Dialogue Dive: How Stan Edgar Became Homelander's Daddy

[@product2759]

"You are simply bad product." One of the coldest lines I've ever heard in a series.

[@jasonmomoa5124]

during that line, he wasn't Stan, but Gus

[@AugustRx]

@@jasonmomoa5124 No, he's mf'in Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito

[@jasonmomoa5124]

@@AugustRx no. he is Gustavo Fring, an upstanding businessman and owner of the local restaurant chain the Los Pollos Hermanos

[@masamune2984]

⁠@@jasonmomoa5124 No, he’s James Stillwell, from The Boys comics. Colder than Gus EVER was lol.

[@rev0lve638]

@@masamune2984the comic is cringe

[@SirRebrl]

When Homelander barges in to Stan's office the first time, he unwittingly establishes the power dynamic practically immediately - he freely admits that he is not _acting_ but rather _reacting._ He's there _because_ Stan doesn't visit him. He's not there for any forward purpose of his own. He's admitting that Stan can make him show up just by being distant. Also, on the point of not killing Stan, Homelander knows that Stan's power is in his character (like you covered). He knows that Stan is more powerful in that regard, and Homelander is inferior. That doesn't _per se_ stop Homelander from just killing him, but killing him would not change anything. If he does not break Stan's character before he kills him, he will spend _the rest of his life_ never able to let go of the fact that _he lost._ Killing Stan would be tantamount to admitting he could never win against him.

[@johans3164]

Seriously. There are people whining about how Homelander should do the "alpha" move and kill him but that wont do sh*t because Stan does not fear Homelander at the slightest. Why should he? If Homelander kill him, Stan will be proven correct that Homelander is just a whiny man baby and a bad product. Homelander need to establish dominance and he cant do that with Stan, even with death threats

[@PositiveOnly-dm3rx]

I feel like you haven't seen the show... homelander is a child that never grew up. That's his whole character. Hence the mommy issues. Hes a metal child with the power of a God. Thats why he's scary. He's always had enough physical power that nobody challenges him, and if they do, he impulsively kills them on a whim before thinking about it. Preventing anyone else from trying to reason with him. Therefore he has no direction in his life. He doesn't have complex thoughts like you are attributing to him. He didn't kill him, because he was confused, and not angry. That's literally the only reason. As soon as he makes homelander angry, he's dead before homelander even realizes what he's doing. Sure homelander might regret it afterwards, but he's impulsive and controlled by his anger and ego.

[@PositiveOnly-dm3rx]

​@@johans3164if stan isn't afraid of homelander, then he's insane... and will soon die. There's nothing alpha about not being able to control your emotions. If he angers homelander, he's dead.

[@SirRebrl]

@@PositiveOnly-dm3rx Sure, bruh. Stan's never made Homelander angry, never ever, and Homelander has never once refrained from killing someone who made him angry because some other emotional need was more pressing. Homelander is a developmentally stunted man-child, but he's not stupid enough to not be angered by Stan. But he's more frustrated by Stan's cool refusal to be intimidated. Children are very able to be aware of means of power and control beyond direct physical domination, and to seek them, and man-children are as able in that regard.

[@SirRebrl]

@@theforbiddenone7173 That's gonna need paragraph breaks before I can read it, but just off the top, the androids in DBZ aren't Homelander. Different characters have different concerns and motivations for their actions.

[@LaneMaxfield]

I love how the progression of these scenes demonstrates the power of subtle agency. Too often people hear "interesting characters have agency" and then proceed to write bland power fantasies. Characters like Stan Edgar illustrate how internal control can be just as impactful on a narrative as more obvious, external sources of power.

[@chrisquinn3377]

Legal authority is hard to overcome no matter how powerful you are

[@PositiveOnly-dm3rx]

​@@chrisquinn3377😂😂😂 cuz homelander cares about the law, right?

[@chrisquinn3377]

@@PositiveOnly-dm3rx he cares or at least did care about public perception

[@ursidae97]

​@@PositiveOnly-dm3rxno but the law cares about him.

