The Umbrella Academy Season 2: A Woke Disaster

The Umbrella Academy Season 2 hit Netflix in July 2020, and it was a wild ride of time travel, superpowers, and, of course, a heavy dose of woke culture. Set in the 1960s, the Hargreeves siblings find themselves scattered across Dallas, Texas, trying to prevent yet another apocalypse. But instead of focusing on the thrilling plot, the showrunners decided to shove a political agenda down our throats. Why? Because apparently, entertainment can't just be entertaining anymore.

First off, let's talk about the blatant historical revisionism. The show takes place during a pivotal time in American history, yet it seems more interested in rewriting the past to fit a modern narrative. The civil rights movement is portrayed with a heavy hand, turning complex historical events into simplistic good-versus-evil scenarios. It's as if the writers forgot that history is nuanced and decided to paint everything with a broad brush of political correctness.

Then there's the character development, or lack thereof. Instead of focusing on the unique abilities and personal growth of the Hargreeves siblings, the show diverts attention to social justice issues. Vanya, played by Ellen Page, becomes a poster child for LGBTQ+ representation, but her storyline feels forced and unnatural. It's as if the writers were more concerned with ticking diversity boxes than creating a compelling character arc.

The show's obsession with identity politics doesn't stop there. Diego, one of the more interesting characters from Season 1, is reduced to a caricature of toxic masculinity. His storyline is overshadowed by a need to critique traditional male roles, rather than exploring his complex relationship with his family and his own insecurities. It's a missed opportunity to delve into a character with real depth, sacrificed at the altar of political messaging.

And let's not forget about the villain of the season, the Swedes. These Scandinavian assassins are portrayed as bumbling idiots, a lazy stereotype that does nothing to enhance the plot. Instead of creating a formidable adversary for the Hargreeves siblings, the show opts for cheap laughs and one-dimensional antagonists. It's a disservice to the audience, who deserve a more engaging and challenging storyline.

The time travel element, which should have been a highlight of the season, is instead used as a vehicle for more political commentary. The showrunners seem more interested in using the 1960s setting to draw parallels to today's social issues than in crafting a coherent and exciting narrative. It's a shame, because the potential for a gripping time-travel adventure is squandered in favor of preaching to the choir.

Even the soundtrack, which was a standout feature of Season 1, feels like it's trying too hard to be relevant. The music choices are on-the-nose and lack the subtlety that made the first season's soundtrack so memorable. It's as if the show is screaming, "Look how progressive we are!" rather than letting the story and characters speak for themselves.

In the end, The Umbrella Academy Season 2 is a prime example of what happens when entertainment is hijacked by a political agenda. Instead of delivering a thrilling, character-driven story, the show becomes a platform for virtue signaling and social commentary. It's a disappointing turn for a series that had so much potential, and a reminder that sometimes, less is more.