The Umbrella Academy

[shapinglight]

I just finished watching season 1 of The Umbrella Academy today.

Spoilers behind cut.



I really enjoyed it. All the characters were great, though Luther is probably my least favourite. He couldn't have handled the discovery of Vanya's powers worse, in my opinion. That said, I loved Luther's and Allison's little dance number. In fact, the music was terrific altogether.

Speaking of Allison, I hope she gets her voice back, though as powers go, hers was definitely the most problematic and least useful. I mean, in order for it to work, she has to look someone straight in the eye and trot out the whole, "I heard a rumour..." thing, and if people are wise to that, they - like Vanya - aren't going to let her get further, are they?

I did, of course, love Klaus. Robert Sheehan is terrific in the role. So much more likeable than Nathan in Misfits, which is the only other thing I've seen him in. Loved that Ben was still able to contribute (though dead), and the relationship between the two brothers.

I'm sorry that Pogo and Grace are gone, though I expect we'll see them in flashbacks in season 2, and maybe Sir Reginald, who - I did not see that coming - turned out not to be an emotionally repressed English aristocrat, but an alien. Weird.

In fact, the whole thing was pretty weird, but I loved it. Very glad there'll be a season 2.



In other TV news, I'm still enjoying Star Trek: Discovery a lot. They've really found their groove now, I think.

I'm also enjoying my Lucifer rewatch. Now half way through season 2- and still no official word of when season 4 will be up on Netflix. Oh well.

Comments

[lyr]

I really quite liked Umbrella Academy too. And it kind of amuses me that apparently other planets have emotionally repressed British aristocrats. I guess, as the Ninth Doctor famously once said, all planets have a north. Or, in this case, all planets have a group of stuffy, emotionally repressed people who are convinced they should run the world.

[shapinglight]

Or, in this case, all planets have a group of stuffy, emotionally repressed people who are convinced they should run the world.

Heh! Though Hargreeves didn't seem emotionally repressed on his own world, in the brief scene we had of him and his (I assume)wife.

[yourlibrarian]

We finally finished S1 of Disco and saw the first ep of S2. I'm quite pleased with the show. I don't know if we'll catch up before the season wraps but hopefully we will.

[shapinglight]

Glad you liked it. Hopefully, you'll like season 2 even more. I certainly do - though I didn't dislike season 1, just felt it was a bit disjointed and could have been a lot better. I really didn't like what happened with Captain Lorca. I felt the character was wasted in many ways.

[yourlibrarian]

I gather there was controversy surrounding S1 though I didn't know about what. Was it re: Lorca? Right now captains on this show are like masters of the dark arts in HP.

[shapinglight]

I gather there was controversy surrounding S1 though I didn't know about what. Was it re: Lorca?

I don't think it was really, no, though a lot of old time Trek fans didn't like the grim vibe - which I think is understandable given that there's a war on.

I think more of the controversy was to do with the character of Burnham, and the decision to set the show pre-the original series, because lots of things that happen in it, not to mention the look of it, are so much more sophisticated-looking that the original. People didn't like Burnham because she was inserted into Spock's family, having never been mentioned in the original series.

Personally, I found those complaints rather silly, but then I'm not a hard-core Trekkie.

[yourlibrarian]

Ah, but re: the look of things I gather it's because the show is set in the Kelvin (movie reboot) verse. And yeah, I agree that it seemed kind of a dumb idea, very Mary Sue'ish which, ha!, given the fandom, but overall the writing is quite good and I came to like Frain's portrayal of Sarek.

[shapinglight]

I gather it's because the show is set in the Kelvin (movie reboot) verse.

No, it's not. It's set in the original 'verse. I have heard people who don't like it say they wouldn't be bothered if it were set in the Kelvinverse, but in actual fact, the tone of it fits much better in the original 'verse. Even more the case in season 2.

[yourlibrarian]

Oh really? That seems like an odd decision given that they're changing so much. Someone else who watches the show told me that it was in the Kelvin verse. Yeah, tone wise I would hope that no show would really line up with the Kelvin movies but this Captain Pike is definitely nothing like the original verse one and I was assuming he was basing his portrayal on Bruce Greenwood's in the film.

[shapinglight]

but this Captain Pike is definitely nothing like the original verse one

I don't think that's true, in fact. When you've seen more season 2 episodes you may possibly agree with me?

[elisi]

I just finished watching season 1 of The Umbrella Academy today.
I finished it a few days ago and... have immediately started re-watching. I can't remember that happening with a show in forever. So that's nice. <3

In fact, the music was terrific altogether.
And the way the music is used is brilliant too. I hope they get some recognition for it.

I did, of course, love Klaus. Robert Sheehan is terrific in the role.
Who could not love Klaus though? I loved every second he was on screen. (Him & Five are easily my favourites. ♥)

turned out not to be an emotionally repressed English aristocrat, but an alien. Weird.
Ah, but was he an alien or from the far future? (I know no spoilers/nothing about the comics its based on.) If he was alien, where did he get the violin from?? Either way, definitely a good way to keep the viewers coming back to watch S2! (Not to mention the cliffhanger....)

In fact, the whole thing was pretty weird, but I loved it.
Yes, good weird in all the best ways.

[shapinglight]

I finished it a few days ago and... have immediately started re-watching. I can't remember that happening with a show in forever. So that's nice. <3

Yes, it's great. I'd like to watch it again myself, but I haven't had the chance yet.

Who could not love Klaus though? I loved every second he was on screen. (Him & Five are easily my favourites. ♥)

Have to agree. They're both terrific characters. I am quite fond of Diego, though.

Ah, but was he an alien or from the far future?

Well, considering he knew the apocalypse was coming, it seems that in the show he might well be from the future. However, in the comics series (which I haven't read, I've just read the Wikipedia page about it), the first series ends with the Academy saving the world and preventing the apocalypse, and in that scenario he could just as well be an alien. Maybe violins are a universal constant? ;)

[elisi]

Yes, it's great. I'd like to watch it again myself, but I haven't had the chance yet.
I was off sick for a couple of days (first time in four years...), otherwise I wouldn't have been able to.

Have to agree. They're both terrific characters. I am quite fond of Diego, though.
Oh yes, Diego. ♥ (I love them all, there are just some that hit *that* spot...)

Well, considering he knew the apocalypse was coming, it seems that in the show he might well be from the future.
Or an alien from the future?? I've not really read up on the comics, but it seems the show sees them more as 'guidelines'. :)

[shapinglight]

but it seems the show sees them more as 'guidelines'. :)

Probably the best way to look at it.