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The Umbrella Academy is being called out for romanticising incest
18 February 2019, 16:14
The Allison and Luther Hargreeves storyline in 'The Umbrella Academy' is causing controversy...
Netflix is not messing around at the moment. Over the past few weeks alone, the video streaming service has released some of the most memorable shows in recent TV history. First everyone was obsessed with YOU in January (justice for Peach Salinger), then there was Sex Education (we must protect Eric at all costs) and now the entire internet is living for The Umbrella Academy.
The Umbrella Academy is the brainchild of My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way. Based on Gerard's beloved comic book series of the same name, The Umbrella Academy tells the story of seven, estranged, adopted siblings who reunite after their father's death. Oh, and they all have superpowers and have to stop the apocalypse. It's brilliant but one storyline isn't sitting right with fans.
WARNING SPOILERS BELOW
Within the series, it's made clear from the get go that Allison (Number 3) and Luther (Number 1) share strong feelings for one another. At first, this could be brotherly and sisterly love but, as season 1 progresses, it quickly becomes apparent that they are in love. Then in episode 6, the two of them share a romantic dance with each other (to Toploader's 'Dancing in the Moonlight') and kiss.
Obviously, they aren't related biologically (unless there is some alien link that connects them) but given the fact that they've been raised as siblings, it does seem a little bit incestuous. The Umbrella Academy may operate more like a school than an actual family but there are some definite dodgy lines being crossed. In fact, many viewers think that the show romanticises incest.
Here are just a few of the reactions.
INCEST //
— "bastard"-ized (@wristbow) February 15, 2019
UMBRELLA ACADEMY WOULD LIKE, BE SO MUCH BETTER IF ONE OF THE MAIN ROMANTIC COUPLESWASN'T LITERALLY TWO OF THE ADOPTIVE SIBLINGS YALL
this incest storyline in the umbrella academy................how about no pic.twitter.com/gZKlrk9i3f
— kendall (@kxh__hxk) February 17, 2019
not umbrella academy making the incest storyline look “”cute””......, pic.twitter.com/RQ9QL3FMfb
— 𝒂𝒓𝒊 (@Igbtwice) February 17, 2019
@ luther there's a reason why you call yourself UNCLE luther for allison's child 💀 #UmbrellaAcademypic.twitter.com/79hKsV6Tkg
— ikho☘️HOBI'S DAY (@crystalytear) February 16, 2019
*Allison and Luther making out like it’s not weird*
— .jpg (@goldnoirr) February 16, 2019
Me watching all this: #UmbrellaAcademy pic.twitter.com/NmD3iTyiWf
me whenever I see Allison and Luther getting close #UmbrellaAcademy #TheUmbrellaAcademy
— Joy (@deadlyposie) February 17, 2019
pic.twitter.com/l8apYVQmgm
The relationship between Allison and Luther is actually explored in the comics as well as the books so it's nothing new. Still now that it's reached a wider audience via television, fans are not impressed. What's worse is no one seems to question it, not even them, and it detracts from an otherwise excellent show.