[@neprhicarrot9283]

He has REAL power, which is a really great subversion from the stereotypical depiction of people seated in power. He is no stereotype, he is practically untouchable not by his physical prowess but by his position and role in the narrative world

[@fissilewhistle]

I love the moment where Homelander tries to threaten Stan, who just simply stares at him indifferently for a few seconds.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

When Stan got humiliated by Neuman and has to resign as CEO of Vought, he didn't fight back, have a mental breakdown, blame somebody else. He just took it like a champ. Even his last conversation with Homelander showed that this man just doesn't care, he knows who Homelander is, a child who's trapped in adult body, a child who doesn't like to be defeated and wants to be on top. He knows one day Homelander will totally losing his insanity and he will be like a ticking time bomb who will explode one day. Right now, Homelander is on top, take control of Vought, even has a lot of fans who likes his action, has his son, Ryan on his side and he feels untounchable. Stan is enjoying his retirement and just waiting for Homelander to get crash and burn one day.

[@ursidae97]

Right. He knows who he is, he's proud of the work he's done, and he knows that if homelander seeks to destroy everything he's built then all he's destroying is his own damn home. Homelander is destroying his own nose to spite his own face, and Edgar doesn't need to give a fuck.

[@rune4731]

Stan is the perfect example of being confident. State of assurance, self-belief, and trust in one's abilities, qualities, and judgment. I have never seen a character in any sci-fi film as realistic as 'The Boys' to our real world that has a Stan character. And bonus, what makes Homelander so pissed off is; he can tell if someone is lying. Edgar shows no emotions right in front of me. Literally none at all. He's not a psychopath either, he's just the peak of what a confident person is like. Ed is only a bad person cause he took interest in making compound V and experimenting on people. Ed sees Homelander as nothing more than a lego toy he fvkced up to made. Ed is rich, he can buy another lego. Ed has the control of compound v, he can make another homelander. its so funny that homelander tried to imitate what Ed do and not even a year he already fvqked up.

[@sypherthe297th2]

Retirement is probably overstating it. He is apparently in serious legal jeopardy. Can he get out if it with money and shady lawyering? Sure. But that takes time so he's effectively sidelined for the time being.

[@danielramsey6141]

@@rune4731 Actually. When you think about it. How Long did it take Stan to climb up the Corporate Ladder? When you think about Season 3, Stan Edger was in the field at the Camp talking to Black Noir about Soldier Boy’s Replacement! Which means to me…That He Never had Homelander made. He was just (and Always had been) a Company Man doing his Job. He wasn’t down there in the Science Room Testing or Raising Homelander. Stan was simply going through the company doing business and Showing how everything is done.

[@ElijahSmith-kx6hp]

Homelander killed my Grandma.

[@wintersakiller]

My favorite line from Stan, “it’s your party, you can cry if you want to.”

[@A.Lop17]

I forgot about that one😂

[@ClaytonTheCracker]

Idk bruh guys like 60

[@spiderlifter]

​@@ClaytonTheCracker what does that have to do with this

[@ClaytonTheCracker]

@@spiderlifter it's hard to imagine stand Edgar listening to that song "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to" even if that's not the origin of the phase, dc it's the one I'm goin with

[@Tyrantofthewind]

Their dynamic is interesting in Stan isn't even trying to play "the dad" he is simply in that position as a result of Homelander's "creation". Homelander can never get what he wants from Stan because it is not in his nature to act in the way that might actually get the approval of his "father". Stan tells him he is disappointed in him, Homelander counters with threats, and Stan already knew that is exactly what he would do. Stan is simply bored by Homelander, and Homelander knows that boredom and disappointment is 100% real. Homelander can't kill him because deep down he wants his approval. He wants to prove not just to Stan, but to himself that his "father" was wrong about him.

[@Maxisamo1]

So if Homelander ever kills him, there goes the chances of getting Daddy's approval

[@zaxbitterzen2178]

Stan in many ways embodies the people who helped shape Homelander into the monster he became. Homelander spent most of his life deprived of basic familial love or attention so the fact that Stan can scold him the way he does is unlike everyone else in his life. Stan absolutely hates that the Government and Vought keep dumping money into superheroes.

[@juniorjunior5884]

To summarize. "Why do you antagonize him like that? You know he can kill you, right?" *"At this point, it's a game. If he gives in, I win. And he knows that."*

[@ziongali2096]

Love a dbza reference

[@Eniggma39]

The joker and batman Lex luthor and superman

[@ryansa4323]

Tiennnnn

[@dorianpillard4929]

"Geez, it's like a hate boner triangle"

[@nachiggity]

tfs is everywhere lmao

[@EmpressJusticeTarot]

My favourite thing about Stan Edgar in his first scene is that in his supposed "fawning" of Homelander, he wasn't doing it for the same reason everyone else did it - that was him trying to give HOMELANDER an out, a warning shot before he had to shut him down.

