Warning: spoilers ahead for The Umbrella Academy season 4.
Summary
The Umbrella Academyseason 4 ranks as the show’s lowest run yet onRotten Tomatoes, but one fascinating duo proves the final season isn’t all doom and gloom. Ending a beloved TV show in satisfying fashion is a notoriously narrow tightrope to walk, and Netflix’s decision to grantThe Umbrella Academyonly six episodes to wrap everything up hardly helped. Season 4 has received criticism for its character arcs, pacing, and plot holes, whileThe Umbrella Academy’s endingfaced backlash for killing off the Hargreeves siblings and effectively wiping the show’s events from history.
Nevertheless,The Umbrella Academyseason 4 has its high points, and many of those come courtesy of Gene and Jean Thibedeau, played by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, respectively. A real-life couple offscreen, Offerman and Mullally joinThe Umbrella Academy’s castas onscreen lovers - not for the first time, as the duo previously appeared together inWill & Grace,Parks & Recreation, and elsewhere. This is, however, the first time Offerman and Mullally have played alpaca-milking cult leaders who love dancing to Cher almost as much as they love bringing about the end of the world.
How Old Every Hargreeves Sibling Is In The Umbrella Academy Season 4
The Umbrella Academy season 4’s many timelines has viewers wondering about the Hargreeves siblings' ages, especially as the plot gets more complex.
Gene & Jean Are Clearly The Best Thing About The Umbrella Academy Season 4
A Stroke Of Gene-ius In The Umbrella Academy Season 4
If there is a slice of greatness withinThe Umbrella Academy’s final season, Gene and Jean are it. An incredibly odd mix of endearing and terrifying,Offerman and Mullally are hilarious to watchas they drawl cute pet names and dance with all the grace of broken puppets. Much of Gene and Jean’s chemistry evidently derives from the actors' real-life connection, and viewers would be forgiven for coming out ofThe Umbrella Academyseason 4 fully convinced that Offerman and Mullally spend their evenings choreographing dance routines in their attic.
It’s actually quite disappointing when Abigail Hargreeves kills Gene and takes his place, because the pairing is never quite the same…
At the same time, the two leaders ofThe Umbrella Academy’s Keepersare absolutely terrifying. Whether in explosive ways, like shooting their own workers, or via subtly sinister inflections, the Thibedeaus are ripped straight from a rural Blumhouse horror movie.Gene and Jean strike an appropriately odd balance between kooky comic relief and merciless villainy, and that combination makes them utterly watchable. Any viewer that dares take their eyes away from the Thibedeaus risks missing an offbeat glance from Nick Offerman, or an unnerving threat veiled by Megan Mullally’s sweet and charming sing-song voice.
The Umbrella Academyis a quirky show based on a quirky comic, peddling a very unique aesthetic and vibe. Gene and Jean uphold that spirit perfectly with their kitsch home and off-kilter romance. It’s actually quite disappointing when Abigail Hargreeves kills Gene and takes his place, because the pairing is never quite the same from that point onward.The Umbrella Academyseason 4 loses something intangible and the Thibedeaus quickly fade into irrelevance, compounding the series finale’s various other issues.
Gene & Jean Continue The Tradition Of Great Umbrella Academy Supporting Characters
Since Season 1, The Umbrella Academy Has Featured Many Great Side Characters
Gene and Jean continue whatThe Umbrella Academyhas always excelled at: supporting characters. In season 1, Hazel, Cha-Cha, and Agnes create a compelling and emotive subplot. Hazel and Agnesreturn inThe Umbrella Academy’s final scene, confirming the loveable couple’s immense impact on the show, despite a long absence. The likes of Sissy and Raymond served as wonderful love interests for the Hargreeves siblings in season 2, while season 3, of course, introduced theSparrow Academy members. For many TV shows, single-season characters are easily forgettable, butThe Umbrella Academy’s have been nothing less than enchanting.
Gene and Jean are arguably the best of the bunch, partly because of how the duo were written, but largely becausecasting Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally was an inspired decision. There is a degree of consolation in how, despite its various failings,The Umbrella Academymaintains its impressive streak of complementing the Hargreeves clan with side characters that elevate the show.The Umbrella Academyseason 4 without Gene and Jean Thibedeau would undoubtedly have resulted in a far bleaker, less enjoyable ending.
Sources:Rotten Tomatoes
The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is based on the comic book of the same name created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. The Hargreeves — collectively known as The Umbrella Academy — were born with superpowers, and their adoptive father utilized their abilities. However, as they grew older, the siblings grew apart as they dealt with their trauma. They are brought back together after their father dies and Five returns from the future with grave news: The world will end, and The Umbrella Academy has to stop it before it happens.
