The Boys Season 5 pays homage to a beloved Supernatural star who didn't get a guest appearance, and it's a subtle yet powerful nod to the show's history. The '67 Chevrolet Impala, a central character in Supernatural, makes a brief but impactful appearance in The Boys, adding a layer of nostalgia and connection between the two shows. This is particularly interesting given the creators' shared history and their penchant for Easter eggs.
The Impala's appearance in The Boys is a subtle one, but it carries significant weight. In the show, Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles) and Homelander (Antony Starr) engage in a heated exchange, with Soldier Boy expressing his desire to leave America due to his son's erratic behavior. The conversation takes a turn when Soldier Boy mentions, 'This was never gonna be a playing catch in the front lawn, fixing up the old Impala bulls**t. You're too weird.' This line is a direct reference to the Impala, the iconic car that Sam and Dean Winchester rode in on Supernatural.
This isn't the first time the Impala has made an appearance in The Boys. In Season 2, an animated video depicting an Impala running someone over appeared online after Stormfront was exposed as a Nazi sympathizer. This was a clever Easter egg, especially for Supernatural fans, as it mirrored the show's own history of Dean Winchester killing Adolf Hitler in Season 12. The creators, Eric Kripke and Phil Sgriccia, seem to have a soft spot for these references, as they often add callbacks to their previous collaborations for the sake of fun.
The latest Impala reference in The Boys is more subtle than the previous one. It's a simple conversation between Soldier Boy and Homelander, but it still demonstrates the enduring influence of Supernatural on Kripke's work. The fact that Kripke can't resist mentioning Impalas in both shows is a testament to the lasting impact of Supernatural and the creative freedom he has in The Boys. This subtle nod adds a layer of depth to the show, making it even more engaging for fans of both series.
The Boys Season 5 is a testament to the power of Easter eggs and the enduring legacy of Supernatural. It's a fun and thoughtful detail that will undoubtedly please fans of both shows. As a viewer, I appreciate the attention to detail and the way it connects the two series. It's a reminder that sometimes, the smallest references can have the biggest impact.
