More than two years have passed since the last episode of The Umbrella Academy aired. The season four premiere starts with a recap to refresh viewers on the events leading up to this moment, though it highlights that much of the previous season’s plot is irrelevant. The main takeaway is that the Umbrella Academy siblings find themselves in an alternate timeline where their adoptive father, Reginald Hargreeves, has gained even more power, and they have lost their superpowers.
This season resume acts as a soft reboot, skipping six years ahead from where season three concluded. This means we’re once again largely catching up with the characters and their new lives in a transformed world. Stripped of their abilities, the heroes are now living ordinary lives: Luther works as a stripper in a rundown bar, Allison appears in detergent commercials, Klaus has become a sober germaphobe, Viktor runs a bar and seems to be unpopular with local women, Ben has just been released from prison for a crypto scam, Diego is juggling his delivery job and three children with Lila, while Five has become a deep-cover CIA agent.
The show’s charm lies in how the characters interact with one another, particularly during a children’s birthday party scene that showcases their diverse personalities. However, the repeated resets have led to a sense of time-travel nihilism: with constant reboots, what does it even mean to save a world that can be remade anew?
The introduction of a new group called the Keepers adds a fresh layer to the story. This organization, led by Gene and Jean Thibodeau, exists somewhere between a support group and a cult and believes in the “Umbrella Effect,” a twist on the Mandela Effect. Members are drawn together by vague memories that resonate with viewers of The Umbrella Academy. They believe returning to the original timeline may either restore everything or bring about destruction, and Gene and Jean appear unconcerned about either potential outcome. This mission draws in Five and Lila, who go undercover at a Keepers gathering.
The plot thickens when laundromat owner Sy Grossman kidnaps Viktor, leading his siblings to a rescue that reveals Sy’s intentions were not malicious; he was seeking their help to find his daughter, who vanished after joining the Keepers. Sy believes the Umbrella Academy siblings can locate her based on clues tied to their past.
However, the challenge remains of how to help without superpowers. In a move that quickly resolves the season three cliffhanger, the artifacts found in Sy’s daughter’s belongings include a jar of “marigold” that can restore their powers. Despite initial resistance, Ben manages to sneak in a dose, revitalizing their superhero status.
This final season, which is expected to be a celebration of The Umbrella Academy, comes with some controversy. Allegations against showrunner Steve Blackman regarding workplace misconduct have cast a shadow over its release.
Additionally, the premiere does not address certain plot points from the previous season, such as a mid-credits teaser. Speculation arises whether past references, like the elusive “Jennifer Incident,” could connect to new developments involving Sy’s daughter.
The episode features a Christmas setting without much context, allowing for a playful intro with Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby.” Though Allison may have reunited with her daughter Claire, their relationship appears strained. Diego’s suspicions about Five and Lila could lead to tension in future episodes.
Klaus shares a candid moment during a Keepers meeting, expressing feelings of distrust after so many alternate realities, reflecting the emotional toll of their adventures. Meanwhile, various artifacts from past seasons serve as nods for long-time fans, including Hazel’s dog mask and Viktor’s autobiography.
The mention of the Eiffel Tower incident directly connects to the comics’ origins, creating a link between the series and its source material.