[@Maxisamo1]

And that's why Stan is so smart and in control. He knows that it's easier for Homelander to play nice, Stan doesn't NEED to dominate him to feel good. He'll only do so if necessary

[@vandalg282]

Love the follow up Homelander still, even when he's "won", checking up on Stan's heartbeat...still steady as always. He can't believe he's that calm and in control, in the face of oblivion. It confirms that he has always been the immovable object, to Homelanders frantic slinky of a persona. Stan is stone, not because he "acts" like it, because he truly is a man who has seen and heard everything coming. Stan is entropy, and no one knows it yet.

[@doomfan8603]

Stan has nothing to worry about, he has a fried chicken company as a side gid

[@leafjonin7]

The dynamic is set by the secretary who apologizes to Stan for Homeland barging in. Normally it's high alert and panic instead there was a sense Stan is deserving of more respect than the fear of Homelender

[@jonasquinn7977]

I am still convinced that things are still going at least partially according to Edgar’s plan. He claimed he had a plan to be out of the Supe business in five years, Homelander taking over and ruining both his reputation and that of Supes in general is a sure fire way to do that. Allowing Edgar to take center stage again as one of the few Vought executives untainted by association with Homelander.

[@cammykins5813]

One of the big things here is embodied in the quote: the opposite of love(or hatred) is indifference. Stan uses his lack of passion to mock and counter Homelander’s dependence on it.

[@kevlonk]

A few other things: 1. When Homelander says "You never come up to see us," he seems to be alluding now only to their respective floors but also their places in the hierarchy-- that for Homelander, coming to see Stan in person is actually a literal and figurative step down for him. It is a thinly veiled barb that sets the tone for the conversation (ie Homelander feeling slighted by someone whom he believes to be beneath him) 2. You mentioned how a dialogue like this is a window into characterization. I submit that through this first exchange, we get to see two sides to Stan Edgar: the cheerful, communicative public face, the CEO who is cooperative, diplomatic...and then the real, ruthless Stan once he drops the act. You can sort of see why the showrunners cast Giancarlo Esposito as Stan, as it's the exact same kind of "villain putting on an act" we saw him do really well with Gus Fring in Breaking Bad. 3. SO MUCH OF THIS IS BASED ON BODY LANGUAGE. Homelander comes in with full of confident, dominant swagger, strutting around the office like he owns it and even putting his feet up...and this is all met with impassive, indifferent immobility from Stan...and then it's Stan who becomes mobile and confident, walking around the office demonstratively, as he takes control of the conversation, while Homelander's body language becomes more tense, uncomfortable, and then angry. Facial expression also plays a huge part-- how Homelander starts smiling (practically sneering), then it melts into an uncomfortable half-smile, before it disappears as anger takes over; while Stan is at first cheerful and smiling, then utterly stone-faced and impassive. This is not something easily shown in a novel or a script, but it is incredibly important to this scene

[@AugustRx]

I call that acting

[@LaneMaxfield]

Absolutely! The dialogue is well written, but the perfect casting and the chemistry between the actors elevate the dynamic to a level of genius.

[@bijuutamer729]

4:44 I’m surprised you don’t mention that Stan’s secretary is more afraid of Stan than Homelander; even chasing HL. This is sharp contrast to how HL bullies several low level workers.

[@mett978]

This is a great point

[@eg_manifest510]

25:23 I love the way Edgar looks at him like "used to?" cause he knows Homelander is just as scared as he was any other time. It's like getting scolded by a teacher, realistically the teacher can't make you do anything, but your child brain compels you to follow their commands. Homelander is just an arrogant schoolchild, and Edgar is the strict teacher who can't slap him with that ruler but carries it anyway to make a point, and it works to perfection

[@kutloanodlamini4153]

That's it... that's their dynamic but I prefer the parent and child analogy

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

Less a just a Teacher and more like the Principle compared to Homelander really

[@fiend4913]

yeah , my rewatch really highlighted how childish homelander actually is

[@KingSlayer_.]

I think what a lot of these comments aren't understanding is that the story over the last four seasons has been leading up to Homelander killing Stan Edgar. He was the one who had him raised the way he was raised. Every season, he's come closer and closer to ending Stan for good. And the last time we saw of him, he was walking around with his tail tucked between his legs. Homelander is his own creation, and it's his fault he is the way he is. He obviously feels disappointed and ashamed with what he's done. Once Homelander realizes this, I think he'll finally see Stan scared of him, and that's when he'll kill him.

