The Umbrella Academy: What Does The Ending Really Mean?

4. Vanya Is The White Violin

As Vanya plays, her skins begins to glow and her violin changes colour, as the full extent of her powers begin to manifest. This is the show's take on her comic book persona, The White Violin, which finally gives her a nickname to match those of her siblings.

Like Jean Grey going full Phoenix, Vanya becoming the White Violin is her capturing mastery over her powers. Whereas most of the time they're either suppressed or she's unable to fully control them, here she's able to use them to their full potential, even going so far as to destroy the moon. She's able to do this because of the violin, as this gives her something through which she can channel her abilities.

There are some key differences to the comics here - in the source material, she's manipulated by a villain called the Conductor; Leonard takes on that role to an extent, but with enough differences as the show focuses on a more personal and familial ending - but the broader point remains the same. Vanya is the White Villain, with all the power and rage that comes with it. She's unconscious by the end, and there may be some lasting damage (could the gunshot have cost her her hearing?). But mostly it's going to be interesting to see what happens when she wakes up. Is she still going to be suped-up like a villain? Will she return to 'normal'? Or might she find some balance?