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By Désirée Guzzetta
Spoiler level: This review is based on viewing the entire season, but contains only mild spoilers
The first season of “The Boys,” Amazon Prime Video’s adaptation of the Garth Ennis/Darick Robertson comic book series, introduced us to a world of supes controlled by a huge corporation, Vought International, and a group of CIA black ops members—informally known as The Boys—dedicated to keeping the supes in check and maybe, occasionally, killing a few here and there. The characters were all sketched out well enough to give the narrative sufficient thrust to propel it forward, but there seemed to be more to learn about each of them—well, at least the ones who survived.
The second season, which begins with the release of three episodes on September 4, 2020 and one per week thereafter, gives more heft to the personalities on display, diving deeper into the backstories of the main groupings and raising the emotional stakes higher. By investing into the character arcs, the show makes every emotional beat over the course of the eight episodes hit that much harder.
Last season ended with the Boys separated, and with the supes in a bit of their own disarray thanks to Homelander’s (Antony Starr) plan to create supervillains that the U.S. government could not ignore, thus guaranteeing he and his cohorts in superhero group The Seven would be part of the military. As usual with Homelander, he did not think the plan all the way through, and in the new season, it has backfired.
Additionally, some of the characters know superheroes aren’t born—they’re made thanks to Vought’s experimental drug, Compound-V. While some, especially Annie January/Starlight (Erin Moriarty), are thrown for a loop by this news, others such as A-Train (Jessie T. Usher) accept their reality because of how life has turned out for them: money, fame, and adulation.
With all that as a backdrop, showrunner Eric Kripke and his writer’s room have barreled full-steam ahead—like the boat through the whale in the season trailer—into trenchant social commentary, tackling, in no particular order: cults, Donald Trump, white supremacy and racism, social media influencers, girl power, and LGBTQ issues, and diving further into the murky waters of corporatism. And that’s not to mention identity crises, general superhero tropes, daddy and mommy issues/generational trauma, dealing with one’s past, and other heady topics. It’s a helluva full stew the gang has cooked up for a mere eight episodes, but it’s damn satisfying.
With The Deep (Chace Crawford) still exiled in Sandusky, Ohio, The Seven need a new supe to take his place. Enter Stormfront (the always-excellent Aya Cash), a brash social media influencer who shoots plasma bolts from her fingertips and targeted barbs from her lips. She nails everyone with her cutting wit, and while some, especially Annie and Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligot), see her as a breath of fresh air, Homelander sees her as yet another threat to his position. She upends his sense of masculinity and control with her forthright attitude. Watching Starr and Cash as Homelander and Stormfront circle around each other in their power dance is both exhilarating and frightening.
The new season also sees Stan Edgar (Giancarlo Esposito), head of Vought, step out of the shadows more. Edgar’s got backbone to spare, standing up to a threatening Homelander as he reveals the petulant supe knows less than nothing about where Vought’s priorities truly lie. It’s an electrifying scene as Edgar hammers every one of Homelander’s insecurities in a calm, assured manner. If he’s afraid of Homelander’s vast power-set, he doesn’t show it—not a scintilla of fear ever crosses his brow.
Meanwhile, the Boys—Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso), Frenchie (Tomar Capon), Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara), and Hughie (Jack Quaid)—are hiding out literally underground because they are wanted for several crimes they didn’t commit (and maybe some they did). Their leader, Butcher (Karl Urban), is missing, having been blindsided in the first season finale when Homelander revealed that not only was Butcher’s assumed-dead wife, Becca (Shantel VanSanten), very much alive, but that she was also raising Homelander’s son, Ryan (Cameron Crovetti), who himself is exhibiting superpowers.
While the outward stakes are high, the inward stakes are more devastating, even if they are the source of humor. For example, The Deep has been sucked into a Scientology-like cult, The Church of The Collective, headed by Alistair Adana (Goran Višnjić), the kind of guy who thinks he oozes charm but is really giving off slimy vibes if you look past his handsome façade. The Church promises to get The Deep back into The Seven by preying on his own mass of insecurities with hilarious results.
Everyone continues to give great performances, particularly Urban as the conflicted Butcher,
whose beloved wife is protecting a hated supe, even though it’s her child. Quaid and Moriarty’s chemistry shimmers with tenderness, as does Capon and Fukuhara’s as Frenchie struggles with the choices Kimiko makes and his inability to communicate with her. Also joining the cast is Claudia Doumit as Victoria Neuman, a neophyte congressperson dedicated to taking down Vought.
