The truth behind the Jennifer Incident has finally surfaced, and it all traces back to Reginald Hargreeves. In a flashback set on October 14, 2006, the adolescent Umbrellas prepare for a mission targeting an arms dealer with a highly dangerous weapon. Reginald gives them one specific instruction: do not open the weapon’s container.
However, empathetic Umbrella Ben can’t resist when he hears knocking from inside the container. When he opens it, he discovers Jennifer, and their connection sparks instantly. Unfortunately, their moment is cut short when Reginald emerges and shoots both of them.
This traumatic memory had been wiped from the Umbrellas’ minds: witnessing their father kill their brother in cold blood. Now that they remember, they are faced with a critical decision regarding what to do next.
In this timeline, with both Ben and Jennifer present, the Umbrellas consider giving them the happy ending they were previously denied. However, Reginald brings up a significant issue: Ben’s body contains marigold, while Jennifer’s contains a different element called durango, created by Abigail. If the two elements mix, it could cause a catastrophic reaction that might obliterate the entire timeline. This potential disaster is what Jean and Gene have been trying to avoid, and given their history of saving the world, it falls to the Umbrellas to prevent this fate.
This scenario feels reminiscent of earlier events in the first season, which grappled with similar threats involving a different sibling, Viktor. Viktor steps up to confront Reginald, asserting that he’s no longer in control. But if eliminating either Jennifer or Ben isn’t a viable option, what can be done? Lila and Five propose going back to the original Jennifer Incident to prevent it, possibly leading to a happier timeline where neither Ben nor Jennifer perishes.
With time running out, Ben has rescued Jennifer from Gene and Jene’s farm, and they find themselves hiding in a cheap motel, struggling against their undeniable attraction. Their chemistry leads to an alarming chain of events: lights flicker, car alarms blare, water boils, and a hotel clerk suffers a horrific fate.
This situation appears dire, yet familiar. The Umbrella Academy has faced apocalyptic threats multiple times before, and with only two episodes left in the series, the stakes seem higher than ever. It raises the question of whether the creators will choose to end the series with a grand explosion, possibly taking the heroes—and the universe—down with it.
In brief points:
– Klaus is still entangled in his own narrative, working off his debt to Quinn by acting as a medium for ghosts and facing unforeseen consequences, leaving some viewers questioning the relevance of his subplot to the main storyline.
– Pogo makes an appearance flying a helicopter in a flashback, a notable moment given the challenges of animating a CGI character.
– The show has become less consistent with its geography, displaying characters traveling without consideration for real-time travel logistics.
– Fans might not return to the Phoenix Academy, but insights from showrunner Steve Blackman provide a glimpse at a stained-glass window from there.
– A humorous exchange about a dog named Rolex highlights the show’s lighter moments.