In The Umbrella Academy Season 4, the Hargreeves siblings face the ultimate truth: their very existence is the catalyst for each apocalyptic scenario they’ve encountered.
Despite their repeated efforts to save the world, the cycle of destruction seems unbreakable.
The show’s exploration of a multiverse could have allowed for endless resurrections and new timelines, but instead, it concludes by disrupting its intricate web of realities.
While the finale has its imperfections, it provides a satisfying resolution to the characters’ tumultuous journey.
What Happened At The End Of The Umbrella Academy Season 4?
In the final episodes of The Umbrella Academy, the storyline jumps forward five years, revealing a reality where the siblings have lost their superpowers—though they regain them fairly quickly.
This new reality features a different version of Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore) and introduces a significant twist: Abigail Hargreeves (Liisa Repo-Martell) is alive and has been orchestrating the world’s end.
Abigail’s role as the mastermind behind the power-imbuing marigold and durango that ignites the apocalyptic events underscores her deep-seated desire to dismantle her own creation.
This revelation ties into the series’ central theme of self-sacrifice, encapsulating the emotional core of the finale.
The theme of correcting past mistakes comes to a head as the siblings decide to erase their existence to destroy all remnants of the marigold and end the cycle of apocalyptic timelines.
This drastic measure means not only dying but also removing themselves from history entirely, a necessary step to eliminate the alternate realities they created.
The extremist group, the Keepers, led by Dr. Gene (Nick Offerman) and Dr. Jean Thibedaeu (Megan Mullally), turn out to be correct in their assertion that everyone is living in the wrong reality.
Although their quirky antics and the couple’s real-life chemistry added a fun dimension to the series, their role diminishes in the finale as the Cleanse progresses, overshadowing their previously entertaining subplot.
The complexity of time travel and aliens adds layers of jargon that can make the narrative challenging to follow.
While the series generally avoids heavy exposition when tackling its big questions, the gaps between seasons often lead to forgotten rules and plot points.
For example, the Jennifer Incident—where Ben (Justin H. Min) and Jennifer (Victoria Sawal) first encounter each other in 2006—is revealed as a pivotal moment when Reginald shot them, but this act only temporarily addressed the apocalyptic issues.
In the present, Ben and Jennifer’s reunion is overshadowed by the marigold and durango within them, merging to create what can only be described as the Cleanse monster, an unstoppable force contributing to the finale’s intense resolution.
The siblings are ultimately consumed by the Cleanse within their former mansion, resulting in the destruction of all timelines except the original one.
This final act echoes the show’s opening episode, which showcased the family’s unity in the face of loss.
By coming together for their own collective funeral, the finale brings the series full circle.
Despite the challenges posed by the show’s intricate universe and complex plot, the enduring appeal of The Umbrella Academy lies in its compelling relationships and strong ensemble cast, which provide the emotional core throughout its run.
Abigail Is Behind Everything
To fully grasp the final chapter of The Umbrella Academy, it’s crucial to revisit the Season 1 finale, where a dying Abigail first appears on her deathbed.
At that point, a grieving Reginald released marigold particles into their endangered planet’s atmosphere, leading to the spontaneous births that initiated the series.
Flashbacks to earlier scenes can sometimes feel like they are spoon-feeding the audience, but given that the episode aired more than five years ago, this recap is useful.
While it’s unclear whether creator Steve Blackman had a master plan from the start or adjusted details to fit the narrative, Abigail’s minimal presence in the previous three seasons diminishes her impact.
Reginald’s deep connection to her is evident, but the emotional weight of their relationship falls short compared to other family bonds, such as with the robot Grace, who served as the actual maternal figure.
Though it’s touching to see Luther (Tom Hopper) receive Abigail’s gratitude for watching over her on the moon, it feels like too little, too late.
Abigail’s complex relationship with Reginald and his various attempts to resurrect her highlight the depth of his obsession, but this dynamic does not fully resonate as intended in the finale.
The Umbrella Academy shines in its use of humor, particularly evident when Abigail disguises herself as Dr. Gene Thibedeau (Nick Offerman) and engages in comedic marital bickering with Reginald.
The humor is amplified by Reginald’s confusion over the stranger’s odd behavior and familiarity, adding a light-hearted touch to the tense situation.
The revelation that Abigail is the mastermind behind the apocalypse comes dramatically when she removes Gene’s skin, revealing her true identity to Reginald.
This twist provides a significant backstory: Abigail’s initial synthesis of the marigold and the resulting destruction of their home planet were catastrophic errors she has sought to rectify.
Given Abigail’s minimal presence in earlier seasons, this extensive backstory might feel overwhelming.
Despite the complexities of her character, Abigail’s partnership with Reginald highlights a more empathetic side of him compared to previous versions.
Abigail’s insightful commentary on Reginald’s actions—seeing his love as hubris rather than genuine affection—underscores a common theme in the series: the intersection of power and personal relationships.
The final moments of their relationship, marked by a poignant act of marital compromise, reflect the series’ strength in exploring these dynamics.
However, the shift from a 10-episode to a 6-episode season rushes this universe-spanning marriage towards its conclusion, potentially limiting the depth of the exploration.
Sacrifice Made By Ben
In the finale of The Umbrella Academy, themes of selflessness are prominently featured, particularly through Ben’s actions.
In a surprising turn, the Sparrow Academy’s Ben—who has been largely antagonistic and indifferent to his siblings—uses his fleeting control over his body to help Viktor (Elliot Page).
His decision to show Viktor a vision of the original timeline is a poignant gesture, highlighting his willingness to put others first in his final moments before the Cleanse consumes him.
This moment stands out, given Ben’s previous characterization. Throughout the series, especially in the Sparrow Academy, Ben has been depicted as combative and disconnected from his siblings.
The show has often struggled with Ben’s character, particularly with his ghostly presence being accessible only to Klaus (Robert Sheehan) and his general disdain for others.
This season intensifies Ben’s role as an outsider and does not fully resolve his character arc, leaving him with unresolved issues and limited closure.
Additional episodes would have indeed enhanced the development of Sparrow Academy Ben’s connection to Jennifer (Victoria Sawal) and allowed him more meaningful interactions with his siblings, despite his repeated denials of their familial bond.
Justin H. Min delivers a standout performance, capturing a wide range of emotions—from Ben’s exasperation with Luther’s earnestness to his fear as The Cleanse takes hold.
However, the series finale’s focus on the visual spectacle of The Cleanse somewhat overshadows Ben’s character.
As a result, despite Min’s compelling portrayal, Ben’s role in the finale feels somewhat diminished and less integral to the overall resolution.
