A witness.

Anything.

SINGER: If you could get Jesus Christ himself, or maybe Homelander in front of a camera, sure.

I really am sorry.

- [DOGS BARKING]
- [HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING]

[INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER]

♪ ♪

DONNA: I'm nervous about driving in the city.

STARLIGHT: You'll be okay.

- The plan again?
- Okay, drive straight to Gen's in Sedona, cash for gasoline, no hotels.

I don't want to leave you here.

I'll be fine.

The anxious boy? Really? With the moist handshake?

- Mom, come on.
- Okay. Okay.

Um... you need a new one.

STARLIGHT: I...

I'm not gonna wear it.

I don't care if you wear it.
I just want you to have it.

I love you.

I love you, too.

You be safe.

Okay.

- [TV PLAYING INDISTINCTLY]
- Hey.

- What's going on?
- They've lost their minds.

The RPG releases an electromagnetic pulse on impact.

Should cut through Stormfront's plasma bolts.

How sure are you?

It's a guesstimate.

So that's Stormfront.

And thanks to Starlight, we know that Noir needs only a f*ckin' tree nut.

How about A-Train?

Got enough epinephrine here to blow up that m*therf*cker's heart.

Hey, we can't just k*ll everyone.

That is exactly what we're gonna do.

Listen, you heard Mallory.

She said all we need is another witness.

Wile E. Coyote.

Always chases Roadrunner, always with an elaborate plan, always fails.

You know, I always say, "Why do this, Coyote?

All you need is an AR- , and 'meep-meep' no more".

BUTCHER: Exactly. See?

We're just gonna sh**t Roadrunner in the f*cking head.

That won't stop Vought. That-that won't stop Compound V.

If you k*ll these Supes, then Vought's just gonna make a thousand more.

Yeah, and we're gonna top those c**ts, too.

Great.

So that's settled. We're just supervillains now, huh?

Vought att*cked the country, Hughie.

f*ck 'em all.

What if I testify?

Escaped convicts don't have a ton of credibility.

No, but maybe I know someone who does.

Give us the day.

Hughie?

See you later.

Officials are still trying to determine the perpetrator

of the capital att*ck, the Department of Homeland Security

has issued a crimson terror alert.

In Washington, all government buildings...

- How's Noir?
- Unresponsive.

They don't think there's brain damage, but apparently it's hard to tell.

So, Noir's a vegetable,

Lamplighter's a charcoal briquette,

Starlight's in the breeze somewhere, and you're,

- what, fine with it?
- Yes.

Because none of that matters anymore because of this.

So far, no t*rror1st group has claimed responsibility.

[EXHALES SHARPLY] All right, so, you didn't do this.

I wish I'd k*lled Vogelbaum.

- But no, it wasn't me.
- Right.

And there's no supervillains on American soil.

- None that we know of.
- And that means...

...it's Edgar.

Maybe. I mean, he is pretty smart, especially for his kind.

...Compound V to members of the m*llitary

and law enforcement.

Hey, smile.

This is good news.

Yes, there have been sacrifices, but we are this close to no more premieres or paparazzi, or screaming fans, or any of that dancing monkey sh*t.

We have to make sure that the right people get the doses, but it is a whole new world.

What about the wrong people?

Couple of billion of them.

They're not just gonna sit there.

Don't worry, silly.

Frederick had a solution for everything.

["ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG" BY BILLY JOEL PLAYING]

♪ ♪

STARLIGHT: Okay, there's something really important that I've been meaning to ask you.

Last I checked, you are not years old, so, come on, why is it always, always Billy Joel?
I'm on the inside.

No, really. Please.

It was just the music in my house growing up.

You know, I did some somersaults to "You May Be Right" that were pretty thrilling to watch.

♪ Only the good die young... ♪

Butcher is right, you know.

We've already tried to take Vought down the right way.

This isn't gonna work; this is not gonna stop Compound V

- from getting out there.
- So it's hopeless?

Just k*ll 'em all, let God sort 'em out?

I mean...

Then why are you even helping me?

Why did you save me at the Tower?

They were... they were gonna hurt you.

Yeah, but, Hughie, you could have gotten yourself k*lled.

I mean, after the way that I treated you, you had every reason to give up on me.

So why didn't you?

♪ Only the good die young... ♪

I just... would never.

That's why I'm helping.

[MAEVE SIGHS HEAVILY]

You were stupid to text.

Everyone's looking for you.

Where's Elena?

This is the guy?

