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the-er-system · 18 hours ago

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The more often I rewatch Season 1, the more it becomes obvious how Klaus is the Mascot of the family, the family member who diffuses tension with humor. But he also fits the criteria for the avoidant personality type.

Here's my analysis on this:

1.Sensitive to Rejection

People with an avoidant personality try to steer clear of rejection or criticism, because it leaves them emotionally vulnerable. We can see this very well with Klaus. To name a few examples: When Allison points out the rehab wrist band in the first episode of the show, he says “Oh, no, I’m done with all that.” He tries to deny it. We can see this exact same behavior later when he tries to talk himself out of conjuring Reginald. Allison is the one to interrupt, asking if he’s high. When everyone just looks annoyed at that, he springs up, defending himself “How are you not?”.

He knows his addiction is disapproved of by the family, that it will earn him a lecture. In the show we can see this when he tells Luther “Save the lecture” when he leaves Reginald’s office. And when he tries to conjure Reginald, he also says “big angry ghost lecture.” When he smokes in the living room, Luther says “You know dad didn't allow smoking in here.” All of this showcases how he is used to criticism and also his ways in avoiding it.

So, how does he handle actual rejection? Let’s have a look at his and Diego’s dynamic. We have seen multiple times how Diego is on his way to leave, when Klaus says “I’ll come with you.” And even though Diego says no, Klaus doesn't treat it seriously, knowing Diego won’t kick him out. They're siblings.

But later, when he is in the van with Luther and Five, he DOES get kicked out by them. And he MENTIONS this later when they vote on turning off Mom. The reason he is on Diego’s side, at least from what he is saying, is because he’s mad at Luther. “I’m with Diego, because screw you!” And “Get out of the van, Klaus. Well, welcome back to the van, Klaus!” While it is a funny scene, it is proof that rejection sticks with him.

2. Difficulty in creating meaningful relationships

There is a lot of evidence for this one. His prior relationships all seem to have been surface level. He can't remember how he lost his virginity. The longest relationship he had prior to Dave lasted three weeks and even that was only because he was tired of searching for a place to sleep. When he is grieving over Dave with Diego in the car he says that he lost the only person he loved more than himself (Which is not actually the case, there are a lot of points that could disprove that line, but Klaus feels this way and that's what’s important).

Dave was the first push towards his healing journey. He values him so highly, even after years. He places Dave’s well-being over his own with him trying to stop Dave from enlisting into the military in S2, even if it means they’ll never meet. And it is Dave who goes into the kiss.

3. Running away

The stereotypical avoidant character is gruff, pessimistic and oftentimes nihilistic. But Klaus uses humor as a mask. He seems like a flirt, extroverted, light and funny and while this isn’t necessarily false or all a lie, it is still an exaggeration. This is a good example of him being the Mascot of the family.

It is when they are stressed it really shines through. It’s when Dave dies, he decides to go back to 2019. He almost gave up on finding Luther if Ben hadn't said anything.

The drugs are a way to run away from the past, from the pain, from himself, to make everything go numb.

And while he’s not really nihilistic, he can be a bit, for the lack of a better word, pessimistic. He believes that the future can only be bad, evidenced by Five coming back and saying “[The future] is shit, by the way” to which he responds with “Called it!”.

He also dislikes the whole notion of “eternal peace”, saying it’s overrated when he tries to summon Reginald and in S3 saying so to his birth mother in the afterlife.

Also, the whole cult storyline.

4. Conflict Avoidant

While he does cheer on Diego and Luther during their fight at Reginald's funeral, this fight does not involve him. In all other cases, it is really clear once you notice it.

Him being the Mascot of the family already makes this obvious. The tone gets heated? An argument may arise? Throw in a quick joke, draw the attention towards himself. For example, when Luther says how they should bury Reginald by the oak tree because he spent time there sometimes and he says “None of you ever did that?”, the others gave him strange looks. Klaus immediately says something completely unrelated “Will there be any refreshments?”.

He is the only one to suggest “I vote for running!” when the portal through which Five falls through appears.

5. Not sharing problems

He rarely ever shares the trauma he goes through and if ever, he downplays it. This is seen when he comes back from Vietnam and Five points it out, he deflects and says “long night”. He does not say where to, when he answers Five’s questions it is followed with something funny like when he asks for how long “almost a year. [...] which means I’m 10 months older.” Or when he finds out he’s immortal, he says it in a way easily mistaken for a joke and then never brings it up again.

