The Umbrella Academy season 2 premieres July 31 on Netflix.
By Ariba Bhuvad
The Umbrella Academy is back with a big, glamorous bang! I am pleased to report that I enjoyed every single second of it. From start to finish, the badass Netflix series didn’t miss a beat as we caught up with the Hargreeves’ family of superhero orphans.
The season 1 finale left us with a lot of questions and needless to say, the wait in between was brutal. But I promise you the wait is worth it as the second season explores the aftermath of Vanya’s (Ellen Page) apocalyptic horror. Where does everyone end up? Where do they end up? When do they end up? Don’t worry–all your curiosities will be explored and answered.
I particularly enjoyed the fun-natured pace of season 2, especially when it came to character development. In the first season, we were still trying to understand the world of the Umbrella Academy, and what exactly the purpose of it all was. By the end of season 1, we have a grasp on things for the most part, but season 2 flips everything on its head. Things are more exciting, more adventurous, more nail-biting, for the lack of a better description. And at the epicenter of all of this excitement are the characters and their progression throughout the course of the season.
You’ll walk away from season 2 with a better understanding of who the Umbrella Academy is, not just as a dysfunctional unit, but as its individual parts. There’s nothing better than when all the siblings come together, but I appreciate that the series took time to explore them in-depth for the second installment. They do it in such an enticing manner that you’ll find yourself wishing the second season could go on forever. Each sibling is a stark difference from the next, and that is a matter of appreciation in this second round. In fact, you’ll likely have a favorite by the end of it.
The standout character of the season, however, is Five (Aidan Gallagher) who steals the show as the season’s driving force. I loved him in season one, but this time around, there’s a spark to him and a need for him to make everything work and come together.
Fans of The Umbrella Academy won’t be disappointed with the season and I can say this confidently because the plot in and of itself is one of social awareness and justice. You wouldn’t have imagined the story would go in the direction it does, but it’s such a thrilling ride. Oh, how I wish I could tell you more!
Honestly, I didn’t expect it to take the twists and turns it did, which is what had me invested from the minute I started. There’s something extra special about season 2, which I can’t quite put into words. From the plot to the characters, to the madness that is The Umbrella Academy, everything came together in a weird, twisted manner, and left me wanting more.
I know we don’t have a season 3 renewal just yet, but given how things ended–if there isn’t one, I’m going to riot (and you will too once you’ve seen it for yourself).
I give The Umbrella Academy’s second season an A.
TV and City 