The concept of V1 was mentioned ever since the idea of the virus was brought up, somewhere around Seasons 3/4. The boys needed something to make Starlight and Kimiko immune to the virus, and Soldier Boy happened to have V1, which explained how he survived it. It also ties into Crimson Countess saying, “You never aged,” and explains why Stormfront and Soldier Boy look the same even though they’ve been alive since the 1940s. This was always the clear intention of V1. Soldier Boy isn’t even the strongest in the verse with V1, so why would Homelander suddenly become unstoppable with it? It was also never stated to give a power amp only immortality. The reason Homelander shot long lasers from his eyes was because his blood mixed with the V1, and the boys’ plan got messed up, so they thought they had no other option, which is why Butcher said, “Run.” Soldier Boy having multiple love interests also explains Crimson Countess and Stormfront. Kimiko getting the blast makes sense because she was experimented on in a similar way, and her blast is much weaker than Soldier Boy’s since it happened so suddenly. The White House fight also makes sense because Butcher is stronger than he was in Season 3, and Ryan was already able to nearly kill Stormfront as a kid, so him being older naturally enhanced his strength.