[@slimchelmi6940]

"once he sees you as weak, it's over, hewill kill you" might explain why he never tries to kill Butcher too he is also "just a guy" but he is not intimidated by Homelander, thus Homelander doesn't know if he could actually do it

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Bingo. The only reason he never kills Butcher (aside from plot armor)

[@limazulu6192]

In season four when he visited the testing facility he also slaughtered everyone but the director. Instead he locked her up with the corpses of her underlings as one last shot to raise his middle finger and terrify her. He's surprisingly consistent. Agitate him and get scared you die. Agitate him and remain calm and he'll try to take everything away from you.

[@Maerahn]

My God... you're right! We've literally NEVER seen Homelander out of his superhero costume, even though we HAVE seen every single one of the other supes in their 'civvies' at some point! I never even noticed that before you mentioned it - at least, not consciously. But yeah, that is an incredibly subtle but incredibly powerful bit of characterisation on the part of the writers. I have nothing but the deepest respect and admiration for this show's writers - they knocked it completely out of the park. It's a beacon of hope - in a world where 'The Rings of Power' and 'The Witcher: Blood Origin exists' - that not everything commissioned by big-bucks companies is going to be abjectly terrible with narcissistic showrunners and writers.

[@ВладиславБулаев-л3э]

Homelander finally changed his clothes for once lol Happy now?

[@S1lva139]

Some thing else that i noticed right at the start is how Edgar "made" Homelander come to him instead of going to him. singnaling that he has better things to do and has higher priorites than talk with Homlander.

[@thewhitewolf58]

Stan edgar is one of the bravest people in the show. He had no powers and knowing told one of the most powerful and emotionally immature superheros that they are nothing to him. Knowing that if it backfired homelander could have killed him in 1000 different ways without any effort.

[@darienford860]

That's exactly what happened in the comics

[@tungsten8332]

​@@darienford860The character Stan Edgar is to represent outlives Homelander though

[@junkyporpoise4254]

Let’s not forget one of the largest reasons for Stan Edgers amazingly cold personality: Giancarlo Esposito. That man is born to play cold, calculating villains.

[@manamaster6]

How Homelander and Edgar express power feels as different as how Kylo Ren exerts power vs how Darth Vader demonstrates his throughout the movies. One is a guy with superpowers and terrible self-control, while the other doesn't need those superpowers to actually have power.

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

Like Tywin said "a Real King doesn't have to remind people he is King" In the Medieval World Monorchs weren't always all Powerful, the King or Emperor may have the Biggest Armies and Nobles may Sware Fealty to them But the Nobility Themselves Can Influence The Monarch to the Point Nobility can Oust the Monarch, as in A King who is Really in Charge, Dosen't Have to Remind you of That Power he Simply Can Exert it on His Nobles.

[@elenadirectorofmiiss7942]

Another good example from the Avatar series as a counterpoint to Azula was Zaheer from Legend of Korra season 3… after his defeat in the show, he is just defeated, not broken or beaten.

[@robadob55]

Tywin, Stan Edgar, Gus Fring, just some wildly well written and interesting characters

[@margarethmichelina5146]

And coincidentally, Stan and Gus are played by the same guy

[@eternalmonkegames1859]

@@margarethmichelina5146 He can definitely play a great Tywin if given the role.

[@TheArtofKAS]

I'm a simple man, I see Stan Edgar and I click. I remember one of the other videos from back in 2020 about him as well. He's probably one of the most domineering characters in the entire show simply because of his own self control. I think the entire season 2 finale of the boys helps push that point across especially with how homelander ended up acting going into season 3

[@KombatW0mbat]

One of my favorite things was about their first interaction is it seems Stan is scared hence the respect then you realize Stan is being utterly sarcastic he doesn’t care

[@ursidae97]

The way he drains his face of all emotion. It's not an act, he just actually doesn't care. Homelander mearly adopted sociopathy. Edgar was born in it, shaped by it.

[@combatwombat2134]

I love how good actors bounce off one another.

[@nk30020]

The first time stan was mentioned in the show was when homelander threw his public speech in the bin but when madelyn says it was written by stan himself, homelander picks it back up from the bin, that's when I knew stan was going to be terrifying.

