The Umbrella Academy S4: Controversy ignites over Lila and Five’s romantic relationship

Netflix has released the final season of The Umbrella Academy, but it’s not without controversy. The unexpected love triangle involving two of the Hargreaves siblings startled fans.

Season 4 sees Ritu Arya’s Lila and Aidan Gallagher’s Five trapped in a seven-year time loop. They become romantically involved while collaborating to look into an enigmatic organization. Many fans were taken aback by this turn of events since Lila was married to Diego (David Castañeda), Five’s brother, and the two of them have a family.

The disparity in age also caused concern. Despite being 64 years old, Five returns to the future with the body of an 18-year-old after being trapped there since they first met when he was 13.

On social media, fans bemoaned their disappointment and criticized the plot. Some thought Five and Lila’s relationship was inappropriate and didn’t like how it changed the dynamic between Five and Diego. Others took issue with the fact that Diego and Five’s relationship ended with them at odds.

Someone wrote, “In hindsight we should have known because #TheUmbrellaAcademy has ALWAYS featured couples with huge age-gaps….” Another added, “Vague UMBRELLA ACADEMY SEASON 4 SPOILERS . . The age gap is weird both on screen and off idc”

“Let’s all pretend like season 4 of the umbrella academy doesn’t exist, thank you,” said a third user. “You mean to tell me it ended with them hating each other… i’m sick. umbrella academy how could you do this to me.” A fan stated, “I’ve been so excited for s4 umbrella academy to come out only to learn they made it so fucking awful AND ruined my boy five??? let me in the room of writers and i’ll make them regret ever breaking lila/diego”

In an interview with Us Weekly, David Castañeda acknowledged that he was disappointed that Lila had chosen Five over Diego. He told showrunner Steve Blackman that he was frustrated and that it was hard to film certain scenes. In real life, Castañeda and Arya, who portray Lila, are in a relationship.

Castañeda stated in conversation to the news outlet, “No, I didn’t understand. I was pissed off, I was angry. I talked to [our showrunner] Steve [Blackman] a few times. I was like, ‘Hey, does this really have to happen?’” he continued that the storyline “wasn’t fun.”

He also highlighted about the relationship looping in Five, “I was always trying to convince Steven, ‘Who’s going to win? Come on, Diego’s going to win, right?’ You got needs. I get it. But let’s be real. Come on, Diego? Who can turn down that hot cake?”

Blackman defended the choice, arguing that Five’s special circumstances as an older man in a young body called for a love story. Seeing an opportunity with Lila, he knew it would not be to everyone’s taste. He thought the plot was a good one and that Five and Lila’s on-screen kiss was flawless, despite the conflicting opinions.