Few television series have concluded a season with as much finality and intrigue as "The Umbrella Academy" did at the culmination of its inaugural run. The world was plunged into chaos as Vanya's transformation into a supervillain triggered an apocalypse, prompting Five to harness his time-traveling prowess and dispatch his siblings to...an unknown destination, a testament to the art of the cliffhanger. Meanwhile, the rest of humanity, numbering over seven billion souls, was consumed by flames.
Theoretically, that enigmatic leap in time presented an unparalleled chance for "The Umbrella Academy" to embark on season two from virtually any starting point, weaving new narratives with its dwindling cast of survivors. Yet, I find myself mildly disappointed that, despite an enticing prologue set amidst the vibrant Dallas of the early 1960s, the premiere episode largely mirrors the framework of its predecessor.
One by one, the members of the Umbrella Academy are abruptly deposited into the alleys of Dallas, their arrivals staggered by the inconsistencies of time travel. Their dates of arrival span from February 1960 to November 1963, creating a tapestry of disjointed timelines. Five, the last to land, is immediately confronted by a devastating scene: bombers raining down from the sky, tanks rumbling through the streets. In this alternate reality, the Soviet Union has seemingly laid siege to Dallas. As Five watches his super-powered siblings valiantly fend off the attack, another time-traveler, Hazel, now adorned in a sleek suit and a bushy white beard reminiscent of Santa Claus, appears and whisks Five to safety, ten days prior to the onslaught.
Thus, we find ourselves once again perched on the brink of an impending apocalypse, with Five determined to rally his siblings and avert disaster. At the very least, "The Umbrella Academy" seems to possess a wry self-awareness, acknowledging its own repetition through subtle nods like the montage set to Maxine Nightingale's haunting "Right Back Where We Started From," and even naming the episode after the song, a testament to its ironic embrace of the cyclical nature of its narrative.
With the stakes firmly planted, "The Umbrella Academy" delves into the aftermath of the Hargreeves siblings' arrival in Dallas, painting a vivid picture of their disparate paths. Klaus, accompanied by the spectral presence of his brother Ben, sashays through dive bars, making foes as he goes, his every step laced with a mischievous swagger. Diego, on the other hand, finds himself institutionalized in an asylum, where he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Lila (Ritu Arya), a fellow inmate.
Luther, transformed into a brute force for hire, plies his trade as a bouncer and enforcer for a local nightclub kingpin none other than the ironically named Jack Ruby. Far from the chaos, Vanya, still reeling from either the backlash of her immense powers or the jarring impact of a car upon landing in Dallas, grapples with amnesia. This serendipitous twist has cast her into the role of a nanny to Harlan, a young boy, and forged a bond with his mother, Sissy (Marin Ireland).
Meanwhile, Allison has miraculously regained her voice, a blessing that coincides with her transformation into a political activist. Her fresh start includes a union with Ray (Yusuf Gatewood), another like-minded crusader. Yet, as the Hargreeves siblings seem to have scattered to the four winds, fate—and Five, in particular—weaves a web to reunite them, and soon.
The arrival of three enigmatic Swedish assassins shakes things up, their strike on Hazel fatal, their failed attempt on Diego's life a testament to their relentless pursuit. Five, ever the tracker, locates Luther, and with his unique abilities, it's only a matter of time before the rest of the family converges.
In summary, the episode teems with intricate setups, each laying the groundwork for looming conflicts. Luther and Allison's romantic entanglement, already fraught with complexities, is set to be further complicated. The family must confront Vanya's inadvertent role in Pogo's death and, by extension, the end of the world. And Klaus, ever the wild card, is poised to unleash another round of antics that will undoubtedly strain the already frayed bonds of their unconventional family.
Despite the premiere's promise of stylish eccentricity, I confess to harboring a subtle unease about the trajectory this series might embark upon. What's conspicuously absent is a palpable sense of growth. With the exception of Allison, there's hardly a discernible transformation or evolution within any of these characters from the trials and tribulations of season one. One can only dangle the fate of the world precariously so many times before it begins to lose its gravitas and feels like a mere repetition.
Moreover, the inherent peril of any time-travel narrative looms large: when virtually everything can theoretically be reversed or altered, the question arises – how do we ascertain what truly matters? I suppose The Umbrella Academy has the remainder of season two at its disposal to unravel this enigma and enlighten us on the path it chooses to tread.
