Even weeks after the series finale’s debut on Netflix, The Umbrella Academy season 4’s Eiffel Tower plot hole is really bothering me. It’s worth pointing out that I think Umbrella Academy‘s ending had a lot of problems. After a lot of time-hopping, intricately woven setup, there was very little pay off in the rushed, six-episode final outing. Season 4 takes place in the reset Umbrella Academy timeline — the one the Hargreeves siblings made in season 3’s conclusion. While the siblings lead mundane lives, a cult called The Keepers is gathering evidence of the existence of other timelines.

The Keepers’ conspiracy theory hinges on the artifacts they collect — objects, from newspaper clippings to Umbrella Academy-themed merchandise, that could only exist in another timeline. Although I found The Keepers’ so-called “Umbrella Effect” compelling, the show’s focus on shoehorning in Umbrella Academy Easter eggs might have led to the frustrating Eiffel Tower plot hole. Even as the Hargreeves siblings and Lila worked to thwart The Keepers’ timeline Cleanse, I found myself distracted by glaring contradictions and errors. While Umbrella Academy season 4’s ending tries to prune all the time-travel issues, it fails to fix bothersome mistakes.

The Umbrella Academy Heroes Don’t Remember Saving The Eiffel Tower (But Season 1 Proves They Did)

Season 1 References An Event Happening At The Eiffel Tower Twice

Newspaper clipping about The Umbrella Academy saving the Eiffel Tower Cha Cha's mask from Umbrella Academy season 1 in the fourth season Klaus holds his dog tags in Umbrella Academy season 4 The Umbrella Academy, are getting back together to take on a new challenge in The Umbrella Academy Season 4 Episode 1 The Umbrella Academy comic book featuring the Televator
Newspaper clipping about The Umbrella Academy saving the Eiffel Tower Cha Cha's mask from Umbrella Academy season 1 in the fourth season Klaus holds his dog tags in Umbrella Academy season 4 The Umbrella Academy, are getting back together to take on a new challenge in The Umbrella Academy Season 4 Episode 1 The Umbrella Academy comic book featuring the Televator

In the very first episode of The Umbrella Academy season 4, the show introduces its grating Eiffel Tower plot hole. I honestly think this minor error set the stage for what felt like a parade of Umbrella Academy season 4 plot holes. So, while the plot hole is relatively small, it sets the tone for a frustratingly messy final season. To recap, the Hargreeves siblings reunite to save Viktor (Elliot Page), who was abducted by the mysterious Sy (David Cross). Viktor’s kidnapper explains that The Keepers have abducted his daughter, Jennifer (Victoria Sawal), who showed an interest in their group.

Klaus, Diego, and Luther - The Umbrella Academy S4

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In order to sell the scheme, Sy — who’s actually one of Abigail Hargreeves’ (Liisa Repo-Martell) many identities — shows the siblings a box of timeline artifacts that Jennifer had supposedly collected. Packed with Umbrella Academy Easter eggs, including Klaus’ dog tags from the ’60s and Cha-Cha’s (Mary J. Blige) mask from season 1, the collection also boasts a newspaper article about the Hargreeves saving the day at the Eiffel Tower. When Sy shows the siblings the Eiffel Tower newspaper clipping, they’re all confused. Klaus (Robert Sheehan) even exclaims, “When the hell did we save the Eiffel Tower?“

While the headline and accompanying image are different, the article suggests a similar Eiffel Tower-related plot played out…

Like other Umbrella Academy viewers, I distinctly remember seeing a newspaper clipping in season 1 about the Hargreeves saving the Eiffel Tower. The set dressing in question was visible in the very first episode of the series, when Klaus is in Sir Reginald’s (Colm Feore) office and rooting through his desk. While the headline and accompanying image are different, the article suggests a similar Eiffel Tower-related plot played out in the original Umbrella Academy timeline. Later, in “I Heard a Rumor,” Claire also asks Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman) to tell her the Eiffel Tower story.

In the comics, the Eiffel Tower goes berserk and starts killing people, prompting the Umbrella Academy to save the day (via Fandom ).

How To Explain The Umbrella Academy Season 4’s Eiffel Tower Plot Hole

It Could Just Be A Fun Reference To The Umbrella Academy Comics

The Umbrella Academy season 4 Reginald and Abigail waiting for the Cleanse Viktor, his siblings, and Abigail confront Reginald in The Umbrella Academy season 4, episode 4 Five (Aidan Gallagher) in a timeline where only versions of himself exist in The Umbrella Academy Season 4 Episode 6 Jennifer and Ben embraced with bright, fire-like rashes on their faces in The Umbrella Academy Season 4 Episode 5
 A worried Lila (Ritu Arya) gets her family to safety on the train in The Umbrella Academy.The Umbrella Academy season 4 Reginald and Abigail waiting for the Cleanse Viktor, his siblings, and Abigail confront Reginald in The Umbrella Academy season 4, episode 4 Five (Aidan Gallagher) in a timeline where only versions of himself exist in The Umbrella Academy Season 4 Episode 6 Jennifer and Ben embraced with bright, fire-like rashes on their faces in The Umbrella Academy Season 4 Episode 5 A worried Lila (Ritu Arya) gets her family to safety on the train in The Umbrella Academy.

Claire’s question confirms that the Hargreeves did save the day at the Eiffel Tower in their original timeline, even if the way Klaus responds to Sy indicates they don’t remember the event (or anything like it) happening in any timeline. I’m not sure if there’s any satisfying explanation for this (or any) Umbrella Academy season 4 plot hole. My one theory is that the newspaper clipping, and even Claire’s dialogue, were tossed in to season 1 as a fun comic book reference, and that the showrunners totally overlooked what were then-throwaway nods when working on Umbrella Academy‘s final chapter.

IMDB’s Highest Rated Episodes of The Umbrella Academy

Episode Number
Title
IMDB Score

S2.E10
The End of Something
8.9

S1.E10
The White Violin
8.7

S2.E9
743
8.7

S1.E8
I Heard a Rumor
8.5

S2.E8
The Seven Stages
8.5

All four seasons of The Umbrella Academy are streaming on Netflix.