The newest Netflix obsession that has the internet buzzing has hit our screens this week. It’s a family drama with a dash of fantasy and lots of humor, well, it’s funny to me. But my sense of humor is a tad bit unorthodox. I mean it should have been a little sad that a twelve year old boy was alone in the apocalypse with a mannequin but, I laughed when I realized that he was in love with it, and you should have too. My twitter feed is full of positive reviews and everyone on my Instagram story feed was watching this weekend so I decided to binge as well.
I’ll go ahead and say Netflix has a hit on their hands with this one. I could not stop watching, I finished all 9 episodes in well…9 hours. I thought the show was great. A little weird in some parts but, who doesn’t like a little bit of strangeness on their screen from time to time? A boring person, that’s who.
If you haven’t watched, basically the show is about these adopted siblings that were all born on the same day in different places over the world, through Immaculate Conception. Their adopted billionaire father sought them out and bought them from their mothers. Out of the 43 children born that day, he managed to obtain 7 of them. These 7 children form the Umbrella Academy.
The show kicks off with the Academy all grown up and coming together when they learn their father has passed away. You can tell right away that none of them have spoken to each other for years. Once they come together, we learn they are not only the same exact age but, they also have special powers. These powers align perfectly with their traumas and struggles in their life, making them relate-able to the audience once you figure it out. They also have a pretty relate-able household despite the fact that it is very unique. I believe that this is what makes this show most appealing.
For example,
- They have an overbearing parent who stifles their growth despite wanting the best for them. Their father failed at his own goals which resulted in seeking greatness for his children. He sought out children who were talented to make himself shine. Some millennial’s can relate, if they are children of the baby boomer generation. An article on Quartz.com* describes the term “Helicopter Parenting” which is when a parent micromanages everything their child does in order to ensure their success. This is definitely the parenting style that the father in this show executed. He was very cold and unloving, but he did everything in his power to make his children famous and able to save the city.
- Their mother was literally a robot. This is another relate-able concept. Most mothers have the stigma surrounding them as “superhero” or “superwoman”. The mother I this show however, was giving serious 50’s vibes. She even looked like a woman out the movie “Pleasantville”. This speaks to the ever changing role of the mother in the modern household. Mothers in the 50’s – 70’s were typically stay at home moms who focused on their children. Their personal robot. She’s not allowed to have emotions or her own job. Her job was to make sure breakfast was on the table and that everyone was prepared when it was time to run a mission.
All in All, different types of relate-able millennial children can be found in every character on this show.
Luther, First Born or “Number 1”
He represents that powerful older brother type in the family. He thinks he knows everything and what’s best for everyone. He’s a know-it-all and a daddy’s boy. He always listens to what his father tells him to do. This rubs some of them the wrong way, but most of them respect him and his role. However, he stifles his own greatness constantly trying to take care of his whole family. I guess it’s only fitting his special power is BRUTE STRENGTH.
Diego or “Number 2”
He’s the exact opposite of Luther, in fact, he challenges him often. He spends so much time trying to be smarter and stronger than his “big” brother that he resents him. Furthermore, he hates how much his father favors Luther to him. As a result, he forms a close bond with his mother, despite her being a robot. He then grows up and isolates himself from his family. He decided he would rather live in the back room of a gym and wash floors than ask his Billionaire father for help. He is obsessed with being on his own and hitting people where it hurts. I guess it’s only right his talent is THROWING KNIVES.
Rachel, the first princess, or #3.
This character is another typical character in families, the big sister who is beautiful. She spends her whole life being the center of attention and getting whatever she wants. In her adulthood, she finds that she can’t control her child or husband, and loses everything she ever truly wanted. It’s ironic, her advantage in life cost her the greatest loss of all. I guess it’s only right that her power is MANIPULATING PEOPLE TO DO WHATEVER SHE SAYS.
Klaus, or #4.
He is the most rebellious of the bunch. Klaus uses drugs to suppress bad memories and ends up missing out on the potential of his own power for many years. He tries to escape the madness inside is mind and his family through running. I think all millennials know a person or family member who has issues with substance abuse. This is a very typical problem in our generation of especially with the Opioid disease spreading across our nation. I guess it’s only fitting his special power is to TALK TO THE DEAD.
#5 or well…that’s all they call him.
This character is not as relatable because he spends the entire show and the majority of his life trying to make sure the world doesn’t end. I don’t know anyone like that and if you do, good luck. He doesn’t care about anything else other than keeping everyone alive. However, he becomes so focused on this apocalypse he loses himself in the process. I think we all know a person or have a sibling like #5 who is so passionate about their goals, that family will always come second. He also misses out on his childhood because he gets lost in another time period. This is another relate-able concept of millennial’s who are forced to grow up too fast. I guess it’s only right as a control freak that #5’s special power is to TIME TRAVEL.
#6 or Ben
He passed away at a young age but makes many appearances on the show through Klaus. You can tell as an adult he would have been the glue of the family. It makes me wonder if the Academy would have kept it together if he was alive. I guess it’s only right his power was HAVING 5 ARMS.
The baby, #7, Vanya.
This character is extremely special. She’s also a typical character in every family, because she’s the baby. However, Vanya’s problem wasn’t that she was coddled, it’s that she was bullied. She let people tell her she wasn’t great for so long that she believed them. They isolated her and treated her so bad that once she realized her potential, she became bitter towards those who told her she wasn’t. Vanya shows all of her built up resentment in the end. I’m not even sure what exactly her special power is other than to DESTROY THE WORLD.
P.S you know who Leonard, Vanya’s boyfriend is? Well Leonard is another relate-able millennial character because he reminds me of those kids who shot up Columbine. Only millennial’s can relate to those strange boys who get rejected and shoot up schools. Or in this case, sabotage the earth and try to cause an apocalypse.
I hope you all enjoyed the show as much as me!
My Second Season Theory is that they will all ban together to train Vanya to use her powers and avoid the apocalypse. Or, they will all go back in time and start over at the Academy, only with the truth this time. Those are my two predictions.
Let me know what yours are below!
*Source: https://qz.com/293849/how-baby-boomers-ruined-parenting-forever/
