In season 4 of The Boys, Starlight loses control of her talents, but they return to her at the conclusion, leaving fans wondering why.

In the latest episode of The Boys, Starlight experiences a similar challenge as the rest of the boys. She’s forced to confront her previous errors, which makes the fight against Homelander much more difficult. Starlight finds this especially difficult because elements of her history are directly linked to Supes’ carelessness and wrongdoing. She is fighting those things, but she also contributed to them.

Given her mixed sentiments about her history — and her embarrassment for being a member of The Seven — Starlight tries to erase that aspect of herself. She no longer wears her iconic outfit and goes by Annie January rather than her superhero name. It’s easy to say that Starlight is going through an identity crisis in The Boys season 4. That’s probably why Starlight’s abilities don’t operate in the first place. Fortunately, the ending brings them back. And that’s a good thing, because it appears she’ll need them in season 5 of The Boys.

Starlight Resolves Her Identity Crisis In The Boys Season 4’s Finale

She Comes To Terms With The Messiest Parts Of Herself

Starlight’s identity crisis in The Boys season 4 has to do with her mixed feelings about being a Supe, but that’s not the only part of herself she struggles to accept. The Boys season 4 reveals that Starlight was a child bully, and this is why Firecracker harbors so much resentment towards her. It’s obvious Starlight regrets the way she treated Firecracker, and that weighs on her after the other Supe’s repeated public attacks. Starlight is also grappling with her recent abortion. She may not regret the decision, but she does seem conflicted, and it adds to her stress.

“All of these issues prevent Starlight from calling upon her power throughout The Boys season 4, but the finale resolves her identity crisis and puts her worries at ease.”

All of these issues prevent Starlight from calling upon her power throughout The Boys season 4, but the finale resolves her identity crisis and puts her worries at ease. After the shapeshifter’s failed assassination of Robert Singer, Starlight admits her true concerns: that she’s “not perfect” like people want but “depressed” and wrought with “complications.” Hughie assures her that he loves her as-is, even with the messiest parts of herself. And this convinces Starlight to adopt a similar view in the end, bringing her powers back to life as a result.

When The Boys Season 4 Ends, Starlight Actually Looks More Powerful

She’s Flying & Looks Ready For A Fight

The Boys season 4 only shows Starlight using her powers at the very end, when Homelander’s forces descend on The Boys and take them away. Starlight manages to escape, and she actually looks more powerful now that she’s resolved her inner conflict. Starlight’s flying appears to have improved, and she seems ready for a fight — even if she chooses to save Hughie and her friends another day. It’s promising that Starlight is back on top of her game, and that will be a necessary development heading into The Boys season 5.

The Boys Really Need Starlight’s Power In Season 5

She & Butcher Are The Only Ones Who Can Save Them

It’s a good thing that Starlight’s powers return at the end of The Boys season 4, as The Boys need a Supe in their corner more than ever. With Homelander’s task force rounding up most members of the team, Starlight is the only one who can help them from the outside — unless you count Butcher, who doesn’t leave things on a positive note with them. Starlight will likely be leading the charge against Homelander in The Boys season 5, especially since he’s targeting “Starlighters” specifically. Now that she’s resolved her identity problems, she may step up to lead and save them.

“It’s a good thing that Starlight’s powers return at the end of The Boys season 4, as The Boys need a Supe in their corner more than ever.”

Starlight cannot face Homelander and his team of Supes alone. She may need to start her own resistance group, which could be tough considering where her allies end up at the end of “The Boys” season 4, episode 8. Even if Starlight is stronger than she was before, she will require assistance. Maeve and A-Train are both in hiding, so it’s unclear whether they’ll be willing to rejoin the fight. Butcher is open about his dislike for her, thus he may not work with her.

Despite these challenges, it is encouraging to know that at least one of The Boys is still on the outside. And it looks good that it’s someone with superpowers and the ability to influence the people. Hopefully, these attributes will help Starlight prevail in season 5 of The Boys. She must do this for the sake of her pals.