The Umbrella Academy's third season is a wild ride, one that's willing to get darker than the previous seasons -- which is really saying something. It's all in service of a storyline that largely works. While the sheer scope of the year can be a little difficult to keep entirely on track, the character work that's always defined the show remains its best quality.
Following the time-bending events of Season 2, the Umbrella Academy find themselves back in the present -- but not the one they left. Having infuriated the younger incarnation of their adopted father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore), the Umbrella Academy are shocked to discover that in this new timeline, their mothers weren't approached about taking their babies away from them. Instead, it was another batch of children -- as well as a different version of Ben (Justin H. Min) -- who became the publicly adored Sparrow Academy. On top of this, the discovery of an ensuing paradox caused by the group's time-traveling adventures sets the stage for even more chaos and the potential end of everything that ever was or ever will be. There are a lot of moving pieces in this season of The Umbrella Academy, with a fairly straightforward plot on paper that nevertheless is constantly complicated by the actions of the main cast and their newfound rivals.
As the Umbrellas try to adjust to the new world while the more paranoid and traditionally "super" Sparrow Academy prepares an unnecessary conflict, things are set in motion none of them realize will doom all creation. The set-up is perfectly positioned to unravel slowly in the background of the year, however, allowing the character relations to serve as the season's main draw. Luther (Tom Hopper) finds himself enamored with a young woman from this timeline, while Klaus (Robert Sheehan) discovers more about his history and his powers. Diego (David Castañeda) and Five (Aidan Gallagher) are both forced back into the orbit of the time-hopping threat Lila (Ritu Arya), while Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman) confronts the fact that this timeline's differences from her own can be devastating.
Quietly trying to serve as the family's glue is Number Seven, who formally comes out as transgender this season and takes the name Viktor. This mirrors the real-life transition of his performer Elliot Page, which the show embraces in a quiet and effective way. It's subtly indicative of the show's highlight of emotional arcs without overindulging them, treating Viktor's coming-out as an important piece of the year's overarching story without sensationalizing his identity. The character beats themselves are all solid, with Page and Sheehan both finding a great deal of affected emotion in the year. Hopper is low-key the season's most delightful presence, getting to come out of his shell for some of the season's best laughs. Raver-Lampman makes a meal out of her season arc, taking audiences down a dark and compelling path along with the character.
Even the Sparrows themselves -- if somewhat underdeveloped due to a season full to burst with characters -- are well-performed, especially Min's new take on Ben. His teammates Fei (Britne Oldford), Marcus (Justin Cornwell), Alphonso (Jake Epstein), Sloane (Genesis Rodriguez), Jayme (Cazzie David), and Christopher -- who viewers will have to see to believe -- all adjust well to the show and its tonal juggling act of snarky soap opera and dramatic X-Men subversion. The direction and writing on the series remain solid under the guidance of Steve Blackman, even if the actual overarching threat is basically off-screen for a large swath of the season.
Luckily, the show's handle on its emotional arcs helps bolster the series against any chance of lagging in its overarching conflicts. The Umbrella Academy is a series that knows its strengths and knows how to play to them. While there may be a few stumbling blocks in a slightly overstuffed season, it's still a solid addition to the show as it's been developing up to this point -- with The Umbrella Academy quietly being one of Netflix's most entertainingly bonkers products.
Stream Season 3 of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix starting June 22.