Season 4 of The Boys throws a major emotional curveball with the introduction of Colin Hauser, played by Elliot Knight, who initially appears as a potential romantic interest for Frenchie (Tomer Capone). However, the blossoming connection is brutally cut short by the revelation of a dark secret: Frenchie is responsible for the murder of Colin’s family. This shocking twist has left viewers reeling and asking the crucial question: why did Frenchie kill Colin’s parents and sister?
While The Boys Season 4, up to Episode 4, hasn’t explicitly detailed Frenchie’s motives, the series has provided enough breadcrumbs about his past to piece together a likely explanation. Let’s delve into the potential reasons behind this tragic act.
The Shadow of Little Nina: Frenchie’s Mob Ties
To understand Frenchie’s actions, we need to revisit his history before joining The Boys. As established in previous seasons, Frenchie was entangled with the criminal underworld, specifically working for Little Nina, also known as Nina Namenko. Nina, a formidable Russian mob boss and drug dealer, was a significant antagonist in Season 3. Her ruthless nature and control over Frenchie are key to understanding his past deeds.
In Season 4 Episode 4, Colin unknowingly reveals crucial details about his mother. She was a federal judge renowned for her tough stance on violent crime. Colin explains that his mother had been targeting a faction of the Russian mafia operating in Brighton Beach, New York, led by a powerful woman.
This powerful woman is almost certainly Little Nina. Given Nina’s character and her penchant for brutal displays of power, it’s highly probable that she orchestrated the hit on Judge Hauser and her family as a warning and deterrent to anyone who dared to challenge her operations. And who better to carry out such a grim task than Frenchie, her then-enforcer?
Ordered to Kill: Frenchie as a Reluctant Assassin
It’s crucial to remember Frenchie’s character arc. While capable of violence, he is often portrayed as deeply conflicted and burdened by his past. It’s unlikely that Frenchie would have murdered Colin’s family out of personal malice. Instead, it aligns more with his established backstory that he was forced or coerced into committing these acts under Nina’s orders.
Nina likely tasked Frenchie with sending a clear message to the judge and anyone else contemplating interfering with her criminal enterprise. Killing a federal judge and her family would be a shocking and terrifying act, ensuring compliance through fear. Frenchie, trapped under Nina’s thumb, would have been forced to comply, making him the unwilling instrument of this horrific crime.
The sequence of events, as Colin narrates, further supports this theory. Frenchie first murdered Colin’s parents and then his younger sister, a chillingly efficient execution indicative of a professional hitman carrying out orders, rather than a personal vendetta.
The Scars of Guilt: Colin Uncovers the Truth
The emotional crux of this storyline lies in Colin’s discovery of Frenchie’s identity as his family’s killer. Colin recounts being home the night of the murders, awakened by gunshots and hiding under his bed. He only caught a glimpse of the killer’s ankle, marked by distinctive burn scars.
In a heart-wrenching confrontation in Season 4 Episode 4, Frenchie, burdened by guilt and seeking a twisted form of catharsis, confesses the truth to Colin. He reveals his burn scars, the very scars Colin remembers from that traumatic night.
Colin’s reaction is visceral and understandable: shock, rage, and a desire for vengeance. He attacks Frenchie, attempting to choke him. Frenchie, consumed by his past sins and self-loathing, doesn’t resist, almost welcoming the punishment. However, Colin ultimately steps back, issuing a chilling warning to Frenchie to stay away.
A Future of Reckoning?
The revelation of Frenchie’s past actions has irrevocably fractured any potential relationship with Colin. It adds another layer of complexity to Frenchie’s already troubled character, highlighting the long-lasting consequences of his dark history.
While the immediate aftermath sees Colin walk away, the tension remains palpable. Will Colin seek revenge in the future? Will Frenchie ever be able to truly escape the shadow of his past? These are the questions that The Boys Season 4 leaves us pondering, promising a season filled with emotional turmoil and potential further confrontations stemming from this devastating revelation.