Uh, I'm sorry...

[BOTTLES CLINKING]

Hi. Hughie.

He's even more of a twink than in the photo.

I could split that sh*t like dry firewood.

Big fan.

I need to ask you something.

It's a lot.

- I need you to testify.
- Testify?

On the record.

Against Vought, against Homelander, Stormfront, everything.

Why would I do that?

Because things are really bad, and...

...you're our last chance.

- Pass.
- Look, I get

- that it's dangerous.
- It's su1c1de.

But that's not the reason.

Well, then, what is?

I'm tired.

We're all tired.

But they're hurting people.

And sooner or later, they're gonna hurt someone you love.

Am I talking to you?

STARLIGHT: Look.

I get that it's easier to just disappear inside of yourself.

Trust me, it's all I want to do.

But we can't, Maeve.

We can't.

This is a w*r now,

- and we...
- Shut the f*ck up.

Christ, you...

Haven't I done enough for you?

Didn't I save your f*cking life?

It doesn't matter what we do, nothing changes.

Nothing ever changes or gets better.

And I'm tired.

Just leave.

Go! Take your f*cking twink and get the f*ck out of here!

Okay.

Come on.

[RAPID FOOTSTEPS]

MICHEL: Monsieur Charcuter, we need you.

Now.

BECCA: He said he lives under a pawnshop in East Flatbush!

- He has to be here.
- Hey. Let her in.

f*cking help me... Billy.

[CRYING]: They took him.

They have Ryan.

Who's got him?

I appreciate you coming all this way, Stan.

EDGAR: Well, I can't exactly be seen with you at the Tower now, can I?

- Fresca?
- No.

Thank you. Awful stuff.

So, you've had a chance to look over our proposal?

He publicly confessed to a sexual as*ault, Alastair.

And we've made a substantial investment in the Deep's rehabilitation.

Our internal research bureau shows an impressive Q rating.

He's an asset to Vought in these troubled times.

Oh. What sort of commission is the Church getting these days?

%? ?

Sounds like you're open to reinstatement.

That's fantastic.

What about A-Train?

You do need a speedster, since Shockwave exploded.

Harder sell.

One has-been back is redemption.

Two is weakness.

Stormfront has problems with him.

And at the moment, I have to indulge her.

What's her problem with A-Train?

I understand that she was among your grandfather's first followers back when the Collective was a start-up.

I can neither confirm nor deny that.

[LAUGHS SOFTLY]

Then your internal research bureau knows exactly what Stormfront's problem is with A-Train.

Deep is still a win.

Shall I have Business Affairs reach out?

- Please do.
- Let me walk you out.

[WHISPERS]: Sons of b*tches.

[QUIETLY]: Okay, yeah.

Voilà. Uh, jambon-beurre.

Simple, but it's the ingredients, you know?

- BECCA: Thank you.
- MOTHER'S MILK: Diet Coke with Lime, right?

Uh, yeah. Yeah.

We've heard a lot about you.

Uh, I'm sorry, I-I wish

I could say the same.

Uh, you all close with Billy?

Yeah.

I mean... sure.

- Why the hesitation?
- Well...

Let's just say he ain't really close to a lot of people.

You know? Well, except you, of course.

I'm close to him.

- I am.
- All right, all right, lads, let's give her some air, eh?

Yeah.

So, Ryan ain't on any of their social media, which is good on one hand, but it don't help us none.

- So, you think he's in the Tower?
- Not sure.

You stay here.

Rest up. I'm gonna go do a little digging.

Hey, Billy.

I'm sorry, okay?

I have no right to ask you to help me after what I said to you, but...

Look, don't you worry, all right?

I will find your son.

Thank you.

f*ck off, you lot.

[PHONE RINGING]

EDGAR: What is it, Samantha?

SAMANTHA [OVER PHONE]: Mr. Edgar, normally,

I wouldn't put this through, but the man says

it's life or death, and you'd know him.

What's his name?

William Butcher.

Hi, hi.

We've been having a super fun time in here.

I've just been googling all the names of the cats in "Cats".

Can you believe Ryan has never seen "Cats"?

What happened to your hair?

- Oh, nothing. [MUTTERS]
- HOMELANDER: Hey, buddy.

Sorry we had to leave you all alone.

Dad's work can sometimes get pretty crazy.

- [CHUCKLES]
- ASHLEY: He hasn't been alone.

I've been here. I got him all these dipping sauces.

You didn't want to play "Vought Tournament of Heroes"?

