With the unconventional superhero series “The Umbrella Academy” concluding its run, fans were left with many unanswered questions. The most shocking plot twist in the finale, that even the actors were caught off guard, was the romance that blossomed between Five (Aidan Gallagher) and Lila (Ritu Arya). In the final episode, Five and Lila get stuck in an interdimensional subway as they try to save their timeline, and an unexpected romance develops between them.
On the surface, Lila and Five’s relationship may seem off-putting, given Lila’s history with Diego (David Castañeda). However, on a character level, their romance had the potential to work. But, unfortunately, the execution fell short. Five’s unique situation of being stuck in a 13-year-old’s body while mentally being over 58 has always been at the crux of his character development. After decades of isolation, Five’s most significant relationship has always been with a tattered mannequin he named Dolores. With Lila, Five found a new sense of purpose, as they became stuck together in the subway. For Aidan Gallagher, Five’s arc in Season 4 is about finding a purpose since he is without a world to save.
However, when Five realizes there’s a way to return to their timeline, he tries to keep Lila from returning to her old life, fearing the loss of what they’ve developed. But, as Lila snaps out of the fantasy bubble, she returns to her timeline to see her kids, not because of a desire to return to her marriage with Diego. When she comes clean to Diego, even he understands and lets it go. Diego’s relationship with Lila was foundational to both characters’ story arcs.
A Still From The Umbrella Academy (Photo: The Umbrella Academy)
The issue with Lila and Five’s relationship is that it was not properly laid out earlier in the series. If they had hinted at this romance earlier, it could have felt more natural. Their competitive dynamic as highly skilled assassins from the Commission already provided a deep connection. Rather than leaning into this established chaotic frenemies relationship, the show opted for a tired and beaten down pair of characters stuck in a place where the other is their only company. This disservice to the characters is all the more concerning given the complexity of their relationships and the short amount of time devoted to this sudden romance.
Season 4’s brevity meant that the show failed to adequately address the core plot, instead focusing on this new romance. The lack of groundwork for Lila and Five’s relationship, combined with the show’s history of rushed and poorly executed plot twists, makes it difficult to swallow. The Umbrella Academy is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
