Summary
The detrimental effects of Reginald Hargreeves' neglectful parenting and lack of concern for his adopted children become apparent through Luther's expedition to the moon, underscoring the sorrowful consequences of his yearning for an omnipotent team of superhumans.
Luther's time spent on the moon is depicted as a wretched and desolate experience, as Reginald fails to adequately supply him with the necessary provisions for survival. This further deepens the sorrow in Luther's already tragic past.
The rationale behind Luther's assignment in season 3 contradicts the message he left for Reginald, prompting inquiries into the intricate motivations behind Reginald's actions.
Reginald Hargreeves' neglectful parenting is evident throughout The Umbrella Academy, but it is most apparent when discussing Luther's journey to the moon — and one heartbreaking detail magnifies the tragedy. In season 1 of The Umbrella Academy, it becomes apparent that Reginald's pursuit of assembling a powerful team of superhumans has a detrimental effect on the children he adopts. Each of them carries their own emotional baggage and copes with it in their own ways. Reginald seems indifferent towards the harm his actions cause his children, as long as they meet his unrealistic expectations.
Luther's backstory in The Umbrella Academy revolves around his mission to the moon, further illustrating this point about Reginald. Although Luther is unaware of the true purpose behind his journey, he assumes he is protecting against extraterrestrial threats. However, it is revealed that Reginald had sent him there for selfish reasons. Regardless of the motive, Reginald's mission is ultimately cruel. Luther spends a lonely four years in space, completely isolated. It is evident that Luther views his time on the moon as utterly miserable, and one small detail exacerbates the situation even further.
Luther's Umbrella Academy Message Makes His Moon Mission Sadder
In the first episode of The Umbrella Academy, Luther wakes up to a note addressed to their father, stating that he needs more food. It is evident that Reginald did not provide enough resources for Luther to survive in space for years, and he also did not check on his son, further emphasizing his disregard for his adopted children. This neglect adds another layer to Luther's already melancholic moon mission, intensifying the tragedy of this subplot within The Umbrella Academy.
The Umbrella Academy primarily focuses on Reginald's neglect when it comes to his interactions with characters like Viktor and Klaus. Nevertheless, this detail from season 1 of The Umbrella Academy reveals that all the Hargreeves siblings bear deep childhood scars. Even Luther, who may not dwell on the past as much, realized from a young age that his father did not care about him. It is no wonder that he harbors discontent when reminiscing about his time in space. Moreover, the fact that Reginald did not send Luther there for any significant purpose likely intensifies his feelings of resentment.
The Umbrella Academy S1's Note Doesn't Make Sense After Season 3
The Umbrella Academy hints that Reginald has ulterior motives for sending Luther to the moon. Initially, it appears that the purpose of the mission is to groom Luther as the leader and Number One of the Umbrella Academy team. However, in The Umbrella Academy season 3, a different explanation is provided. Reginald reveals to Luther that he was actually protecting "the most precious thing in the universe," which is his late wife, Abigail, kept in a cryogenic chamber near Luther's station. This revelation raises questions, as it seems illogical for Reginald to overlook the welfare of the boy responsible for overseeing his wife. One would assume that Reginald would want Luther to be well-nourished, alert, and in good health for such a mission. This adds to the complexity of Reginald's character, portraying him as a complicated patriarch with ambiguous intentions. Perhaps he was such an inadequate father that he genuinely neglected to provide food for Luther. It's also plausible that his reasons for sending Luther to space were mixed, but primarily self-serving, causing him to neglect his adopted son's needs.