The Umbrella Academy showrunner Steve Blackman has explained why season 4 contained a divisive storyline between Lila and Five, defending why it happened. During The Umbrella Academy season 4, episode 5, Lila and Five end up stranded for multiple years in a waypoint between time, forced to grow closer to each other because of no one else being around. This results in an unexpected romance, despite the former being married to Five’s brother, Diego. The moment was a divisive decision, especially given this was the series’ final season.

Speaking with Radio Times about the romance between Lila and Five, Blackman explained how it felt like something The Umbrella Academy had earned after a long time. The showrunner defended the decision as a natural progression for both characters, especially after being forced to survive together for the equivalent of seven years. Check out what Blackman had to say below:

“Well, you know, I sat with the writers and we said, ‘What would happen if you spent seven years with someone and we’re starting to give up ever coming home?’ I mean, some of it speaks to the domestic problems between Lila and Diego. And part of it has to do with that, as much as Five and Lila would hate to say it, they’re very similar. They’ve been fighting so hard all the seasons, but alone, they realized they have a lot in common. They’re very similar people. So, you know, I wonder what the fans will take of that moment. But I think it’s an earned moment. But remember, it’s not a few days, we’ve been together now trying to stay alive for seven years. And I thought it was a great moment.”

Is Lila & Five’s Surprise Romance Justified In The Umbrella Academy Season 4?

The Romance Is A Shocking Turn For The Penultimate Episode

Blackman’s explanation about Lila and Five’s romance offers more context to their relationship developing, justified by the seven years they spent together. While their relationship blossoming was depicted over the span of just one episode, the characters themselves still had years of off-screen time to slowly grow closer to one another. While this passage of time means The Umbrella Academy characters went through their arc at an accelerated pace, it still somewhat makes sense based on this explanation.

Even though the passage of time can justify the new romantic subplot, it doesn’t feel as justified because of how quickly it happens through the lens of the audience.

However, what makes the romantic connection between the two so divisive is that it happens over the course of a single episode, despite so much buildup between Lila and Diego in previous seasons. Even though the passage of time can justify the new romantic subplot, it doesn’t feel as justified because of how quickly it happens through the lens of the audience. It’s also made even more controversial because it happens in the show’s second-to-last episode. By the end of The Umbrella Academy season 4, just one episode later, no longstanding repercussions are felt.

All episodes of The Umbrella Academy are now streaming on Netflix.

Unfortunately, since The Umbrella Academy season 5 isn’t happening – the series offering a very definitive ending for its characters – the romance between Lila and Five isn’t going to be expanded upon. Because the show leaves the relationship in such a divisive position, it’s unclear what could have happened had the show gone on for a bit longer. However, with the larger storylines resolved, it seems their romantic fling will now be lost to time, with any consequences between the siblings no longer possible after the end.