The Umbrella Academy Season 4 Ending Explained

Despite its eccentric narrative, The Umbrella Academy has consistently prioritized the theme of family, even amidst their dysfunctional dynamics. The conclusion of the Hargreeves siblings’ journey in the finale highlights their realization that every apocalyptic event they face is a result of their own existence. This cycle is destined to repeat itself, with each ending being just as perilous, despite their efforts to save the world.

While a multiverse can revive characters and rescue them from imprisonment, The Umbrella Academy deviates from its never-ending timelines to ensure that this is the final outcome.

As the fourth season of The Umbrella Academy officially premiered on August 8, 2024, it is important that we discuss the way in which the family’s tale was concluded and why there was no other possible ending.

After Umbrella Academy Season 4: Do the Hargreeves Siblings Survive?

Series Finale of 'The Umbrella Academy' Season 4 — Elliot Page, Robert Sheehan, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Justin H. Min, Ritu Arya, Aidan Gallagher, and Emmy Raver-Lampman in The Umbrella Academy (2019) | Source: IMDB

As the leaders of The Keepers, Gene (Nick Offerman) and Jean (Megan Mullally) believed that they were existing in a damaged timeline. They were strong advocates of the Umbrella Effect theory and used the Umbrella Academy as a prime illustration. They held the belief that a catastrophic event called “The Cleanse”would purge the fragmented timelines and restore the original one, with Jennifer playing a vital role in this process.

Aidan Gallagher, one of the five siblings, suddenly found himself in a subway station. He was taken to Max’s Delicatessen, a small diner owned by his alternate versions. Despite the Hargreeves’ failed attempts to prevent the apocalypse, Lila (played by Ritu Arya) revealed that she was ending their relationship due to a brief affair they had during the seven years they were lost in different dimensions. It was at this diner that Aidan came to the realization that he, along with his brothers and the other children with powers, were responsible for the destruction of the world in multiple timelines (with the assistance of one of his alternate versions).

The existence of the multiverse can be traced back to the introduction of marigolds on Earth and the birth of the Hargreeves siblings and other children. The diner was filled with artworks depicting various possible outcomes. Five believed that allowing the purge to consume them and their marigolds would result in their deaths and erasure from history, and was the only way to save the universe.

After Lila was safely reunited with her family and Allison’s daughter Claire, the Hargreeves returned to the subway station and made sure they all boarded the train to a safer timeline. In the final moments of Umbrella Academy, Viktor was shown a vision of the main timeline, where several familiar faces from previous seasons, such as Agnes, Hazel, the Swedes, and the Handler, appeared happily. It was clear that the multiverse had been repaired, as the Hargreeves were no longer completely erased from existence.

What Happened to Sir Reginald Hargreeves in the Final Timeline of The Umbrella Academy?

The Hargreeves visited their father, Reginald, to inquire about his commitment to help them regain their memories of Ben’s death in their previous timeline, as well as his involvement in protecting Jennifer’s village. In order to protect Jennifer and help them evade the hostile umbrellas and marigold hosts, Reginald admitted to constructing a village. However, Viktor convinced him not to kill Ben when they found him.

Despite working closely together during season 4 of The Umbrella Academy, Viktor couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy in Reginald’s eyes. Little did he know, Abigail had played a role in the cleansing and Reginald had been swayed by her manipulations. As a result, he and his wife joyously celebrated the end of the world.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Reginald’s fate in the main timeline, it is highly probable that he perished alongside Abigail when their home planet was destroyed and was unable to release the marigolds due to the Hargreeves’ sacrifice and the subsequent eradication of their existence. Nevertheless, there is a chance that Reginald managed to travel to Earth without unleashing the marigolds.

The Flowers in the Mid-Credits Scene of The Umbrella Academy Season 4

The mid-title scene of The Umbrella Academy includes a final surprise, and the credits also showcase behind-the-scenes images from each season. Returning to the tree from earlier in the episode, the scene reveals eight golden blossoms in full bloom as the camera pans down to the roots. These flowers represent Luther (Tom Hopper), Diego (David Castañeda), Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman), Klaus (Robert Sheehan), Five, Ben (Justin H. Min), Viktor, and Lila, who are no longer with us or remembered. It is a gesture of remembrance and honor for their sacrifices.