[WHISPERS]: I'm the main guy.

I was working on my states.

- Uh, states?
- Well, yeah, I write down all states as fast as I can in either alphabetical order or geographical order.

You're giving yourself homework?

Well, Mom says that learning is a gift, so...

Mm-hmm. That mom of yours, she sure does have some cute little sayings.

Do you think maybe I could call her?

Uh... [EXHALES]

Hey, Ryan.

Ugh.

I get it. I would feel lonely, too, if I was cooped up all day by myself in this West Elm Death Star.

- Mm-hmm.
- STORMFRONT: How about we take a field trip?

What do you say, Dad?

ANNOUNCER: Welcome to Planet Vought.

Have a super day.

[CHILDREN SHOUTING]

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

ANNOUNCER: Let's give a warm hero's welcome

to Kashden, who's turning five today.

Welcome to Planet Vought.

Would you like to try our new

Brave Maeve Rainbow Veggie Burger?

Holy sh*t.

HOMELANDER: There you go, Maestro.

- Pretty cool, huh?
- Yeah.

HOMELANDER: [CHUCKLES] Hey.

Wait until you try the Big Homey with bacon.

It's so good.

And-and the, uh, and the Mocha Noir Shake?

It's amazing.

- And it won't be lumpy like your mom's.
- [CHUCKLES]

FAN: Homelander?

[CHUCKLES]: Hey.

- Can I get a selfie?
- Ask the boss.

[CHUCKLES] Kidding. Of course you can.

- Of course you can.
- Stormfront? I-I love you.

- Can I get a self... a selfie?
- Oh, sure.

STORMFRONT: One at a time.

- Homelander.
- STORMFRONT: Kids first.

FAN : I'm a huge fan.

- Can I get a picture?
- FAN : It's Homelander!

- HOMELANDER: All right. Hey!
- FAN : I love you! Homelander!

- Homelander!
- HOMELANDER: Hey, guys...

[CROWD CLAMORING]

[OVERLAPPING CHATTER ECHOING]

RYAN: I want to go home.

[CLAMORING CONTINUES]

[WHIMPERING]

Hey. You okay?

I want my mom.

Okay, I got you. I got you.

Thank you, everyone. Excuse me.

Thank you. Excuse me. Excuse me.

Stay back, please. Please, please, please. Just stay back.

Stay back. Thank you.

- HUGHIE: New bling?
- STARLIGHT: Mm-hmm.

Donna got it for me.

Pretty sure she got it at Duane Reade.

[CHUCKLES]

Oh, gosh. Moms.

The gift that keeps on giving, forever.

Oh, sh*t. I'm sorry.

Wh... No, it's-it's fine.

No, no. I'm an assh*le for bitching about my mom when yours is...

My mom's not dead.

She's not?

Oh, it's just, you never mentioned her, so...

She left when I was six.

Oh, wow. sh*t.

I'm really sorry.

That's where Billy Joel comes from.

She and I, we used to have these dance parties.

She was, she was fun.

She made awesome Seven costumes for Halloween.

And, uh, then one day, she just left and never called again.

Not even a card.

You know, it was like some silent alarm went off and she was like, "Well... f*ck them, time to go".

No, I'm sure that that's not it.

What would you call it?

I guess that's why I always just kind of hang in there, no matter how bad it gets.

'Cause I...

I-I don't want to be like her.

That's kind of clingy and pathetic, isn't it?

No. No.

It isn't.

At all.

- What's up, shitbirds?
- [BOTH SCREAMING]

- STARLIGHT: Jesus Christ!
- [HORN BLARING]

[TIRES SCREECH]

[PANTING] What the f*ck?! What the f*ck?!

- How did you find us?!
- Please.

I can cover the boroughs in, like, three hours.

I went looking, that's all.

I'm surprised your heart can take it.

My heart is just fine. Take a step closer and I'll show you.

HUGHIE: Hey, I saved your life, assh*le. And now you're coming after us?

We're even now, bitch.

Holy sh*t!

Is this true?

Everything makes a little more sense now, doesn't it?

Where did you get this?

I didn't get it. Okay? I was never here.

You got that sh*t on your own. Yeah?

But wh... why-why are you doing this?

'Cause I want back in.

So, I need her gone.

f*ck that n*zi bitch.

[BOTH SHUDDER]

Would you ask Mario if he could whip up some of those Gruyère puffs?

Would you like an order?
They're worth the cheat day.

I assume you got a man out there, with a clean sh*t?

More than one.