[@jexelbur6872]

My psychologist once told me that respect can mean “taking someone seriously”. When taking someone seriously, that’s person’s thoughts, problems, and actions are treated as real or important. So by not giving him any respect, Stan is telling Homelander that every feeling, decision, or effects he makes is either unimportant or irrelevant.

[@newperve]

There is a hint of foreshadowing that the power dynamic isn't in Homelander's favor. "Well you never come up to 99." Stand Edgar doesn't come to see the superheroes, in particular HL. If he really had the power he thinks he has why is Stan ignoring him. If he's the King why is he coming to Stan, rather than summoning him?

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

The thing is in Feudalism the King may have the Biggest Armies but he can't just Beat everyone in his Kingdom, the Balance of Power is between the King and His Vassals, Weak Monarchs tend to use only Streingth and Provado alone to get his Nobles in line or are so Insecure the Nobles Openly Rebelled but the Wise Monarch knows how to gain that power using his Nobles and is secure in his judgement. (Or in short in order to Win the Game of Thrones you must respect the other people that Play the Game)

[@callmev3531]

19:13, Beckett actually does break down when he realizes he’s lost all advantages in his fight against the alliance of pirates at Shipwreck Cove. His persistent smarmy and pompous demeanor dissolves the moment the Dutchman is revealed to be captured by Will and he can do is mutter deliriously before taking one last walk along the deck of his ship as it explodes.

[@marlonkastillo9276]

Another detail that made me chuckle was the fact that when Stan Edgar invited Annie and Homelander he sat at Homelanders seat, which made Homelander rush to his seat to take it from him that made him look like a little kid

[@MilkyMocha315]

19:14 That’s probably because that’s how Homelander would react if he were ever stripped of HIS power and authority.

[@KatanaDen]

"Why do you antagonize him? You know he can kill you." "At this point, it's a game if he kills me I win, and he knows that..."

[@JacobC479]

I gotta say that Giancarlo Esposito’s performance was absolutely up to Pollos’ standards, maybe even beyond.

[@a6two]

The dialogue is great for sure. Giancarlo Esposito sells it so well.

[@BrotherShaw]

Homelander. Stan Edgar. Savage Books. Lets. Fucking. Go.

[@savagebooks7482]

haha thanks

[@Golnax]

So I wanted to point out that the power dynamic is actually established even earlier in the conversation than what you pointed out during their first interaction - in fact, it's right at the beginning! Homelander barges into the office and Edgar allow sit, partially because there's no way he can really stop Homelander from being there physically but also as a display of his power that he isn't threatened by his sudden presence - but the smoking gun that gives away the power dynamic early on is the line from Homelander "Well you never come up to 99". This line does a whole lot of work with very little. It establishes that the floor where Homelander and the other Supes operates on is higher up in the building, which typically correlates to more importance within a business, and initially seems to give Homelander the edge of superiority, that he can just show up whenever he pleases. But the truth is that Edgar is the one displaying his power here! By not going up to the 99th floor, he's demonstrating through inaction that the Supes - even Homelander - are beneath his interest. By actively ignoring Homelander since taking over, he has forced, through his inaction, Homelander to come to him instead of the other way around. This is such a subtle yet powerful piece of dialogue that really displays their entire dynamic from the get go. A really masterfully written piece of the show, I must say!

[@technicaldeathmetalhead]

Nice catch

[@3numa3llis]

I just see the fact that Homelander have to come to Edgar as the power dynamic from the beginning, which is a very typical cliche you see in a lot of films, a worker coming to their boss or a dog to their owner. However, it lessens the impact somewhat since Homelander was always eager to initiate interactions from the beginning, and I know for sure that the way the scene was slower than some of his other appearances that Homelander would not leave the conversation satisfied. The filmakers like to build quick tension by having Homelander appearances very sudden and disrupt, but when he comes, even sometimes with ominous music. We don't see that with Stan, just a very monotonous opening to their first meeting. While some might say that fits the theme of the scene, I think it gives too much that this won't be a scene where Homelander comes out happy.

