The Character of The Deep
The Boys is a hit Amazon Prime TV series that was almost unexpectedly met with universal appeal and praise. In its story, the concept of superheroes is flipped: what if, actually, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc., where not only privatized products, but also bad people?
So, as one can expect, most superheroes in The Boys are deeply flawed and problematic people. Some, even, are genuinely evil and sociopathic. One stands out, though, an audience favorite and a truly fascinating character.
The Deep, a play on DC’s Aquaman, is a beautiful exploration of what fame and a sense of uselessness can do to an artist.
(SPOILERS ahead.)
His position in The Seven.
The Deep pretends, and truthfully really hopes, to be Homelander’s right hand. He wants, desperately, to be important and meaningful; to do something and have a vital position within The Seven.
Unfortunately for him, that’s far from the case. The Deep is disrespected; overlooked; made fun of. A lot of this is due to his unusual superpower, which ironically secures his role in the team as a ‘diversity hire’. He’s not necessary and no one, really, respects him.
Which naturally changes a person. The Deep becomes arrogant and selfish. He’s mean and uncaring. In reality, this is him acting out; on the inside, The Deep is actually a very pure human being with intentions of doing good. Still however, his position in The Seven, his sense of being useless, makes him form bad person protective shell. So much and for so long that the shell almost becomes a real part of him.
Fame.
Unfortunately, the flawed persona soon turns away from persona and into a person. And The Deep accepts it because, really, he doesn’t need to change. He can behave anyway he wants, he can have any defensive mechanism out there, it really doesn’t matter because he’s famous, successful, and loved. Which, in turn, makes him powerful.
And power changes people even more. When knowing he has the power to take whatever he wants, The Deep doesn’t really stop to think what the right decision is. It doesn’t matter. He just goes at it. He sexually assaults Starlight because he can. Because he wants to and nothing can stop him. Because it’s part of a defense mechanism that he has so deeply embodied within that’s its almost become him. He can say whatever he wants and do whatever he wants. He’s got the power. So if everyone disrespects him, why must he respect them back?
At the end of the day —
At the end of the day, it is all a shell. Yes, very deep within and crossing over with who he actually is, but a cover nevertheless. Because we see The Deep’s desire to do good. The desire to be useful. The desire to be a superhero.
He wants to save the dolphin. He’s stupid about how he goes at it (which is actually a general character trait), yes, but the intention is there. He wants to save people, but it’s not as fulfilling to him as power is. Yet.
Because a redemption arc is coming him way. He’s already getting what he’s been giving. The Deep literally got sexually assaulted as well – a taste of his own medicine. He then shaves his body and his head – symbolizing a new beginning and a desire to be better.
It’s truly fascinating.
Because The Deep is not a bad person. Not at all. He’s lost, he’s been lost for a long time, but inside, he’s truly good; he’s funny and useful; he’s a superhero. He may have lost that, too, but it’s coming back. Fame and power changed The Deep. Fortunately, losing them can change him back.
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— Pouty Boy