The Boys Season 5 Episode 7 Breakdown: Samuel L. Jackson Returns as a Foul-Mouthed Shark

With Prime Video’s The Boys approaching its final stretch, the stakes have never been higher. The series finale is just one week away, and this week’s installment, titled "The Frenchman, the Female and the Man Called Mother's Milk," serves as a critical turning point for several character arcs. Most notably, Chace Crawford’s The Deep reaches a narrative crossroads that could signal the end of his journey in the superpowered world.

Amidst the drama, the show delivers a surprise cameo from a luminary of a completely different superhero universe: Samuel L. Jackson.

The Deep’s Descent and a Shark’s Revenge

The Deep’s storyline in this episode is steeped in regret and isolation. After Black Noir (Nathan Mitchell) triggered an environmental catastrophe by destroying a Vought oil pipeline—resulting in the death of over a billion fish—The Deep took matters into his own hands. He killed Black Noir, his alleged friend, in a fit of retaliatory rage.

Compounding his misery, The Deep recently learned that Homelander (Antony Starr) is disbanding The Seven. With no place left in the superhero hierarchy, the so-called "Lord of the Seven Seas" found himself sitting on a dock, drowning his sorrows with a six-pack.

It was in this state of self-pity that a hammerhead shark named Xander approached him. Xander wasn’t there for comfort; he was there for vengeance.

Samuel L. Jackson Brings the Heat

The shark tries to convince The Deep to jump into the water, but the hero is too lost in his own pity to notice the danger initially. That changes when Xander drops a bombshell in full Samuel L. Jackson mode:

"We know you were responsible for the pipeline genocide. Remember March 15th, motherfucker!"

This foul-mouthed interjection is a direct nod to Jackson’s iconic screen presence. Showrunner Eric Kripke revealed to Polygon that landing Jackson was a "bucket list moment" for the production.

"We wanted a really distinct voice and who has a more distinct voice in Hollywood than Sam Jackson? So we just went to his agent," Kripke explained. "He was our first choice, and we were like, Does he want to do this? It was really just taking a flyer. But then it came back, Oh yeah, he likes the show and totally, he'll do it."

What’s Next for The Deep?

The episode leaves The Deep in a precarious position. He is now hunted by his former colleagues from the sea while simultaneously being viewed as a coward by the human world. The question remains: Will The Deep survive to appear in the series finale?

His fate hangs in the balance as he faces judgment from both the ocean and the people he once tried to protect.

A Deep Blue Sea Connection?

Beyond the shock value of Jackson’s voice, fans are already speculating about lore implications. Given Jackson’s starring role in the 1999 shark thriller Deep Blue Sea, viewers are asking if there is a canonical connection between Xander and that universe. Whether it’s an Easter egg or a deeper plot point, Jackson’s cameo adds a layer of dark humor and terror to The Deep’s final days in the spotlight.

As the countdown to the series finale continues, one thing is certain: The Boys continues to subvert expectations with its bold casting choices and unflinching storytelling.