Even when he is vulnerable he shares minimal information. Like when he had a breakdown at the VFW, he tells Diego that he “lost someone” but does not expand. The most open he was was during The Day That Wasn't. Here he talks about Dave, what he was like, that Klaus followed him to the front lines. And Diego doesn't pester him with a lot of questions, which is important here. Klaus is in his thoughts and shares this willingly. It is such a good step towards healing, because talking about stuff actually can help.

6. Fear of failure/low self-worth

Here you have to look past the surface. Because sure, Klaus says Dave was the only person he loved more than himself, but other scenes say otherwise.

He does not believe it at first that Viktor is capable of destroying the earth, he argues that he’s their brother and they shouldn't just lock him away, they’re family. They can just ask him! When in S2 Viktor leaves for Sissy, he is the first to join him. He goes after Diego when Diego almost gets killed by Hazel and Cha-Cha, despite Diego having told him to stay in the car.

He is extremely sympathetic towards Luther when he finds out that Reginald didn't care, even though the rest figured that out so long ago. He tries to stop Luther from taking drugs, he goes after him even after Luther hurts him, doesn't even hesitate. He seems really affectionate with Allison, giving her hugs, letting her play with his hair, coming to her in S2 when he feels lost.

He tries to comfort Five in his own way when trying to find out who the owner of the glass eye is didn't work. He feels obvious guilt because he thinks he’s the reason why Ben can't move on.

So yeah, I’m calling bullshit on that “only person he loved more than himself.”

Then there's his “Yeah, me neither” line in response to God saying “I don't really like you all that much.”

Ben is the one who gives him support and says that he can do better, that he is better than what he thinks. (And that Dave knew it too). Because Klaus can't tell this to himself, another point in his low opinion of himself.

He calls his own powers “pretty much useless” and is very surprised to hear when Reginald told him he never reached his full potential. What potential? He can do more?

When he is appointed look-out for the Apocalypse Concert/The S1 Finale, he looks disappointed, like he isn't doing enough. He was always the look out when they were kids. And he clearly wants to do more, that's why he tried to make Ben corporeal at the bowling alley, to prove that he can.

He has struggles with becoming and staying clean. He is constantly judged for it, yet doesn't receive any support in return from his living siblings so his answer? More drugs.

After Vietnam, he almost relapses and the reason he gives is that sobriety didn't improve anything, everything’s still the same, still nobody takes him seriously. If everyone sees you as a failure? Why bother being anything else? And after a long enough time, it is hard not to internalize that.

His fear of failure is tightly knit to his fear of rejection.

Even when he finds out about making ghosts corporeal, he doesn't train his powers, doesn't try to do more, doesn't try to advance despite having the knowledge that his powers could allow more.

It’s the classic “Can't fail if you don't try”.

And it’s really stemming from being Reginald’s “greatest disappointment”. Because that is absolutely not the first time he told Klaus this.

With kids, if your expectations are too high and they can't meet them, often you need to lower the bar, instead of raising it.

Reginald kept throwing him into a mausoleum, expecting a certain result, then got angry when he got the exact opposite and just continued the punishment, because it IS a punishment by this point. It’s like “you’ll study three hours a day now and don't you dare fail that next test again”.

Origins: So, where does this avoidant personality come from? In Klaus’s case I’d assume it comes from emotional neglect. From being let down and not having his needs met. By a father leaving him alone in the dark with the ghosts instead of showing him love.

He wants to be loved, he wants to be trusted, but his early life experiences have given him the opposite.

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the-er-system · 18 hours ago

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Here is my 6k word Umbrella Academy analysis on Season 1 Episode 1 "We Only See Each Other At Weddings And Funerals"

Hope you enjoy!

(Disclaimer: Spoilers for Season 1, 2 and 3. Some points will come off as a bit judgemental towards certain characters, but I truly like all of the siblings, this is simply my observation. You may not agree with everything, these are just my interpretations)

Episode 1: We Only See Each Other At Weddings And Funerals:

It is really sweet how the other women at the swimming pool are comforting Tatiana while and after she gave birth, bringing towels, petting her hair, holding her hand

It has been pointed out many times but I still love the foreshadowing to Viktor’s powers when Reginald is about to purchase him

I never thought about it but Viktor really practiced alone in the Theatre here. Wonder why. The lights were still on so maybe he just saw it as a good opportunity

Reginald dies late at night, Luther’s clock shows 23:28

When I watched this the first time, I immediately picked up on Luther's body hair growth, like with the wound, how he’s trying to cover it and later when he’s alone so I thought in retrospective that the trash bags are partially filled with hair

The weatherman says “little bit of rain potentially later in the week” and it does rain at Reginald’s funeral, which is only a few days after this! (As he dies on 21st March but Five comes back right before the funeral on 24th March) Great detail!

