Gen V Season 2 Finale Makes The Boys Spinoff Waste Its Best New Character For The Second Episode Running
By Dan Bibby
October 27th, 2025
Warning! Spoilers ahead for Gen V's season 2 finale, "Trojan."
Gen V season 2 introduced Hamish Linklater as Dean Cipher, only to put him at the heart of a thoroughly unexpected but disappointing twist. While the twist in question was actually pretty good, the Gen V casting department weirdly ruined it by being too good at their jobs.
While Gen V isn't quite as good as The Boys, it is still a fun ride that pulls off the feeling of being set within the same universe. That said, I'm still not sure how necessary Gen V is. On the other hand, Cipher's debut in season 2 finally gave the show a level of undeniable flair. I loved watching Linklater playing the unsettlingly enigmatic villain, but then the character the actor was playing was badly mishandled.
While Gen V isn't quite as good as The Boys, it is still a fun ride that pulls off the feeling of being set within the same universe. That said, I'm still not sure how necessary Gen V is. On the other hand, Cipher's debut in season 2 finally gave the show a level of undeniable flair. I loved watching Linklater playing the unsettlingly enigmatic villain, but then the character the actor was playing was badly mishandled.
Ethan Slater As Cipher/Goldolkin Was A Huge Downgrade After Hamish Linklater
Thomas Godolkin is a pivotal figure in Vought's history, so his showing up in the present day in Gen V season 2 is actually a really cool twist. Sadly, Hamish Linklater had quietly been making a strong case for being the best possible actor to play the role. He was dripping with villainous charisma that always left me waiting for him to appear on the screen again. He was terrifying and hilarious in equal measure, which is a tricky line to tread without heading into cheesy territory.
As it turns out, while Linklater HAD been playing Godolkin throughout Gen V season 2, his casting was a little more complicated than that. The feeble figure that Cipher had been caring for was actually Godolkin, who was projecting his consciousness into Linklater's real character — Doug Brightbill — to essentially use him as a puppet and move through the world as he carried out his plan to return to full power.
As it turns out, while Linklater HAD been playing Godolkin throughout Gen V season 2, his casting was a little more complicated than that. The feeble figure that Cipher had been caring for was actually Godolkin, who was projecting his consciousness into Linklater's real character — Doug Brightbill — to essentially use him as a puppet and move through the world as he carried out his plan to return to full power.
When Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) healed Godolkin, unaware of his true identity, Doug's services were no longer required, and Linklater immediately started playing a recently liberated, regular human. It was a fast-moving and well-written twist, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed that Linklater would no longer be playing Godolkin. Slater was good, but he was nowhere near Linklater's level.
What's even more annoying is that Doug then died near the end of the season 2 finale, which means he very probably won't be back in The Boys season 5 or at any other point in the franchise. Even as Doug, Linklater added something special to Gen V that will be tricky to replace.
What's even more annoying is that Doug then died near the end of the season 2 finale, which means he very probably won't be back in The Boys season 5 or at any other point in the franchise. Even as Doug, Linklater added something special to Gen V that will be tricky to replace.
Gen V Season 2 Also Wasted Slater's Version Of Godolkin
Once I had gotten over the disappointment of Slater replacing Linklater, I started to become excited by the prospect of what Godolkin would bring to the story going forward. The character has a dangerously brilliant mind in every sense, and Gen V even appeared to be setting him up to be the supe to finally topple Homelander in The Boys season 5.
Then, after just one episode of owning the role, Slater's time among the Gen V cast was over when Marie exploded Godolkin's head. The threat he was on the verge of posing was among the most terrifying the franchise has seen to date, and I feel like it should have been allowed to also be relevant in The Boys and/or beyond. The handling of Thomas "Cipher" Godolkin is a pretty good summary of the show overall. Gen V is packed with great ideas, but they're often underwhelming in their execution.
Then, after just one episode of owning the role, Slater's time among the Gen V cast was over when Marie exploded Godolkin's head. The threat he was on the verge of posing was among the most terrifying the franchise has seen to date, and I feel like it should have been allowed to also be relevant in The Boys and/or beyond. The handling of Thomas "Cipher" Godolkin is a pretty good summary of the show overall. Gen V is packed with great ideas, but they're often underwhelming in their execution.
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