The Umbrella Academy

I recently binge watched my way through a recently released Netflix superhero show - The Umbrella Academy.

The 10 episode season covers a lot of ground, with a refreshing take on the now saturated superhero genre.

Being neither a DC nor Marvel property, it's a lesser known comic property to the general public. Being among that group, I didn't know what to expect from the show, but was - for the most part - pleasantly surprised watching it.

The show centres around the Hargreaves :a fractured, emotionally stunted family of 7, brought back home by the death of their callous father. The children all have impressive powers, apart from the seemingly ordinary Number 7 ("Vanya"). Through the 10 hour run, we see our characters try to prevent the apocalypse and reconcile with one another.

Now that I've done the mandatory introduction for anyone who didn't know what the show was, I can get into the spoiler-filled review

TUA (The Umbrella Academy) gets through a lot of story, whilst still making time for world building ; however, trying to fit this all into a short 10 episode series episodes can feel overcrowded, with exposition (especially in the first 4 episodes) appearing forced and sloppy at times. Although this is to be expected for a new universe, especially one with as many characters as TUA. the story is well thought out, building to an unexpected denouement with many questions left for the viewer to think on. The writers took full advantage of the peculiar world of TUA, creating as many weird scenarios as they could think of without comprising the core storyline. It helps greatly to separate it from previous super hero shows.

The side stories such as Hazels inner conflict and eventual conversion as well as Luther and Allison's romance and fives attachment to the Delores add to the shows depth and provide comic relief as well as helping to further distinguish it as a superhero show. Personally I skipped through much of dialogue between A and L as well as 5 and Delores, because ultimately it does feel like padding to fit the 10 hour mark In the back half of the season (the comic series is only 6 short chapters)

The main thing I both love and hate about TUA is the characters. With a team of 7 (9 counting pogo and mom) the writers had a lot work to do and not much time do it in. Some characters such as Klaus and Diego are well rounded, multi faceted characters that we see grow and move out of their child-like personas towards the seasons end. Others, such as  Luther scarcely change, with his "dedicated but disrespected leader"  trope staying for the most part unchanged.

Vanya is ( surprise surprise) the central focus of the shows plot, however as a character ventures no further beyond feeling useless and sorry or - and this is only true of very few scenes - angry.

There are 3 protagonists in particular that I feel were severely /poorly utilised :

Pogo : Pogo had the potential to be a very interesting character as a talking ape who was basically TUA's Alfred. But alas, he was reduced to lazy exposition scenes and a death at the end that was neither shocking nor impacting.

Ben : The mysteriously dead member of TUA, functions only as Klaus' Angel on his shoulder and conduit for the audience to track Klaus' power growth. Hopefully in season 2 we'll learn more about him as a character rather than a conscience

Allison : This one annoyed me the most. Allison had a very unique power, yet its used maybe 3 times in the whole series before being removed completely . The character spends most of the season acting as a side character for others like Luther or Vanya. That said, the final episode features a brilliant scene of her talking to her daughter through Luther on the phone. Sadly it's not enough to redeem her in my eyes.

Now It may not seem that I've been overly positive about the show so far in my review. That's just because - good though it is - I know it can do better.

The atmosphere, characters like five and klaus and the plot and tone are all brilliantly unique and interesting, keeping me coming back for each episode without fail. Its self aware wackiness plays really well to create a sense of chaos that ties in with both the manic minds of the protagonists and the crazy world the show resides in perfectly. The shows universe is strange but also very consistent, creating a strong connection with the audience.

Just before I finish and go to my rating, I have to mention quickly a few of my favorite scenes.

1. Klaus goes to Vietnam
This is by far the strongest arc in the show. I was not expecting it at all and it took me by total surprise, yet it's integrated expertly into his narrative as a character, serving as a brilliantly devised catalyst for his change into a better person. Klaus accidentally travels to the Vietnam War and stays there for a year, falling in love (importantly, for the first time) with fellow soldier Dave. His anguish at Dave's death is palpable, and Is - I feel - the most real part of the show. We're not immediately told what happened either, subtle cues like his change of clothing and more forlorn expression lead us into it. One of the more carefully executed points of exposition in the show.

2. Five's back story
It's a short scene lasting only a few minutes, but both the music cues and the visual styling of fives defiance of his father to travel in time are thoroughly entertaining to watch, giving us a greater Insight into him as a character through his shift in facial expression alone. Going quickly from smug to begrudged defeat to deep regret. It shows what caused him to be more diligent and how he became the hardened personality he is in the modern day.

In conclusion, TUA is a darkly entertaining and fresh superhero team that I look forward to seeing more of, hopefully with a shift of focus to some of the lesser developed characters in the later seasons. I'd give it a solid 8.5/10 for now.

Probably need to work on my layout for reviews, it'll improve probably eventually maybe!