Umbrella Academy Theory: Why Diego Got Rid Of His Father’s Monocle

The Umbrella Academy left a couple of questions that fans are hoping will be answered in season 2, among those why Diego got rid of his father’s monocle. Based on the comic book series of the same name by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, The Umbrella Academy was released on Netflix in February 2019 and was an instant hit, to the point where it outperformed season 1 of Stranger Things.

The Umbrella Academy follows the dysfunctional family of adopted siblings, the Hargreeves. Them, along with other 36 babies, were born on the same day, at the same time, and under the same mysterious circumstances, as none of their mothers were pregnant when the day began. Seven of those babies were adopted by the eccentric billionaire and scientist Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who trained them and formed a superhero team called “the Umbrella Academy” after they began to develop unique sets of powers. Sadly, Reginald wasn’t a good father figure, and the siblings eventually went on their own ways.

All the Hargreeves children (including Five, who had been lost for years) reunited when Reginald passed away, and a lot of family secrets began to come to light. Season 1 of The Umbrella Academy left a couple of unresolved moments, such as one involving a personal object of Reginald’s: his monocle.

Umbrella Academy Theory: Diego Got Rid Of The Monocle To Keep It Safe

Luther pointed out that Reginald’s monocle was missing from his bedroom, which he found to be very strange as he always kept it close. It was later revealed that Diego was in possession of the monocle, and he got rid of it at the end of episode 1. This wasn’t addressed in the following episodes, and fans were left wondering why he took the monocle and threw it away. Many fans believe it was so Grace – the Hargreeves’ robot nanny/mother – wouldn’t be blamed for Reginald’s death as she assisted him on his suicide, but there might be a different explanation.

In the comics, Reginald’s monocle grants the wearer the ability to see people for what they really are (Five wears it for a few seconds and sees everything Pogo went through, which was pretty traumatic for him). The series never mentioned if the monocle has the same powers as in the comics, but if it does, then Diego could have gotten rid of it because he knows what the monocle can do. Back to the comics, one of Diego’s abilities is holding his breath underwater for a long time (hence why his nickname, “The Kraken”), so it’s possible that he threw it to the lake to keep it safe and will go back for it in future episodes. It seems weird that The Umbrella Academy didn’t include the powers of the monocle, but it might be because it’s saving them for season 2.

About The Author

Adrienne Tyler
(3303 Articles Published)

See also  Far Cry 6: How (& Where) To Steal a Tank

Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

More From Adrienne Tyler