The Deep-Rooted Hatred MM Holds for Soldier Boy in ‘The Boys’

Among the many grudges that fuel the members of ‘The Boys’, none is as profound as the one Mother’s Milk harbors against Soldier Boy. While Butcher’s anger stems from grief and Hughie’s from guilt, MM’s hatred is layered, generational, and ultimately heartbreaking.

When ‘The Boys’ unveiled Marvin T. “MM” Milk’s backstory in Season 3, it redefined everything viewers thought they understood about him. His meticulous habits, obsessive routines, and unwavering stance against Supes all trace back to a violent, chaotic night in Harlem that claimed a loved one and left a wound that never healed.

One fateful night in Harlem, a young MM was awakened by the sounds of Soldier Boy confronting a group of kids attempting to steal a Mercedes-Benz. For a child who idolized America’s greatest hero, the scene must have initially felt exhilarating, like a comic book come to life.

Excited by the sight of his hero, MM roused his grandfather, and together they watched the unfolding drama. However, during the confrontation, Soldier Boy hurled the car into the brownstone where MM and his grandfather were watching. The vehicle narrowly missed MM but crashed directly into his grandfather, killing him and two other family members.

MM’s father held Soldier Boy and Vought accountable for the tragedy, but the corporation managed to absolve the Supe of all charges. One reckless act by a Supe, free from consequences, shattered an entire family in an instant, leaving no one to answer for it.

MM’s father, a lawyer, attempted to sue Vought, but he faced a corporation with an army of lawyers and corrupt judges. Despite the odds, he continued to fight, typing away for hours. Each morning, MM awoke to the sound of clacking keys, and each night, he fell asleep to them.

After exposure to Compound V, MM’s mother gave birth to a child with disabilities. His father continued to pursue legal action against Vought, eventually achieving a partial victory, but it fell short of the justice he sought. The legal battles were hollow victories against a corporation that operated above the law.

Things worsened when MM’s brother began to exhibit powers while playing football, leading to a tragic accident where his body parts expanded uncontrollably. His head became stuck in his helmet, resulting in his untimely death. MM’s father filed yet another lawsuit against Vought, but his health declined, ultimately leading to his own demise. The toll Vought exacted on this family over the years is staggering.

What makes MM’s animosity towards Soldier Boy particularly devastating is its lasting impact. MM openly admits to suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Traumatized by his grandfather’s death, he checks the stove burners three times each night, convinced that if he doesn’t, Soldier Boy will return to harm his family.

MM tearfully confides in Starlight that he remains that frightened child, still waking in the night to check the burners, fearing Soldier Boy will return. His trauma has manifested into compulsions, shaping his daily life.

Starlight observes MM’s OCD behaviors, such as tapping his steering wheel three times when changing lanes, stirring his coffee three times, and using antiseptic wipes. Each compulsion and anxious tic can be traced back to that traumatic night and the guilt he carries for having awakened his grandfather.

MM’s vendetta against Soldier Boy is so intense that he is willing to risk everything, including his life, for revenge. He has a daughter who means the world to him, yet his obsession drives him to attempt futile actions, like confronting Soldier Boy bare-handed after a failed attempt to neutralize him.

Homelander now embodies the same jingoistic, nationalistic traits as Soldier Boy, and MM watches helplessly as his daughter is drawn to the very figure who destroyed his life, while Butcher secretly negotiates with Soldier Boy for his own purposes. The cruelty of MM’s situation is that history seems to be repeating itself, with a new generation seduced by the same dangerous mythology.

Eventually, Marvin opens up to his daughter Janine about his past, revealing the truth about Supes and the complex history stemming from the night his grandfather died. Janine tells MM he is her hero. This moment of connection, forged through a lifetime of compulsion and grief, is what MM has been fighting for all along, making his story one of the most emotionally resonant in the series. If MM’s journey resonates with you, share which moment impacted you the most and whether you believe Soldier Boy ever deserved to face justice for his actions against the Milk family.