Catriona McKenzie, the Boys’ director, explains Ashley’s (Colby Minifie) decision to stay at Vought after the mole was uncovered in Season 4, Episode 7.

A major plot point throughout much of The Boys season 4 has been a leak at Vought after it is revealed that someone is collaborating with Butcher (Karl Urban) and his squad. In Episode 7, Homelander (Antony Starr) and his allies discover that A-Train (Jessie T. Usher) is the mole, prompting A-Train to flee, but not before pleading for Ashley to accompany him.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, McKenzie discusses why Ashley chooses to stay at Vought in The Boys season 4, episode 7, despite her strong doubts about the firm and the malevolent Supes that run it. Ashley, according to the director, is simply getting too involved with Vought and Homelander. Check out McKenzie’s response below:

“I love that moment with A-Train and Ashley because I think, exactly like Butcher, there are people who have made their bed and made it so deep and so vast that they have to lay in it. And she’s a beautiful actor because you can see the moment where she holds onto that tiny window of possibility; the thought of just leaving this absolute clusterf–k behind.

But she can’t because she’s so invested. A-Train’s like, ‘Wake up, get out, run!’ But she just can’t do it because that’s the hole that she’s dug for herself. And is it greed? Is it ambition? I don’t know, but she just can’t do it. She can’t walk away from the absolute toxic waste dump of her life. And that’s very human. It’s a very human thing. I’m older now, but I’ve had those choices. I look back and am like, ‘Why didn’t you run for the hills?'”

Is Ashley Redeemable In The Boys?

What Season 5 Could Have In Store For The Character

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Ashley has been a core part of The Boys cast of characters since season 1, and she now serves as the puppet CEO of Vought. While she isn’t a Supe, she has overseen, orchestrated, and been aware of most of the evil doings going on at the company, and she has proven herself to be ruthless, self-interested, and, at times, despicable. Ashley herself may not be directly murdering people, but her ambition has resulted in her turning a blind eye to some horrible deeds.

In recent seasons, however, Ashley’s actual degree of power has been essentially reduced to nil, and she is obliged to tip-toe around Vought in order to avoid getting on Homelander’s bad side. Ashley, frustrated with her own lack of agency at work and in life, exacts petty revenge on Homelander by using his private bathroom without flushing. Season 4 clearly tests Ashley’s determination, and it’s evident that she has reservations, but her decision to stay at Vought when she had a choice is telling.

That being said, it’s possible that Ashley will be pushed over the edge in The Boys season 5, which has been confirmed as the show’s final season. If Homelander continues to mistreat her, Ashley may make a last-minute choice to help bring him down, especially if it benefits her own self-interest. Ashley’s happy ever after ending in The Boys, on the other hand, appears to be a pipe dream given her poor decisions thus far.