As a long-time gamer and binge-watcher of superhero shows, I must admit that “The Umbrella Academy” Season 4 left me with a bittersweet feeling, much like finding an unopened collectible figurine in my loot box but realizing there are no more seasons to look forward to.
As a dedicated fan of “The Umbrella Academy,” I can’t help but feel let down by the fourth and final season. Compared to the 10-episode seasons we’ve grown accustomed to, this six-episode run feels like it’s been hurried through production, lacking the depth and development that made the earlier seasons shine.
The story continues following the climactic season finale where Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman) altered the timeflow. Now, the city inhabited by the siblings is governed by Sir Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore) and his revived spouse, Abigail (Liisa Repo-Martell), but they remain largely absent until the third installment. Meanwhile, the seven Hargreeves offspring, among them Ben (Justin H. Min) of Sparrow Academy, are navigating this new reality without their abilities and struggling to keep up, with most just managing to get by.
Following the disappearance of his wife, Sloane (Genesis Rodriguez), at the end of the previous season, Luther (Tom Hopper) has been struggling with work as a stripper and not quite excelling at it. Meanwhile, Diego (David Castaneda) and Lila (Ritu Arya) are caring for their three children – Grace (Ciara Rose Feeney) and the twins – during the daytime while Diego handles deliveries. Allison is striving to advance beyond acting in laundry detergent ads, but at least she has her daughter, Claire (Millie Davis), back. Klaus (Robert Sheehan) lives with Allison, feeling fearful about everything. Five (Aidan Gallagher) is employed by the CIA and is attempting to penetrate the Keepers, a group who believe they’re in an incorrect timeline. Recently released from prison for financial fraud, Ben is back among us. Lastly, Viktor (Elliot Page) has successfully distanced himself from his family by becoming the proprietor of a bar situated in Canada.
At Grace’s birthday party, which Diego and Lila organize, all family members are invited, including Allison, who they’re still upset with due to her sending them to this particular timeline, as well as Viktor. However, before reaching the party, Viktor gets abducted. Upon learning about his kidnapping, the whole family embarks on a rescue mission, marking the start of their adventure for the final chapter. This journey includes a lengthy car ride set to “Baby Shark,” a gunfight in a small town, an encounter with a massive squid, and the unexpected resurfacing of their powers – these events only cover the first part of the season.
The actors completely understand their characters
Over time, the actors in “The Umbrella Academy” have become intimately familiar with their characters, making their portrayals feel authentic and believable. Even as some characters evolve or undergo unexpected changes — such as Luther pursuing a career in stripping or Viktor distancing himself from his family — we find ourselves accepting these transformations, even when they seem unconventional. For instance, Luther’s dedication to his stripper career may strike us as absurd, and while Viktor leaving his family is understandable, his newfound playboy persona seems out of character for him.
Despite some ups and downs throughout this story, the most captivating moments revolve around the siblings’ interactions. Scenes like Luther welcoming Ben upon his release from prison, Allison and Klaus discussing Allison’s recent auditions, or the entire family embarking on a road trip, are what makes the show truly shine. These instances are consistently the series at its finest, although they become even more significant in this season where things aren’t always smooth sailing. Nevertheless, it’s during these times when the siblings are together that the show continues to excel.
As the season progresses, with Viktor absent alongside Hargreeves, Ben paired with a new character Jennifer (Victoria Sawal), and Klaus operating independently, the storyline begins to unravel. This isn’t due to subpar acting, but rather because each character relies on the collective strength of their fellow cast members to bring out their best performances. Although some aspects remain engaging, such as Luther and Diego confronting the CIA at their headquarters, the climax is near, and events start to seem hurried and fragmented.
Season 4 is too short
One significant challenge in the abridged fourth season is the overcrowded narrative, with a multitude of main characters that exceeds the six episodes’ capacity for Steve Blackman, the showrunner, and his team to effectively develop each character. This group includes David Cross as Sy Grossman, who seeks Jennifer, and Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman as Jean and Gene Thibodeau, the heads of the Keepers.
Despite our best efforts, condensing such a complex narrative into just six episodes proves challenging. Consequently, family dynamics aren’t fully explored in many of the later episodes. Intriguingly, the climactic confrontation is confined to merely half of the final episode due to one more revelation from Five and a significant group decision that precedes the series finale.
As a long-time fan of superhero shows, I’ve grown accustomed to the adrenaline rush of action-packed scenes and intricate plot twists that keep me hooked week after week. However, “The Umbrella Academy,” with its unique blend of character development and emotional depth, has always stood out from the crowd. Season 4, unfortunately, takes a different approach, focusing more on plot advancement than resolving the complex sibling rivalries that have been brewing for years.
All six episodes of “The Umbrella Academy” Season 4 are out now.
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2024-08-08 10:30