Does Viktor have powers in The Umbrella Academy? Absolutely. Initially believed to be the only member of The Umbrella Academy without abilities, Viktor Hargreeves (Elliot Page) revealed himself to be the most powerful and dangerous of all. However, the Netflix show did not always make it clear what Viktor’s powers are or exactly how they worked.
It was revealed towards the end of The Umbrella Academy season 1 that, because Viktor’s powers are linked to his emotional state, Reginald Hargreeves had tried and failed to control Viktor’s powers; rather than risk losing control of Number Seven, he chose instead to keep him heavily medicated and to have Allison “rumor him” into believing he was ordinary. The truth remained hidden until Umbrella Academy super-fan Harold Jenkins (John Magaro), discovered what had happened and took it upon himself to unlock Viktor’s memories and power.
After getting close to him, Leonard orchestrated a number of high-stress situations to trigger Viktor’s abilities. However, Viktor's powers proved too strong for him to handle and turned deadly. He killed Leonard in anger after having almost killed Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman). Ultimately, his powers grew so strong that he destroyed the Moon and brought about the apocalypse that Five was trying to prevent. In season 2, despite having lost his memories on his trip to 1963, Viktor Hargreeves demonstrates far better control of his powers than he had before, which is likely due to his stabilized emotional state. Here's how Viktor's powers work.
Viktor's Powers Explained
Viktor's powers allow him to manipulate sound waves as he wishes, converting them into energy that he can then use in any number of ways, from telekinesis to flight. Just like the powers of his Umbrella Academy siblings, Viktor shows there are many creative ways his unique skill can be applied. He can convert sound waves into bright white, destructive energy, and can create protective barriers strong enough to stop bullets. While this may sound straightforward, Viktor also demonstrates other abilities that are not obviously related to the manipulation of sound waves in the Netflix series. He has super hearing and can manipulate the weather and matter in general, as seen when his clothes and eyes change color.
While in the Umbrella Academy comics, Viktor channels his power through his instrument (even going so far as to adopt the name White Violin, referenced by his outfit in the season 1 finale), his character in the Netflix series can use any sound, from the ring of glass to his own heartbeat, to unleash incredible force, though using his violin does focus his power. If there is a limit to Viktor’s power, it has not yet been explored: viewers have witnessed him tear apart buildings, stop missiles, and blow up the moon.
An interesting development occurs in the show's second season when Viktor is able to pass on his power to Sissy’s son Harlan (albeit unintentionally) and bring him back to life. This creates a telepathic bond between Viktor and Harlan, which he is later able to remove, but which still left the boy with powers. It is difficult to define exactly how Viktor's power works, especially in scenes like this, but it does open up the possibility for Viktor Hargreeves' powers to increase as the show goes on, or at least for him to discover new uses of the same ability.
Is Viktor Hargreeves Canon? How Season 3 Handled Elliot Page’s Transition
Viktor is unique to The Umbrella Academy's TV adaptation. The character Page portrays is named Vanya in the comics, and goes by the same names and pronouns in The Umbrella Academy seasons 1 and 2. However, like the rest of their Umbrella Academy siblings, Number 7 has been altered for the small screen. In the comic books, Vanya identifies with their assigned birth gender. Vanya is cisgender and doesn't question their gender identity or transition, using she/her pronouns throughout. Viktor, the Number 7 of The Umbrella Academy show, is trans. He identifies as male and uses he/him pronouns as of season 3. This is a detail unique to the show that both reflects the transition journey of Elliot Page and allows The Umbrella Academy to explore more LGBTQI+ stories.
Elliot Page publicly transitioned in 2020, after seasons 1 and 2 of The Umbrella Academy aired. When Page announced his transition, there was speculation about how the show would adapt. Asking him to continue playing a cis woman may have placed a huge burden on his mental health. Recasting his role was also out of the question, as his portrayal of Number 7 has been incredibly well-received. The Umbrella Academy decided to take the best route for Page, his on-screen character, and the show itself – Vanya would canonically transition into Viktor. Number 7's arcs have always focused on discovering his identity, whether that's as the only "powerless" sibling in The Umbrella Academy season 1 or waking up without memories in 1963 during season 2. Even though Viktor's season 3 transition was a narrative decision initially prompted by Page's own, it completely makes sense and is thematically in keeping with both The Umbrella Academy TV show and its version of Number 7.
The Umbrella Academy has been lauded for its portrayal of queer relationships and themes. A whole episode was dedicated to Klaus's time-hopping same-sex romance, and Page's own scenes in season 2 alongside Marin Ireland (as repressed housewife Sissy Cooper) were praised as a landmark moment for lesbian relationships in superhero-based visual media. In keeping with the show's proud history of LGBTQI+ representation, Viktor has allowed The Umbrella Academy to show audiences the struggles trans people face, with Page bringing his personal experience to the role.
How The Season 3 Finale Left Viktor Without Powers
The Umbrella Academy season 3 ending saw all the Hargreeves siblings lose their powers, which includes Viktor. In yet another massive change to history, Reginald's use of the Oblivion machine supposedly reset the universe, and all of his children found themselves in a new reality where Abigail Hargreeves is alive and Hargreeves Enterprises dominates the world, among other things. But the most immediate change is that all the Umbrella Academy members' old injuries and disfigurements have been erased (including Luther's ape body), and none of them possess their old powers anymore. It's still unclear how exactly this occurred since they all retain their original memories, and there's also a big lingering question about what this means for their childhood history — since they were born without powers, they might have all been raised in ordinary homes.
This particular Umbrella Academy apocalypse isn't Viktor's fault directly, but it certainly impacts him as his powers have vanished along with his siblings'. As arguably the most powerful member of the Umbrella Academy, Viktor has potentially lost the most. On the other hand, he might also have the most to gain in this new reality. Viktor has spent most of his life feeling like an outcast or a burden upon his family, but if this new universe has seen him grow up in a loving home free of the havoc his powers have so often wreaked, this could be the start of a very big shift for the character. Hopefully, more will be revealed when The Umbrella Academy season 4 arrives.