In The Boys Season 4 finale, fans witnessed Firecracker (Valorie Curry) in a state of illness. Coughing, sweating, and clearly unwell, her condition sparked questions, especially when Homelander (Antony Starr) reacted with disdain rather than concern. Many viewers initially jumped to conclusions, wondering if she had contracted the Supe virus that has been a recurring plot point in both The Boys and Gen V. However, the real reason behind Firecracker’s sickness is far more grounded in reality: it’s the side effects of a drug called Metoclopramide.
To understand why Firecracker was suffering, we need to rewind to Season 4, Episode 4, “Wisdom of the Ages.” In this episode, Frenchie (Tomer Capone), while investigating Firecracker’s trailer during her VNN broadcast aimed at provoking Starlight (Annie January), discovers a pill bottle. This bottle is labeled for Misty Tucker Gray, presumably Firecracker’s real name, and contains Metoclopramide.
The purpose of Firecracker taking Metoclopramide was revealed to be lactation induction. She was using the drug to produce breast milk for Homelander. Unfortunately for Firecracker, Metoclopramide comes with a range of unpleasant side effects, and these are what manifested in the finale. During a tense scene in The Seven’s conference room, Homelander confronts a visibly ill Firecracker, dismissively suggesting she take a “ricola.”
Firecracker, clearly struggling, apologizes, explaining, “Sorry, sir. I’m — I’m so sorry. I’m just… The meds, you know. You know, the… The meds.” The camera then focuses on Firecracker’s breasts, with breast milk subtly highlighted, reinforcing the connection to the Metoclopramide. “They’re just, they’re just causing a little heart palpitation and high fever, ain’t no big thing,” she weakly adds. Homelander, unsympathetic, physically pushes her away, demonstrating his utter lack of care for her well-being, side effects or not.
Firecracker’s Illness: Not a Supe Virus, But Drug Side Effects
The timing of Firecracker’s sickness might have led some viewers to believe it was related to the Supe virus, a significant plot thread throughout the first season of Gen V and also in The Boys Season 4. The Supe virus is designed to target and kill individuals with Compound V in their system. Seeing Firecracker ill naturally prompted speculation about a connection. However, the show explicitly points to Metoclopramide as the culprit.
Another theory circulating online suggested that Sage (Susan Heyward) might have secretly added the Supe virus to the Metoclopramide to weaken Homelander indirectly through Firecracker. While Sage’s manipulative nature makes this plausible in theory, there’s no evidence within the show to support this. Furthermore, Homelander doesn’t exhibit any signs of weakening related to Firecracker’s condition, beyond the ongoing narrative of his own struggles with aging and maintaining control. The show emphasizes that Firecracker is simply experiencing the genuine side effects of Metoclopramide.
Understanding Metoclopramide and Its Side Effects
It’s important to note that while Metoclopramide is sometimes explored for lactation purposes, its primary medical application is not for inducing breast milk. According to the National Institute of Health, Metoclopramide is primarily used as a medication to manage nausea and vomiting, particularly in patients with conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease or diabetic gastroparesis, and for chemotherapy patients. It functions as a dopamine receptor antagonist, aiding in gastric motility.
Studies have investigated Metoclopramide’s potential to increase lactation in breastfeeding mothers, but the results have been inconclusive. There is no definitive scientific backing for its effectiveness in significantly boosting milk production. Moreover, as highlighted by the NIH, Metoclopramide carries a range of potential side effects, including heart palpitations, dizziness, depression, and fever – all symptoms Firecracker displays in The Boys finale.
In conclusion, Firecracker’s sickness in The Boys Season 4 finale is a direct consequence of the side effects of Metoclopramide, a drug she was taking to produce breast milk for Homelander. It’s not the Supe virus, nor is it a complex plot by Sage. It’s a stark illustration of Firecracker’s misguided devotion to Homelander and the dangerous lengths she is willing to go to for his approval, only to be met with cold indifference and dismissal when she suffers predictable consequences.
