The Umbrella Academy closes out season 2 with a game-changing finale

The season 2 finale of The Umbrella Academy solidifies the series as one of the best superhero stories out there, on Netflix or elsewhere.

“The End of Something” kicks things off fast and doesn’t let off the gas until the credits roll. There’s no shortage of surprises in this thrill ride of a second season finale. It not only sticks the landing but also all but requires Netflix renew the series for a third installment.

We start things off in 2006, on the day of Ben’s funeral. Reginald Hargeeves gives a stirring eulogy blaming the kids for the death of their brother. Afterward, Klaus knocks back a few slugs from a flask and tells dead Ben not to go into the light and hang out with his favorite brother. This is the beginning of the dynamic duo’s journey, coming after we just saw the end.

After Kennedy’s assassination, the members of The Umbrella Academy become the most wanted people in the world, and they still have the Commission looking to snuff them out as well. To make matters worse, Hanlan is still in trouble. Vanya is determined to save him and asks her family for help. They say no, which is weird because seconds later they all change their minds. Was this all orchestrated so we could have the heartwarming everyone-shows-up-in-the-car-to-support-their-sister-after-having-a-change-of-heart scene? Yes it was.

Anyway, they head to Sissy’s farm, where Harlan’s powers are causing it to snow. They arrive to find Sissy with a shotgun. Vanya and her family explain they are here to help, and Vanya begins trying to connect with Harlan, who’s sealed himself off in a cocoon of power.

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY (L to R) RITU ARYA as LILA and KATE WALSH as THE HANDLER in episode 210 of THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY Cr. CHRISTOS KALOHORIDIS/NETFLIX © 2020

Outside the barn, The Handler and Lila show up. When Five and Diego confront them, the Handler calls in an army of Commission assassins and tells them to kill the Umbrella Academy. Luckily for our heroes, these highly trained killers have Stormtrooper aim as no one is hit despite a massive hail of bullets.

Diego reveals a new side of his powers when he redirects the trajectory of incoming bullets similar to how he throws knives, something he also did in the very first sequence of the season. Vanya manages to calm down Harlan and floats outside the barn to take down the Commission army with one power blast. But the Handler and Lila are unaffected; it’s revealed that Lila can copy other people’s powers and use them against them. She uses Vanya’s powers and sends everyone flying through the air. Some land easier than others.

Lila takes on each sibling one by one before they surround her in the barn and reveal to her that she is one of them, meaning one of the children born to the 43 women who spontaneously gave birth despite not being pregnant on October 1, 1989. Five convinces her that the Handler has been lying to her the entire time. But before they can do anything about it, the Handler unloads a magazine on the whole family, including her own daughter, before getting blasted by the last remaining Swede.

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY (L to R) DAVID CASTA„EDA as DIEGO HARGREEVES, ROBERT SHEEHAN as KLAUS HARGREEVES and RITU ARYA as LILA in episode 210 of THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY Cr. CHRISTOS KALOHORIDIS/NETFLIX © 2020

A dying Five remembers the advice his father gave him a few episodes back and turns back the clock to right before the Handler shot everyone. This time he stops her, and the Swede shoots her, getting his revenge. After a standoff with Five, they both say enough, and the Swede leaves.

Lila escapes with The Handler’s briefcase. Herb and Dot show up to tell Diego and Five that Herb is in charge now, and that they are free to pick up a briefcase on the ground and go home. Vanya tries to take Sissy and Harlan to the future, but they decide to stay and head to California to start fresh.

Before we leave 1963, we see Raymond read a letter from Allison, Luther calls Jack Ruby as he heads off to kill Lee Harvey Oswald, the Swede joins Klaus’ cult, and Harlan use Vanya’s powers. The Umbrella Academy return to 2019 a day after the apocalypse to find Reginald Hargreeves alive in their house. The Umbrella Academy is now the Sparrow Academy, run by a very much alive Ben.

The season 2 finale was a drop-dead fantastic affair from start to finish. The best way for Netflix to avoid an apocalypse with subscribers is to renew the series before time runs out!

Episode Grade: A-

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