Then I'll skip the f*cking hors d'oeuvres, if you don't mind, and we'll just cut straight to it, yeah?

You mentioned on the phone that you could help with Homelander's son.

I must say, I'm not sure what you mean.

That boy is your only possible contingency against Homelander.

Now, that contingency don't work if they're off playing Ward and the Beav.

[WATER POURING]

I can fix that.

Thank you, Alvin.

Homelander's a friend.

Why would I betray him?

Because you're a ruthless bastard.

That's hurtful.

You turned a r*cist piece of shite

into America's sweetheart.

What word would you use?

[CLEARS THROAT]

Stormfront's good at making people angry.

Angry people want Compound V. Compound V raises our stock price.

Look, I'd have preferred V remained a secret, but we play with the cards we're dealt.

It's not ruthless, it's prices per share.

That's all.

Maybe you should take a look in the mirror, mate.

'Cause that bitch should bother you.

Of course she does.

But it's not about me.

I can't lash out like some raging, entitled maniac.

That's a white man's luxury.

So, it's just business, then, eh?

When, Mr. Butcher, in history, has it ever been about anything different?

And what makes you think that you can control that r*cist bitch?

[SIGHS] Look, I've got to get across town...

Look, I can get the boy away from Homelander, all right?

How?

That's my business.

When I got him, I'll call your people, they zero in on this cell signal, and then come and scoop him up.

And then you do a better f*cking job of hiding him this time, yeah?

You have my word.

I will get Rebecca and Ryan somewhere safe.

No.

Not Becca. Becca stays with me.

But that's the whole point.

That he's raised by his mother.

Find him a new f*cking mum.

I'm taking my wife back. That's the deal.

And what happens when Rebecca shows up on my doorstep, begging to be reunited with her boy?

You say it's the only way you can guarantee Ryan's protection from Homelander.

'Cause as you know, a mother will do anything to protect her son.

And you call me a ruthless bastard.

You tell me where he is...

...and I'll do the rest.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Where's Ryan?

He's, um, he's inside.

He doesn't want to talk.

- So, go in anyway.
- No, no, no, no. I've tried.

He... he wants to be left alone.

You are the strongest man in the world, and you're scared of a little boy.

He's your blood.

Just talk to him.

Be the man I know you are.

RYAN: New York. North Carolina.

North Dakota. Ohio.

Oklahoma. Oregon.

[SIGHS]

I'm sorry.

HOMELANDER: No, no, no, no. Buddy, don't you be sorry.

I... I should've known better.

There were just... so many people.

Yeah, there was.

[SIGHS]

You know, I remember the first time I was in a crowd.

Probably didn't bother you.

I was terrified.

All these people staring at me and reaching out, trying to grab me, and egging me on to use my powers.

I just... I felt like I was... drowning.

Well, what'd you do?

Well, I took off.

I flew away.

They found me miles down the I- .

Crying my little eyes out.

You? Cry?

Yes.

But I'm a man, so, not in a long while. But... who knows, maybe, uh... maybe next time, you'll fly away.

Maybe... with me.

Look...

I know you want me to be like you.

But, Dad, I'm not.

Son... [EXHALES]

I didn't just wake up one day and fly out the door.

That's not how it works. I had to learn.

Only I didn't have anyone to teach me,

'cause the doctors that... um...

[CHUCKLES] The people that raised me, uh, were scared of me, so they kept their distance.

And I had to figure it all out by myself, see?

Well, you-you don't have to go through any of that.

I'll teach you.

Really?

I love you.

Hey, did you find anything?

They got him in a cabin up in Rochester.

- What?
- I mean... Becca!

She's great. We-we talked earlier.

And, um, she's-she's really great. She's...

- You're really... you're great.
- All right, easy, tiger.

How'd you get on? I guess you got f*ck all?

No witnesses. But we definitely found f*ck all.

I'm not sure I'm using that term properly, but, uh... here.

f*ck me.

This is a jackpot.

Well done, you two.

This'll do nicely.

All right, listen up, you lot.

Getting the kid back, it ain't your fight, and I ain't gonna ask you to come along.

Lick my big black balls, Butcher.

Sorry, Becca.

You done asked us to lie, spy, do all kinds of f*cked up sh*t for you.

Now we finally get a chance to do something good, and you think we're gonna take a pass on that?

We're in.

Of course we're in.

All right.

Let's get a shift on.

♪ ♪

[CAMERA CLICKING]

What?

You remember the range at Fort Bragg?

