S1E7: The Self-Preservation Society

In the penultimate episode of "The Boys" Season 1, things really start to unravel. Butcher and the gang finally manage to capture Mesmer, hoping to squeeze out some intel about Vought. Unfortunately for them, Mesmer double-crosses them and spills everything he knows about Butcher to Homelander, which is never a good idea. Meanwhile, Hughie is dealing with his own mess. He manages to patch things up with Annie after their earlier fallout, but just as they start getting cozy again, she's called away by Vought. Homelander has been digging into her personal life, so she's got her own problems brewing. Then there's the little matter of Butcher's revenge. Armed with the knowledge Mesmer gave Homelander, he decides it's time for payback and brutally kills Mesmer in a train station bathroom. The episode ends on a tense note as Homelander learns about Becca Butcher's disappearance and confronts Madelyn Stillwell about it, setting up a dramatic showdown.