The Boys Season 5: Season 4 of The Boys gave A-Train a surprising redemption arc, fully developing his character and bringing his tumultuous journey to a turning point. The Vought Corporation, always adept at spinning narratives, has now covered up his betrayal as they search for the defector.
Jessie T. Usher’s A-Train has one of the most heart-wrenching stories in The Boys. Introduced as a Compound V-addicted superhero in Season 1, he struggled to prove his worth to the Seven. Later seasons peeled back the curtain on his personal life, revealing a much more complex individual than the perfect hero facade. Known to his family and community as Reggie Franklin, A-Train’s selfless deeds eventually bring him closer to realizing his true value. This culminates in his alliance with Hughie and Butcher, who enlists his help in bringing down Vought. However, in the Season 4 finale, A-Train’s betrayal is exposed, leading Vought to issue a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), while the Seven address his defection behind the scenes.
The show’s marketing team has blurred the line between fiction and reality through the clever use of social media, especially with the fictional Vought International’s active online presence. In the past, Vought has masterfully manipulated the narrative surrounding the disappearances of its supes, even quietly replacing Black Noir after his demise.
On X, Vought International’s account provided a cover story for A-Train’s vanishing act: “Today, Vought can confirm A-Train is being deployed overseas effective immediately. All details remain confidential for his safety and the safety of the free world. Wish him luck, and Godspeed!” A photo accompanied the post, claiming A-Train was on a top-secret undercover mission—a temporary smokescreen that hides the truth of his defection. However, this cover won’t last, as hints suggest A-Train will play a pivotal role when he resurfaces in Season 5.
So, Where Is A-Train Really?
A-Train has undergone one of the series’ most unlikely transformations, kicking off a compelling redemption arc in Season 4. After having his heart replaced by that of his archenemy in Season 3, he began to make amends for his past actions by teaming up with Hughie and The Boys to dismantle Vought. Yet, by doing so, he put a massive target on his back, leading him to go into hiding by the end of the season.
What’s next for A-Train? That’s anyone’s guess. His storyline diverges greatly from the original comics by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, where his character remains irredeemable. In the show, however, while still flawed, he is portrayed as one of the more salvageable characters compared to others. The showrunner, Eric Kripke, and the writing team face a tricky challenge—will A-Train manage to do something heroic to redeem himself fully, perhaps to atone for Popclaw’s death? Or will he falter and face his demise at the hands of someone more righteous?