Diego really just snapped that guys neck

Allison's press photo shoot is apparently for Love on Loan 3, with the logo on the wall!

Allison never covers her umbrella tattoo, it is really visible

Allison looking really forced happy, right before a journalist says “Oh! You’re perfect!”

The poster “Recovery is not short and sweet, it is a lifelong process”

Klaus introduction scene and he already wears his headphones

He is immediately established as charming, people are laughing at his jokes, another off-screen person says goodbye to him. He seems well liked

No matter how many times I watch it I get said when the receptionist says “We’ll see you soon, Klaus”

Klaus-kisses-something count: 1. Object in question: the 30 day coin

Luther's chair on the moon, where the light hits the surface and making it look beautiful. Great hint at a later scene where Allison asks him about the moon!

Diego has no idea what normal is for a family. He throws the robbers against family photos, real family photos, not the annual paintings of the Academy. He throws knives, picks them up and they’re covered in blood. No clue that he looks just like the robbers, how is this family supposed to feel safe?

The transition from Allison leaving the press and looking over her shoulder to look at them one last time to Klaus looking over his shoulder as a police car with siren drives past as he makes his way to a dealer

Klaus-kisses-something count: 2. Object in question: drugs

Viktor looking at the news as Reginald’s death is pronounced. He says “Dad” and the photo on the news showing Reginald shows one of the Umbrella Academy group pictures after their Eiffel Tower mission. Watching that hurt, my heart aches for Viktor here

After the Eiffel Tower picture it shows another Academy picture, but this time with only five kids, hinting at Five’s disappearance

Reginald having lizard taxidermies and skulls

I never could quite make sense of the Academy emblem. An umbrella, a lighting bolt, a skull and a domino mask. And the motto is “Ut Malum Pluvia”, apparently translating to “When Evil rains”?

Shot to the sleep observation notebook. During my first watch, I didn't pick up that the numbers were representing the children, I assumed it were experiment numbers. I don't know what he wrote about Allison, but Klaus’s says “no activity for tonight”. So yay, probably means good sleep for him. I’m sure that line either hints at nightmares, OR, more likely, ghosts, that Klaus sees/hears in his dreams, which we get to see in later scenes. Ben’s says ‘seems to be crying in sleep’ which is just so sad, I want to hug him. And Viktor’s says “activity!!!” can't really make out the rest, but there are other posts transcripting the pages, but here’s another clue that Viktor has powers.

The Academy paintings. On the first one, they look a bit uncomfortable, but mostly okay. In the next, when Five is gone, they look so much more tense. In the next one it shows they hate this and they don't want to be here. They look really strained and depressed and angry at the last painting when Ben died

Diego comes out of the room where Grace is sitting, great hint for when it is revealed that he found the monocle on her

Allison didn't seem to be sure that Viktor would come “You’re actually here”. It is sweet how she welcomes him and says “forget about him” when Diego tells him “What are you doing here? You don't belong here, not after what you did.”

So far, Diego and Allison know that Viktor is there

Viktor says “Hey, Allison” while Allison says “Hey, sis”. Sis, our first nickname in this family

Allison can sure shoot one back, quite snarky and can be quite defensive of others, but in a good way. Shows by criticizing Diego’s outfit/leather harness underhandedly

Viktor really seems to be about to leave after Diego’s comment :( Good that Allison reassured him

So now Diego knows that Allison is there, Viktor and now Luther as well. “What's your secret? Protein shakes? Low carbs?” Diego seems well knowledged in health and fitness, later eating a raw egg and criticizing Klaus for using drugs “My body is a temple”. That's surely one way to cope. That is in complete contrast to what they did as children, with Five pointing out they used to snuck out to Griddy’s and Klaus saying they used to huff paint in the basement in season 3. That fact about Diego already shows here with this simple comment

Diego was the first to know Luther was there (beside Pogo, as Luther talked to him already and was told the monocle was missing. Already hinting that Pogo was involved in Reginald’s whole plan). And of course the first room Luther would go to was Reginald’s bedroom. But then again, it was Diego’s first goal too, with him already having checked it out

Diego pulling away the coroner’s report right as Luther was about to grab it because Diego was holding it out to him. Classic sibling behavior. From this moment I knew that any comment about “They’re not really a family, they’re strangers” is a blatant lie

Diego broke into the coroner’s office before this. He IS shocked that it is just heart failure but he accepted it. Luther, not so much

Diego says this about Reginald: “A sad old man in a big empty house, just like he deserved.” Now he is the one being told by Luther to leave.

