The Umbrella Academy: 10 reasons why Lila and Five are not a good fit for each other romantically

The Umbrella Academy
The romance between Lila and Five in The Umbrella Academy season 4 came as a shock to fans (Image via Netflix)

One thing that The Umbrella Academy has done really well over the years is to keep the audience guessing. The Hargreeves siblings are always getting into one unexpected situation after another. Keeping in tune with the previous seasons, The Umbrella Academy season 4 also brings forth a myriad of shocking twists and turns, including the developing romantic connection between Five and Lila.

While this surprising romantic arc clearly delivers on the shock-and-awe aspect, fans around the world aren't exactly enthused about seeing the two beloved characters explore a romantic relationship. In fact, many have taken to social media to express their disappointment with the writers for disrupting their perfectly platonic and relatable friendship.

In this list, we take a look at all the reasons why The Umbrella Academy's Five and Lila don't make a good romantic pair.

Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources. It contains some spoilers.


10 reasons that prove Five and Lila from The Umbrella Academy aren't meant for one another

1) Their frenemy dynamics will lead to constant bickering

The Umbrella Academy fans enjoyed Lila and Five's frenemies vibe (Image via Netflix)
The Umbrella Academy fans enjoyed Lila and Five's frenemies vibe (Image via Netflix)

Fans of The Umbrella Academy would have to agree that Five and Lila have a charming love-to-hate-you dynamic that makes their moments together that much more fun to watch. Also, both characters have never missed an opportunity to tease and bully each other. While this works splendidly for a friendship, it won't necessarily help form a strong foundation for a healthy relationship.

Now, romance fans can vouch for the fact that many TV characters have successfully transitioned from enemies into lovers. In fact, the enemies-to-lovers trope has many takers. But, given their long, tumultuous history, it is hard to say whether that was the right direction for Five and Lila in The Umbrella Academy season 4.


2) They have always behaved more like siblings

Many fans of The Umbrella Academy felt that Lila and Five displayed sibling energy (Image via Netflix)
Many fans of The Umbrella Academy felt that Lila and Five displayed sibling energy (Image via Netflix)

It is no secret that Lila and Five have known each other for quite a while. This means that they are well aware of each other's strengths as well as weaknesses. But instead of using this knowledge to connect with each other better, Five and Lila have used their gained insight to take advantage of one another, very much like two conniving siblings who refuse to let the other have the last word.

Their sibling energy is especially evident in scenes wherein they have to work together, which they do quite begrudgingly and make little effort to hide their frustration. They are also quite fluent in sarcasm around each other, something that real-life siblings will know plenty about.

And so, to see Five and Lila shift gears from behaving like brother and sister to becoming lovers in The Umbrella Academy season 4 is unnerving, to say the least.


3) They think very differently

In The Umbrella Academy, both Lila and Five are very different from one another (Image via Netflix)
In The Umbrella Academy, both Lila and Five are very different from one another (Image via Netflix)

Personality-wise, Lila and Five have always been very different. Lila likes to live in the moment and is always up for crazy adventures. In fact, her unpredictable nature earned her the nickname "crazy lady", coined by none other than Number Five himself.

But throughout the course of The Umbrella Academy, it has become quite apparent that Five is very different from Lila. He has always been more calculative and deliberate in his actions. Everything he does, he does for a reason.

While there have been instances when they have worked together to get out of troublesome situations, that doesn't necessarily mean that the two of them will be able to sustain a healthy relationship when their personalities tend to clash at every step.


4) Their romance comes at a hefty price

The growing romance between Lila and Five in The Umbrella Academy season 4 will leave Diego with a broken heart (Image via Netflix)
The growing romance between Lila and Five in The Umbrella Academy season 4 will leave Diego with a broken heart (Image via Netflix)

Even though the Hargreeves siblings aren't very good at expressing themselves, they still make a point to look out for one another, especially Number Five. Season after season of The Umbrella Academy, Five has gone above and beyond to protect his family. Therefore, it is hard to imagine that Five would make the mistake of pursuing his brother's wife.

Not only that, Lila has a deep connection with Diego that goes way back. Even when they go through rough patches, they eventually make their way back to one another. So, even if Five and Lila do decide to give in to the attraction they feel for one another, their actions will undoubtedly cause Diego to suffer, which will in turn cast a dark shadow on their relationship.


5) The age gap can become an issue

The Umbrella Academy fans weren't quite ready for the age-gap romance between Five and Lila (Image via Netflix)
The Umbrella Academy fans weren't quite ready for the age-gap romance between Five and Lila (Image via Netflix)

Because of his youthful appearance, it is easy to forget that Number Five is actually 58 years old, mentally. This means that he is considerably older than Lila, who was born on October 1, 1989.

