The Boys season 5 theory: Fans 'work out' who Ryan will team up with after finale twist

*WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for The Boys season 4, episode 8.*

The Boys season 4 episode 8 kept fans on their seats right until the very end - and it also raised a lot of questions ahead of the show's fifth and final season. The finale episode of the Amazon Prime show’s fourth series included plenty of huge twists, including the gruesome death of Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit).

We also had to say goodbye to former Deputy Director of the CIA Grace Mallory (Laila Robins), who was shockingly killed by Ryan (Cameron Crovetti). This huge twist left fans reeling, as they questioned who Ryan will have left coming into season 5.

The dramatic scenes unfold after Ryan is reunited with Grace and Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) in his hospital bed. In the underground facility where Butcher is staying, Grace tells Ryan the truth about his father Homelander (Antony Starr): that he is a ruthless killer and that Ryan is the only person strong enough to kill him.

Not believing what is being said about Homelander, Ryan defies Mallory and Butcher and tells them he doesn’t want to be a weapon to kill his own father. When Ryan tries to leave, Mallory threatens him and attempts to stop him, so he throws her against a wall and storms out.

When Butcher inspects Mallory’s body, he realises Ryan has killed her and loses any remaining hope that there is an alternative option to unleashing a Supe-killing virus upon the world.

Between his father’s rage-fuelled outbursts at him and Butcher’s steep demands, it’s unclear who Ryan will turn to in season 5.

Taking to Reddit, fans of The Boys share their best theories on what lies ahead for the young Supe, with many thinking he could turn to his grandfather.

Posting a picture of Ryan next to Jensen Ackles’ Soldier Boy, who is revealed to be still alive in the final few minutes of the season 4 finale, Educational-Band8308 wrote: “A team up I think we’ll see next season.

“Ryan is essentially all out of parental figures and Soldier boy missed out on being a father with that role seemingly being important to him.

“I could see him brushing off what he did to Ryan in an abusive parent way, and taking him under his wing for the season.” (sic)

Taking to the comments, more viewers shared their thoughts about the potential team-up.

One person quipped sarcastically: “He'll raise Ryan to be a ‘real man’ so he won't be a ‘f***ing disappointment’. Surely Ryan will become a well-adjusted adult with Soldier Boy as a parental figure.” (sic)

Another agreed: “I think Soldier Boy will train Ryan in s5, the brutal mentor kind of character. He'll think Homelander is too easy on the kid, bla bla.” (sic)

One more commented: “You might be right and it could either turn out well or go completely sideways. Probably a mix of both.”

While another fan argued back: “I don't think this is going to happen at all. The one who ultimately betrayed Soldier Boy was Butcher. And Butcher has also made enemies of The Boys, who are all captive.

“We could potentially see Soldier Boy released by Homelander after which he tries to begrudgingly ‘fix’ his son, or he manages to stage an escape after which he ties up with Annie, A-Train, Ashley, and The Boys. Ryan's situation is unpredictable but he could potentially be on either side of the boat, or neither side.” (sic)

Watch all episodes from season 4 of The Boys exclusively on Amazon Prime Video now.