Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Gen V episode 5!
Summary
- Gen V episode 5 features a surprise cameo from Mesmer, a mind-reading supe from The Boys season 1, in the form of an episode of The Mesmerizer.
- This is the first time Mesmer has appeared in the series since season 1, and his cameo is a clever way of referencing the character without needing to film new footage.
- The use of old footage suggests that this may be the last appearance of Mesmer in The Boys franchise, as the child actor has likely aged and the older version of Mesmer is deceased in the show's universe.
While plenty of popular characters from The Boys have appeared in the spin-off series, Gen V just brought back a forgotten The Boys character in a really weird way. Gen V has been full of cameos and Easter eggs that tie back into the main series, showing the interconnectivity of the franchise while also setting up The Boys season 4. However, a small bit of worldbuilding in Gen V episode 5 features a cameo from a mostly forgotten character, one that may have gone over the heads of many viewers.
Gen V is finally here, with the highly-anticipated live action spin-off of Amazon Prime Video's The Boys in the midst of season 1. The series looks at the world of The Boys through a new lens, with it this time focusing on a supe college known as Godolkin University. Gen V follows Marie Moreau, a young blood-bender who gets the opportunity to attend the prestigious Vought-run university. Upon arriving, however, Marie and her friends uncover a massive conspiracy. Tons of small details and Easter eggs populate Gen V amidst the main story, including this sly reference to a forgotten character from the main series.
Gen V Brings Back Mesmer From The Boys Season 1
Gen V episode 5 features a cameo from Mesmer, putting the supe back in the spotlight after a long absence. Mesmer is a mind-reading supe who was formerly a child star, with him famously starring in the fictional TV series The Mesmerizer. An adult version of Mesmer last appeared in The Boys season 1, with him being recruited by the Boys to do some recon. However, Mesmer betrays the team, leading to Butcher killing him.
Gen V episode 5's Mesmer cameo comes near the end, with it occurring in the form of an episode of The Mesmerizer. In the episode, Andre and Cate as well as Rufus watch the series, with Gen V's clips of the fictional show explaining its basic premise and history. Although the clips are brief, it is the first time that Mesmer has appeared in the series since The Boys season 1.
All 8 Hidden Clues To Gen V Episode 5's Secret Villain Twist
Gen V episode 5 revealed that there is a traitor amongst the students at Godolkin University, and they were hidden in plain sight the whole time.How Gen V Recreates Young Mesmer From The Boys
Although it's been several years since The Boys season 1 was filmed, young Mesmer looks almost the same as he did in The Boys. Interestingly, this was pulled off by simply reusing the footage of The Mesmerizer that was shown off in the original season of The Boys. By doing this, Gen V is able to reference the character without having to worry about using an older version of the former young Mesmer actor.
The Boys: Gen V Soundtrack Guide - Every Song & When It Plays
Amazon's Gen V features several upbeat and emotionally resonant songs to enhance the impact of its slam-bang supe action and coming-of-age drama.Due to Gen V using old footage, it's unlikely that anything new was filmed for Gen V. This implies that these clips are probably the last that The Boys franchise will see of Mesmer, as the child actor is undoubtedly older now, and the older Mesmer is dead in-universe. While this may be the end for the character, it's a nice bit of worldbuilding for Gen V to include this forgotten The Boys character.
New episodes of Gen V release Fridays on Amazon Prime Video.