One of the paramount reasons all Marvel TV shows are not reaching fan expectations has been the enormous success of the irreverent, delightfully deranged "The Boys" series on Prime, that has redefined the entire superhero genre for a significant section of OTT audiences. Season 3 rides on the coattails of the fan-favorite characters developed by Seasons 1 & 2 and adds its own sheen by taking the stakes higher, the violence gorier and the tensions between the characters to astronomic levels.

We follow the journey of a vigilante team called the Boys, led by the now cult-favorite "Billy Butcher" (played with some aplomb by Karl Urban) as they look to keep a check on the morally bankrupt superhero team knows as "the Seven", headlined by the megalomaniacal "Homelander". Why Anthony Starr's depiction of this character isn't buried with Emmys and Golden Globes is beyond my understanding, such is the tour de force performance he has churned out season after season, not just in building up one of the most hated antagonists in TV history but also by adding layer upon layer of increasing complexity and moral turpitude to the character arc as the audiences progress deeper into the story.

While staying within its superhero alternate reality, writers Craig Rosenberg, Anslem Richardson, Geoff Aull and co. Subtly drop in relevant political commentary into their narrative, painting scathing critiques of authoritarianism, the rise of neo-fascism and vilification of mainstream media. "The Boys" tells us the story of the other, uglier side of superheroes and enhanced humans and is perhaps the best depiction of the quote "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely".

Jensen Ackles is the new face in the cast this season, and makes a strong early impression as the legendary "Soldier Boy", the superhero that started it all and a clear parody of "Captain America". Without the use of high end CGI and special effects that Marvel has access to, creator Erik Kripke has made a strong performance oriented superhero drama series that is disturbing yet diabolically ingenious and one of the most addictive, engaging and binge-worthy series I have seen on TV in recent times. Highly recommended!