by Paola Orellana

The Umbrella Academy is a show based on a comic book series from independent publisher Dark Horse Comics. Season three was released this year in June, and took the series to amazing new heights from its first two seasons.  

The plot of the series, similar to Marvel’s X-Men in some ways, concerns  foster super-siblings who were separated from their biological mothers at birth. Their “father”  Sir  Reginald Hargreeves, a  billionaire industrialist, creates the Umbrella Academy and prepares his “children” to save the world. During the children’s teenage years, the family separates.

Fast forward to the present time,  they all meet again, and work together to solve a mystery surrounding their father’s death. However, with their but divergent personalities and abilities, the family is pulled apart while a global apocalypse becomes another imminent threat. 

The effects of the show that showcase the powers (such as teleporting and communicating with the dead, as well as abilities to get what they want) look realistic and bring to the show a dynamic befitting a fantasy/super powers show.

The show has a strong plot and shows in depth about what the characters experience and their growth, both with their powers and as people. The characters have rich background stories, realistic personal problems, and strong feelings about  their circumstances. The characters are well developed and enhanced by the actors, who fit their roles perfectly. The cast portrays the characters from the comic spot on.

The outstanding acting is showcased in scenes  where some of the characters have arguments. For example, at some point during the later part of the season, two of the main characters, Allison Hargreeves (played by Emmy Raver- Lampmans) and Victor Hargreeves (played by Elliott Page) have an argument about some events in their pasts. Their dialogue and intensity reveals the strength of the acting and the writing.

Everything that happened this season in Umbrella Academy was executed very well; the plot became more interesting, and the storyline for this season was written in a way that draws viewers in and makes them want to know what will happen. It combines serious drama and superhero action with much humor and pathos. Umbrella Academy is not to be missed, and the final season should be must -see viewing for everyone.