Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Umbrella Academy season 4.
Summary
Allison has one of the most intriguing and dangerous powers inThe Umbrella Academy, andit gets upgraded more than once during the show’s four-season run. Extraordinary abilities are par for the course with the Hargreeves siblings, and all of them get new andenhanced powers inThe Umbrella Academyseason 4. This is a bigger deal for some of the siblings than others; while Luther and Diego’s original powers return with a vengeance, they don’t get anything quite as flashy asLila’s laser eyesor Klaus' ability to channel spirits into his own body.
Allison also gets noteworthy upgrades to her original power, which is already a force in its own right.Her ability probably causes the most controversy throughoutThe Umbrella Academy,but it also proves useful for getting the Hargreeves out of a pinch. While the rest of Reginald’s adoptive children can use their powers effectively in a physical fight, Allison can prevent the confrontation altogether. She can bend other people to her will just by saying “I heard a rumor” — and later outings of the Netflix show don’t even require that much.
Allison’s Rumor Powers Can Control Other People
She Takes Control Of Their Minds By Saying “I Heard A Rumor”
Allison’s power inThe Umbrella Academyallows her to control other people, which is something she uses questionably from the very beginning of the series. When Allison utters the words “I heard a rumor,” she takes control of her target’s mind. From there, she can complete the sentence and will other people to do exactly what she says. For example, when Allison says, “I heard a rumor that you shot your friend” during a flashback to an Umbrella Academy mission, the man she’s speaking to immediately takes aim at his partner.
Although her ability doesn’t enhance her fighting skills, Allison can turn enemies on each other or even make them turn around and leave.
The Umbrella Academyseason 1 suggests that Allison might have used her ability on Claire’s father, making him question the validity of their entire relationship. And it seems like Allison could rumor someone to do her bidding long-term, though that’s the closest we’ve seen her come to it.Allison’s ability is handy for stealth missions, but it helps her when confrontations turn physical, too. Although her ability doesn’t enhance her fighting skills, Allison can turn enemies on each other or even make them turn around and leave.
Needless to say, Allison’s rumor powers are dangerous from the timeThe Umbrella Academyopens. However, the show’s third season makes it even easier for her to control other people’s minds. AndThe Umbrella Academyseason 4 grants her further abilitieswhen she takes the marigold Ben slips into the Hargreeves' drinks. Allison is consistently growing more powerful over the series' run. However, that can make it difficult for viewers to keep up with her powers and how they work throughout the show.
Allison Gained A Major Upgrade In The Umbrella Academy Season 3
She Stops Needing To Use The Phrase “I Heard A Rumor”
Allison’s “rumor” power is effective in the early seasons ofThe Umbrella Academy,but it comes with one obvious weakness. If Allison is unable to speak or is cut off while she’s talking, she isn’t able to produce the desired result. If an enemy knows her power, they can use this shortcoming to get the upper hand. But inThe Umbrella Academyseason 3,Allison levels up her “rumor” power. This makes it so that she doesn’t need to utter the words “I heard a rumor” to command someone else’s mind; she simply needs to tell them what to do.
This makes her an even greater weapon, as she can take over people’s minds without them realizing it’s happening.
It’s not entirely clear howAllison accomplishes this power change, but it first emerges when Viktor tries to remove Harlan’s power. Allison gets hit by the blast, and from that moment onward, she doesn’t need the phrase to use her ability. This makes her an even greater weapon, as she can take over people’s minds without them realizing it’s happening. As though this doesn’t make Allison powerful enough,The Umbrella Academyseason 4 enhances her ability yet again.
Allison’s Powers Change Again In The Umbrella Academy Season 4
She’s Able To Do Much More With Her Mind
Although Allison no longer needs the words “I heard a rumor” to use her power inThe Umbrella Academyseason 3,the final season eliminates the requirement for her to speak altogether. When Allison’s powers return after taking the marigold, she’s able to will people to do her bidding without uttering a single word. She demonstrates as much during the Hargreeves' showdown at New Grumpson, Maine. Allison makes a soldier turn on his comrades using only her mind. She later comments on her “new power,” and it’s easy to see why she’s so impressed by it.
Allison’s season 4 upgrades don’t end there, either. When she and Claire set out to rescue Klaus towards theend ofThe Umbrella Academyseason 4, Allison uses her mind to do more than command others. She proves herself capable of breaking down a door with her ability, and she even hoists Quinn in the air and hurts him with her mind. At first glance, it seems as though the marigold grants Allison some form of telekinesis. However, a look at her ability inThe Umbrella Academycomics may better explain her season 4 power change.
The Umbrella Academy’s Series Finale Isn’t The Ending Netflix’s Show Deserved
The Umbrella Academy season 4 brings the beloved Netflix series to a close, but its disappointing ending doesn’t do the story or characters justice.
How Allison’s Powers Compare To The Umbrella Academy Comics
Allison Hargreeves Is Even More Powerful In The Comics
The Umbrella Academychanges a number of details from the comics it’s based on, and Allison’s powers differ depending on which version of the story you’re looking at. Although Allison can “rumor” people in both iterations ofThe Umbrella Academy,the comics take her ability much further. Allison is eventually able to bend reality to her will in the source material, using her ability to alter almost anything she wants.The Netflix show obviously downplays her power quite a bit, though its season 3 and 4 changes may be a means of bridging the gap.
Allison’s enhancement inThe Umbrella Academy’s final season may not be telekinesis after all.It’s possible the marigold grants her something closer to her comic powers, with Allison using her mind to reshape her environment while rescuing Klaus. It achieves the same outcome, but the latter option pays homage to Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá’s comics. In a season that’s otherwise disappointing, it’s nice to seeThe Umbrella Academyrecognizing its roots. It’s also great to witness the Hargreeves in action one last time, especially with amplified abilities.
The Umbrella Academy
Cast
The Umbrella Academy is based on the comic book of the same name created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. The Hargreeves — collectively known as The Umbrella Academy — were born with superpowers, and their adoptive father utilized their abilities. However, as they grew older, the siblings grew apart as they dealt with their trauma. They are brought back together after their father dies and Five returns from the future with grave news: The world will end, and The Umbrella Academy has to stop it before it happens.
