Luther Hargreeves was led to believe his moon mission was a complete waste of time in The Umbrella Academy season 1, but based on revelation in season 2, that doesn't seem to be the case. Tom Hopper plays "Number 1," the leader of a special Academy of adopted siblings with superpowers. The man who formed the Academy, Sir Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore), never seems to have the children's best interest at heart, which is why the majority leave him and the Academy behind later in life.
When The Umbrella Academy begins, the siblings are anything but a united front. The mysterious death of Reginald brings them together, as does the news of an impending apocalypse. The dysfunctional Hargreeves family is forced to put their differences aside to protect mankind. Luther, along with Five (Aidan Gallagher), Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman), Diego (David Castañeda), and Klaus (Robert Sheehan) fail to prevent the end of times brought on by their sister, Vanya (Ellen Page). With Five's time travel powers, the Umbrella Academy is transported to the 1960s, albeit at different points along the timeline. Not only must they find a way home to the primary timeline, but the siblings must also face the fact that they brought the apocalypse with them.
To add to the drama, the siblings find that their father might be involved in one of the country's biggest tragedies. There's still so much about Reginald that they don't know. At one point, they even come together and confront him together, which ends as a disaster. Reginald's presence fills in a few pieces to the puzzle, but it also connects to Luther and the explanation of his moon mission.
Luther's Moon Mission In Umbrella Academy Season 1
When viewers meet a grown-up Luther in The Umbrella Academy season 1, he is living alone on the moon, fulfilling a special mission at the request of his father. After learning of Reginald's death, Luther leaves his post so that he can return to earth where he reunites with his siblings. As the season continues, more details are uncovered regarding Luther's condition, and the reason for his moon mission, which Luther deems a waste of time.
As the leader of the Academy and the only member not to leave, Luther was sent on a mission to thwart a biochemical threat. Luther was severely injured in the event, giving Reginald no other option but to inject the young man with a special serum that gave him an ape-like appearance as well as super strength and durability. Following his recovery, Reginald needed Luther to refocus so he sent him to the moon to watch out for threats.
Luther spent four years on the moon mission while sending consistent reports back to Reginald, but he never received a response. Upon his return, Luther finds that his father never opened the various forms of correspondence. While speaking to Pogo, Luther questions the legitimacy of the moon mission and whether he even deserves to be Number 1. The revelation sends Luther into a tailspin, which carries over to season 2.
Umbrella Academy Season 2 Reveals Reginald's Moon Interest Is Real
To escape the apocalypse in the closing moments of season 1, Five tries to transport his siblings back in time. Luther finds himself in Dallas, Texas during the year 1962. Still suffering from the truth about his role in the Academy, as well as the drama within his family, Luther takes his frustrations out in the boxing ring. He also becomes the bodyguard for Jack Ruby. In time, he reunites with his siblings, and the group has various run-ins with Reginald in the altered timeline.
While investigating Reginald's possible connection to JFK's assassination, Five learns of his father's connection to the Majestic 12. The secretive organization consists of twelve government officials, military leaders, and scientists that served as a shadow government in the '60s. Through his influence, Reginald provides advanced technology for the space race between the United States and the USSR. In exchange for the rocket technology, Reginald is invited to join the Majestic 12. In episode 9 of season 2, Reginald then learns that the Majestic 12 is responsible for JFK's assassination, a plan he wasn't on board with. Upon confronting the group, one of the members threatens Reginald while also revealing the man's real interest in the moon. Here's the full quote:
The rocket technology you supplied us with will enable us to beat the Russians to the moon. An in turn, when we do arrive, five or six years from now, your interest on the dark side of the moon won't be affected.
After another threat aimed at exposing Reginald's identity, he reveals himself as an alien and slaughters each and every member of the Majestic 12. The scene, however, seems to hold extra significance with the mention of the moon, insinuating that Reginald did end up harboring a very real interest in whatever he sent Luther there to study or protect.
Theory: Luther's Moon Mission Wasn't Just A Waste of Time
Based on Luther's multi-year stint on the moon, in addition to Reginald's interest as stated in season 2, it's very plausible that the mission wasn't a complete waste of time. Reginald knew about the impending apocalypse, which is why he commits suicide as a way to bring the Umbrella Academy back together. The group is unable to prevent the end of times when Vanya loses control of her power, striking the moon, destroying it, and sending pieces to fall on the earth. It's no coincidence that Vanya's destruction centers on the same location where Luther was previously sent to reportedly protect.
There's also the topic of Luther's presence on the moon as a way to safeguard it. If that was the case, what exactly was he protecting the moon from? Luther was unaware of Vanya's powers at the time, and it was unclear if he knew what other kinds of threats were out there. He ends up thinking that the mission was just a way to keep him occupied far away from his home planet, but it seems like Reginald could have been aware of something else.
Viewers now know that Reginald isn't human, but instead, some kind of alien species. His interest in the dark side of the moon could link to his true identity, which he kills to protect. If the dark side holds the answers, Reginald may have sent Luther to the moon to watch over or warn of any questionable events. Luther is led to believe that his father ignored his reports but maybe that isn't the case. Reginald is a mysterious man, and he certainly has his secrets. There's obviously more to the story with Reginald, Luther, and the moon. It wouldn't be surprising to learn of Luther's past mission and research come into play with The Umbrella Academy season 3.