The biggest trick season two of “The Boys” pulls off is bringing together a lot of disparate threads by the season finale in a very satisfying way. Pretty much every setup in the first few episodes has a payoff while leaving room for stories to continue into the already-announced third season.
“The Boys” is still vulgar, gory, and outrageous, but it’s also sweet, heartfelt, and meaningful. Yes, it skewers a lot of what’s happening in the world in a brazen way, but that’s a good thing. By shining a bright light on social ills, art illuminates that which we sometimes would rather not see or deal with and shoves it in our faces like so many whale guts. By taking the route it does, the art of “The Boys” is both a social good and blood(il)y diabolical.
The post The Boys Return for More Mayhem and Stinging Social Commentary appeared first on The Nerd Element.
Wow. 2020 is going to go down in the history books for immeasurable losses beyond the current COVID-19 pandemic. As rough as this year has been for our team, and of course our listeners, we assure you that our platform will continue to persevere. Check out our latest installment of Afronerd Radio's Grindhouse airing this Sunday at 6pm, courtesy of BTalk100. The topics to be discussed: the untimely passing of an icon, actor Chadwick Boseman (42, Get on Up) of Marvel's Black Panther fame succumbs to colon cancer at the age of 43; discussing his rise and legacy and regrettably prospects for the Panther franchise here on out; the long awaited release of the Marvel/Fox film, New Mutants appears not be without controversy-the superhero team's co-creator, Bob McLeod has some pretty interesting thoughts about the movie's whitewashing elements; oh and just what is the (limited) audience saying about New Mutants anyway?; impression of S5 of Luther at its new(er) Netflix' platform (versus FOX); ok....we really have to talk about NBC's Peacock and their black themed programming. Dburt glanced and it seems like there's a lot going on...just sayin'; what's the deal with these failry serious science fiction TV series being translated as comedic cartoons? First it was Star Trek: Lower Decks and now the X-files?; our thoughts about the expansion of the Sherlock Holmes universe via Netflix' Enola Holmes starring Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill:
Why isn't this bigger news? 19 families purchased 90 acres of land in Georgia to create a city safe for black people; are we getting closer to nanobots or more specifically "microbots" that could one day be injected into the human body?; did last week's virtual Republican Convention really narrow Biden's lead against President Trump to 6 percentage points?; Gamesradar.com lends focus to an upcoming Flash family story line entitled Dark Nights: Speed Metal#1; our impressions of the new DC Animated release of Superman: Man of Tomorrow; And lastly, Dburt trips over another interesting time travel comic entitled The Man Who F#$%ed Up Time by John Layman and Kyle Mostert. Call in LIVE at 508-645-0100!
"In my culture, death is not the end. It's more of a stepping off point. You reach out with both hands and Bast and Sekhmet, they lead you into a green veld where you can run forever."-T'Challa (Black Panther as portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman)
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Hundalasiliah, folks! Boy, do we have an eventful Afronerd Radio show for you-airing this Wednesday at 8pm EST. Listen to our latest installment of the Mid Week in Review (MWIR) via our new platform, BTalk 100. And don't forget, our show will forever highlight blerd culture but also the urban alternative! The topics de rigueur are: country music sensation, Rissi Palmer stops by not only to discuss her place in music history but also her exciting new podcast, Color Me Country on Apple Music Country; Google Doodle highlights the accomplishments of the first African-American woman cartoonist, Jackie Ormes (Torchy Brown); addressing of the subjects we failed to get to during this past Sunday's Grindhouse show; ok....we really do have to discuss the third episode of HBO's Lovercraft Country; last month we, of course, spoke about the shake up at DC Comics (especially the eSports connection) well the result of that aforementioned "reorganizing" is the hiring of Daniel Cherry as the new SVP General manager of DC Comics....we'll share our initial thoughts; more news about a possible and expanded Ant Man 3; Cobra Kai actually overtook the number weekend viewing spot from the extremely popular (and formerly on FOX) Netflix streaming series; remember when the Wachowski's had a comic book company (Burlyman Entertainment)? Well, according to Hollywood Reporter, one of their properties, Shaolin Cowboy will be in an omnibus format through Dark Horse Comics;
Ok..did the Afronerd Radio team miss a memo, or is the African Goddess and X-Man mutant, now being depicted (in Marvel Future Fight rpg) as a Charlize Theron clone? Why does this keep happening? And if time constraints permit, perhaps we will address Twitter foolishness (unrelated stories) involving two UK songstresses, icon Sade and global phenom, Adele. Again....maybe. Call in LIVE at 508-645-0100.