The Hargreeves family and the original timeline in The Umbrella Academy season 4

In addition, the original timeline is restored and the lives of the various supporting characters from The Umbrella Academy are returned to their usual state.

The fourth season finale ends with a scene of several familiar faces enjoying different activities in a sunny park. Lila’s family and Allison’s daughter are depicted having a picnic, playing soccer, and blowing bubbles. Additionally, viewers catch a glimpse of The Swedes, the blonde assassins from season 2, tossing a frisbee between one another.

In another part of the park, Grace Hargreeves, the matriarch of the Hargreeves family, is taking care of a baby in a stroller. Hazel, a former agent of the Temps Commission, and Agnes, an employee at a doughnut shop, are enjoying a bike ride on a nearby path. The Handler, the tyrannical leader of the Temps Commission, is getting ready for a jog as she talks on the phone. Meanwhile, Herb and Dot, two other employees of the Temps Commission, are playing backgammon on a bench while an unknown individual sketches them on a notepad.

Exploring the fate of Reginald and Abigail in The Umbrella Academy season 4

In summary, it can be said that they died. While watching the fourth season finale, we do not witness them being taken by The Cleanse as the camera cuts away before their fate is revealed. However, it is safe to assume that they did not survive.

Despite the Hargreeves siblings’ efforts to change the course of events, Reginald is ultimately banished to his home Earth before he unleashes Marigold upon the cosmos. He spends the rest of his days alone, while the fourth episode of the season confirms that Abigail has passed away from an unknown illness. Overcome with grief, Reginald releases Marigold into the wild, setting in motion the events of The Umbrella Academy.

The possibility of a happy ending where Abigail is resurrected seems highly improbable due to the fact that both characters disappear after being killed by The Cleanse. I am convinced that Abigail’s death and Reginald’s eventual isolation on his home planet are directly linked to this event.

Ben and Jennifer proved to be a deadly duo

According to details revealed in The Umbrella Academy’s fourth season, Ben met his demise in the alternate timeline when he opened a container containing a deadly weapon. He had assisted Jennifer in escaping before shaking hands with her. The team had seemingly forgotten about the incident despite being shot by Reginald. In the current timeline, Gene and Jean’s van collides with the Umbrellas, causing Jen and Ben’s hands to touch during the cleanse.

Abigail, the wife of Reginald, cultivated marigolds and a contradictory particle called “durango,”which ultimately caused the destruction of the world. In both the original and present universes, Jennifer was the bearer of Durango and her contact with Ben triggered the catastrophic events. The Hargreeves, including Viktor, exhausted all efforts to rescue Ben, but their attempts proved futile. Eventually, Ben and Jennifer merged into a monstrous being that consumed everything in its path.

None of the events described in The Umbrella Academy occurred

The most surprising realization for Five was that in order to save the multiverse, they would have to sacrifice themselves and be erased from history. It remains uncertain if Lila’s family and Claire will remember them now that they are in the main timeline. However, the Hargreeves’ complete disappearance became apparent when characters from past seasons were observed living entirely different lives in the main timeline.

The Handler, the Swedes, and Herb are able to live ordinary lives without being employed by The Commission or pursuing the Hargreeves through various eras. The timeline was restored and history was reset thanks to the Hargreeves’ sacrifice, rendering all of the events from The Umbrella Academy nonexistent.

Are there any mid-credits or post-credits scenes in The Umbrella Academy season 4?

The credits begin with a brief yet stunningly shot scene, but the show does not include a post-credits sequence teasing the upcoming season (more on this later) before it ends.

The mid-credits stinger reveals to us the significance of eight exquisite marigold flowers. The camera pans down from the white tree that was featured in the season 4 finale’s last scene, capturing the flowers releasing their pollen as they unfurl their petals. While the Hargreeves siblings never lived as superhuman entities in the previous timeline, it becomes apparent that a part of them did. This is a poignant reminder for those who sacrificed their lives to save the universe once again.

About The Umbrella Academy

The show was produced by Steve Blackman for Netflix and developed by Jeremy Slater.

The plot of the show centers on seven children who possess extraordinary abilities and are brought together by billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves, forming a team known as The Umbrella Academy. The super-powered siblings reunite to uncover the truth behind their father’s death and prevent an impending apocalypse.