Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for The Umbrella Academy season 4.
Summary
The Umbrella Academycomics are written by My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way, soI’m sad the Netflix series only makes one reference to the band in season 4— and I’m afraid it’s not a very strong one.The Umbrella Academyseason 4 bringsthe Hargreeves siblings' journey to a close, but it doesn’t have time to address all the storylines and characters it needs to. While every other season of the show is 10 episodes long, the final outing is condensed into six. Sadly, this ensures it isn’t theendingThe Umbrella Academydeserves.
It also meansThe Umbrella Academyseason 4 has less time for fun antics than its predecessors, reducing the humorous moments and pop culture references. This may be why it doesn’t squeeze clearer My Chemical Romance nods into its final episodes, even though it fits them into previous outings. However, there is one line that could serve as an allusion to the alternative rock band — even if I find it a bit subtle for the Netflix series' last hurrah.
The Umbrella Academy’s 16 Hargreeves Siblings Ranked By Power
The Umbrella Academy’s Hargreeves siblings are all powerful in different ways, but which of them prove to be the most powerful by the end of the show?
The Umbrella Academy Season 4 Only Has 1 My Chemical Romance Reference (& It’s A Stretch)
Ben’s “Emo” Line Could Be A Nod To The Band
The Umbrella Academy’s final season should pay homage to the comic series it’s based on, and I would have appreciated some references to My Chemical Romance as well. However,one Ben line is the closest the final season gets to honoring Way’s music background. InThe Umbrella Academyseason 4, episode 2, the titular team reacts to Ben giving them Marigold. And he calls them all “terminally emo,” which might be an allusion to the band — though it’s a bit of a stretch.
With My Chemical Romance’s music being classified as emo, Ben’s line could be a reference to the series' writer and his band.
My Chemical Romance is among the most notable early 2000s bands “emo” kids listened to, and they continue to have that reputation today. With their music being classified as emo, Ben’s line could be a reference to the series' writer and his band. Unfortunately,it’s not as obvious asThe Umbrella Academy’s past My Chemical Romance allusions, so it’s hard to say.
The Umbrella Academy Has Included My Chemical Romance References In Previous Seasons
They’re Fun Easter Eggs For Fans Of Gerard Way’s Music
AlthoughThe Umbrella Academyseason 4’s potential My Chemical Romance reference is underwhelming, the Netflix show has included better nods to the band in the past.In season 1, Gerard Way shows off his musical talentwith a cover of The Turtles' “Happy Together” featuring Ray Toro. Fans of his music will undoubtedly recognize his voice, just as I did when I first heard it playing.
The Umbrella Academyseason 3 also nodsto the band when Sloane is reading a book calledThe Jetset Life. My Chemical Romancehas a song called “The Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You” on their albumThree Cheers for Sweet Revenge,and this is a fun Easter egg for fans. With these being more interesting nods, I was hoping for something similar inThe Umbrella Academyseason 4. However, I’ll have to settle for the series' emo reference, which I can still appreciate as a former emo kid.
The Umbrella Academy
Cast
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.