[@alexdinu589]

I loved how stan in just by saying: like Im your daddy completely dominated and humiliated homelander; he told him he isn't vought or a god he is just a child with laser eyes, and he makes sure homelander is aware of this, homelander hears stans heart beat and knows he isn't scared of him and I'm sure he used the same tactic on solider boy; maybe if he met him he would've said something like: Like father like son 2 weaklings begging for validation; both pathetic; the only thing I could feel for either of you is disgust; now kill me or get out of here!" I would've loved however when maeve asks homelander "what did you do?!?" homelander to answer: "scorged the earth"

[@saucefreakystyle]

"Daddy" and "dominated" really don't need to be so close together in a KZbin comments section

[@AugustRx]

Stan is the power bottom

[@777jimothy]

This is excellent. Its funny I've seen the final scene many times but not noticed Homelanders little glances across for approval

[@nova7931]

I like how the perfect example of how characters like Stan take losing everything is a guy who is played by the same person just shows you how good the actor is at playing this type of characters

[@Mr_Case_Time]

One of the things I love most about this show is its consistency. It’s one of the few IP’s that I have total faith in.

[@TheAlanRaptor]

I don't believe Edgar has been stripped of his power. I think he maintains his demeanor because all he has to do is wait it out in a bunker. Homelander could kill him publicly or privately but does neither. I think Edgar is counting on that and knows that Homelander's proverbial head will explode as it gets bigger and bigger with every ego inflation he gets.

[@justinokraski3796]

Yeah Homelander effectively considers Edgar to have been neutralized at this point and won’t bother with him, except maybe to get his approval

[@TheAlanRaptor]

@@justinokraski3796 Yeah, he's too hard on the offensive. Edgar will outlast him by just not fighting.

[@OlgaZuccati]

in his last convo Edgar tells Homelander to his own face that given enough time, everyone will want him dead. And to be honest... the guy's just right.

[@antonakesson]

I mean... of coarse Edgar holds the position of power in the scenes he's in. He is played by Giancarlo Esposito after all. The man that could upgrade his role from one-and-done low side character to main antagonist with just the way he said his lines and bodily acted.

[@yura2258]

"What makes a character powerful if absent makes them week" It looks soooo obvious but i neded to hear it in a sentence to actually become aware of it.

[@conormcginn3312]

I have been wondering ever since I found your channel if you were going to do a dialogue dive on this scene, because it stood out to me so well when I first watched it in terms of high quality dialogue. Excellent analysis! Thank you for picking this one up.

[@savagebooks7482]

Thanks!

[@Farron6]

I can't wait till the ending where we see Homelander happy as a dairy farmer looking at a setting sun with his boy

[@aaronsoto1346]

Tywin and Stan Edgar would be an epic showdown

[@EmpressJusticeTarot]

Edgar would win with ease. It's not even a contest. Lannister may have more self-control than Homelander, but at his core, Lannister is more of a soldier and hunter than a true strategist. His ferocity is what he characterises himself with. Edgar would pop a pin in that in seconds.

[@andrewwilliamomliejr3972]

I know for a fact that Stan Edgar knows that Billy Butcher is going to kill Homelander because of the hatred he has for Homelander and he knows that Butcher is nothing to be fucked with and he respects Butcher more than Homelander

[@pao_banaag]

Giancarlo esposito may very well be the goat of stone face

[@patch888]

Great great video! The thing that struck me listening to you talk is that there is so much base level psychology that applies to these themes that you see examples of in life as well. Might be a stretch but this is such a powerful message about one’s self-worth and intrinsic drive. Thank you

[@danielhadley2481]

In the starlight/Edgar scene, the subtle nuance of the lighting making it look like a potential nip slip, on a costume change starlight didn't want but the world was bent to Voughts will instead perfectly reinforces Stans point.

[@bilalzubairy6889]

Stan looks at homelanders antics as literally a child screaming and crying "love me daddy please love me" N Stan doesn't even like homelander that much so he just sees homelander as pathetic and straight up pities him. When u look at it that way, even if homelander can go into space it just starts to look really sad...

[@lemmihilldrix1450]

One of the reasons Homelander doesn’t kill Stan is because Stan is legitimately not afraid of him in any way and it perplexes him. The only people on the planet who truly have no fear of Homelander (excluding Soldier Boy) are Butcher and Stan, but Stan isn’t out for revenge so it makes Homelander very uneasy that a mere man with no grudge looks at so dismissively that his heart rate doesn’t even rise. In the comics it was shown and I love how they show Homelander’s unease when Stan doesn’t even respond but just sits quietly. I love the scenes between these two, as well as the ones between Homelander and Butcher

[@Mic-Mak]

5:59 Stan Edgar was actually introduced in the penultimate episode of the first season when he offers Madelyn Stillwell his job. But your point is well taken. Excellent analysis. On a sidenote, I feel sorry for people who watched _Breaking Bad_ for the first time after _The Boys,_ because they immediately read Gus as badass when he is introduced, precisely because they've seen him in other similar roles. Not knowing who Giancarlo Esposito was when I watched _Breaking Bad_ made his performance as Gus that more compelling. That said, the reverse is also true. People who had seen _Breaking Bad_ before _The Boys_ instantly read him as badass the moment he was not introduced, and were not surprised that to find out later that he's not intimidated by Homelander.

