The Boys’ slower fourth season might have seen a bit of criticism from fans. However, it continues to throw in new surprises and plot points that are bound to play a major role in how things conclude with respect to the series. That, obviously includes Billy Butcher’s extraordinary demise into madness, as we head towards the end of Season 4.

Billy Butcher with his dear friend. | Amazon Prime

Joe Kessler, who Butcher had apparently been in partnership with for much of the season, was revealed to be a mere apparition created by his mind, akin to that of Becca, who he has been seeing for quite some time now. While there are many implications of this development, it also brings to us a brand new theory that revolves around the possibly-sentient tumor that he has been struggling with.

Not only do we believe that the plethora of Temp V injections that Butcher took somehow gave his tumor powers, but also that the apparition of Becca in itself is its way of warning its host. Of what, one may ask.

Billy Butcher’s tumor might be the source of his powers that he himself no longer understands

Billy Butcher is confused. | Amazon Prime Video

There are a number of ways in which a sentient tumor with powers might be able to toy with Billy Butcher. There is little doubt that Karl Urban’s character is getting closer to his death as he continues to use his powers. A possibly-sentient tumor with powers will not only explain how Butcher blacks out each time he uses them, but also explain the apparitions, especially Becca’s.

For one reason or another, possibly the fact that the tumor shall cease to live the moment Butcher drops dead, it may be using Becca’s apparition to restrict the use of his powers, in order to keep him alive. On the other hand, Joe Kessler may be Butcher’s mind exposing his reality, in the sense that he is after all, the cold-blooded killer that Kessler saw him as.

This means that on one hand, using his powers edges him closer to death. On the other, we have a sentient tumor convincing him to not use them, in order to co-exist for just a few more days, or episodes.

That also somewhat explains why Butcher may have blacked out each time he used them in Season 4. While the tumor ends up taking over each time Butcher and its own life is put under threat, it also leads to other symptoms in his brain, which makes him black out.

This theory, although in need of further evidence, is also supported by the fact that Homelander himself identifies and is able to see Butcher’s brain tumor in Episode 1 of Season 4.

The scene, which also featured in the trailer, must have more to it, and the possibly sentient tumor not only makes sense but also somewhat explains the kind of chaotic, uncharacteristic stuff that Butcher has recently been up to. Still, in the name of his potential namesake Deadpool, we still wish for the theory to be proved untrue, if only for the sake of Butcher himself.

The Boys has given us plenty of evidence about Billy Butcher’s possibly-sentient tumor

Butcher is not in the right frame of mind to face Homelander | Amazon Prime

The Joe Kessler revelation made immediate sense, like pieces of a puzzle finding their places. The character, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, had already given evidence of his apparition-like nature. Kessler vanished moments before Ryan arrived to meet Billy Butcher, and then reemerged the moment he went back.

Further, Sameer Shah continued to be confused each time Butcher mentioned himself in plural. The tumor theory also has a similar case for it. It will explain the reason why Butcher has very evidently lost total control over himself, his powers, and his mind. It will explain why even in this glorious state his mind is able to come up with such detailed apparitions, as it will be the tumor’s doing, after all.

At the same time, it also has some not-so-glorious consequences for the character we all love and have grown so accustomed to. Becca being the tumor’s doing, and Kessler being his real self, will mean that Butcher is the monster he fears himself to be.

It will also mean that fans will have to accept that Billy Butcher, despite his goodness, is after all a mere punk, who is out to destroy supes by hook or by crook. It will do away the possibility of salvation, and means that Butcher, just like the fans, will eventually have to accept that he is the monster so many of his fellow characters believe him to be.

And thus, while the tumor theory makes a lot of sense, we hope it does not ring true, as we move towards the business end of the series.

The Boys is available to be watched on Amazon Prime.