Even though age-gap romances aren't uncommon nowadays, they do come with its own set of challenges. While the initial attraction may help couples tide over the initial stages of a relationship, a lot of hard work and effort goes into maintaining a mutually fulfilling partnership in the long run.

Therefore, it is hard to say whether Five and Lila have thought about what the future holds and whether they will be able to do what it takes to make things work.


6) It feels like a short-lived spark

Lila and Five grow closer to each other when they get stuck in the subway (Image via Netflix)
Lila and Five grow closer to each other when they get stuck in the subway (Image via Netflix)

One of the reasons why Five and Lila started to see each other in a different light in The Umbrella Academy season 4 is because they were stuck together in the multiverse of madness for several years. Naturally, they became dependent on each other because they helped keep each other sane.

While it is natural to feel a bond while overcoming adversities together, that does not guarantee a lifetime connection. As external forces have played a big part in bringing Five and Lila together, it is also possible that the two of them might not feel the same way if they were to return to their normal lives.

After all, when people feel helpless and vulnerable, it is easy to be drawn to whatever brings them joy, no matter how fleeting.


7) The attraction seems out of character

According to The Umbrella Academy fans, the romance between Lila and Five seems forced (Image via Netflix)
According to The Umbrella Academy fans, the romance between Lila and Five seems forced (Image via Netflix)

Throughout the previous seasons of The Umbrella Academy, Five and Lila have had countless interactions but they have never really displayed any romantic interest in each other. This is one of the reasons why fans were shocked by their romantic development in The Umbrella Academy season 4.

Usually, when show creators plan on bringing two characters together, they tend to infuse some tension in the relationship dynamics that hint at a possible union. However, in Lila and Five's case, they were mostly projected as platonic friends who enjoyed taking digs at one another. Underrated but charming, their friendship greatly added to the narrative.

And so, fans of The Umbrella Academy have had a hard time understanding the root of the attraction that seems to have emerged quite abruptly.


8) Five is loyal to Dolores

In several scenes of The Umbrella Academy, Five seems inseparable from Dolores (Image via Netflix)
In several scenes of The Umbrella Academy, Five seems inseparable from Dolores (Image via Netflix)

Out of all The Umbrella Academy members, Five has had to navigate countless bizarre scenarios all by himself. During the apocalypse, he felt very lonely until he stumbled upon the mannequin Dolores. Although it seems strange, Five found comfort in having Dolores around.

Dolores may be just a mannequin but to Five, she is much more. In season 3, he even sees her when he starts to hallucinate. Since Dolores helped him through one of the toughest times of his life, it is unlikely that he will forget her easily.

Even though Five and Lila find comfort in each other when faced with a similar situation, it cannot be said for certain if the bond is strong enough to last forever. In fact, Five's attachment to Dolores could even cause problems for Lila in the long run.


9) Five killed Lila's birth parents

It is unrealistic to think that Lila has forgotten all about Five killing her birth parents (Image via Netflix)
It is unrealistic to think that Lila has forgotten all about Five killing her birth parents (Image via Netflix)

It cannot be denied that all of The Umbrella Academy members have blood on their hands. And, Number Five is no exception. Despite sporting a carefree attitude, Lila had a tough childhood, which is partly because of Five. It was Five who killed Lila's parents. Even though it was at the request of The Handler, Five is still the reason why Lila couldn't grow up under the care of her birth parents.

And because of this unfortunate truth, Lila and Five's relationship seemed doomed from the start. Even though Lila accepts The Handler's role in the death of her parents, it will be very hard for her to forget that Five was the one who killed them in the first place. Eventually, this is bound to negatively affect their relationship in some way or another.


10) The Handler will always be a sore spot

The Handler is one of the most menacing characters in The Umbrella Academy (Image vie Netflix)
The Handler is one of the most menacing characters in The Umbrella Academy (Image vie Netflix)

Both Lila and Five have had strained relationships with The Handler. Although the high-ranking Temps Commission member doggedly believed in maintaining the timeline, she often used unsavory methods to get what she wanted.

While she manipulated both of them, Five was smart enough to see through her lies early on. Lila, on the other hand, trusted The Handler because she helped raise her. However, Lila's faith crumbles when she learns about her involvement in her parent's death.

But since The Handler taught Lila everything she knows, she might not be able to detach herself completely from her deceased adoptive mother, which won't bode well with Five.


The Umbrella Academy has introduced many great romance arcs over the years but the Five and Lila pairing didn't quite hit the mark.

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Edited by Meeta Borah
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