Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Boys season 4, episode 5.

The Boys season 4, episode 5 has a surprisingly tragic ending, as Hughie is forced to kill someone he'd never want to harm — but he has a good reason for doing so. The individual members of The Boys are all grappling with their own demons during season 4, and the fifth installment continues that trend. Starlight's powers aren't working, Butcher and MM are struggling with their approach to taking down Vought, and Hughie is faced with a decision that no one should have to make. The fourth season pushes The Boys' main characters towards growth, but it doesn't make their journeys easy.

Most of the group put their issues to the side in The Boys season 4, episode 5, prioritizing the search for Gen V's Supe virus. But while Butcher and the team look for a way to take down Homelander, Hughie faces a far more personal challenge. "Beware the Jabberwock, My Son" brings season 4's Hugh Sr. storyline to a close, revealing what becomes of him after his stroke and Daphne's Compound V stunt in the previous episode. For Hughie, this family narrative doesn't have a happy ending, but he does grow as a result of it.

Why Hughie Had To Kill His Dad (& What It Really Means)

The Jar Jar Story Highlights How Hughie Has Grown

Hughie is forced to kill his own father in The Boys season 4, after Hugh Campbell Sr. has a negative response to the Compound V he's given in episode 4. Although Hughie's father seems normal when he first wakes up, it soon becomes clear that he has developed a power in response to the drug. Unfortunately, he lacks the ability to control it — and it isn't the type of ability that can be brushed under the rug. Hughie's father becomes a Supe who can walk through things and people. The latter leads to several casualties, with Hugh literally stepping inside other patients.

He's confused and dangerous, and Hughie and Daphne decide to put him out of his mystery rather than force him to live his life this way.

To make matters worse, Hugh doesn't remember recent events, and he believes that Hughie is still a child. He's confused and dangerous, and Hughie and Daphne decide to put him out of his mystery rather than force him to live his life this way. The true meaning behind Hugh's death in The Boys season 4 has to do with Hughie's growth. At the beginning of the episode, Hugh recalls how Hughie kept their cat, Jar Jar, alive until he essentially exploded. This is why Hugh doesn't give Hughie power of attorney. However, Hughie proves he can let go in episode 5.

The Death Of Hughie's Dad In The Boys Season 4 Is Absolutely Devastating

Hugh Sr.'s Tragic Ending Is A Tear-Jerker

Although Hugh Sr. is probably better off dying peacefully than turning into Jar Jar the cat, his death in The Boys season 4 is still absolutely devastating. It's almost more tragic that Daphne and Hughie get one last day with him, as viewers get to see what their family could have been. Hughie's father also reveals the places he wants to go and things he wants to do in life, and Hughie and Daphne promise he'll get to, even as he's taking his last breath. His death is a tear-jerker, and it speaks to the fact that there's never enough time.

Of course, it's also devastating because Hughie has to make the decision — a choice he's almost spared. While it's great to witness Hughie growing as a person, no one should have to determine whether their loved one lives or dies. There's likely guilt over bringing Compound V to the hospital as well, as Hugh Sr.'s final moments are full of fear and confusion. Hughie may blame himself for that, and he'll likely experience the pain of The Boys season 4, episode 5 for a long time.

What Hugh Campbell Sr's Death Means For Hughie's The Boys Story

Hughie Is Learning To Make Difficult Calls

Hughie's choices in The Boys season 4, episode 5 may be devastating, but they're likely crucial to his character arc. The Boys team regards Hughie as softer than the rest of them, but he's learning to make difficult calls through situations like this one. It's likely not a coincidence that Butcher and Kessler discuss doing the hard thing in this episode. Kessler insists that Butcher is the only one who can do what needs to be done, but he may be wrong about that.

Kessler insists that Butcher is the only one who can do what needs to be done, but he may be wrong about that.

If Hughie is capable of bidding farewell to his father in this way, he's probably able to make tough calls regarding Vought and Homelander. And The Boys may see him calling the shots for the team at some point, even though MM is currently its leader. Hughie's maturity certainly sets him up for bigger things in The Boys seasons 4 and 5. It's a shame viewers have to bid farewell to Simon Pegg's character to get there, though.