Diego says to Luther “Whatever you say, brother.” Brother being so more distanced than sis

Reginald really had everything. Comics up top, a bit below that, a newspaper article but also a framed teen magazine cover

Viktor meets Pogo up next and they hug. Viktor got two hugs in one day, the other being from Allison

Grace calls Reginald “sir” in the flashback

In the flashback, Allison stands perfectly straight in the middle, in the left front we have Ben who is straightening his shirt and halfway already in the office. On the right front we have Klaus who is crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe. In the left back we have Luther, who stands behind his siblings and in the exact same spot as in all the Academy paintings. Next to him is Diego, who has to stretch himself a bit to be able to look past Allison and at Reginald. In the left back is Five and behind him Viktor. When they are urged to leave, Viktor immediately makes his way back, Diego and Klaus follow suit and walk next to each other, next it Five and Luther puts his hand on Ben’s shoulder as they walk back. Allison has to be urged by Grace. She wants attention and it becomes apparent why she would become a movie star

Klaus meets Allison first, she’s the first to know he’s there, in Reginald’s office

Klaus really hasn't seen Allison in a long time it seems, but Allison is really happy to see him as she smiles at his antics. I really believe that Klaus is the “mascot” when it comes to dysfunctional family dynamics and for Allison, it really worked. For those that don't know what the mascot is: “This is the child who learns very early that laughter reduces tension and eases stress, and she or he responds to discord in the family by trying to lighten the mood through humor.”

Klaus immediately goes for the hug. Now Allison got two hugs too! The first she gave Viktor, the second she got from Klaus

Klaus really can lie quickly. He wasn't prepared to meet her there, it didn't sound like he had anything planned when he said that he wanted to meet her anyway, but that “I wanted to get your autograph” really came so quickly after that short pause. He could pawn it and says it in a flattering way.

He is so quick to divert from a question. Instead of answering Allison's question about what he’s doing, he goes for the “oh, we haven't seen each other in so long!”

But Allison points out the rehab wristband. She notices shit

Allison really seems concerned when Klaus says “I’m done with all that”, context being rehab

Klaus saying he only came here to convince himself that their dad is dead and Allison giving him a “really?” look. She didn't believe it for a second

When Klaus clasps “And he is! He’s dead! Yeees!” Allison shakes her head and grins. That was the moment she thought “Yep, he hasn't changed one bit, alright. Klaus is still Klaus.”

Klaus really changes in tone fast, from being cheerful and making jokes about Reginald’s death to angry about how they wouldn't be allowed to be in that room if he’d still be alive

Klaus puts his feet in the desk

Reginald has a photo of himself framed on a shelf, not just the painting behind him

“Get out of his chair” are the first words Luther tells Klaus after seeing each other again. Klaus has meet two people, Allison and Luther and Luther met Pogo, Diego and now Allison and Klaus in Reginald’s office

Interesting that Klaus wants to leave when Luther enters the room.

“Save the lecture” Oh, Klaus is so used to getting lectured

“You guys can talk amongst yourselves * chuckles softly*” He is so hinting at their teenage romance with each other

Luther knows Klaus took something, he isn't fooled by Klaus playing dumb

And Klaus looks around again if anyone is there before he pulls out the box. Don't let appearances fool you, he knows how to stay secretive

Klaus-kisses-something count: 3. Object in question: pearl-inlaid box

Luther is the one to say “Klaus is still Klaus” and Allison is the one to say she finds it comforting. Her life has changed so much, she has started to see that her actions have consequences and to see that some things from the past haven't changed? Yes, I can see her seeing it as a source of comfort. Luther does not give a response, instead redirecting to Diego. So he seems to be less comforted by Klaus’s lack of change

The bit about Diego wearing the leather harness in the shower will never not be funny

Luther AND Allison weren't sure if she’d come to the funeral. She really distanced herself from her past, huh

Luther says shit when Allison tells him that Patrick got custody. He knows how much Claire meant to Allison. Also, Luther swears. I see you, “Luther saying ‘Language!’” writers, but it’s not canon

Luther is quick to suggest Allison should use her power, but he is apprehensive at saying it out loud, indicating that he does know that it is not exactly good

Family meeting! Luther sits on the left couch, Diego on the left armchair, Allison on the right armchair and Viktor on the right couch. Luther seems the most comfortable, as if this were truly his home, Diego sits rather relaxed too, Allison sits straight, hands folded in her lap, Viktor wants to be comfortable but body language indicates that he isn't, he makes himself look really small

Allison has a drink

“None of you ever did that?” When Luther tells that he used to sit with Reginald by the oak tree. Diego looks away, probably thinking “Classic Luther”. At first I thought that Diego thinks that Luther is the favorite, but then I remembered that Diego later tells Luther he SHOULD be angry at Reginald for what he did to Luther, so I think he realizes “So he still thinks Reginald is good and doesn't realize how messed up it all was.” Also, Klaus immediately chimes in “Will there be any refreshments?” Before any of his siblings could answer that “None of you ever did that?” Question, which would just stir up all sorts of emotions. Robert Sheehan said in an interview once that Klaus is rather conflict avoidant and it shows. And again, another point towards him being the “mascot”

So Klaus has a drink, a cigarette and also a trophy?

