Could The Handler be one of the 43 kids with superpowers in The Umbrella Academy? A fan theory suggests so, but could it work?

Two seasons haven’t been enough to solve all mysteries in The Umbrella Academy, including the origins of The Handler, which is why fans have come up with a theory that suggests she is one of the 43 kids with superpowers. Based on the comic book series by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, The Umbrella Academy arrived in the world of streaming in February 2019 thanks to Netflix and became an instant hit, surpassing one of the streaming giant’s most popular titles. The series was renewed for a second season not long after, and viewers reunited with the title team in July 2020.

The Umbrella Academy follows the Hargreeves, seven adopted siblings who along with other 36 babies were born under the same mysterious circumstances. This curious event caught the attention of scientist and billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who set out to adopt as many of those babies as he could, but he only got seven. As the kids developed superpowers, Reginald trained them and formed the team “The Umbrella Academy” – however, as he wasn’t the best father figure and his methods were a bit extreme, the Hargreeves parted ways, and after not seeing or speaking to each other for years, they reunited for Reginald’s funeral and to stop the apocalypse. In the process, the Hargreeves came across some threats with one thing in common: The Commission.

The Hargreeves, and mostly Five (Aidan Gallagher), were chased by two of the Commission’s agents: Cha-Cha (Mary J. Blige) and Hazel (Cameron Britton), who worked under the orders of The Handler (Kate Walsh), a high-ranking member at The Commission. The purpose of this organization is to oversee and manage the space-time continuum, thus making sure that all events that are supposed to happen, happen, and in the way they are supposed to. The Handler was shot in the head by Hazel, who switched sides in season 1, and Cha-Cha died in the apocalypse, but The Handler found a way to return in season 2. Even though she explained that she survived thanks to a metal plate on her head, this and other details about her have made viewers believe The Handler could be one of the 43 kids born on October 1, 1989, under strange circumstances.

Evidence The Handler Is One Of The 43 Kids

Although The Handler has been the main antagonist in both seasons of The Umbrella Academy so far, everything about her is a mystery. It’s unknown where she comes from, when was she born, how she joined The Commission, and what her real intentions are, as she has proven to be a very shady and selfish character. One piece of evidence that many fans have pointed out as possible proof of The Handler being one of the superpowered babies is how in season 1 she was able to stop time without any device to help her, and some have even mentioned that, if she had had some device that allowed her to stop time, the board members in season 2 would have most likely had one and could have stopped time when Five arrived to kill them.

The Handler’s appearance and age is not an impediment for this theory, as The Umbrella Academy already has one of the 43 babies who doesn’t look his age at all: Five. Thanks to the events in season 2, where the Hargreeves landed in Dallas, Texas, in different years between 1960 and 1963, none of the Umbrellas are the same age anymore, and with The Handler jumping through time and space for years, it’s understandable that she looks older than the Hargreeves. Last but not least, there’s her aforementioned survival. Although she has a metal plate in her head, many viewers have pointed out that wouldn't have been enough to save her when getting shot in the head, so her power, in addition to stopping time, could be cellular regeneration.

The Handler Being One Of The 43 Explains Umbrella Academy Mysteries

The Handler being one of the 43 kids could explain some of the mysteries The Umbrella Academy has left so far. First and foremost, it would finally solve the mystery of her origins and could make way for a deeper explanation on how she arrived at The Commission (or how her powers caught their attention, as happened with Five). Now, The Umbrella Academy season 1 explained that The Handler sent Cha-Cha and Hazel after Five (and later joined the hunt herself) as he betrayed The Commission and was on a quest to stop the apocalypse, but The Handler’s obsession over Five was too intense, suggesting there could be more to it. By being one of the 43, The Handler’s obsession with Five and the Umbrella Academy would make more sense and her real plans could come to light.

The Handler being a superpowered kid would also explain how she survived being shot in the head without any physical consequences (she does mention she was initially left partially paralyzed but managed to recover, which sounds too good to be true given the severity of the injury), and could therefore make way for her return in season 3 or beyond.

The Problems With The Handler Being One Of The 43 Kids

Like with most theories, the one suggesting The Handler is one of the 43 kids is not safe from flaws. As a high-ranking member of The Commission, The Handler could have had some sort of device that allows her to stop time that she can easily keep or hide, and it could be one exclusive to her, thus explaining this “superpower”. This “twist” would also be somewhat predictable after the reveal of Lila (Ritu Arya) also being one of the 43, and after having her as the main antagonist for two seasons, viewers might not be too enthusiastic about seeing her again as the obstacle in the Umbrella’s path.

What The Handler Being Among The 43 Would Mean For TUA’s Future

Supposing The Umbrella Academy goes on that route, the Umbrella Academy and the newly revealed Sparrow Academy could be facing a big threat. The Handler would no longer be part of The Commission in season 3, which would make her more dangerous as she would surely make alliances with some of the shadiest people she can find, which would, in turn, bring a lot of trouble to both teams. Of course, now without The Commission, The Handler’s plans would have to change, and after everything she went through thanks to the Hargreeves, she would surely be driven by revenge and could go as far as to recruit other children from the 43 bunch to help her, as she did with Lila, potentially creating another team. While The Handler being one of the 43 kids in The Umbrella Academy would solve many mysteries, it would ultimately do more harm than good to the show, and her presence in season 3 and beyond isn’t necessary.

Next: Umbrella Academy: Why Season 3 May Have Killed Off The Original Academy