I was a better sh*t than you.

Well, you had a bloody good teacher, didn't you?

I like your friends.

Especially Hughie.
He's, uh... [CHUCKLES]

He's good for you.

Look, Becca... you ain't coming with us.

Bullshit.

Ryan doesn't know you, he'll never come to you.

It's too dangerous, and I ain't gonna lose you again.

He's my son, and I'm coming.

I need you to promise me something.

I need you to promise me that you will save him no matter what and you will get him back to me.

Yeah. Of course.

You realize this isn't just about me, right?

Like, h-he can't grow up like Homelander.

You have to think of all of the people out there that he would...

Swear to me, then.

You swear to me on your brother's soul.

I swear to you.

I swear to you on Lenny's soul.

- Okay. Okay.
- All right.

♪ ♪

I can use your help loading the car.

What if it happens again?

When I see Stormfront...

[WHISPERING]: Stormfront...

...what if I freeze?

"Freeze", yes?

Sorry, I'm still learning.

Look.

If there's one thing I know, it's that you can take care of yourself.

So when the time comes, you'll know what to do.

Let's go.

HOMELANDER: Keep going. You got it.

That's it, don't give up.

That's it, that's it. Keep going.

Little more, little more, you got it.

[EXHALES]

Oh... hey, that's okay.

You'll get it, you'll get it. Um...

[MOUTHS]

I know what.

Um, imagine, um...

Well, sometimes it helps to imagine someone you hate. Okay?

So, try that.

RYAN: But at home, when I say "hate", I have to put a quarter in the swear jar.

Well, there's no swear jar here.

So, you can hate away. [CHUCKLES]

But I don't really hate anyone.

STORMFRONT: Aw, well, that is very sweet, Ryan.

But it's not something we can afford.

We're under att*ck.

We are?

Bad guys want to hurt us just 'cause of what we look like.

They want to wipe us from this Earth, just because of the color of our skin.

Really?

It's called white genocide.

And we're gonna need people like you to protect our kind.

- Hmm. All right.
- [PHONE CHIMING]

So, let's try again.

Go for it. Imagine, uh...

You got to be f*cking kidding me!

What?

Are you sure this'll work?

Don't worry, it will work.

This is nothing compared to the raves

I used to set up in Algiers.

Do you dance?

Of course I dance.

What is the point of life without dancing?

[DISTANT RUMBLING]

She's on the move.

♪ One, two, three, four... ♪

I see her, Frenchie. We got to go now.

- You close?
- FRENCHIE: Un moment, mon ami.

- Holy sh*t. It just broke.
- Stunning news coming out of Vought Tower

in New York City, concerning Stormfront

and alleged n*zi ties.

Stormfront may be years old.

What's even more incredible, we have authenticated photos

showing Stormfront with n*zi High Command,

including Goebbels and Göring.

Based on the photos, it is now believed that she was the wife

of Frederick Vought, who was of course the founder

of Vought International.

Already, an intense international outcry

has emerged, under...

MAN: I can't believe I actually have to say this,

this day and age, but Nazis are bad.

♪ n*zi Stormfront, h*tler's star ♪

♪ Run her over with a car. ♪

It's catchy.

- You ready?
- Oui.

[BEEPING]

But the question now is how can we possibly let Vought release

Compound V in light of this unprecedented malfeasance?

- What's "malfeasance"?
- A n*zi in Seven Tower?

- Uh, it's a...
- Was she part of the att*ck...

- Never mind. [GRUNTS]
- [HIGH-PITCHED WHIRRING]

Aah!

- What's happening?
- Don't know.

Stay here.

[WHIRRING GROWS LOUDER]

Now!

[HIGH-PITCHED WHIRRING]

[WHIMPERS]

Ryan! Hey! Hey.

Hey. Hey. Bud. Hey.

- Mom? Mom...
- It's me.

- Come here.
- Mom, Mom. I'm so sorry.

I didn't mean anything I said.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of it.

[CRIES]: It's okay.

- We got to go.
- BECCA: I love you so much.

You're okay. We're gonna go, okay? Come on.

Who's that?

That's my husband.

It's all right.

Come on.

I got you.

Come on. To the car, this way.

[HIGH-PITCHED WHIRRING]

[WHIRRING STOPS]

[EXHALES]

What the f*ck?

- Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
- What the hell are they doing back here?

Butcher, this wasn't the plan.

What's going on?

What's wrong?

Take my car, get them both to Mallory.

Get them both safe.

No, no. That's not part of the plan.

