Random TV Season Review - The Umbrella Academy (Season 1)

So as we wait for the next long awaited season of Stranger Things, Netflix gives us another series that we nerds can get our minds into as its based on a comic book series of the same name. Now the idea of superhero teams is nothing new, but that doesn't mean that it can't be fun and action packed. So here we have The Umbrella Academy which at first glimpse many of us may not think would be all that good. How wrong some of us were. So let's look at this new superhero team:

On the 1st October 1989, at least forty three woman around the world gave birth simultaneously despite not being pregnant before entering labour. In an attempt to make up a superhero team of sorts, billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves (played by Colm Feore) attempts to adopt the children that were born and ends up with seven of them. Each with their own unique powers, he spends years turning these seemingly innocent children into super powered beings to make up the superhero team known as "The Umbrella Academy". In the present day, most of the children have moved on, but are somehow bought back together when Reginald seemingly passes away and soon enough they learn that they need each other more than ever. This becomes extremely apparent when the threat of an apocalypse of sorts becomes inevitable and they soon learn some horrible and not so horrible truths about each other.

Like with The Punisher, The Umbrella Academy has a lot of dark scenes which to some of us makes it next to impossible to see what is happening. But unlike The Punisher, its not as bad as one would think. Although it doesn't really try to be like other major superhero teams, the show is actually pretty good. Its got a good and well executed soundtrack and all or most of the main characters get fleshed out story arcs such as one where we find out why one of them was sent to the moon on a mission and the outcome of that as well as the consequences of one of them that can time travel. All the actors play their parts well and it does feel like it will likely be the next big Netflix show alongside the previously mentioned Stranger Things and although improvements could have been made to the pacing and tone of it, its enjoyable enough for people to watch. Looking forward to season two. 8/10