The finale of The Boys Season 4 has left fans with a flurry of questions that will only be answered when the next season comes out. From Annie’s whereabouts to the gang’s fate, there are countless mysteries that the fantastical series will be expanding upon in its ultimate installment. However, a minor plot point that seems to occupy fans’ minds is Hughie’s pashmina reference for Starlight in the latest episode of The Boys. But what does Jack Quaid’s character mean by this comment? And more importantly, what exactly is pashmina?
Here are all the details regarding the peculiar reference in the season 4 finale.
What is Pashmina in The Boys Season 4 Episode 8?
Simply put, pashmina is the unspun wool from the cashmere goat that can be used as a piece of clothing to protect oneself from the cold.
Hughie uses pashmina to describe Starlight in the Boys season 4 finale after he reveals that he had inadvertently cheated on his partner with the shapeshifter. Annie is visibly furious by this news and proceeds to distance herself from Hughie. In a desperate attempt to reconcile with her, Hughie tries to explain how he discovered the shapeshifter’s real identity. He clarifies that the imposter Annie donned a designer dress in the apartment, as opposed to the real Annie’s habit of wearing sweats. The shapeshifter also located her car keys instantly, which usually takes the yellow-clad Supe a minimum of 15 minutes.
However, the final clue was that the fake Starlight was sweating profusely in the bunker. This differs from Annie’s characteristics, as the Boys’ mainstay has always been “90% pashmina,” per Hughie. According to Merriam-Webster, the official definition for pashmina reads, “a fine wool similar to cashmere made from the undercoat of domestic Himalayan goats.”
Why does Hughie say that Annie is 90% pashmina in The Boys Season 4 Episode 8?
The direct reason behind Hughie comparing Starlight to pashmina in The Boys Season 4 finale is not present in the episode. However, it could be a reference to Annie’s resistance to heat.
The shapeshifter’s largely visible perspiration served as the final giveaway to her real identity. However, this incident stuck out as an oddity for Hughie, suggesting that Annie rarely sweats under warm conditions. To convey his point, Hughie labels Starlight as 90% pashmina, as both of them are impervious to heat. The extremely specific terminology could also be a way for Hughie to impress an infuriated Annie since the clothing in contention is a warm, comfortable accessory of superior quality.
Despite their initial differences, the two eventually reconcile, until Hughie is abducted by Cindy towards the end of the episode.