[@ultimamage3]

So what you're saying is that a viewer should watch either show first, then erase their memory and watch the second show?

[@AlexFariaOliveira]

It's interesting to note how Homelander enjoy people that doesn't fear him. Butcher, I kinda feel he actually likes the guy in a way of "I know you can cause no damage to me but I kinda admire how you want to". Maybe an admiration of his braveness. Stan is another example but not in a hatred but in getting bored of his childlike manners. I'm truly curious to see Stan's game revelead! His last words hinted that he has a whole timeline of events in his head. I truly don't think he's defeated and I would not be surprised if he's actually letting Homelander take Vought in order to let him get it's stock low and in the verge of backrupcy and he shows up with a new set of investors that want to buy Vought and turning it in another company, like he said: His most valuable asset is compound V. Maybe that will be the plan, let Vought sink and take all the damage and having another company with clean sleeves sugest they can make things right. I really don't know if he'd take Homelander and other Sups with him, maybe that will be a way for him ditch these troubles. I don't know if that will be the end seasion of The Boys. The fact is last season we started to see how Homelander doesn't care about what keeps a company afloat, whole departaments fired, people without knowledge running areas they don't understand. Perhaps that will another commentary in a sea of commentaries The Boys make about our world.

[@6Kubik]

The best way to control Homelander is to not be afraid of him. There are 5 person not afraid of him. Butcher, Ed, Ryan, Vogelbaum and Stormfront. And all of them hold either some power over him or are more save from his anger. He did not kill Edgar, no matter what he said. He repects Butcher to some extent, vogelbaum abused him his whole life and the worse thing homelander did was to put him in a wheelchair. Homelander actually like people who are not afraid of him, who are honest with him (he hates being lied too). Edgar is the most extreme and this drives homelander to him. But he also enjoys to dominate people. Homelanders whole personality revolves around submission and dominance. His life, his sexlife.

[@19_dedgorl]

no, Ryan is terrified of omelandah

[@FaithOriginalisme]

He's my favorite character in that whole show.. Stan Edgar is an amazing character

[@jlegronde]

This breakdown and analysis was excellent! A well spent 30 minutes!

[@vexal3393]

This is cool as fuck, and I sometimes find moments between characters like this more entertaining then actual fights in shows😮

[@masonpagano6687]

Glad to know that I’m not suffering from Homelander withdrawal alone

[@RegulusFlaminiusIndicus]

Homelander is neither worthy of working at Los Pollos Hermanos nor is he worthy of eating Pollos chicken.

[@Serratiger]

I love your dialogue dive series so much, it's always so interesting!!

[@savagebooks7482]

Thanks!

[@sham9902]

This was an Amazing Breakdown. I couldn’t figure out why he killed his “mother” but not his “father”

[@violetleporid]

Another great analysis of some great dialogue. I haven't seen the spinoff yet but I happen to be rewatching The Boys rn so this is timed perfectly! These videos give me so many tools that I can use when I write my own dialogue 💕

[@clayongunzelle9555]

After 2 minutes I started thinking about how cersi in game of thrones handled little finger in that one scene, the set was a little different but it's that same idea of knowing where true power lies and not just the idea of power

[@roguedogx]

3:30 and I would even say Stan is beyond that too. in the last scene between Homelander and Edgar; Homelander has taken everything from Edgar, meaning he should be completely powerless. however the conversation shows that Homelander still has no sway over Edgar. meaning I would argue it's not Edgars wealth that gives him his power (although that doesn't hurt) it's his ability to think tactically 10 steps ahead and his clarity of vison that gives him power. Homelander now has everything Edgar had, and yet I bet you he will lose all of it thanks to his many character flaws.

