Gen V: What is the political divide among the student body regarding Victoria Neuman?
In the Gen V episode "Sick," there is a clear political divide among the student body regarding Victoria Neuman, the vice presidential candidate. Neuman, who was introduced in The Boys as a progressive representative, is now framed as a centrist claiming to have faith in the legal system. This shift leads to mixed reactions from the student body.Conservative-coded characters like Rufus believe that Neuman is trying to control them with her talk of supe civil rights. They view her as a threat to their personal freedoms and distrust her intentions. On the other hand, liberals are dissatisfied with Neuman's inadequate assurances. They believe that she is not doing enough to protect the rights of supes and feel that she has compromised her progressive values. Both sides of the political spectrum display a sense of distrust towards Neuman, albeit for different reasons.It is interesting to note that the satirical aim of this political divide may not be immediately clear. The show seems to poke fun at both young activists at liberal arts colleges and campus Republicans, highlighting the ways in which political ideologies can sometimes lead to hypocrisy. For instance, Cameron Coleman, who is portrayed as Vought's Tucker Carlson, exhibits hypocrisy by pointing to Neuman's "anti-supe agenda" while referring to supes as a "persecuted minority group." This mirrors the style of reporting often seen on networks like Fox News.However, there could certainly be more clarification on how the show itself views supes. Do they portray them as a persecuted minority group or as a powerful force that needs to be controlled? This ambiguity adds an intriguing layer to the political divide among the students, leaving room for interpretation and analysis.In the midst of this political turmoil, Marie, one of the main characters, has a close encounter with Neuman backstage during a town-hall discussion. Neuman reveals that she possesses the same blood-bending powers as Marie and even played a part in her admission to Godolkin University. This revelation presents Marie with a choice: to expose the truth about the Woods and seek justice or to stay on a path that could lead her to join the Seven, find her sister, and enact real change with Neuman's help.Marie's internal struggle represents the pressure felt by all the students to resist the influence of their parental figures who claim to have their best interests at heart. This theme is further exemplified through other characters, such as Andre dealing with his father's involvement in the administration's conspiracies and Cate cutting ties with Dean Shetty, who had manipulated her with promises of love. The students are faced with the challenge of staying true to themselves and their values in a complex and manipulative environment.Although Dean Shetty was portrayed as the main villain in this season, it remains uncertain where the show will go from here. Killing off characters such as Brink, Shetty, and Cardosa raises questions about the next antagonist. It is unlikely that Neuman, who possesses the virus, will die in the finale, considering her significance in The Boys franchise and the potential impact it would have on viewers who are familiar with the original series. Perhaps the true villain of Gen V lies in the system itself, which proves challenging to eliminate.Overall, the political divide among the student body regarding Victoria Neuman reveals the complexities of navigating ideologies and the challenges faced by young individuals in a world where power and control reign supreme. As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to witness how these divisions evolve and shape the characters' journeys. The political landscape portrayed in Gen V serves as a reflection of our own society, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and questioning the motives of those in positions of power.