Finally, the moment we have all been waiting for in The Boys season 5 has arrived. The Supernatural reunion has finally played out on screen, bringing stars Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins back together. We already knew that Padalecki and Collins would be joining the superhero satire show's final season alongside Ackles, who first suited up as Soldier Boy back in season 3. But who are the newcomers playing? Let's get into it.
Warning: this article contains major spoilers for The Boys season 5 episode 5, so turn back now if you haven't seen the new episode.
Midway through the latest episode of The Boys, Homelander and Soldier Boy venture to Los Angeles to find V-One. They end up at ex-Seven member Mister Marathon's house, played by Padalecki. There, they find a room full of Vought propaganda from the '40s as it is revealed that the superfast Supe has a keen interest in the company's early days. Alas, he doesn't have any real information on V-One, but says Bombsight might know more.
Before Soldier Boy and his son-of-sorts depart, they tour the rest of Marathon's home, where they find a bunch of actors hanging out downstairs, accompanied by Supe Malchemical, played by Collins. Ackles, Padalecki, and Collins notably played Dean and Sam Winchester, and Castiel in the long-running paranormal drama Supernatural, which was led by The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke.
This is the first time we have met both Mister Marathon and Malchemical. But thanks to The Boys lore, we know quite a bit about them and their history with Homelander.
Who is Jared Padalecki's character Mister Marathon?
Jared Padalecki's Mister Marathon is your run-of-the-mill Compound V Supe with the power to run at record-breaking speeds, much like A-Train. After becoming the world's fastest man, he was picked by Vought and placed in The Seven back in the day, at the same time that Lamplighter was also a member. However, when he lost a race to A-Train, the Supe was kicked out of the Seven by Honelander in favour of A-Train. This explains why Marathon hates Homelander so much and wanted to kill him in the most recent episode.
Although The Boys season 5 episode 5 is the first time we see Mister Marathon in the flesh, the super-fast Supe has actually been mentioned numerous times throughout the series. Back in season 2, Vought's number one director, Adam Bourke, plans to include Mister Marathon in his movie Dawn of the Seven, showing how The Seven was first formed. Later that season, when Hughie meets Lamplighter, the Supe explains how he and Marathon used to sneak teen girls into Vought Tower. Ew.
Who is Misha Collins' character Malchemical?
Misha Collins' new Supe Malchemical is not as talked about in The Boys as Mister Marathon, but from what we saw in season 5 episode 5, it looks like the Supe emits harsh chemicals from his mouth, strong enough to knock out even Homelander. This differs from Malchemical in The Boys comics, who is known as a shapeshifter, part of the third-rate superhero groups Team Titanic and Super Duper.
In The Boys season 2, Grace Mallory mentions that Malchemical once got into a fight with Frenchie but lost, and then in The Boys season 3, the Supe is hired as a DJ for the Dawn of the Seven premiere after party. Then, in season 4, Malchemical is one of many candidates picked out by Ashley and Vought to join The Seven, but he was never really taken seriously.
Will Mister Marathon and Malchemical show up again in The Boys season 5?
Sorry Boys fans, it looks like The Boys season 5 episode 5 is the first and last time we will see Jared Padalecki's Mister Marathon and Misha Collins' Malchemical, as the two were murdered by Soldier Boy after they attacked Homelander. After Malchemical blew his toxic breath into Homelander's face. The Seven leader fell to the ground unconscious. Whilst he was down, Marathon and Malchemical tried to convince Soldier Boy to use his big beam to finish the tyrant off, but Soldier Boy refused, revealing that although Homelander is a freak, he is his freak.
Soldier Boy then snapped Malchemical's neck and set off after Mister Marathon. The superfast-supe attempted to run through Soldier Boy, but the Payback member dodged him by throwing actors Seth Rogen and more into his path. Using a rather questionable stash of baby oil, Soldier Boy was able to trip Marathon and broke both of his ankles. After getting him to admit Bombsight has V-One, Homelander stepped on Marathon's head, killing him instantly.
The Boys season 5 continues to air weekly. See our The Boys season 5 release schedule for exact timings, and check out our The Boys season 5 recap.
