We'll Keep the Red Flag Flying Here

"We'll Keep the Red Flag Flying Here"

Information
Season	Episode
4	3

Original premiere date

June 13, 2024

Written by

Ellie Monahan

Directed by

Fred Toye

Chronology

Preceded by

"Life Among the Septics"

Followed by

"Wisdom of the Ages"

"We'll Keep the Red Flag Flying Here" is the third episode of the fourth season of The Boys. It was released on June 13, 2024 on Amazon Prime Video. It is the twenty-seventh episode overall.

Summary[]

This December at VoughtCoin Arena, experience the story of Christmas the way it was meant to be told... on ice! Vought Presents Vought on Ice! Tickets available now at VoughtOnIce.com!

Plot[]

A youth choir sings at a rally led by Homelander. Homelander is distracted and annoyed by the Starlighter crowd presence but he tries to maintain his cool. He introduces The Seven, including The Deep, A-Train, and Black Noir, in addition to two new members to The Seven- Firecracker and Sister Sage. Despite her dissatisfaction with her costume, Sister Sage plays along on stage. At the rally, Homelander brings Ryan on stage, however Ryan isn't accustomed to this public attention. Homelander leans in to threaten Ryan to smile for the crowd, which he does obligingly.

Butcher meets with CIA member, Joe Kessler, who gives him a sedative for Ryan. Butcher plans to take Ryan to a safehouse steer him away from Homelander's influence.

During The Seven's first press conference with the new members, Homelander doesn't like Firecracker's conspiracy theory speeches, but Sage assures him that she is their best hope at taking down Starlight. Tensions rise as Sage criticizes Homelander for putting her in the spotlight despite their intiial agreement that she would remain in the background.

Meanwhile, Hughie and Annie consult a lawyer to regain power of attorney over Hughie's father from his mother, Daphne. However, they are told that legally, there isn't much Hughie can do.

Frenchie visits the Starlighter organization headquarters, where he runs into Colin. However, they get interrupted by a conspiracy theorist and Firecracker fan who points a gun at a Starlighter employee, intent on freeing the trafficked kids from the nonexistent basement. Frenchie intervenes and gets hurt but Colin tends to his injuries.

President-Elect Robert Singer holds a meeting, where he intentionally did not invite VP-Elect Victoria Neuman. Neuman crashes the meeting and agrees to Singer's policy of banning supes from government and military service, calling them "entertainers". She fakes a smile to hide her true feelings.

At The Boys' office, Kimiko proposes tracking down and killing a local cell of the Shining Light trafficking group. Frenchie opposes this but eventually he gives in and agrees to support her and go with. Annie tries to train Hughie in fighting, but he struggles. M.M. tells The Boys his plan to flip A-Train, but Hughie and Annie think it's a bad idea.

At Homelander's apartment, Ryan plays a video game. He receives an online challenge from a stranger, whom later reveals himself to be Butcher. Butcher asks him to stop by his house so they can talk but Ryan warns Butcher he was told to stay away.

Homelander watches rally footage of Starlight, while Firecracker tries to speak to him. He is so tuned in to the television that he doesn't hear anything Firecracker says. Eventually, he asks her to repeat herself and Firecracker tells Homelander if he ever needs anything, she is there for him.

Black Noir II expresses some personal concerns to Ashley, seeking more direction in his role. Everyone tells Black Noir to be quiet. Homelander dismisses Ashley from The Seven meeting, explaining that Sister Sage has taken over her duties as Vought CEO. Ashley asks if she is being fired but gets assured that she will still be a figurehead for Vought. Ashley considers quitting.

Sage announces that a leak allowed Starlight to clear her followers' names. The Deep is demoted, since he is in charge of the crime lab, while A-Train receives a text from his brother, Nathan, about wanting to meet.

The Deep returns home to a confrontation with Ambrosius about their relationship. She wants them to run away so they can really be together but The Deep disagrees.

Butcher prepares spiked cookies, using Becca's old recipe, when Ryan arrives but Ryan isn't interested in eating a cookie. They play a game of foosball, during which Butcher opens up about losing his brother Lenny. Ryan confesses to killing Koy and feeling horrible about it. Butcher tries to comfort Ryan. He throws away the spiked cookies, making up that he put too much sugar in them.

Sister Sage, Homelander, and Ashley interrogate Vought employee Anika about her connection to Starlight. Sage's calm questioning leads to Anika's confession that she has spoken to Starlight recently, but Homelander immediately kills her with his laser vision. Sage is annoyed, while Ashley is traumatized.

Annie breaks into Firecracker's apartment to ask her why she has it out for her. She finds out that Firecracker, formerly known as Sparkler, holds a grudge against Annie for bullying her during a pageant. Annie tries to apologize, but Firecracker remains hostile.

A practice session for an ice-skating show based on The Seven goes on in an arena, where Victoria Neuman is meant to show up. Hughie and M.M., disguised as janitors, watch from afar. Neuman unexpectedly arrives early so Hughie rushes to plant a bug in the vents above. He hears Homelander, Sister Sage, and Neuman discussing their plans. Homelander tells Neuman she should reveal herself as a Supe and should oppose Singer's new bill that bans Supes from government. Hughie accidentally sweats on Homelander, leading Homelander to laser the vent above and go on a wild chase to catch and kill Hughie. He kills several bystanders in the process but Hughie gets away, thanks to A-Train.

Hughie visits his mom in the hospital and asks why she left him when he was so young. She explains her struggle with postpartum depression, which led to her needing to leave because it felt like life or death. Hughie seems to start to understand his mom more and seems closer to forgiving her.

Joe confronts Butcher about not using the sedative on Ryan but Butcher explains that he wants to take his time convincing Ryan. Joe insists they either train him or kill him to prevent him from becoming Homelander, implying that Butcher needs to get to him quicker.

The Deep finds Sister Sage on the couch, eating an Outback blooming onion and watching reality shows. She seduces him, telling him he's "hot" and they start to make out.

Back at home, Homelander, waiting for Ryan, asks him where he went. Ryan lied but Homelander called him out, claiming he could smell Butcher on him. They argue, and Homelander's pent up rage results in him smashing a window, scaring away Ryan. Homelander suffers a panic attack which quickly turns into a mental breakdown, until his fractured personalities speak to him through the shattered window. His personalities conclude he must transcend his humanity and finally cast out his desperate need for love. He receives a clear order from himself: to return to the lab that created him.