The plan just changed.

M.M., you're the only one I trust with 'em.

Hey. What's happening? No.

M.M.'s gonna take you to a woman with the CIA.

What? No, you have to come with us.

I cut a deal with Stan Edgar.

BECCA: What?

I cut a deal that when I got Ryan, that I would call Vought.

They were gonna come and take him away, and that you'd never f*cking see him again.

What?

But f*ck me, I-I couldn't do it.

[INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER]

- Bedroom's clear.
- Kitchen's clear.

- All rooms secure.
- Mr. Butcher?

You here?

[WHOOSH, THUD]

Did I hear you say "Butcher"?

What's going on?

DISPATCHER [OVER COMM]: Do you have the boy?

Where's my son?

Where is my son?!

I'm not... I'm not leaving here without you. I don't care.

I was gonna sell you out.

I f*cking well might do it again.

You didn't, though. You didn't and you won't.

You can't have a c**t like me around that kid.

I don't want to pass my sh*t on to him.

Don't say that. You have to come with us.

You raise him right.

- You f*cking raise him right.
- No. Don't say that.

And I'll make sure they never find you.

Don't you say that! Stop it. Stop.

- You have to come with us.
- Becca, we are out of time.

[CRYING]

Please.

You got to let me do this.

You got to let me do this one f*cking thing.

♪ ♪

Becca!

There you are, you slippery little bitch!

I'm assuming it's you who sent all those lies to the press.

They're not lies.

The pictures are clearly deepfakes, and you're a lying slut.

[GRUNTING]

BUTCHER: Okay.

- [PANTING]
- Come here.

STORMFRONT: People love what I have to say.

They believe in it.

They just don't like the word "n*zi", that's all.

- Are you all right?
- [RYAN COUGHS]

- You all right? Yeah?
- Ryan. Ryan, Ryan.

- Ryan. Ryan!
- Ryan. Come here.

Are you okay? Are you okay?

Go. We'll hold her off.

You're okay.

What about the truth?

What truth?

What is the truth?

[KIMIKO LAUGHING]

And what are you laughing at?

She says the truth is, she's gonna stick her boot up your n*zi kitty.

HUGHIE: Annie!

Come on, the RPG!

It's in the car! It's our only chance!

[COUGHING]

[LOUD SNAP]

[GRUNTS]

[GROANING]

WOMAN: Hey, Kraut.

♪ ♪

[LOUD SNAP]

♪ ♪

♪ You've got them all by the balls ♪

♪ Causin' waterfalls ♪

♪ Stone walls, bar brawls ♪

♪ Common stalls that cause 'em all ♪

♪ To you they crawl, body sprawl ♪

♪ Smokin' Pall Malls, close call, stand tall ♪

♪ Doll, you make them feel so small ♪

♪ And they love it... ♪

STARLIGHT: Eat my sh*t, you n*zi bitch!

- [BLOWS LANDING]
- Die, you bitch!

Girls do get it done.

- [GRUNTING]
- Yeah!

Bitch!

Are you okay?

Yeah.

[PANTING]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Come here, Ryan.

Not on your life.

[CRYING OUT]

You're not like her, Ryan.
You belong with us.

Stay the f*ck away from my son!

We love you, Ryan.

[SCREAMS]

[GROANS]

You f*cking bitch.

Stop! Stop it!

Stop, please. Stop it!

Stop, you're hurting her. Just let her...

Stop it!

Stop, you're hurting her.

- [GASPING]
- Just let her go.

- Let her go!
- [COUGHS]

- Stop!
- Look at me.

[WHISPERING]: I like to see the light go out.

Stop!

[SHOUTING]

[WHOOSHING]

[SIZZLING]

[GROANS]

[STORMFRONT MUTTERING IN GERMAN]

[BUTCHER GROANS]

[SPEAKING GERMAN]

RYAN [CRYING]: I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Mom.

[BECCA GASPING]

No. No...

[BECCA GASPING]

No. No, no, no.

Hold on.

[SNIFFLES] I'm sorry.

Help us!

Somebody help us!

It's not his fault. It's not his fault.

You make sure he knows that.

He, uh...

He's good. He's good.

He's good.

You promise me you'll keep him safe.

[SNIFFLES]

[CRYING SOFTLY]

[WHIMPERING] I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

[RYAN CRYING]

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it.

Mommy.

Mom.

Mom, please.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

[WHOOSHING]

[SPEAKING GERMAN]

[CONTINUES SPEAKING GERMAN]

[SNIFFLES]

Ryan?