Luther only points out the smoking, not the drinking. Because “Dad didn't allow smoking in here”. When did he establish that rule? I so want to know the history behind it

Allison seems to be so much more at ease after Klaus’s interruption

Diego knew Luther would still believe that it was murder. Viktor does speak up, using logic that the coroner would know. Allison also finds Luther’s suggestion ludicrous, she sees in that moment how Luther can't live without a mission anymore

“Quelle surprise” Klaus is the most likely out of all of them to use non-English words. French, German, Spanish is what I remember on the spot, I'll look out if he speaks any other languages

Also, Reginald communicated with Luther while on the moon

“Look, I know you don't like to do it but I need you to talk to Dad”. Everyone was aware that Klaus does not like using his power. Klaus even looks shocked at the suggestion, his expression saying “Me?”. Allison scoffs as if she knew “Yeah, not going to happen” or couldn't believe that Luther would bring it up, especially in the context that she thinks that Luther is out of his mind with suggesting it was murder

Resentment slips through when Klaus says “Hey did could you stop playing tennis with Hitler for a while and take a quick call”

Luther doesn't even think about the possibility that Klaus wouldn't be able to do it. “That's his thing”. Luther does NOT know why Klaus started using drugs,for which we’ll get even more evidence for in episode 7 when he says he wants to be Number Four because he seems so carefree. Also Diego looks away when Luther says it, maybe because Luther still puts so much focus on their powers, just like Reginald

Everyone except Diego is so shocked and surprised when it’s revealed that Luther thinks one of them killed Reginald. There was definitely some baseline trust in each other

“Way to lead” Diego rubbing salt into the wound because he knows Luther thinks himself the leader of the group. It definitely strikes Luther, so it worked

All of them work out without another word, except Klaus who tells Luther he’s crazy. Even Allison, whose glass is now empty

Flashback to 17 years ago. They were 12 here and it’s 2002. Five disappeared about 16 years and 5 months ago, so he was only in the public for about 7 months

News Reporter is Jim Hellerman from the news station Channel 2 News

A S.W.A.T team is already at the bank robbery

Bank is Capital West bank at Main at Sixth

The Umbrella Academy only made their entrance at this bank robbery roughly three hours after it started

I love this scene so much. Allison so confidently walking up to the robber, Luther running on the roof and people believing it’s law enforcement, jumping in through a window from the ceiling, immediately hitting a guy and throwing him out of the bank through another window. That's a lot of windows they’re destroying. Diego’s knives land straight in that guy's chest

What did Jim Hellerman do to have been in many hostage situations? Is The City just like that? Is it like Gotham, where crime is just that rapant?

The robber from the beginning is standing on top of the counter, pointing his gun at the kids and calling them freaks. Diego, Allison AND Klaus are standing in front of him. I have never noticed that Klaus was standing there too before this rewatch. Luther is standing by the hostages in front of the vault.

The kids are trolling that guy. Diego saying “Be careful up there, buddy” Allison responding “Wouldn't want you to get hurt.” Five also has this humor with “That's one badass stapler.” He is so youthful here

“Do we really have to do this?” Ben, I want to hug you. He does not want to do this. He first looks at Luther (remember when Luther was the one to guide him away from Reginald’s office?) and then at Klaus.

“*Sighs* I didn't sign up for this” Did I say I want to give Ben a hug?

Five seems intrigued by Ben’s… tentacle massacre and then looks at Klaus, maybe because of the possibility that new ghosts could appear?

“*Sighs* *breathes shakily* Can we go home now?” Voice trembling, covered in blood, I am calling CPS, nothing will stop me, I will enter this TV show just to pull Ben out of this

They come out and are already posing, they trained for this moment. Luther is holding a hand up, Diego is showing off a knife, Allison is standing straight, Klaus is leaning on Five, Five is als standing straight, hand behind his back. Ben is covered in blood and looking down

They were so sheltered and given so little free time, so little time to discover who they are, this bank robbery mission for which a S.W.A.T team was called and ended in Ben being covered in blood made Viktor say “Why can't I go PLAY with the others?”

