Homelander is an example of what would happen if Superman were raised by a corporation rather than a kind couple from small-town Kansas. He is the worst form of psychopath, one with almost unlimited power. And what's worse he seems to revel in his own terribleness.
However, as The Boys has gone on, there have been a few signs that maybe Homelander isn't a complete monster. It could be that he is as much a victim of Vought as any one of the people whom he and his super team massacre. The arch-villain of the show has a number of quotes across the series that show there is a good side underneath the hard exterior.
"You Guys Are The Real Heroes. We Are Just Glad We Can Help."
This line is something of a trademark for Homelander by Season 2. Any time he utters this, it usually means he has just performed a heroic act for the cameras and is playing the magnanimous super, offering thanks to the soldiers or police officers around him.
But Homelander doesn't have to do this. There are plenty of different ways the Supe could accept the crowd's adulation. Either accepting the honor stoically like Maeve or basking in the glory like A-Train. Instead, Homelander makes a decision to thank those "less" than he and gives them credit when he has no obligation to.
"Hug Your Kids, Right? Cause You Never Know What Might Happen."
While this may sound like a threat at first, later episodes paint a picture of Homelander as a parent who may be genuinely worried about children. Homelander and his super team end up being the cause of a number of child deaths throughout The Boys.
This line is a serious warning, not just Homelander being menacing. He has seen the violence inflicted on children thanks to Vought and at this point in the series, all he can do is tell others to be careful.
"Companies, They Come And Go. But Talent, Talent Is Forever."
Homelander begins teaching his young son the reality of the Vought situation as soon as he meets Ryan. Vought is just a company and there will be many like it when it's gone. But Superheroes can be immortal, at least if they're talented enough.
Ryan learns an important point from his father thanks to this line. Companies like Vought won't be around forever to keep the world under its thumb. That is why it's so critical to learn and grow in order to rely on your own talents and abilities.
"My Dad, He Always Said, 'Surround Yourself With People Smarter Than You.'"
While this line does eventually turn out to contain some falsehoods, it still shows a humble aspect of Homelander that's often buried beneath layers of bravado. Homelander has spent his entire life surrounded by incredibly smart peers and mentors like Maeve and Madelyn Stillwell.
It takes a certain good nature and self-confidence to entrust parts of your life to others. Even more so when you have to admit that those people may be more intelligent than you. It's clear Homelander has understood this reality since he was a child.
"I Never Had A Dad. Or A Mom."
Homelander shows his humane side to his son often and it begins with this admission. Ryan has also had the struggle of a broken parental unit and Homelander tries his best to connect with his son at this moment.
And this isn't just a revelation to his son, it's also a very important admission to himself. Homelander has often struggled with his youth and the reality of what growing up with Vought was like. He has had mother and father figures who have all disappointed him in one way or another. The fact he can finally admit that he never had a guiding presence in his life is a sign the Supe has a heart after all.
"That's All I'm Good For, Huh? Smile, Look Pretty, Say My Lines."
Madelyn Stillwell and Homelander have a tumultuous relationship and it nearly reaches a breaking point here. Homelander puts up with a lot in the name of Vought and keeps the company in good public standing but it takes its toll on the hero's ego.
He's not a fool and understands his role in the organization as a poster boy. And the vapidness of the role is starting to get on his nerves. Homelander knows he is made for better things and that he can truly save the world, not just pretend to.
"I Do Not Want My Son To Have To Go Through What I Went Through."
Part of Homelander's story is one of a young child forced into medical procedures and a life of abuse at the hands of Vought scientists. He was raised like a lab animal and the closest thing he had to father at one point referred to him as his greatest mistake.
Is it any wonder that Homelander grew up to be the monster he is? But the fact that he wants to stop the generational trauma with his own sons shows not only an empathy for others but an understanding of his own personal faults.
"Sometimes It's Hard Being Superior To Every Single Other Person On The Planet."
Homelander once again attempts to connect with Ryan the only way he knows how: by pointing out his and his son's uniqueness and consequential loneliness. Superheroes in the universe of The Boys are demi-gods among the fragile humans and Homelander is a god among demi-gods.
This line isn't a boast, it's a sad admittance of the tragic loneliness Homelander feels. Almost no one in the world can relate to his experience except for his son. As the good father, Homelander is preparing his son for a difficult life ahead.
"Who Gives A S--- If Vought Burns To The F---ing Ground?"
Vought is all that Homelander knows. The company employs him, groomed him, and even created him. Homelander owes them everything.
But the company is evil and their plans for America and the world are incredibly sinister. Every character on the show would be better off with the destruction of Vaught. Homelander is not blind to this and realizes the business he works for and is the mascot for is a blight on the world he claims to protect.
"I'm Homelander And I Can Do Whatever The F--- I Want."
As the most powerful Super on earth, Homelander can do whatever he wants. There is not much to stop him beyond the threat of bad publicity and even that warning has been going unheeded lately.
So why doesn't Homelander do what he always claims to want to do, "laser them all"? It's because despite the nature of his birth and childhood there is still a hero somewhere deep inside him.