The Umbrella Academy Season 2 opens with a bang, quite literally, as the
series picks up the pieces after the apocalyptic cliffhanger of Season 1. The
episode, "Right Back Where We Started," is a whirlwind introduction to the
Hargreeves siblings' new reality: the 1960s Dallas, Texas.
The episode masterfully juggles multiple timelines, introducing each sibling's new predicament in a rapid-fire sequence. We begin with Five, who, after sending his family through time to escape the apocalypse, finds himself in the midst of a Soviet attack on Dallas in November 1963. Miraculously, his siblings appear to assist him, but the situation quickly escalates into a nuclear catastrophe. Fortunately, an older Hazel intervenes, saving Five and transporting him back ten days earlier.
Alone and on the run from a trio of assassins, Five seeks refuge with a conspiracy theorist named Elliot. From him, Five learns that his siblings are alive and scattered throughout the 1960s. Armed with this information, Five embarks on a mission to reunite his family and prevent the impending apocalypse.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Hargreeves are adjusting to their new lives. Klaus and Ben find themselves stranded in February 1960. Klaus, ever the opportunist, quickly embraces the era, while Ben, as a ghost, struggles to adapt. Allison, arriving in 1961, becomes entangled in the Civil Rights Movement, eventually marrying and settling into a seemingly ordinary life. Luther, landing in 1962, becomes a ruthless enforcer for a local crime boss, his isolation and anger evident. Vanya, with amnesia, is taken in by a kind couple after a car accident in October 1963. Finally, Diego, arriving in September 1963, becomes obsessed with preventing the assassination of JFK, leading to his confinement in a mental institution.
The episode cleverly establishes a new status quo for the characters while maintaining the core elements of the original series. The Hargreeves are still dysfunctional, their powers still potent, and their family bonds still complex. However, the 1960s setting introduces fresh challenges and opportunities for character development.
The episode's conclusion hints at the growing threat posed by the mysterious assassins, suggesting a larger conspiracy beyond the Hargreeves' immediate concerns. The cliffhanger, with Diego's escape from the mental institution and his encounter with a fellow inmate named Lila, promises exciting developments in future episodes.
Overall, "Right Back Where We Started" is a captivating and action-packed opener that successfully sets the stage for a thrilling new chapter in The Umbrella Academy saga.