Reginald comes into the picture and Luther is again at his exact same position as always, at the top left.

Some other news stations: WURG, CNR, Channel 9 News

Interesting how they wear their scarves. Luther, Five and Ben all seemingly wear their scarves tucked into their coats, Allison wears hears pretty fashionable with one side hanging out to the front, Klaus’s hangs off to the side on one end while the other falls off over his shoulder behind his back and Diego literally just put it around his shoulders, didn't even wrap it around his neck. No wonder that guy later refuses to use an umbrella during the funeral.

End of flashback, back to Klaus trying to conjure Reginald. Looks like he just took off his shoes. Klaus seems to focus so much on the point that they weren’t related. Earlier with him that Reginald wasn’t their real father so they couldn't inherit his cold dead eyes, now with “[...] my sons, adoptedt(!) sons”. It really makes sense that he wants to seek out his birth mother in season 3, he already puts a lot of focus on it in season 1.

“Big angry ghost lecture” again with the lecture, Klaus is used to getting lectured.

"Eternal peace is probably overrated” they kept that in season 3 when he talks with Rachel, his mom, in The Void. Klaus is so interesting, he has seemingly no long term goals, lives fully in the present moment, but is haunted by his past and also thinks the future is shit (as shown when Five reappears and tells them about the future “Called it!”)

Klaus calls Reginald “Reggie”

Diego and Klaus think very similarly of Reginald. Diego uses “paranoid”, “sad old man”, “monster” as words to describe him, Klaus says “stubborn bastard” and “sadistic prick”. No wonder they get along so well

Allison truly is a girlies girl, they recreated that early 2000s girls room PERFECTLY. That little thing to hang up jewelry, the bright colored nail polish, another container for other accessories, teen magazines, posters, kitchy notebooks and decor, those pencils that aren’t even sharpened yet, the one with the thin plastic wrapping that gets everywhere once you do sharpen them and with the cutesy eraser on top which more destroys your paper and smears the writing all over it instead of erasing it. Huuuh, the 2000s

Klaus is now in the basement kitchen. This is where Leonard and Viktor will enter from at a later point (I’m pointing this out because whenever I watched that scene I never knew how they were suddenly in the house, I assumed it was a shop because it didn't look like the house, now I know). There is a table football and a couch and an e-guitar, which Klaus will later hold right when Diego will announce that he’ll leave

Klaus has another drink. And just took drugs, three to be precise. He seems to be not doing okay. “Three? Okay” to which he laughs but right after taking them he seems very sunken

Diego is a knuckle cracker and fidgets with his knives

I think it’s really sweet how Luther wants to make them all feel connected and cheer them up after ruining the mood. Maybe he already realized here he was too harsh. He did turn up the volume to max, he knew what he was doing with putting on the vinyl here. And he is already feeling the music, moving his hands and head

Luther is a record enjoyer, Klaus is most often seen with his tape player (though he also has a record player in his room. I assume that tapes are just more mobile and he can listen to them anywhere).

This dance scene was what made me fall in love with the show

Diego closes the door before he pulls off his A+ performance.

Allison springs onto and off beds

Five begins to reappear, metal things get pulled away. Reginald’s urn almost falls off the table before Klaus catches it. Klaus also says “Daddy?” Sure, we know that ghosts don't manifest like this. But Klaus has been trying to conjure Reginald, his abuser, so it is reasonable why he’d think that Reginald might appear after all, especially when he isn't fully sober and already not doing that good mentally

Luther is the first to put some scientific reasons on the big blue ball in the sky

Diego calls Luther “Paul Bunyan”

When the electricity intensifies, Luther and Diego are quick to pull Klaus behind them. Luther says “Everyone get behind me”, he clearly sees himself as their protector. Diego says “Yeah, get behind us” he sees himself also as their protector, he has some respect for Luther in the sense he looks up to him, wants to be equals rather than Number Two

“I vote for running” Klaus showing conflict-avoidance again. Or self-preservation instincts depending on the viewer

I like how Klaus is the one to say “Does anyone else see little Number Five or is that just me?” With him already seeing things that no one else does. Also, Klaus uses Five’s full name, Number Five instead of just Five

Klaus is rubbing his show and mouth a lot. Could be a nervous tick or could be experiencing dry mouth from the drugs

Viktor and Five used to be close, Viktor being the one to give Five the date and Five remained rather calm when he just said the day when he asked for the exact date instead. He has a lot more patience for Viktor

Five did that a lot, walking towards someone only to blink with Luther saying “Haven't missed that”

Five has seen a lot. He says that the future is shit so resigned. He says he should have listened to “the old man”, putting the blame on himself

