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Monday 24 August 2020

Review: The Umbrella Academy Season 2

Camden Market Umbrella Installation

The Umbrella Academy has swiftly become a cult hit since the first series landed on streaming giant Netflix in 2019. With millions of viewers around the world left wanting more - especially with the last episode of season one ending on such a cliffhanger - it was a long wait for many until season two was finally released on July 31st 2020.

So, nearly a month later, what was season two's reception? Many eager fans have already headed online to read up about the show and beg for a speedy release for series three, but just how good was season two? Did it manage to live up to the high standards set by the first series?

The show follows the Hargreeves family, a group of seven adopted siblings with superpowers. At the end of the last episode of season one, the siblings find themselves desperately travelling back in time in a last-minute bid to escape the imminent apocalypse. 

Due to Number Five's (Aidan Gallagher) unreliable time travelling abilities, the siblings end up randomly deposited in Dallas across the 1960s. Five himself is the last to arrive and finds his siblings in situations as varied as happily married life, an inmate in an asylum, and even leading a cult. However, things aren't as straightforward as they seem, and it soon transpires that the Hargreeves' haven't managed to escape the apocalypse - they simply brought it with them. 

With just ten days to reunite the family and save the world, The Umbrella Academy season two is a quirky, break-neck, sci-fi drama that definitely does not disappoint.

Based on the comic series by Gerard Way, The Umbrella Academy boasts an intriguing concept and a highly engaging story arc. Each episode is packed with action and adventure, yet there are also elements of romance, fantasy, time travel, and plenty of dark humour throughout. 

The highly dysfunctional Hargeeves family manage to experience some tender scenes as well as laugh-out-loud moments. This series digs a little deeper into the backstory of some of the siblings, as well as the rest of their adoptive family - Sir Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore), Grace (Jordan Claire Robbins), and Pogo (Adam Godley). It is also interesting to see relationships developing and the siblings interacting in different groups to those primarily shown in season one. 

Remarkably, The Handler (Kate Walsh) returns for a second season (despite appearing to die during the first series) and is joined by a trio of new villains nicknamed The Swedes. Highly enjoyable and eminently watchable, The Umbrella Academy is the perfect show to binge (or re-watch!) this summer. Packed full of twists and turns, this show keeps you guessing right to the last minute and, perhaps predictably, ends on yet another massive cliffhanger. 

While a third season of The Umbrella Academy has not been confirmed - yet - the show's popularity and success so far mean that it's surely only a matter of time. 

Are you a fan of The Umbrella Academy? What did you think of season two? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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