Ever since Jeffrey Dean Morgan made his highly anticipated debut as Joe Kessler in The Boys Season 4, fans have often wondered whether he is real or simply a part of Billy Butcher’s imagination. This is not surprising considering how the character only seemed to appear in Butcher’s presence and was not shown interacting with any other character.
So is Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Joe Kessler real or simply a figment of Butcher’s imagination? Is he visible to other characters? Is he alive or dead? Here’s everything that’s currently known.
Is Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Joe Kessler real or Butcher’s imagination in Season 4?
Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Joe Kessler could very likely be Butcher’s imagination in The Boys Season 4.
This is because he simply only appears in moments where Butcher takes a decision or is close to planning something out, much like Becca, whom audiences know is an illusion as she was killed at the end of Season 2.
There are two instances that seem to prove Joe Kessler is simply in Butcher’s mind. The first instance is when the character appears in the premiere episode of Season 4. Butcher pours him a drink, but Kessler does not take even one sip from it. This is despite Kessler offering to buy Butcher coffee.
Next is Episode 5, where towards the end Butcher and Kessler are talking to each other after the former kidnaps Sameer. However, Sameer reacts shocked, wondering whom Butcher is conversing with as he couldn’t sense the presence of another person in the room.
Can other characters see Joe Kessler in The Boys Season 4?
It seems as if other characters are unable to see Joe Kessler. Sameer Shah from Season 4 Episode 5 is the first evidence of this.
When Sameer and Butcher are talking, the latter once looks at Kessler’s direction while doing so. Sameer, who also looks in the direction, appears to be shocked and confused. This is because he is likely wondering whom Butcher is looking at.
Is Joe Kessler dead or alive in The Boys?
It is currently unknown if Joe Kessler is dead or alive.
The truth about Joe Kessler and his existence and whether he is a hallucination or not, may only likely be revealed in either of the three upcoming episodes of Season 4.
The first five episodes of The Boys are currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
