What's The Problem With Black Noir In Season 5?

Something unclear is going on in season 5 of The Boys. Last week, the most irreverent series made its comeback on Prime Video, for a final season. So close to the end, we thought the universe was on the right track and the surprises reserved for the very end. However, the first two episodes seem to prepare a final turnaround at Vought International and in mythology. What if Eric Kripke, who distanced himself from comics for a very long time, finally decided to take control of certain narrative elements. We take stock.

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An unusual character

The trajectory of Black Noir in The Boys is rather unique, and especially when we are interested in what was happening behind the scenes. Nathan Mitchell was recruited to bring him to life in the first season, without showing his face. The actor was instructed not to utter a word and never to appear without the mask that characterizes him. The goal for creator Eric Kripke was to cultivate mystery about his true identity, to leave doubt among readers of the comics as much as neophytes.

Season 3 nevertheless reshuffled the cards by exploring its origins. We discovered that Black Noir was a member of Soldier Boy’s team, a certain Earving played by Fritzy Destine. In his flashbacks, he appeared in full light, Nathan Mitchell had to pass the baton. We discovered the reasons for his muteness, he was beaten by Soldier Boy, losing the ability to speak and think properly. He will ultimately be killed at the hands of Homelander. Vought and Homelander then decide to cover up this murder by recruiting an actor to replace him. Nathan Mitchell was therefore able to make his comeback, this time with a new role to take on. The actor explains to us:

“It was really fun to play Black Noir in a new way. In season 4, he was frantic, trying to find the best way to play this role. That’s something I also experienced playing the superhero in the first seasons and when I came back for season 4. There was no real clear plan for him (since the show distanced itself from the comics, editor’s note) and so I’m trying to understand his motivations. In this season 5, we will be able to see that again.”

Silence is golden

Far be it from us to say that we have been led for a ride, but these first episodes do not really seem to explore this theme. The most attentive spectators will have actually noticed that Black Noir has not uttered a line since the start of this new season. During the confrontation with Homelander, the acolyte of The Deep does not say a word, even though the vindictive tone of the leader of the Seven rather invites him to defend himself. Has New Noir lost his language? Unless the year which separates the two seasons was an opportunity for Vought to make another change in the team. And if, after spending four seasons denying an entire section of the comics’ plot, The Boys finally decided to embrace the ideas of Garth Ennis. Warning, potential spoilers.

Plot Twist

The Boys changed an essential point in the history of Black Noir. The character in the comics is at no time a former teammate of Soldier Boy. Indeed, the grand finale of the comics reveals that the mysterious member of the Seven is a clone of Homelander created by the CIA. He has the same abilities and is intended to monitor his alter ego and neutralize him if he were to slip up. Except that he will repeatedly remove the mask to take its place and commit the worst atrocities in its name. We even discover that it was he who raped Becca and that he is therefore Ryan’s father. If it seems unlikely that the series will adopt all the narrative mechanisms of this finale, we must admit that the mystery surrounding Black Noir this season leaves the door open to a final twist of the genre. Answer every Wednesday on Prime Video.