The revelation of Ben’s death in The Umbrella Academy Season 4 finally addresses one of the show’s long-standing mysteries and sheds light on the event that fractured the Hargreeves family.
The Umbrella Academy season 4: The Jennifer Incident
In Season 4, the “Jennifer incident” is unveiled as a pivotal event in the Hargreeves family’s history. Jennifer (played by Victoria Sawal) is revealed to be the avatar of Durango, an element of destruction designed to counteract Marigold. The two substances are highly reactive, and their interaction can trigger catastrophic consequences. Jennifer’s significance lies in her potential to cause global annihilation if exposed to Marigold.
As children, the Umbrella Academy was tasked by Sir Reginald (Colm Feore) to neutralize a mass-destruction weapon. The mission involved planting explosives on a massive container without opening it. However, Ben (played by Justin H. Min/Ethan Hwang) disobeys orders upon hearing tapping noises from inside the container. Concerned that someone might be trapped inside, he opens the container and discovers Jennifer. This action inadvertently activates the Durango-Marigold reaction, setting the stage for the apocalypse.
The Aftermath of Ben’s Death
Sir Reginald arrives just in time to witness the transformation of Ben and Jennifer into the Cleanse monster. In a desperate attempt to prevent the impending doom, he shoots both Ben and Jennifer before their transformation is complete. His brutal actions not only halt the immediate threat but also deeply traumatize the Umbrella Academy siblings.
To further manipulate the situation, Sir Reginald uses alien technology to erase the memories of the children, hiding the truth about Ben’s death and the traumatic event. This gaslighting ensures that the siblings remain unaware of the real reasons behind their broken family dynamics.
The Umbrella Academy season 4: Unanswered Questions and Plot Holes
While the series finally provides clarity on how Ben died and how it led to the creation of the Cleanse, several aspects remain unresolved or contradictory:
- Ghost Ben’s Awareness: The show does not explain why Ghost Ben was unaware of the circumstances of his death in the earlier seasons. This creates a plot hole regarding his knowledge and experiences.
- Memory Alteration: The extent and mechanics of Sir Reginald’s memory-altering technology are left ambiguous, leading to questions about how it affected the siblings’ recollections and understanding of their past.
- Finale’s Continuity: The series finale’s handling of Ben’s death and the Cleanse introduces new elements and complications that seem inconsistent with earlier plot points, adding to the confusion.
Overall, Season 4 provides a dramatic resolution to the mystery of Ben’s death but leaves fans grappling with lingering questions and inconsistencies in the series’ narrative. The exploration of the Jennifer incident adds depth to the show’s lore, but the final execution leaves room for interpretation and critique.