"My eyes cross water to the gift of a symbol. It is a statue which represents freedom won at the cost of death...and while my studies in philosophy render such a concept false, my experience with the nature of man dictates that fallacy is often truth"-Shang Chi (The Master of Kung Fu)
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“For in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own. Let him swim in the deepest ocean, or glide over the highest cloud.”
Albus Dumbledore
That’s definitely the goal for your Harry Potter baby nursery: a peaceful, serene setting for your little one to rest easy. But it can also double as an awesome expression of your nerdy interests.
In our humble opinion, your baby’s nursery is the perfect place to showcase your fandom collection, and adorn the space with the hallmarks of the wizarding world. (This is also the perfect time to dress your baby in the latest wizarding world fashions- apparate over to our Harry Potter Baby Clothes article for ideas!)
When decorating a nursery for your little witch or wizard, creating a magical atmosphere is just one part of the design process. Check out our guide on how to decorate a nerdy nursery for some helpful tips for picking colors, patterns, decor, and much more.
Whether you are just getting started or you are looking for the finishing touches, this buying guide highlights some of the best Harry Potter essentials, plus some fun decor pieces that will leave you saying “Mischief Managed!”. (Not feeling quite prepared for this O.W.L.? Visit our baby preparation checklist for a cheat sheet.)
Harry Potter Nursery Essentials
Harry Potter Baby Nursery Tip #1: As long as your nursery isn’t in a cupboard under the stairs, you should be just fine.
I jest. But there are some items that are pretty much required for your baby’s nursery, such as linens, lighting, and a good set of curtains. These items will make life much easier for new parents- trust us!
Crib Sheets
Next to the crib itself, the crib sheets will be one of your most frequently used (and laundered) items in the nursery. Make sure you get more than you think you’ll need- you’d be surprised how frequently you end up changing them!
These breathable, washable sheets are covered with adorable pictures of Harry’s friends throughout the series- plus Voldemort, who is definitely not a friend. (How did they manage to even make the Dark Lord Voldemort adorable?! That’s quite an accomplishment.) The sheets come in different fabric types, so you can pick what you prefer for your baby’s skin- soft organic cotton, silky minky, or stretchable jersey.
These crib sheets feature a striking pattern composed of watercolor versions of magical objects, such as the Sorting Hat, the Golden Snitch, and Harry’s Nimbus 2000 broomstick. Available in organic cotton, minky, or jersey fabric.
Lamp
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
Albus Dumbledore
Make turning on that light a bit more pleasant with softer, subdued lighting that will enhance the magical atmosphere of your nursery.
This bold, striped lamp emblazoned with the Hogwarts crest would look right at home in the Gryffindor common room. Nice bright colors like red and gray make a cheery addition to a Harry Potter baby nursery, and will look just as good in an older kid’s room as your child ages.
The sign of the Deathly Hallows forms a unique statement piece in this wooden lamp. The light is dim enough to be left on in a corner of the room during the night, but provides enough light to be able to navigate the nursery. And it is a keepsake that they won’t soon outgrow! Can you picture reading the Tales of Beedle the Bard by the light of this awesome lamp?
Curtains
Your baby’s sleep schedule (and let’s face it- yours, too) might be a little erratic for a while. Help baby stay asleep during the day with thick curtains that will block light and sounds. Curtains will also help ground the other decor in the nursery.
These magical curtains feature Harry’s glasses and scar in white set against a black background. Made of 100% cotton, they come in 4 different lengths and can be ordered as regular curtains or blackout curtains. Very striking addition to any nursery!
These Gryffindor curtains would look just as perfect in the boy’s dormitories as they will in your Harry Potter baby nursery. A patchwork of bold stripes, the Gryffindor mascot, and Hogwarts castle adorn these 100% cotton curtains. They are from the same Etsy store as the curtains above, so they are also available in 4 different lengths, regular or blackout!
Possibly the cutest Dobby we have ever seen! Rather than installing hardware on your wall to hold back your curtains, these crocheted Dobby tie-backs will do the trick!
Blanket
You’ll want a cute and cuddly Harry Potter blanket to keep your little one warm, or for you to snuggle under with baby during late-night feedings.
You couldn’t find a better Harry Potter blanket than this patchwork minky blanket with an embroidered message, memorializing Lily Potter’s last words to her son. Let your little one know how you feel with the words “You are so loved”, and add an optional personalization of their name.
Nursery Accessories (The Fun Stuff!)
There’s only one place we’re going to get all of this- Diagon Alley.
Molly Weasley (Chamber of Secrets movie- not book, sorry purists)
After you’ve found your nursery essentials, you can select some fun pieces to tie everything together. Shopping online might not be as fun as shopping in Diagon Alley, but it’s much easier to add to your cart!
