Despite being missing for much of her son’s life, Hughie’s mother returns in season 4 of The Boys, and one hypothesis about the Amazon program believes she is a secret villain.

Hughie’s primary parental relationship has been with his father since the beginning of The Boys, and even that link is tested when he joins the titular squad. Hughie’s father suffers a stroke in The Boys season 4, and he faces the very real danger of losing the only parent he knows. But when Hughie’s mother appears, things take an unexpected turn.

In The Boys season 4, episode 4, Hughie considers feeding his father Compound V to heal him. Although he chooses against it after receiving the medicine from A-Train, Hugh’s mother administers Vought’s creation. Daphne’s appearance after all this time is startling enough, but Hughie’s mother doing the Compound V scam officially raises her suspicions. It’s no surprise that fans are speculating about whether she’s a villain, and future episodes of The Boys could prove them correct.

Warning: This page includes SPOILERS for The Boys season 4, episodes 1–4.

Hughie’s mother injecting his father with Compound V reveals her hidden motive.

There’s a chance that Hughie’s mom gives his father Compound V because she wants to spare Hughie the pain of losing his father. However, this turn of events could allude to a hidden motive for Daphne. Although Hughie’s mother offers an emotional explanation for her absence all these years, it’s possible her return isn’t as benevolent as she makes it out to be. Perhaps the reason for Daphne’s arrival goes beyond making medical decisions for her husband and offering support to her son. She’s certainly said and done enough suspicious things that a secret agenda wouldn’t be a surprise.

Of course, it’s hard to say exactly what Daphne’s hidden motive might be. It’s possible she could benefit personally from having a Supe in the family, and there’s a good chance she doesn’t want to lose Hugh Sr., either. But Daphne’s connection to Vought hints at a more sinister explanation for her behavior. She could prove a villain in The Boys season 4, even though she claims to have good intentions.

Hughie’s mother working for Vought already hints she’s a season 4 villain.

One of the biggest clues Hughie’s mother is a villain in The Boys season 4 is that she works for Vought, albeit in a smaller capacity than most of the show’s antagonists. Hughie chastises her for this in The Boys’ three-episode premiere, but Daphne’s connection to the company is quickly glossed over. However, there has to be a reason the Amazon series gives her this particular backstory. Perhaps The Boys is building to a villain twist for Hughie’s mom by mentioning her work. This lays just enough groundwork for such a development to work while staying subtle enough to surprise viewers.

“One of the biggest clues Hughie’s mother is a villain in The Boys season 4 is that she works for Vought, albeit in a smaller capacity than most of the show’s antagonists.”

Although Hughie’s mother doesn’t appear to have a high-ranking position with Vought, it’s possible she has more connections than she’s letting on. If Homelander or another Supe got wind of Hughie’s mom working for the company, they’d surely try to recruit her. And Vought pushing Daphne to make contact with Hughie and his father would explain her sudden desire to reconnect. She claims she feels guilt over how she left things, but there might be other forces pulling the strings of her return.

Hughie’s Mom Reconnecting With His Dad Is Very Suspicious

Daphne tells Hughie that she’s been in contact with Hugh Sr. prior to his stroke, and she expresses guilt over how she left things with her family. But there’s still the question of why Daphne is choosing now to reconnect with Hughie and his father. The Boys season 4 uses Hugh Sr.’s stroke as a means of bringing the Campbell family back together. However, Daphne reaches out before this incident. It seems a bit random, and while it could stem from guilt, it could just as easily be part of some greater ploy.

The Boys Season 4 Hasn’t Revealed The Cause Of Hugh Campbell Sr.’s Stroke Yet

While medical emergencies befall people all the time, The Boys season 4 places a large emphasis on Hughie’s father having a stroke and never explains what caused it. It’s possible that age or stress got to Hugh Sr. The latter could even be attributed to his concerns about Hughie. However, it’s somewhat suspicious that Hughie’s mother works for Vought’s pharmaceutical brand, and then her ex suddenly has a stroke. If Daphne really is a villain with ulterior motives for giving Hugh Compound V, she might be the reason he’s in the hospital.

“It’s somewhat suspicious that Hughie’s mother works for Vought’s pharmaceutical brand, and then her ex-husband suddenly has a stroke.”

Vought Could Be Manipulating Hughie’s Mom To Hurt The Boys

Daphne may not be wicked in The Boys, but Vought may have influenced her to become a villain. There are several explanations why Vought could be responsible for Daphne’s return and activities in Season 4. For starters, having Hughie preoccupied with his father would benefit Vought and The Seven. With The Boys squad pursuing them, Vought must keep all of its members as disengaged as possible. If Hughie’s father is in the hospital, he will have less time and attention to devote to taking down the corporation.

Daphne may have slipped Hugh Sr. Compound V to compensate for her previous deeds, if she is not following Vought’s bidding on her own volition. Of course, this could be part of Vought’s strategy. If Hughie is discovered for converting his father into a Supe, The Boys will look hypocritical. Season 4 of The Boys emphasizes propaganda on both sides, making this a viable strategy for Vought. Only time will tell whether Hugh Sr.’s health is more serious. For Hughie’s sake, it would be wonderful if this theory turned out to be wrong.