Minority Mindset

The show stumbled significantly with its portrayal of Xander. Despite appearing throughout the entire series, he never really matured or changed as a person. He consistently acted selfishly, was generally unhelpful, and often unkind – remaining fundamentally irresponsible. This lack of growth became a major problem as the show continued, making his character increasingly frustrating.

The episode begins with Valerie recording her podcast, “Cherish the Time,” with Tommy. I initially underestimated him when he first appeared, but he’s doing a good job of establishing himself as a unique character, even though he’s stepping into the role previously held by Mickey – a difficult replacement. The show is clearly aware of how viewers might see this parallel, and it doesn’t shy away from addressing it. Jane arrives late to filming, citing work as the reason. Tommy jokes about still working at Trader Joe’s even if he had an Oscar, and Valerie immediately corrects him, instinctively saying, “Mickey, don’t.” This awkward moment highlights the ongoing comparison between Tommy and Mickey, and it’s a theme that resurfaces throughout the episode.

During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Antony Starr was asked about a popular fan theory suggesting a romantic connection between his character, Homelander, and Billy Butcher. The interviewer playfully mentioned a potential “happy ending” for the pair, which visibly surprised Starr, who asked where the idea originated. The interviewers, Nathan and Valerie, then elaborated on the theory, jokingly suggesting the characters could even become friends. Starr responded with amusement and disbelief, questioning why the press was focusing on this idea, noting it was the second time the topic had been brought up.