The second season of Umbrella Academy, despite anchoring its narrative predominantly in Dallas circa 1963, with the looming specter of JFK's assassination casting its shadow, embarked on a familiar yet intriguing journey within its opening moments: a looming apocalypse, the prevention of which hinged solely on the Academy's ability to unravel its cause and devise a solution within a matter of days. Throughout much of the season, it was perplexing to decipher why Umbrella Academy chose to mirror the narrative contours of its inaugural season so blatantly. Charitably, one might argue that it was a poignant exploration of history's relentless repetition; cynically, it seemed like a mere regurgitation of past triumphs.
However, this pivotal episode serves as both a delightful surprise and a sigh of relief, signaling a shift wherein Umbrella Academy transcends the archetypal confines established in season one, allowing both its storyline and characters to flourish. The alternative path it might have taken was daunting, as Vanya once again finds herself at the brink of a breakdown, her emotional upheaval threatening to unleash a catastrophe that could spell doom for the world. When Allison, Diego, and Klaus, each in their own way, fail to reach and quell Vanya's "attack," which is, in essence, a violent manifestation of her physical and emotional agony, it appears that Earth's only hope may lie in another drastic temporal leap, erasing the slate clean.
Yet, amidst this despair, an unlikely hero arises: the spectral figure of Ben, who manages to breach Vanya's psychic barriers and find her, trembling and isolated, within the depths of her own psyche. As Vanya relives the horrors of her past, Ben connects with her in a profound manner—not by confining her, as his siblings once did, but by assuring her that the atrocities she endured were not of her making. "Father treated you like a bomb before you ever became one," he whispers, his words like a balm. "You are not a monster. You are my sister." This moment, imbued with tenderness and understanding, marks a triumphant step forward for Umbrella Academy, demonstrating its capacity to evolve and captivate in ways that surpass even the most ardent expectations.
The arduous journey to reconnect with Vanya, though triumphant, bore a profound cost: Ben's relentless efforts, spanning seventeen years beyond his supposed 'demise,' have finally exhausted him, ushering in his inevitable, tangible end. The rationale behind this somber turn of events remains elusive, yet intuitively, it resonates as a fitting farewell. Despite my initial reservations about Umbrella Academy's reluctance to delve into profound emotions, this moment triumphs, as Ben, imbued with gratitude, begs for Vanya's embrace as he gently fades away. Vanya, deeply moved, appears to absorb Ben's love and empathy, potentially quelling any future unchecked manifestations of the White Violin.
Back in the mundane realm, Vanya abruptly regains her composure, averting the season's defining catastrophe. With her explosive outburst averted, JFK remains unscathed, thus restoring the timeline's sanctity. However, this restoration comes at a sobering price: JFK's assassination stands as a stark reminder of the irrevocable. Five's extensive, eccentric skirmish with Alternate Five ultimately proves a distraction; neither plays a pivotal role in the assassination's grand scheme.
Diego's valiant attempt to thwart the assassination falters, his fleeting moment of hope dashed when he tackles a mere decoy disguised as 'Reginald Hargreeves' on the grassy knoll. The fatal bullet strikes from an unforeseen angle, sealing the president's fate. Diego will inevitably assume his father's twisted machinations are at play, harboring a longing to confront him someday. Yet, the truth remains obscured from Diego, Grace, and all who suspected Reginald's involvement.
In a fit of rage, Reginald disrupts a Majestic-12 meeting, divulging a shocking revelation: his participation in the assassination plot was conditional upon JFK's safety. This revelation unravels a web of complexities, adding yet another layer to the already convoluted narrative.
As the smug members of Majestic-12 jeer at him, Reginald, let me underscore this with utmost sincerity, peels off his rubbery facade, revealing a shocking truth: he's an extraterrestrial in disguise. And now, he's a thoroughly enraged alien. The camera tantalizes us with a fleeting glimpse of his alienoid cranium and eerie, off-screen screams, painting a vivid picture of him unleashing a bloodbath upon those arrogant suit-clad individuals.
One would expect the eradication of, say, the entire Majestic-12 contingent to be a timeline-altering event, so it's only fitting that a Commission operative senses a world-shaking anomaly at the episode's conclusion. But here's where The Umbrella Academy pulls yet another cunning trick. Despite the madness that's enveloped Dallas since the Academy's arrival, the unprecedented anomaly doesn't involve them directly. It transpires back at Sissy's farm, where Harlan, armed with his freshly awakened superpower, directs a stray bullet with deadly precision into Carl's chest, extinguishing his life.
This, however, appears to be merely the prologue. The Commission's monitor reveals that the barn has erupted into an eerie blue luminescence, shrouding its interior in mystery. Though the specifics remain murky, the fact that it triggered a louder alarm within the Commission than both of the Academy's apocalyptic predicaments hints at monumental events brewing for the season's climactic finale.
