A synopsis for The Umbrella Academy is misleading - show is not about superheroes at all. "Stern billionaire adopted seven special children and raised them as superhero team to save the world" but background of 'superhero' part is extremely shallow. There are no supervillains, no conflicts or real action and, more disappointedly, superpowers of so-called superheroes are insipid and unexplored. Instead, the Umbrella Academy uses fantasy as decoration for dramatic narratives of dysfunctional family and theme of ordinarity. Why would they choose to emphasise it in a superhero fiction is mystery, plain real life drama would be more suited for such task.

And yet they managed it well. Each member of the family is a plausible memorable character: diligent but a bit arrogant giant Luther, earnest vigilante Diego, unfortunate mother Allison, eccentric clown Klaus who is forced to dampen his disturbing superpower with drugs, calculating former hitman Number Five who is obsessed with saving the world and mere human Vanya. Season 1 is all about these people, about their relations with each other, about initial distrust, indifference, animosity growing into friendship. And it is a beautiful transformation because it is not superfluous. Aside from a few cliche Luther's developments and Allison-Vanya progression steps, the family story is probable and responsive. And Vanya... oh Vanya... "Extra Ordinary", huh? Great, just great. What a shame that such perfectly portrayed theme is resolved despicably idiotically in the end. Yes, the ending is the main fault of the Umbrella Academy. Behavior of the team (particularly Luther) towards one of their own is so dumb and illogical that is insulting.

Let's go back to superhero part. I wrote above that it practically void, which is true, but I have to admit: there are some fantasy elements that make up for this weakness. World ending in 8 days - intriguing, isn't it? Pretty common plot course but the Umbrella Academy version is cooked well. Mysterious time travel agency is another cookie that I liked. The last dish is two hitmen pursuing Number Five through time and space. Well, aside from Hazel's cute love to old lady, this subplot is actually boring - generic and annoying.

The Umbrella Academy (Season 1) is family drama supplied with some captivating sci-fi elements. Such blend is fresh and entertaining for all but last episode which breaks whole immersion into pieces.