Mobile
Did you know that placing a mobile above your baby’s crib can help stimulate their brain development?
(“It’s true. I read about it in ‘Hogwarts, a history.’” -Hermione Granger)
More than just a mobile, this customizable option comes with your choice of 5 characters (from a list of 21 options), plus a Harry Potter lullaby soundtrack that’s over 45 minutes long! Soothe your baby with the gentle sounds of Hogwarts, while they gaze up at Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hedwig, the Snitch, the Hogwarts Express, Dumbledore, Dobby, and more.
This is just so cool. Suspended from an open book, this mobile is reminiscent of the Golden Trio’s trouble facing the flying keys in the Sorcerer’s Stone. Metal keys with wings made from pages of Harry Potter books “flutter” above your baby’s head, with a single Golden Snitch adorning the middle of the mobile. Note that the Etsy seller advises hanging the mobile beside the crib, not directly above it, as some of the pieces, if broken, would pose a choking hazard.
Wall Decor
Set of 5 Hogwarts House Crest Banners
Show some house pride by displaying these banners on the nursery wall! Bold colors make the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin mascots stand out. Unify the houses with a large Hogwarts crest banner, also included in the set.
Wizarding World Alphabet Poster
Alphabet prints are a classic option for nursery decor, but you’ve never seen a cooler alphabet than this! Each letter is accompanied by a tiny watercolor rendition of a person, place, creature, or spell from the wizarding world. Why teach your kids that A is for Apple when you could teach them that A is for Albus Dumbledore?! The choice is pretty clear (in my mind at least!)
Retro Hogwarts “Travel” Posters
This set of three dreamy, vintage-style travel posters feature retro renditions of Hogwarts castle, Hogsmeade, and the Hogwarts Express. They would look perfect hung above the crib, or changing table. And they’re classy enough to look at home in an older child’s room too- not even joking, I’m about to order these posters for my home office!
Books
“Because that’s what Hermione does,” said Ron, shrugging. “When in doubt, go to the library.”
It’s never too early to begin instilling that principle in your little one’s life! Reading to your baby helps foster their brain development and language skills.
Start your little witch or wizard’s magical education properly, with this D is for Dragons boardbook. Full of cute pictures of magical creatures, they’ll be exposed to numbers and colors along with some fantastic beasts!
Baby Dragon Finger Puppet Book
The doe-eyed baby dragon in this finger puppet book doesn’t look anything like Norbert, but that’s okay. He’s far preferable to a Horntail! This cute book tells the story of a baby dragon discovering his ability to fly.
Other Nursery Decor
They certainly got the “large, bat-like ears and bulging green eyes” right from the book when they made this plush! The Noble Collection produces a great deal of official Harry Potter merchandise, and this Dobby plush is included in that. With posable limbs and a tattered piece of clothing, this Dobby plus would fit in perfectly in your nursery.
If you’re anything like James and Lily, you’ll probably need to start working on the pile of gold Galleons that you’ll leave in Gringotts for your kid. Start collecting those coins in this cool Gringotts coin bank. After all, Gringotts is “the safest place in the world for anything you want to keep safe- except perhaps Hogwarts.”
Many of those who self-identify as giant nerds have discovered the amazing world of Funko Pop, and if you’re like most of us, you probably have a growing Harry Potter Funko collection. If not, now’s a great time to start, and who better to start with than Dumbledore? This Funko features the bespectacled wizard holding a tiny baby Harry, preparing to deliver him to the Dursleys.
A plush Hedwig is pretty much a requirement for any Harry Potter baby nursery, am I right? This soft snowy owl plush would look equally adorable in the crib as it would perched atop a bookshelf or nestled onto a rocking chair.
With crinkly sounds, a soft texture, fun ribbons, and bright colors, this Harry Potter crinkle toy has everything your baby could want! You’d be surprised by how much entertainment value there is in a simple sensory toy.
What self-respecting Harry Potter fan would you be if you didn’t have the Lumos/Nox switchplate cover? I mean, this is about as close to magic as an adult Muggle can get. The neutral black and silver will complement a wide range of color schemes and patterns.
You won’t have any house elves to clean up after your baby, so make the job a little easier with this Hogwarts trash bin! It’s made of poly canvas, so it’s easy to clean and would also make a great hamper or storage basket.
Feeling like your little wizard might be more of a Padawan? Check out our comprehensive Star Wars Nursery Guide.
The post Harry Potter Baby Nursery Theme Ideas appeared first on Geek Baby Clothes.