First, this review covers season 2 of Netflix’s Umbrella Academy. Therefore, there will be spoilers and references to the first season. I enjoy this series because the premise is interesting. While all the main characters have extraordinary powers, I do enjoy that this season focuses on most of them trying to find a pathway to living normal lives. Without their domineering father in their lives, the characters go on a journey of self-discovery. We learn a lot about who these people may have become had they not been recruited to be part of the Umbrella Academy.

While Five (Aidan Gallagher) succeeded in bringing his siblings back in time, he failed to drop them off at the same moment in time. First to arrive are Klaus (Robert Sheehan) and Ben (Justin H. Min). Then Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman), Luther (Tom Hopper), Vanya (Ellen Page), and finally Five arrives. With the difference in time ranging from a month to years, the group becomes separated despite all arriving in the same alley in Dallas in the 1960s. Five arrives in the middle of a battle with all his siblings fighting off an invasion of soldiers with their powers. As Five starts to understand what’s going on, a nuclear bomb is dropped. Hazel (Cameron Britton) asks Five to come with him and they both go ten days into the past. Hazel briefly explains to Five that the timeline had been altered and that they witnessed the end of the world in the nuclear explosion.

As Hazel explains to Five that he must stop the apocalypse, they’re attacked by assassins who kill Hazel. Five uses his powers to escape and tries to find his siblings. Meanwhile, the other siblings have been living lives of their own. Klaus has created his own cult, yet he has become tired of his followers’ fanatic devotion. Allison has gotten married and is a civil rights activist. Diego is in an insane asylum, convinced he must save JFK before his assassination. Vanya suffers amnesia after an accident so she’s living with a family on a farm. The siblings are scattered, and do not know where or when the others arrived.

I do have favorite characters in this series. I find that Five, Klaus, and Vanya have the most interesting solo stories. I still think every character has their moment, but I’d likely say Luther is my least favorite right now. Exploring how each character developed and changed while isolated I think says a lot about them. The scene of the family fighting together in the apocalypse was very rewarding as we saw them fully utilize their abilities. I think it was a good season even though some stories dragged, yet, the plot picks up its pace weaving the characters story lines into an exciting finale and leaves me wanting more. Rated TV-14.

Ryan