The Umbrella Academy season 3 review: Bigger stakes and greater consequences

3/5

Story:
After saving the world for the second time, the Umbrella Academy returns to the present timeline only to find that they have been replaced by a team of new superheroes called the Sparrow Academy, under the guidance of their own father Reginald Hargreaves (Colm Feore). The Sparrows and the Umbrella Academy go head-to-head as each family stakes a claim to the Hargreaves home. Amidst the family squabble, a new threat emerges, one that could threaten the universe's very existence.

Review:
The exploration of unconventional superhero stories has gained traction in recent years through hit TV shows such as Invincible and The Boys. While The Umbrella Academy may not be as brutal or violent or even feature truly sadistic characters as the aforementioned titles, it certainly falls into the bracket of ‘unconventional’ superheroes. It also sets itself apart with its unique aesthetic and production design. The story’s central plot revolving around time travel is most certainly one of its main attractions.

However, just possessing the right elements and throwing them together might not always produce a successful TV show. The recent Halo TV series is a prime example of how an expensive sci-fi production adapted from a popular story can fall flat despite being blessed with all the right ingredients. The lack of compelling characters to help connect the audience with the story is what usually holds back a TV show. The Umbrella Academy, to its credit, has thoroughly fleshed-out characters with well-established narratives.

Season 3 puts all of its characters in a completely new environment but with a sense of familiarity. The events of season 2 have left a lasting impression on them, changing their perception of life and reality ever so slightly. Luther (Tom Hopper) is optimistic that the new timeline could finally give him the purpose in his life he has been craving for, Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman) is left traumatised after losing her daughter, from the original timeline, and her husband, from another timeline, and Vanya (Elliot Page) decides to embrace who he is and transitions to Viktor. Diego (David Castañeda) finds out that he is a father to a 12-year-old, Klaus (Robert Sheehan) is on a mission to find his real mother, and Five (Aidan Gallagher) decides that he deserves to be at peace after spending decades keeping the timeline safe.

As the season progresses, the Sparrows are depicted to be a more coordinated and uncompromising team who will resort to any means to stay on top. This presents a unique challenge for the Umbrella Academy; even though they have saved the world from extinction, twice, they are simply ill-equipped to go toe-to-toe with the Sparrows. The dynamic of the two families is further complicated when Luther and Sloane from the Sparrow Academy begin a romantic relationship — a modern-day Romeo and Juliet.

The narrative does hit a few bumps along the way but it picks up towards the latter half of the season. There are plenty of extravagant set pieces that will keep one hooked till the final episode. The new threat of the universe collapsing in on itself is a certainty and an incentive for the two families to join hands, and it forms one of the major threads of the plot. And each episode increases the tension between the two families, putting further uncertainty about a possible union.

Characters such as the ‘new Ben’ (Justin H. Min) in the new timeline are given great character development over the course of the season. Sloane (Genesis Rodriguez) is also a new character who is pivotal to the central narrative. Each of them serves very different purposes despite being from the same family. Despite the several positives, The Umbrella Academy is bogged down by a few issues.

Allison’s descent into mental instability as a result of her trauma is poorly executed. Her actions serve no logical purpose other than to manufacture conflict for the sake of the story. Her anger at specific individuals lacks conviction. And like most time-travel stories, the explanation of paradoxes, time-loops, and doppelgangers leave a lot to be desired. Additionally, the subtext that is intended as social commentary lacks nuance and subtlety when depicting issues such as transphobia, trauma, gun violence in the US, and domestic abuse. The finale, however, is well-executed delivering an engrossing conclusion to the season.

Verdict:
Despite a few minor inconsistencies, the third season of The Umbrella Academy delivers a compelling story with great soundtracks and visuals, set against the backdrop of yet another apocalypse event.