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The Umbrella Academy has come to a close with its fourth season, bringing a mix of emotions as it concludes after two outstanding seasons and a lackluster third. The fourth and final installment, despite being only six episodes, promised to wrap up the series by tackling another looming apocalypse and attempting to restore the original timeline.
This article unravels how the show ended, what the cleanse entailed, and whether the finale lived up to expectations. Warning: This post contains spoilers.
TheThe Umbrella Academy Ending Explained
Season 4’s conclusion marked the continuation of a singular timeline, effectively erasing the Umbrella Academy from existence. The end of the world, previously caused by the marigold present at their births, was removed from history, leaving only one timeline free from doom.
On October 14, 2006, the Umbrella Academy was tasked with destroying a weapon inside a container, revealed to be Jennifer, who contained Durango. When Durango merged with the marigold—the source of the Academy’s powers—it triggered mass destruction and the so-called cleanse.
Ben and Jennifer shared a unique bond, as both were killed in one timeline on the same day, moments after Ben saved Jennifer. This connection, likely due to timeline bleed, resulted in the two being naturally drawn to one another in the current timeline. The cleanse acted like a virus when the two substances merged, transforming and drastically impacting those involved.
This season introduced a group called the Keepers, led by Gan and Jean, who desired the cleanse to restore the original timeline. They witnessed artifacts from other timelines appearing and believed the cleanse was necessary. The artifacts, a result of the timelines bleeding together, appeared because the Umbrella Academy’s presence was causing the collapse.
The Academy faced a dire choice: sacrifice themselves and surrender the marigold to the cleanse, ensuring their erasure from Earth’s history and the elimination of multiple timelines. Their existence was the catalyst for different timelines; thus, their survival would perpetuate the cycle of destruction. Each member had to prepare for the inevitable, recognizing their actions always led to either saving or destroying the world.
The Final Twist and Characters’ Fates In The Umbrella Academy
A surprising twist revealed Abigail, Reginald Hargreeves’ wife, as the driving force behind the cleanse. Her resentment towards Reginald for reviving her, coupled with her belief that the marigold and Durango synthesis caused the world’s end, led her to instigate the cleanse to ensure a solitary timeline. Feeling guilty, she sought to face the consequences of her actions, resulting in both her and Reginald’s deaths in the finale.
Five, after visiting different versions of himself, realized what needed to be done. Convincing all his siblings, including a reluctant Lila, to sacrifice themselves, they agreed to the cleanse.
In their former home, they were consumed, erasing their existence but restoring the original timeline. Lila’s family, along with other characters like the Handler, Hazel, and Grace, were spared, as they never encountered the Umbrella Academy or the commission, allowing them to live ordinary lives.
The post-credit scene depicted eight marigolds blooming from a tree, possibly symbolizing the siblings and Lila. Whether this hinted at the marigold’s reemergence or was purely symbolic remains unclear. The restored timeline brought peace, with August 8th being just another ordinary day, marking a bittersweet yet satisfying conclusion.
The Umbrella Academy Final Season Review
Season 4 was a mixed bag. Its six-episode run, a stark contrast to the ten-episode seasons before, felt rushed and impacted the pacing. With only one major storyline and sidelined subplots, characters like Cla and Allison were underutilized.
The sidelining of their powers, often highlights of the show, was disappointing. Lila and F’s romance felt forced, and the new antagonists, Jean and Jean, failed to match the previous villains’ impact.
Reginald Hargreeves’ diminished genius, despite his alien origins, and the absence of fan-favorite Pogo, left gaps in the storyline. The confusion around Sloan’s absence and Luther’s unfulfilled subplot added to the dissatisfaction. The show strayed from its initial charm, with repetitive world-ending plots becoming tiresome.
Despite these flaws, the cast delivered strong performances, making the series’ end more poignant. The Umbrella Academy’s once-tight-knit group felt fragmented, with individual endeavors often amounting to little. The glossy, visually stunning production remained a highlight, though its identity seemed lost.
In conclusion, while the finale tied up loose ends, it lacked the depth and creativity of earlier seasons. The Umbrella Academy’s departure leaves a void, yet fans can reflect fondly on its initial brilliance. Season 4 may not have been the best, but it provided a watchable end to a beloved series.
Share Your Thoughts about The Umbrella Academy Series
What did you think of the final season? Share your thoughts in the comments below. For a breakdown of each season of The Umbrella Academy, explore more on our telegram Channel.
