Even weeks after the series finale’s debut on Netflix,The Umbrella Academyseason 4’s Eiffel Tower plot hole is really bothering me. It’s worth pointing out that I thinkUmbrella Academy’s ending hada lotof problems. After a lot of time-hopping, intricately woven setup, there was very little pay off in the rushed, six-episode final outing. Season 4 takes place in the resetUmbrella Academytimeline— the one the Hargreeves siblings made in season 3’s conclusion. While the siblings lead mundane lives,a cult called The Keepers is gathering evidence of the existence of other timelines.
The Keepers' conspiracy theory hinges on the artifacts they collect — objects, from newspaper clippings to Umbrella Academy-themed merchandise, that could only exist in another timeline. Although I found The Keepers' so-called “Umbrella Effect” compelling,the show’s focus on shoehorning inUmbrella AcademyEaster eggs might have led to the frustrating Eiffel Tower plot hole. Even as the Hargreeves siblings and Lila worked to thwartThe Keepers' timeline Cleanse, I found myself distracted by glaring contradictions and errors. WhileUmbrella Academyseason 4’s endingtries to prune all the time-travel issues, it fails to fix bothersome mistakes.
The Umbrella Academy Heroes Don’t Remember Saving The Eiffel Tower (But Season 1 Proves They Did)
Season 1 References An Event Happening At The Eiffel Tower Twice
In the very first episode ofThe Umbrella Academyseason 4, the show introduces its grating Eiffel Tower plot hole. I honestly think this minor error set the stage for what felt like a parade ofUmbrella Academyseason 4 plot holes. So,while the plot hole is relatively small, it sets the tone for a frustratingly messy final season. To recap, the Hargreeves siblings reunite to save Viktor (Elliot Page), who was abducted by the mysterious Sy (David Cross). Viktor’s kidnapper explains that The Keepers have abducted his daughter, Jennifer (Victoria Sawal), who showed an interest in their group.
4 Deleted Umbrella Academy Season 4 Scenes Are The Heart Of The Final Season
Four deleted scenes from The Umbrella Academy season 4 are the true heart of the final chapter, as they help resolve some important character arcs.
to sell the scheme, Sy — who’s actually one of Abigail Hargreeves' (Liisa Repo-Martell) many identities — shows the siblings a box of timeline artifacts that Jennifer had supposedly collected. Packed withUmbrella AcademyEaster eggs, including Klaus' dog tags from the ’60s and Cha-Cha’s (Mary J. Blige) mask from season 1, the collection also boasts a newspaper article about the Hargreeves saving the day at the Eiffel Tower. When Sy shows the siblings the Eiffel Tower newspaper clipping, they’re all confused.Klaus (Robert Sheehan) even exclaims, “When the hell did we save the Eiffel Tower?”
While the headline and accompanying image are different, the article suggests a similar Eiffel Tower-related plot played out…
Like otherUmbrella Academyviewers,I distinctly remember seeing a newspaper clipping in season 1 about the Hargreeves saving the Eiffel Tower. The set dressing in question was visible in the very first episode of the series, when Klaus is in Sir Reginald’s (Colm Feore) office and rooting through his desk. While the headline and accompanying image are different, the article suggests a similar Eiffel Tower-related plot played out in the originalUmbrella Academytimeline. Later, in “I Heard a Rumor,” Claire also asks Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman) to tell her the Eiffel Tower story.
In the comics, the Eiffel Tower goes berserk and starts killing people, prompting the Umbrella Academy to save the day (viaFandom).
How To Explain The Umbrella Academy Season 4’s Eiffel Tower Plot Hole
It Could Just Be A Fun Reference To The Umbrella Academy Comics
Claire’s question confirms that the Hargreeves did save the day at the Eiffel Tower in their original timeline, even if the way Klaus responds to Sy indicates they don’t remember the event (or anything like it) happening inanytimeline. I’m not sure if there’s any satisfying explanation for this (or any)Umbrella Academyseason 4 plot hole. My one theory is thatthe newspaper clipping, and even Claire’s dialogue, were tossed in to season 1 as a fun comic book reference, and that the showrunners totally overlooked what were then-throwaway nods when working onUmbrella Academy’s final chapter.
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All four seasons ofThe Umbrella Academyare streaming on Netflix.
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.