“That makes no sense” “It would if you were smarter” Diego immediately stands up, Luther immediately holds Diego back. He will later do this again when Diego is angry at Five when Patch was killed. Luther is all about preserving the peace between them, that's also why he put on the record

“Nice to know Dad didn't forget me” Five does not seem to see the harm Reginald has done to them but based on that line, I believe that in the apocalypse he thought often about how their dad would probably see him as a failure now, since he did what he was told not to do and couldn't even go back. All of them still call Reginald “Dad”

I’m just imagining old Five saying “ballsy”

Viktor full on believes his whole family hates him

Five responds with that there could be worse things. Worse things being that they’re all dead like what he had to go through, already implicating that he doesn't care what his family thinks of him and his actions just as long as they’re safe

Klaus is smoking another cigarette

Pogo says “dear boy” to Luther

Klaus grimaces when Luther pours out the ashes. Could be interpreted in a number of ways. “Oh that wasn't great.” “The old man will not like that.” to throw out a few

Diego’s anger continues to brew as his face twists and and looks up away from Pogo when he asks who wants to speak. The words are already forming for him

Klaus is keeping his feelings about Reginald bottled up, going straight back to his cigarette

Diego begins to look over again when Pogo says “[Reginald] was my master”. Strengthening his feelings about how they weren't children to Reginald, how he saw himself as above everyone

Allison looks down and seems annoyed when Diego says “My name is Number Two” in response to her calling him out. She probably thinks back to Ben’s funeral, where he wasn't all that different. “Classic Diego”

Viktor also cares about Mom. When he first entered the Academy, he said “Mom?” As soon as he saw her, here he says “No, it’s okay, Mom” when she asks if they’d like something to eat. He also thanks her in a later flashback when she compliments his music and is against shutting her down

Allison already notices that something is not right with Mom “Is Mom alright?”, Which explains why she would be pro powering her off

Diego really out here pulling the string cards with calling Luther “Number One”. Luther probably saw it as an offense towards him, but I think Diego said it more as to “Look, he didn't even gave us names! He gave us numbers”

Luther does no go down to that level, still calling Diego “Diego” but he is the one to start the physical fight

Diego calls Luther “big boy” in the fight. Twice

This time, Klaus is all for the fight, chanting “Hit him!”. He did laugh at Diego’s proclamations about their father

Allison seems so disappointed and also resigned in those two when they destroyed Ben’s statue in the “They never know when to stop” sense

This time, Viktor does not back down when Diego says “Got enough material for your sequel yet?” He does not let Diego get to him

Klaus really makes sure that everyone is gone before he says his words to Reginald.

Putting out your cigarette in your abusers ashes in the ultimate “Fuck you” move and nothing will ever top it

Reginald’s quote in the flashback to one of their training days basically boils down to “You are stronger together than on your own.” In the bank robbery flashback he says in response to if he cares about their well being “Of course. As I am for the fate of the world.” I think he knew that an apocalypse would happen but I don't believe he knew the cause. In a later flashback with Luther and Allison in the greenhouse, he isn't angry about them spending time together, he’s angry that they do it outside of their schedule

This is where Diego’s fear of needles comes from, getting their tattoos

Klaus and Allison already got their tattoos, Diego is currently getting his done, so they’re out of order. I thought maybe the last one got theirs first, the first one to make it to the top gets theirs last but Diego was right behind Five on the staircase race. But maybe Luther and Ben managed to overtake him?

I just think it’s really sweet how Klaus is holding Allison in his arms as she’s sobbing while he is also still distressed and in pain from his own one. He cares

Diego doesn't even let himself be comforted by Mom

Luther also seems so agitated about being next, he tries to hide the fear but isn't successful

Ben tries to calm himself down but he’s pretty nervous and as is Five

None of them had any fun here

Reginald raises them by the rule “You are stronger together than alone”. But completely excludes Viktor from all of this. Of course he’d feel isolated. But it also means he sees these terrible things happen to his siblings, like the bank robbery mission and tattoos, and sees it as a game, as a group activity that he is left out of. I do believe he’d take the pain if it’d meant he’d be one of them

It is so freaking creepy how Reginald will just sit on their beds while they sleep and put on the electrodes.

