Hold onto your hats, because the secret villain of Gen V Season 2 has a jaw-dropping connection to SpongeBob SquarePants—and it’s not what you’d expect. But here’s where it gets controversial: the man behind the curtain isn’t just any villain; he’s a character so layered, so unexpectedly tied to a beloved childhood icon, that it’ll leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about casting choices. Let’s dive in.
Spoiler alert for Gen V Season 2, Episode 7—Hell Week! The season’s biggest mystery revolves around Dean Cipher (played by Hamish Linklater, Midnight Mass), whose obsession with Marie Moreau’s (Jaz Sinclair, When the Bough Breaks) bloodbending powers has kept viewers guessing. The penultimate episode finally pulls back the curtain, revealing Cipher as a mere puppet—a meat puppet, to be precise—controlled by the season’s true mastermind: Thomas Godolkin, the founder of God U and Cipher’s severely injured father. It’s a twist that’s both chilling and brilliantly executed.
But that’s not even the wildest part. And this is the part most people miss: the actor bringing Thomas Godolkin to life is none other than Ethan Slater, a name that might not immediately scream villain. Slater, known for his guest roles in shows like The Marvelous Ms. Maisel and his magnanimous portrayal of Munchkin Boq in Wicked: Part I, doesn’t exactly exude menace at first glance. However, his Broadway credentials are anything but obscure. In 2018, Slater earned a Tony Award nomination for his role as—wait for it—SpongeBob SquarePants in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical. Yes, you read that right. The same actor who brought Bikini Bottom’s most optimistic sponge to life is now pulling the strings on Gen V’s most sinister character. Talk about range!
The casting genius here is undeniable. Hiding the franchise’s most ominous villain behind the unassuming facade of Hamish Linklater and then revealing him through an actor best known for playing SpongeBob and a Munchkin? It’s a masterstroke that deserves every accolade, including a hefty Christmas bonus for Casting Director Jackie Davies. But it also raises a question: Does this unconventional casting choice enhance the character’s complexity, or does it distract from the gravity of his actions? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Now, let’s talk about Thomas Godolkin’s character. In Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s The Boys comics, Godolkin (originally named John) is a controversial figure—a thinly veiled parody of Marvel’s Charles Xavier, complete with abusive and manipulative tendencies. While Gen V has wisely steered clear of this darker portrayal, Thomas Godolkin is still a monstrous figure in his own right, thanks to his involvement in the body-jacking Project Odessa. The show has dropped subtle hints about his true nature: Cipher’s ability to control others, his uncanny pain tolerance, and his cryptic references to ‘me time’ all point to a larger force at play. Even Sister Sage’s cameo in Episode 5 hinted at something bigger brewing behind the scenes.
With Episode 7, Thomas Godolkin is fully unveiled as the show’s version of Charles Xavier—a brilliant mind trapped in a failing body, resorting to extreme measures to exert control. It’s a fascinating parallel, especially when you consider the roles actors like James McAvoy (Mr. Tumnus in The Chronicles of Narnia) and Patrick Stewart (Poop in The Emoji Movie) have taken on outside their Xavier personas. Does this make Ethan Slater’s SpongeBob history a clever nod to the tradition of Xavier actors taking on unexpected roles, or is it just a fun coincidence? You decide.
Gen V Season 2 is streaming now on Prime Video, and trust me, you won’t want to miss this wild ride. From mind-bending twists to unexpected casting choices, it’s a season that keeps you guessing—and debating—until the very end.
