The Umbrella Academy promised viewers a dysfunctional chaotic family experience, and it did not disappoint. During the events of both season 1 and 2, every Hargreeves sibling had their fair share of brilliant screen time, while also making some not so great decisions sometimes.
They might have powerful abilities from unknown origins, but in the end, they're just a group of people who have had emotionally traumatic pasts and are trying to deal with the end of the world. And Allison Hargreeves is no exception. What are her best and worst moments?
WORST: Wanting To Leave Everyone Behind
Before Number Five went back in time and created the rewind, Allison was ready to leave everyone behind. She saw that things were hopeless and decided she was going to catch a flight and spend her remaining time with her daughter.
When she told her plans to Luther he was ready to go with her, ready to spend time together. It makes sense, sure, but she gave up on her family, on saving the world. This version of Allison is almost a stranger to the fighter she trusted herself to be from midway season 1 to the end of season 2.
BEST: Supporting Vanya
When Allison was young, Reginald Hargreeves used her powers to rumor Vanya into thinking she was ordinary. Allison wasn't aware of it at the time. From then on, Vanya's childhood was one of neglect, not only by her father but by her siblings as well. She was ordinary and they had powers. They were the special ones.
And this continued into their adulthood. But Allison realized her behavior was wrong and tried to reach out to Vanya. She wanted to be close to her sister. And she supported Vanya even when she was nearly killed, because she understood the fear her sister was feeling, the inability to control something so powerful.
WORST: Using Her Fame To Investigate A Crime
This was a pretty great move on Allison's part, and it got her the information she needed. But in the end, it was manipulation. The use of her powers, only without the rumoring. She told the officer she needed to shadow him for a role. He agreed after some hesitation, as he was a big fan but it could get him in trouble with work.
She then went on to take charge during a witness interview, and although it was brilliant to finally get some results, Allison could have approached it in a different way. She decided to go it alone when she could have worked as a team with her siblings.
BEST: "I Heard A Rumor, You Punched Yourself In The Face."
The sibling dynamic between Allison and Diego is one that hasn't really been explored. There have been some small moments here and there, comments made on the side, and only a few direct conversations without a third party. Season 1 hinted at some tension and arguments, while season 2 included more banter.
One of the best moments of sibling interaction between them was at dinner with Reginald. Diego made a comment about Allison never using her powers, and Allison responded with "I heard a rumor, you punched yourself in the face."
WORST: Rumoring The Swede To Kill His Brother
From their time on screen, it was fairly clear to see that the three Swedish brothers were close. They had an odd and loving bond as they hunted down their targets for The Temps Commission. They were family. Someone who also understands family is Allison.
When the two remaining Swedes attacked Allison and Ray in their home, Allison used her powers in self-defense. But she went too far. Rather than saying something that would get the two Swedes to leave and remove them as a threat, she said "I heard a rumor, you killed your brother."
BEST: Her Relationship With Klaus & Vanya
Season 2 gave viewers some of the best sibling combinations of the series. There were so many more dynamics revealed to the audience, allowing for interesting and maddening situations to occur. One of the best combos was Klaus, Allison, and Vanya.
Their interactions were wholesome to witness, and their dancing showed that no matter the situation, there is always time for ridiculous sibling mischief, tacos, and affection, especially when they have to make up for lost years.
WORST: Rumoring Her Daughter
Allison knew what she was doing was wrong. She told herself she would only do it once, but one time became another, and another, and another. She told herself it was just an advantage she had as a parent. But little by little her powers consumed reality.
She learned from her experience and told herself that she would start over, because nothing in her life was real. It wasn't the best moment for her character, but she reflected and chose to act for the better.
BEST: Risking Her Life To Save Vanya
Vanya was taken to the FBI building and interrogated. Her experience, the drugs, and the trauma her mind was experiencing gave way to a powerful current that killed everyone in reach. She was about to start the next apocalypse. But Klaus, Diego, Allison, and Ben went to save her.
And even though she didn't make it to save Vanya, Allison went first. She risked her life despite the odds. After her attempt, Diego and Klaus followed, only for Ben to be the one to save their sister and the world.
WORST: Rumoring Her Career & Husband
There is a pattern to all Allison's rumoring. The manipulation of a person's will often leads to consequences both for Allison and the person she has rumored, whether directly or indirectly.
Before the events of season 1, Allison, like most of the siblings, had left the Hargreeves home. She had made a life for herself which was based on manipulation. She rumored herself roles to advance her acting career and rumored Patrick to love her.
BEST: Taking Action In The Civil Rights Movement
Allison found herself zapped into the 60s. She had no voice because of her injury from season 1, and as a black woman during a time where segregation was yet to be abolished, where the ignorance and prejudice of society blinded them to the thought of one race; the human race, she was voiceless in her rights as a human being.
Allison took action as soon as she entered the hair salon, and she didn't use her rumoring powers to change history. This was a powerful and crucial time and her powers have unknowable implications.