Did you do this?

RYAN: I didn't mean to.

Let's go.

Come here.

Come.

Ryan... Ryan.

Come here.

No.

[LAUGHING]

He's mine.

What, are you gonna blow yourself up... to save the little sh*t who f*cking m*rder*d your wife?

I promised.

- Have it your way.
- MAEVE: Stop.

What are you doing here?

You're gonna let them go.

And if I don't?

- WOMAN [OVER VIDEO]: Please!
- Don't die with them.

Let them go.

- Maeve!
- You're gonna stop hunting Starlight, you're gonna leave me and Elena alone...

Take my daughter!

...or I release this.

If you do that...

...I'll destroy everything

- and everyone.
- Great.

As long as everyone sees what a f*cking monster you are.

As long as no one ever loves you again.

CROWD [CHANTING]:
Homelander! Homelander!

Homelander!

Homelander! Homelander...

♪ ♪

[CRIES SOFTLY]

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

We believe that Stormfront was the sole perpetrator of the att*ck on Washington.

In the light of Stormfront's atrocities, the release of Compound V has been placed on indefinite hold.

Homelander?

REPORTER: Mr. Edgar, we have a follow-up question.

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

Thanks to the heroism of Queen Maeve and Starlight, Stormfront has been neutralized, and is being held in an undisclosed location.

I would personally like to apologize to Starlight, who was wrongfully accused of sabotage and conspiracy.

Welcome back to the team.

And I know that you and Maeve are two of the best, most loyal friends that I could ever have.

We are your heroes.

We are here to serve and protect you.

[FADING]: Stormfront's violation of that special relationship, of that trust, is unacceptable and she will be punished.

- Justice will be served.
- [HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]

♪ ♪

Justice will be served.
She will be punished.

As the leader of the Seven, I give you my word,

- no one will ever...
- [EXHALES]

[TV TURNS OFF]

Gentlemen, thank you for coming.

Always happy to see you, sir.

ALASTAIR: I'm afraid we had an incident at the Archives.

Someone broke in and stole PDR on Stormfront.

Hmm. PDR?

Private data reserve.

No one saw the thief come or go.

Isn't that right, A-Train?

That was you? Dude.

I didn't know, sir. f*ck him.

- I would never go behind your back.
- Please,

- just let me explain.
- I think it showed initiative.

Stormfront's been critical of the Church for a long time, and Vought needs to take a firm anti-n*zi stance right now.

A-TRAIN: Wait.

- D-Does that mean...
- I just spoke to Stan Edgar.

You're back in.

- f*ck yeah!
- What? Yeah!

- Yeah! A-Train is back, baby!
- [WHOOPS]

- Yeah!
- Yeah!

- [LAUGHS] All right!
- Whew!

- Finally! [LAUGHS]
- Yeah.

I'm back too, right?
Right? I'm anti-n*zi.

I'm sorry, Deep, but they only had one slot.

One hero is redemption, two is weakness.

So they took him?

f*ck yes, they did!

Well, sh*t! Peace out, bitch!

Ha ha!

ALASTAIR: You have to be patient, Deep.

We'll get you into a few more courses, up to Level Seven.

No, I don't want to pay for any more f*cking courses!

Deep, please calm down.

I signed over my bank account to you.

I filled out all those f*cking children's workbooks!

I married some weirdo who gives terrible blowjobs!

I-I did everything you asked, and when I found out that we're all just f*cking space spores, I didn't laugh.

I did everything you asked.

Because you said you'd get me back in the Seven.

- You f*cking promised.
- I'm sorry, Deep, but you are acting like a toxic personality.

I think you should leave.

[SCOFFS]

f*ck Fresca.

Look at you.

I know. I know...

But if Billy Butcher can do the right thing, then there's got to be some kind of higher power.

You know?

Are you sure it's safe for you to go back into the Tower?

No.

No, I'm not. But...

If you jump ship and you let the assholes steer, then you're part of the problem.

- And...
- Hmm.

...someone taught me something about hanging in there.

[LAUGHS SOFTLY]

I've been thinking about that lately... the hanging in there.

And I think maybe I am too clingy.

- No, you're not.
- Sticking with people just because I'm terrified of losing them?

I-I...

I can't do that anymore.

I think it's time I go off, stand on my own two feet for once.

Right. Um...

[CLEARS THROAT]

Yeah, no worries. We'll, um...

We'll just be friends, then.

