The Umbrella Academy - Season 3
The Hargreeves family takes us through different timelines, universe-destroying phenomena and emotional events this season. It is never boring, but always surprising and always entertaining. It's almost impossible to review this very unorthodox series without giving away huge spoilers. The story is just as unpredictable as the behavior of the Hargreeves children. Anything you want to tell about it almost by definition reveals a major story twist. But come on, I'll do my best.
This series is a masterclass in creating complex storylines that still remain captivating. The great thing is that, despite all those twists and turns and crazy events, the story – within its own universe – remains believable and understandable.
By the way, it helps if you have some knowledge of the accepted theories of time travel and parallel dimensions. After all, that is the core of this series, alongside a mountain of other serious issues, such as disruptive upbringing, alcohol and drug use and the complex emotions behind it, violence and forgiveness, dealing with supernatural forces and so on.
I would almost forget, but the end of time is rapidly approaching. How wild is a series if that element regularly tends to fade into the background?
During an episode, I was reminded of the term 'Dutch tilt'. That's what it's called when you film a scene from an odd angle, usually with the camera tilted. This immediately gives a scene an alienating character, sometimes even an almost hallucinatory atmosphere. This series is completely written with such a Dutch tilt in mind. Everything is recognizable and at the same time completely out of balance.
This alienation can also be seen in the characters. The Hargreeves themselves are constantly playing catch-up. Only the brilliant Number Five (Aidan Gallagher, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn) still knows how to save everything. And even he is going from one surprise to another this season. By the way, it's unbelievable how well Aidan portrays the role of Number Five as an old man in a boy's body. I think we can also expect great roles from this actor when this series is over.
After narrowly saving the world from destruction in both Season 1 and Season 2, it's a piece of cake compared to the challenge our little umbrellas face this time around. Not only this world, but the entire universe – in all dimensions simultaneously – is in danger of being completely lost.
Before they can even tackle that gigantic challenge, they must first defeat a group of opponents. And their superpowers seem stronger than those of our crazy family. The clock is ticking as the parties laboriously try to achieve a status quo.
Our Umbrellas are having an extra hard time because they are not in their own trusted timeline. That has a huge impact on some members. Such an alternative dimension of course also opens the door wide for creative plot twists.
For example, some members of our team turn out to have unsuspected powers, while others completely lose faith in the noble struggle. Meanwhile, they meet old acquaintances, but the relationship with them is not always the same as before. In addition, there is room for romance, deceit, karaoke, murder and aliens.
What makes this season extra fun is that various events from the first two seasons are explained. This season is therefore indispensable.
All the actors are fantastic, but one stands out for me. I love Klaus, that sweet and deeply traumatized junkie. Robert Sheehan (Me and Mrs Jones) portrays a three-dimensional character with a heart of gold and a soul full of misery. One minute he makes me laugh and the next I sympathize with his pain. Great class.
The special effects are top notch. The environments match the scenes perfectly. I don't have the feeling for a moment that this series, despite the crazy tangle of storylines, threatens to go off the rails. That alone is worth a high rating.
A little spoiler: Season 3 isn't the end of the story yet. Season 4 has been confirmed, it will also serve as the final season of the series.
The Umbrella Academy – Season 3 gets a well-deserved 9 from me.
This series is a masterclass in creating complex storylines that still remain captivating. The great thing is that, despite all those twists and turns and crazy events, the story – within its own universe – remains believable and understandable.
By the way, it helps if you have some knowledge of the accepted theories of time travel and parallel dimensions. After all, that is the core of this series, alongside a mountain of other serious issues, such as disruptive upbringing, alcohol and drug use and the complex emotions behind it, violence and forgiveness, dealing with supernatural forces and so on.
I would almost forget, but the end of time is rapidly approaching. How wild is a series if that element regularly tends to fade into the background?
The creators of The Umbrella Academy do not make it easy for the viewer and themselves. That is exactly what makes this series so worthwhile. It is complex, yet recognizable. The script is refreshing and new, while playing with clichés in the meantime. It's amazing how such heavy topics can be so light-footed at the same time.It's amazing how such heavy topics can be so light-footed at the same time.
During an episode, I was reminded of the term 'Dutch tilt'. That's what it's called when you film a scene from an odd angle, usually with the camera tilted. This immediately gives a scene an alienating character, sometimes even an almost hallucinatory atmosphere. This series is completely written with such a Dutch tilt in mind. Everything is recognizable and at the same time completely out of balance.
This alienation can also be seen in the characters. The Hargreeves themselves are constantly playing catch-up. Only the brilliant Number Five (Aidan Gallagher, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn) still knows how to save everything. And even he is going from one surprise to another this season. By the way, it's unbelievable how well Aidan portrays the role of Number Five as an old man in a boy's body. I think we can also expect great roles from this actor when this series is over.
After narrowly saving the world from destruction in both Season 1 and Season 2, it's a piece of cake compared to the challenge our little umbrellas face this time around. Not only this world, but the entire universe – in all dimensions simultaneously – is in danger of being completely lost.
Before they can even tackle that gigantic challenge, they must first defeat a group of opponents. And their superpowers seem stronger than those of our crazy family. The clock is ticking as the parties laboriously try to achieve a status quo.
Our Umbrellas are having an extra hard time because they are not in their own trusted timeline. That has a huge impact on some members. Such an alternative dimension of course also opens the door wide for creative plot twists.
For example, some members of our team turn out to have unsuspected powers, while others completely lose faith in the noble struggle. Meanwhile, they meet old acquaintances, but the relationship with them is not always the same as before. In addition, there is room for romance, deceit, karaoke, murder and aliens.
What makes this season extra fun is that various events from the first two seasons are explained. This season is therefore indispensable.
I have been a fan of this series since the first part of season 1. That feeling has only grown stronger since then. This third season is in my opinion the strongest season of the three. It is so clever that the writers can always come up with new and surprising events, without letting go of the common thread – saving the world and themselves.This third season is in my opinion the strongest season of the three.
All the actors are fantastic, but one stands out for me. I love Klaus, that sweet and deeply traumatized junkie. Robert Sheehan (Me and Mrs Jones) portrays a three-dimensional character with a heart of gold and a soul full of misery. One minute he makes me laugh and the next I sympathize with his pain. Great class.
The special effects are top notch. The environments match the scenes perfectly. I don't have the feeling for a moment that this series, despite the crazy tangle of storylines, threatens to go off the rails. That alone is worth a high rating.
A little spoiler: Season 3 isn't the end of the story yet. Season 4 has been confirmed, it will also serve as the final season of the series.
The Umbrella Academy – Season 3 gets a well-deserved 9 from me.