I first thought everyone had their own color for the cables, but some are clearly used twice. Luther has blue, Allison yellow, Viktor’s is white which is a great hint as his comic code name “The White Violin”, Klaus is black (shocking for the guy whose powers revolve around death), Five is red since it’s coming from the staircase leading up top but no idea which colors Ben and Diego are

Luther sleeps on his side, Allison sleeps half on her back, half on her side, Five sleeps on his stomach, Viktor sleeps on his back

I think this is the first time we see Viktor use the pills? Could have sworn it was earlier but I don't think so

Viktor takes his pills and goes back to his earlier mind set, when he did think Diego was right, he shouldn't have come

Viktor really cares about others. He cares about Mom, he tells Pogo to take care of himself, he later compliments Helen

“Dad hated caffeine” “He hated children too and he had plenty of us *laughs* *immediately stops and grows serious*” Again, a sudden mood change from Klaus when talking about their father. Also, it’s really sad how Klaus is telling the truth here, because Reginald literally says in season 2 "I have a deep dislike of children. I do not have them, nor do I intend to have them". So Klaus seems to have a good idea about how Reginald truly was. Rehab did seem to have some effect

Klaus peaks up when Five says he’ll get in the car. Like he knows that Five is in a 13 year old body, so he isn't legally allowed to drive. But he is also so curious.

Klaus is also barefoot. Good reference to his comic version, where he can only use his psychic powers when he isn't wearing shoes

I love that Diego’s and Allison’s love language for each other is roasting. “See you guys in, what, 10 years when Pogo dies” “Not if you die first.” “Yeah, love you too, sis. Good luck on your next film”. We got our first “love you”! Aaand it was 100% sarcastic. Also, Diego calls Allison “sis”!

That “Hope it turns out better than your marriage” comment hit hard for Allison, she immediately left after it

Even though Diego is a pretty health and fitness focused guy, he still takes out one mini marshmallow from the bag that Five left out earlier when he made his sandwich

Diego’s face when he’s in the car and Klaus enters. That screams “Not this again let me have one second in peace”. Diego is used to Klaus but not to his antics. But he doesn't throw him out

So, Viktor left, Klaus knew about it, Five and Allison where in the room when he announced it, Five left with Klaus and Allison still in the room, Diego entered, Allison left, Diego left, Klaus left, Luther saw Klaus and Diego leaving in the car

I love Grace, great character. Often robots in fiction are said to have their own agency, but this show really questions that narrative. Does she? Or is it her programming. But here when she looks at the paintings she mimics that woman in the painting, looking at her with longing and awe. It looks like she wants to be that free, go see the places in those paintings which she never got to do under Reginald

Five’s forced smile at Agnes reminds me of his comic version

Five could have gone anywhere to get a coffee but he chose Griddy’s. A place with memories. Good memories. With siblings he cares so much about. Siblings which he saw dead. “Simpler times”. I think Five thought a lot about them in the apocalypse. Regretted some of his actions. “Shouldn't have done this” “should have done something” “should have said something” “should have told them”. All those should have’s.

On the side of Griddy’s is a sign with “Dunfield Plaza” and next to it is another sign with other shop names. Those being “Dry cleaning”, “Astro Typewriter” and “Grand Mutual” and under it is another LED sign with “Warton’s convenience 24h”

Five’s fighting speaks for itself

Five didn't finish his coffee

Diego is holding the monocle above the water, thinking about Luther’s words. He is conflicted about clearing Grace’s innocence with dropping it. He knows something is up with it. But he also wants to protect her

First time Klaus is referring to himself as “we”, with we meaning Ben and him

Here we have the scene that led to fanfic authors making Klaus obsessed with waffles. Despite “You like waffles?” “Of course you do, everyone likes waffles” and Ben even nodding. But that’s the curse of a character mentioning liking a food once

Diego had the police radio on his car hood so he’d here if something came up

Klaus does drum rolls

Klaus knows about Diego’s vigilante activity “breaking bones and cracking skulls?” which does sound rather negative. He doesn't seem to be in favor of it. Comes with them being raised to kill and him seeing corpses that have broken bones, pieces of them missing, etc.

Diego responds with “Saving lives, baby”

“I guess it’s frozen waffles again” I hope you don't eat them frozen /j

“I could do egg and bacon but I’m trying to cut down on my pig products.” I am leaning myself out of the window and throw a wild suggestion out: Could be interpreted as a hint towards Dave. Dave is Jewish and pork is not kosher

Diego is putting on the mask in the car

“You are so weird” Viktor to Five. Another peak sibling behavior, love it. You have each other back not even a day but you are already back to being siblings

So Viktor knows Five was attacked and that the world will end

“I’ll put on a pot of coffee” Miniscule detail, but he couldn't have known that Five wanted coffee since he already left when Five was searching for coffee in the Academy which led to him driving to Griddy's. I guess the usual person would say “I need a drink” when they find out “The world will end in 8 days” BUT Viktor takes medication, so coffee is probably the next best thing, especially since the day has already been exhausting

And there we go! First episode over!

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