The Umbrella Academy: Thoughts On Season 1 & Hopes for Season 2

The Umbrella Academy recently aired on Netflix and I was immediately hooked. From the stellar cast – the incomparable Ellen Page definitely drew me in – to the super powered people with flaws I couldn’t stop watching. Now that I have devoured the first season I’ve got some insights and wishes for a second season. 

Number 1 – Luther
It’s hard being a leader. Played by Tom Hopper, Luther is a leader of – well no one. When the kids disband their Academy he stays behind, living with his emotionally unavailable Father and eventually living on the moon in total solitude. He wants to lead, he thinks he has what it takes, but honestly he ends up more ruled by emotion than anything.
I’d love to see how he ended up Number 1 in the first place. What did his Father see that made him the leader of the gang.

Number 2 – Diego
It’s even harder being second in command. Played by David Castañeda, Diego fights for every ounce of respect he has. He left the house as soon as he could to prove to anyone around that he was just as good as Luther. He doesn’t always play well with others and that definitely gets him in trouble, but he has a good heart and that man loves his Mother.
I’d love to see Diego get to lead a little. He deserves the chance.

Number 3 – Allison
Be careful what you wish for. Played by Emmy Raver-Lampman, Allison gets everything she thinks she wants and it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. She realizes too late that family is everything. Watching what to do when it comes to visiting her daughter or staying to help the rest of her family stop an apocalypse was wrenching.
I’d love to see her and Vanya repair their relationship.

Number 4 – Klaus
Poor Klaus. Played by Robert Sheehan (one of my favorite actors EVER) Klaus broke my heart. His flippant, devil may care, drugged out routine was only to cover his scarred childhood. Being locked away in a crypt to learn to deal with ghosts is awful. His relationship with Dave in Vietnam is purest, sweetest love story set in one of the darkest times for our country. It could not have played out better than it did.
I’d love to see Klaus embracing his demons – literally. His powers are so much more than he originally realized.

Number 5
He has his own set of issues. Played flawlessly by Aidan Gallagher, Number 5 is on his own for decades before being brought into The Company. Seriously – look up Aidan Gallagher, that guy is 15! FIFTEEN! I did not one time while watching think he was anything other than a young looking adult. His portrayal of being a man left on his own for years was amazing.
I’d love to see Number 5 maybe do more explaining, being more part of the team. He has been on his own for so long he doesn’t really have many….people skills.

Number 6 – Ben
He didn’t have much screen time. Played by Justin H. Min, we do get a small glimpse into his life as a ghost. Seeing Ben through Klaus was a great way to have him in the show.
I’d love to see how he met his demise and how it affected the rest of the siblings.

Number 7 – Vanya
What a beautiful mess! Played by Ellen Page, Vanya is a disaster of epic proportions. She was certainly too powerful to manage her powers effectively as a child, but to grow up being told repeatedly that you were normal in a house of supers is just mean. I know she has a lot to be upset about, but to take it out on her siblings seemed misplaced. Her Father alienated her and sure the siblings weren’t always great to her, but they were kids. Kids can be mean.
I’d love to see her embrace her family – and her powers in a constructive way.

Hargreaves
He was hard on the kids, but also really seemed to have a purpose for his “madness”. The scene where he leaves to come to America. What was that? He isn’t human? He is from the future? So. Many. Questions.
I’d love to get some answers, any answers on that front!

The Umbrella Academy airs on Netflix