It might not be obvious, but Kripke is right in attributing Crawford’s physicality to what makes The Deep a compelling character to watch despite his dark side. Crawford portrays the character as oblivious to what’s happening around him, only focusing on how he’s feeling or thinking. This carries over into the show — although The Deep has a pep in his step in virtually every scene, he might not realize or care how deadly serious everyone else is around him. For example, remember his goofy “win” on the in-universe competition show “American Hero?”
That juxtaposition, as well as the uncomfortable but overconfident way that he carries himself, is why The Deep is still a hilarious character — despite what he’s done on the show. Still, it’s clear that full redemption isn’t exactly in the cards for the character. His assault on Starlight (Erin Moriarty) from the show’s first episode continues to be referenced each season, and in the third season, he comes off as a coward for allowing himself to constantly be humiliated by Homelander (Antony Starr). This isn’t even mentioning the fact that he has a fetish for sea creatures that can’t very well consent to his fantasies.
“I don’t know if he could ever be, like, fully redeemed,” Crawford told /Film back in June. “I think me and Kripke have talked about that before, but they are putting him through the wringer.”
All three seasons of “The Boys” are available to stream on Prime Video.
