WARNING: The following contains SPOILERS for The Boys season 2 finale, "What I Know."

In a season already full of surprises, A-Train apologizing to The Deep was one of the most shocking turns in The Boys episode "Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker"  — and the moment sets up an arc for the two rivalling Supes in The Boys season 3. The moment was not an unearned exchange between the two former members of The Seven, and in many ways, A-Train's apology was the natural next step for his character's development; regardless, the scene was a significant departure from how the two superheroes interacted in season 1, as well as A-Train's general demeanor throughout the Amazon Prime show.

The status quo was challenged by The Boys season 2. In addition to Stormfront joining The Seven, The Deep continued to spiral in his "sabbatical" and A-Train was kicked out for not being fast enough. After hitting a presumably all-time low, The Deep is recruited by the Church of the Collective, a parody of Scientology that recruits celebrity Supes. A-Train, who is similarly drummed-out of Vought's superhero team, finds himself also drawn into the "church" — especially once he learns the organization may help him regain his spot on the celebrity team.

Related: The Boys: Stormfront Reveal Suggests Superheroes Could Be Immortal

Both A-Train and The Deep had redemptive journeys in season 2, although the former's was more earnest, in some ways, than the latter's. Throughout season 1, A-Train revealed his less-than selfless personality, and in season 2, he admitted to Starlight that his primary motivation for being in The Seven was money and fame. The Church, which is an inherently suspicious organization given its cult-like teachings, does seem to have a positive effect on A-Train, who is a changed man by the finale. A-Train's willingness to better himself is shown through his apology to The Deep, whom he had mocked openly in the previous season. The apology itself was a call back to a moment referenced in season 1, but also serves to set up A-Train and The Deep's dynamic going into the third season.

Chace Crawford as The Deep Kevin in The Boys

The Boys season 1, episode 4, "The Female of the Species" revealed that A-Train once pranked The Deep by leaving a blow-up dolphin in his bed, with lipstick painted on its blowhole. The prank clearly had sexual implications for The Deep, and the story in general served to illustrate how little respect the Supe received from the rest of his teammates. By apologizing to him, and even going the extra mile by gifting a goldfish — a symbolic gesture of newfound respect for The Deep's fish-related powers — A-Train is demonstrating that he sees The Deep as an equal (or is at least pretending to). The disgraced aquatic superhero had been able to rehabilitate his public image through the intervention of the church, and the former "fastest man alive" is clearly interested in receiving the same treatment. The Deep seemed to be poised to be a significant and powerful member within the Church; however, by the end of the season 2 finale, the dynamic has changed once again, favoring the speedster — setting up a major conflict for the two heroes in season 3.

In a surprising reversal, The Church of the Collective leader Alistair convinces Vought to take back A-Train as as member of the Seven, not The Deep. All season long, The Deep worked on following the Church's teachings, going so far as to marry a woman of their choosing and hand over his bank accounts. A-Train, conversely, was a relatively-new member as well as a rule-breaker. Season 3 of The Boys looks to see their rivalry renewed and with a new focus: by first apologizing to The Deep and befriending him, A-Train made his eventual betrayal (from The Deep's perspective) personal. Likely, The Deep's next main storyline will involve a quest for vengeance against his former friend and ally A-Train.

Next: The Boys: What Stormfront Says In German In The Season 2 Finale