[@AugustRx]

THAT'S where the Ashley look at me came FROM??! wtaf

[@chadjones1266]

I can't remember the film: "I could kill you" "A guy with a gun could kill me. Fast food could kill me. "

[@digitaldevil696]

A bit out of topic of the video, but what is hilarious to me, that homelander holds no real power not only in his world, but he's also so utterly pathetic that compared to other functional universes he's the least powerful version of "evil superman" trope. General Zod, or, say, Injustice Supes? Wrecks this nerd. Ultraman? Easily done. Red Son? No problem. Burn Bright? Can do. And don't even get me started on Omni - Man.

[@ernie9538]

Metro man

[@nielsjensen4185]

That's because while he seems like the run-of-the-mill "Superman but evil" trope as that's how he's initially presented the actual archetype he inhabits is "Trump but with superpowers," and as he becomes increasingly more erratic he assumes that image more and more.

[@TheStoneyJackson]

I just love the way he says “pharmaceutical”

[@Eldron2027]

Your channel is a blessing

[@Justsomeguy167]

The production of this video is top tier. I love watching someone who understands character studies and a stories proper narrative. I’ll be studying this video for my own writing 👍

[@harvadog]

Great breakdown! I've only just discovered this channel. I'm looking forward to going through them all!

[@JuanTonSoupXP]

It took me 15 minutes to realize that was a microphone he was holding. I thought that shit was an audio interface the whole time 💀

[@ShadowProject01]

Tywin Lannister had the same kind of commanding presence and has a lot of the same dominating traits as Stan

[@bigpictureguys8415]

100%

[@joshuahicks7798]

This video deserves way more likes. Keep up the good work brother

[@savagebooks7482]

Thank you!

[@manalasiri4929]

The way the boys was written is unbelievably good I haven't been this obsessed with a TV show since game of thrones

[@HeatherHolt]

Two wonderful actors in two wonderful roles.

[@GrymsArchive]

Fan theory: Stan Edgar is in fact a "supes" just with a different skill set.

[@darienford860]

I recommend people read the comics. He was never fazed by Homelander even when he approached him with an army of other supes, he told Homelander to quiet down from waking up his baby. Thats how little James Stillwell took Homelander seriously

[@The5armdamput33]

Similar to the Joker.... Laughs maniacally when he's winning..... Laughs maniacally when he's losing.....

[@digitaldevil696]

"Ashley! Look. At. Me!" Leon S. Kennedy wants to know your location

[@calebbridges4748]

Lord Beckett's death didn't strike me as Genuinely Calm. Sure the man was walking calmly through death. But I think that's more a frenzied acceptance. A "freeze" reaction to danger, effectively. He's not "calmly taking it in." He's dissociating in a panic attack. Those are different imo. Edit: also the panel quote towards the end says "Homelander can't against him." Not sure if that's able to be fixed or that it matters. Cheers mate!

[@b4n3c4t]

17:55 The veil of control slips, as he lets “supercool” slide out for all to hear.

[@lemmers252]

Giancarlo is an amazing actor such gravitas in his performance

[@mysteryneophyte]

Well written characters and well written interactions between well-written characters seem to be few and far between anymore

[@ayushguruswamy6383]

20:56 lmao when you said that line i instantly thought of Tywin lmfaoo

[@zero11010]

First video I’ve seen from you. This was incredibly well done! The editing to support your points was very impactful! Thanks for the high quality content!

[@YeezyMotown-in2dl]

Savage Books x Homelander - name a more iconic duo!

[@OnYourSquare]

20:44 "Unbelievable. 80 over 60." Homelander checks Stan's blood pressure. That's how he knew Stan wasn't upset about being ousted.😂

[@twixtwix2915]

1:46 basically a quote from 1984

[@FlippieCocu]

Very interesting analysis, thank you very much for the insight!

[@savagebooks7482]

Thanks!

[@joyamos29]

A fantastic video, truly. I've learned a lot, thank you.

[@bryanxjames1215]

Came here for the video. Stayed for the voice. Jesus

[@suto5704]

That's one hell of a title

[@margaretwordnerd5210]

1st time on this channel. Impressive! Your analysis of how to show power dynamics is brilliant, concise, and inspired many thoughts on improving power struggles in my novel. Subscribing now. Bonus, your voice is so rich and mellifluous that you could read a phone book beautifully.✌🖖

[@coachleif]

I had the exact same reaction to the Homelander scene at the end of Gen V.

[@nyahnyah7486]

Great video …the agency is the key