OK--I confess to enjoying films from graphic novels. Also, I confess to alternative universe themes and general sci-fi. And I love post-modern work. Well if you like any of these aspects, tune and get hooked!

There are lots of references to the graphic novel series that gave rise to this work, There is the back story that we anticipate in a graphic novel. There are tons of special effects (for example, the world faces at least two, perhaps three apocalypses across the first season). And best of all, look for how the title, "The Umbrella Academy," is worked into each episode. It's pure joy to see that twist.

I was sold on "12 Monkeys" (the movie) when a friend loaned me his Motion Picture Academy nomination copy. "The Umbrella Academy" takes the idea of alternative universes and raises the ante to wonderful heights. The only caveat is the alternative universe ending which compels me to have to wait until the next season is released.

Sci-fi: there is a robot "Mom" (Jordan Claire Robbin) (I don't even know if "robot" is correct), a chimpanzee "Alfred" (think Batman), mysterious pneumatic tubes that appear from nowhere to deliver messages, and interactions with the dead. WOW!

My favorite part is the post modern aspect of the series. First, time is manipulated in many ways from flash backs to flash forwards. Title cards are used, which add even more to the self-referral aspect of this show. There is never-ending pastiche nearly every time Klaus (Robert Sheehan) is on screen. There are gender reversals and LGBTQ nods. And the one that really rocked my world is Hazel's referral to "No Country for Old Men" (2007) (Episode 3).

If, however, you are more of a romantic: Hazel (Cameron Britton) falls in love and Luther (Tom Hopper) and Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman) have a great dance number late in the series as well as a compelling moment in a telephone booth (you know why this scene HAD to happen in a telephone booth, don't you?)

I don't want to tell you too much more, so I apologize for the understatement. But I don't want to give away any spoilers. I recommend binge watching, but I have to give you a caution: there are only ten episodes and that can easily be digested in a weekend (e.g Friday and Saturday night). Then you have to wait--perhaps until 2020--for Season 2 to emerge, assuming Netflix chooses to make a second series! So you decide: gobble it and savor the memory OR stretch it out over weeks to relish every moment of this wonderful, character rich series.