Oh... oh, God, no. No, no, no.

I'm still gonna cling onto you, I'm not f*cking crazy.

♪ ♪

[CHUCKLES]

So, if you weren't talking about me, who were you talking about?

I'm scared.

This here... belonged to your mum.

This is St. Christopher.

She gave it to me a long time ago, and told me... it would keep me safe.

And it has.

Mostly.

Now your mum... is gonna help keep you safe.

[VEHICLE DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]

Come on.

Now... remember what I told you.

Don't be a c**t.

William, I'm so sorry.

Vought's gonna want him back.

MALLORY: Let me handle Vought.

You think he'll turn into his father?

Becca didn't think so.

I pray she's right.

All the charges against you and the Boys have been dropped.

Even for the crimes you did commit.

You're a free man.

And the White House is opening an Office of Supe Affairs.

Victoria Neuman is the new czar.

She's sneaking me some off-the-books funding for a team that can keep tabs on the Supes.

If you're interested.

["GOD ONLY KNOWS" BY THE BEACH BOYS PLAYING]

♪ ♪

♪ I may not always love you ♪

♪ But long as there are stars above you ♪

♪ You never need to doubt it ♪

♪ I'll make you so sure about it ♪

♪ God only knows what I'd be without you ♪

♪ If you should ever leave me ♪

♪ Well, life would still go on ♪

- ♪ Believe me ♪
- Where to?

- ♪ The world could show nothing to me ♪
- Dancing.

♪ So what good would living do me? ♪

♪ God only knows what I'd be without you ♪

♪ God only knows what I'd be without you ♪

♪ God only knows what I'd be without you... ♪

I can do whatever I want.

[GRUNTS]

I can do whatever...

I want.

[GROANS]

[STRAINING]: I can do... whatever I want.

♪ What I'd be without you... ♪

[GRUNTS] I can do whatever the f*ck I want!

I can do whatever the f*ck I... want! [GRUNTS]

Congratulations on the appointment, Congresswoman.

It's about time we had an Office of Supe Affairs.

Well, I know it was your intel that took Stormfront down.

So, thank you.

Yeah, and that's just the start.

We have enough dirt to ruin a dozen Supes.

Be a death blow for Stan Edgar.

That is, of course, if you're open to, uh, expediting the Church's tax-exempt status.

Small price to pay.

Call my office, set up a meeting?

You are one of the good ones, Vic.

- See you soon.
- See you.

[SIGHS]

MAN: Hi.

- Here's the research you asked for.
- Thank you.

- And your : is waiting.
- Thank you.

Hugh Campbell.

I don't know how to repay you for what you did.
- You know, I can think of a way.
- Oh?

You can... give me a job.

You serious?

Uh, what about your team?

Don't get me wrong, I-I-I still want to fight Vought, I just...

I want to do it the right way.

Not covered in quite as many guts.

- [CHUCKLES]
- Look, the truth is,

I never totally fit in with the guys.

And... I think it's time I stand on my own two feet.

["ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG" BY BILLY JOEL PLAYING]

- They know you're here?
- I haven't told them yet.

When can you start?

♪ Come out, Virginia, don't let me wait ♪

♪ You Catholic girls start much too late ♪

♪ Aw, but sooner or later it comes down to fate ♪

♪ I might as well be the one ♪

♪ Only the good die young ♪

♪ That's what I said ♪

♪ Only the good die young ♪

♪ Only the good die young ♪

♪ You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd ♪

♪ We ain't too pretty, we ain't too proud ♪

♪ We might be laughing a bit too loud ♪

♪ Aw, but that never hurt no one ♪

♪ So come on, Virginia, show me a sign ♪

♪ Send up a signal, I'll throw you a line ♪

♪ The stained-glass curtain you're hiding behind ♪

♪ Never lets in the sun ♪

♪ Darling, only the good die young ♪

♪ Whoa, baby ♪

♪ I tell ya, only the good die young ♪

♪ Only the good die young ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Aw, she never cared for me ♪

♪ But did she ever say a prayer for me? ♪

♪ Oh, whoa, whoa ♪

♪ Come out, come out, come out ♪

♪ Virginia, don't let me wait ♪

♪ The Catholic girls start much too late ♪

♪ Sooner or later it comes down to fate ♪

♪ I might as well be the one ♪

♪ You know that only the good die young ♪

♪ Tell ya, baby ♪

♪ You know that only the good die young ♪

♪ Only the good die young ♪

[VOCALIZING]

♪ Only the good die young. ♪