The Female's full backstory hits hard. Seeing what was done to her in those labs and how Frenchie rescued her gives their relationship so much weight. The fact that she chooses to stay violent even after being free says everything about trauma and revenge.

The parallel between her past and what The Boys are doing now is intentional. Everyone on this team is damaged, and they're all using the mission as an outlet. Ennis doesn't let anyone off the hook here.

Robertson's art in the flashback sequences is deliberately harsher and more brutal than the present-day stuff. Really effective visual storytelling.