Season 4 of The Boys has already established itself as a masterclass in delivering shocking and unforgettable moments. From the outrageous scene with Rob Benedict’s Splinter to the disastrous Vought on Ice rehearsal, the series continues to push boundaries. However, the third episode, available on Amazon Prime, introduced a particularly disturbing reveal concerning the new supe, Sister Sage, portrayed by Susan Heyward. The unsettling lengths she takes to silence her own mind have left viewers reeling, prompting a crucial question: Was Sister Sage’s lobotomy a singular act, or is it a recurring practice?
Susan Heyward as Sister Sage on The Boys Season 4.
Unpacking Sister Sage’s Horrifying Lobotomy Reveal
Susan Heyward’s Sister Sage joins The Boys Season 4 as a formidable figure, heralded as the smartest person on the planet. In “We’ll Keep the Red Flag Flying Here,” she is reluctantly recruited into The Seven, a position that clearly discomforts her but is deemed necessary to appease the volatile Homelander (Antony Starr). After witnessing Homelander’s brutal and arbitrary murder of a human, Sister Sage retreats into a world of deliberately mundane pleasures.
This retreat manifests in the form of indulging in a Bloomin’ Onion, watching Say Yes to the Dress, and an apparent interest in The Deep (Chace Crawford). However, the scene takes a dark turn as the camera reveals a bloody lobotomy tool, strongly implying that Sister Sage has performed a lobotomy on herself.
The implication is chilling: Sister Sage subjects herself to a lobotomy – inserting a tool, presumably through her eyelid or ear, directly into her brain – seeking respite from her own intellect. In a show known for its dark themes, this self-inflicted brain damage stands out as a particularly disturbing and potentially the most unsettling act seen in The Boys to date.
The scene also raises uncomfortable questions about human nature and the burden of intelligence. Is it a commentary on the overwhelming nature of modern life, where even the smartest person in the world feels compelled to inflict brain damage to experience simple pleasures? This leads to the central question:
Is Self-Lobotomy a Habit for Sister Sage?
This initial glimpse into Sister Sage’s lobotomizing behavior leaves the extent and permanence of its effects ambiguous. Did she resort to lobotomy out of despair, feeling powerless against Homelander and choosing to sacrifice her intellect to avoid becoming his pawn? Or is it a temporary measure, with her superpowers possibly capable of healing her brain, offering only fleeting escape from reality?
The casual placement of the lobotomy tool on the table suggests the latter, hinting that this is not her first instance of self-lobotomy. Given her unparalleled intelligence, it’s plausible she possesses a deep understanding of her own brain, including how to manipulate it and predict the duration of the effects. If this is the case, is self-lobotomy a regular coping mechanism for Sister Sage, a way to manage the constant influx of information and pressure that comes with being the smartest person alive? Or is it reserved for extreme situations, triggered by traumatic events like witnessing Homelander’s horrific acts?
The ambiguity surrounding Sister Sage’s lobotomy adds a layer of complexity and intrigue to her character. Regardless of whether it’s a one-time event or a recurring practice, the presence of the bloody lobotomy tool in Episode 3 strongly indicates that this disturbing act will have further ramifications as The Boys Season 4 unfolds. As new episodes are released every Thursday on Amazon Prime Video, viewers are left to contemplate the unsettling implications of Sister Sage’s self-lobotomy and its impact on her role within The Seven and the larger narrative of the series.
