Trigger Warning(s): Conversations on Addiction & Abuse
As noted in an earlier episode, while The Fosters breaks ground simply by presenting a lesbian couple raising a family, it also touches on many other issues which often are neglected in media, or simply done for a movie and that being the period on the subject for some time. For this episode, while Brandon deals with the consequences of telling everyone why Callie might have left, through Callie we are introduced to, what I guess would be called, juvenile delinquents. Some who were prostitutes, others who did drugs, committed robbery, and yet all share this one home in which there are given the stability they seemed to lack their whole life.
Topic 1: Fallout
In the episode, Brandon comes out about the kiss with Callie in front of the whole family, sans Mike. With this, Callie's place in the home becomes a difficult topic on multiple levels and everyone gives Brandon grief. Mariana questions his actions as if he would move onto her next, Jude is upset he can't be with his sister now in the type of home they could only dream of having, and it seems all three of Brandon's parents are put in a state of unease, especially Stef and Lena for just the idea that two siblings, even if not by blood, could have romantic feelings for one another. But, while Mike feels a bit uneasy about the situation, his point of view is the fact she left Brandon, didn't speak to him, and ran away with an ex who she planned to live with.
But, perhaps the biggest issue that comes from this fallout is: what about Callie? With her being caught, she gets a new Probation Officer and since Stef and Lena aren't ready to accept her back into their home, she is sent to a group home. One in which we meet a slew of characters, all of which who make some of Callie's issues seem like just a page of their hard lives.
Topic 2: Some People Have Real Problems
As noted in the intro, Callie introduces us to a range of girls who live in a group home under the direction of Rita (played by Rosie O'Donnell). In this home there are 7 girls, when you count Callie. There is Kiara, Becca, Carmen, Cole, Daphne and Gabby. None of which really want to be in the home, but due to varying circumstances are. For most of them, their crime was stealing or assault, but for some they have their own unique ones. Gabby (played by Hayley Kiyoko) has the unique trait of Cyber Bullying; Becca was a severe drug addict; and Cole, the trans-gendered member of the home, was arrested on charges of prostitution.
Together, it presents a complex mixture of girls who all have a unique story to tell, and seemingly Cole will be a strong focus for between Callie witnessing her binding to them being forced to be roommates after an altercation, it seems the LGBT community are seemingly going to get a representative for each letter on this program.
Topic 3: The Forgotten Ones
Lastly, let's talk about the twins. With Lexi gone, both Marianna and Jesus lost someone key to their story, as their mother is off somewhere. So, for Marianna her new story deals with a boy name Chase, who looks like a Zac Efron rip off, and the reintroduction of Kacey into her life as the two work together on the play The Glass Menagerie. Now, being that Marianna isn't a bad girl, but Kacey is, the two butt heads quite a bit, especially with their shared affection for the senior boy Chase. But, alongside Chase, a boy named Zach is introduced, who seems to also vying for Chase's affections.
As for Jesus, with Brandon still being distant toward his father, seemingly Jesus decides to take the opportunity to have a dad and the two play ball. But, when complications happen, due to his medication for ADHD, Mike decides to butt in a bit into Jesus' parenting. With this, the idea of behavior modification over drugs is discussed, which Jesus is all for. Thus leading Jesus' story to now be placed into the world of wrestling. Of which, a new perspective of people is given through one wrestler named Emma. She takes down Jesus and seemingly, Callie may not be the only one to bring some diversity to the program.
Overall
It is hard to argue that Monday nights on ABC Family aren't trying to push the envelope and try new things with a rather tired genre. As often said online, but not often seen in media, representation matters. And with The Fosters, it again seems like they are trying to cover all the bases they can, but it seems far more planned out, thus far, than the first half of the season. My big time interest though is definitely Callie's group home, since it has the most potential for innovative story lines, but I must admit that while everyone may live less interesting lives, I do feel like everyone over the course of the first half of the season were given their moment to shine, so perhaps right now it maybe just Callie's?
As noted in an earlier episode, while The Fosters breaks ground simply by presenting a lesbian couple raising a family, it also touches on many other issues which often are neglected in media, or simply done for a movie and that being the period on the subject for some time. For this episode, while Brandon deals with the consequences of telling everyone why Callie might have left, through Callie we are introduced to, what I guess would be called, juvenile delinquents. Some who were prostitutes, others who did drugs, committed robbery, and yet all share this one home in which there are given the stability they seemed to lack their whole life.
Topic 1: Fallout
In the episode, Brandon comes out about the kiss with Callie in front of the whole family, sans Mike. With this, Callie's place in the home becomes a difficult topic on multiple levels and everyone gives Brandon grief. Mariana questions his actions as if he would move onto her next, Jude is upset he can't be with his sister now in the type of home they could only dream of having, and it seems all three of Brandon's parents are put in a state of unease, especially Stef and Lena for just the idea that two siblings, even if not by blood, could have romantic feelings for one another. But, while Mike feels a bit uneasy about the situation, his point of view is the fact she left Brandon, didn't speak to him, and ran away with an ex who she planned to live with.
But, perhaps the biggest issue that comes from this fallout is: what about Callie? With her being caught, she gets a new Probation Officer and since Stef and Lena aren't ready to accept her back into their home, she is sent to a group home. One in which we meet a slew of characters, all of which who make some of Callie's issues seem like just a page of their hard lives.
Topic 2: Some People Have Real Problems
As noted in the intro, Callie introduces us to a range of girls who live in a group home under the direction of Rita (played by Rosie O'Donnell). In this home there are 7 girls, when you count Callie. There is Kiara, Becca, Carmen, Cole, Daphne and Gabby. None of which really want to be in the home, but due to varying circumstances are. For most of them, their crime was stealing or assault, but for some they have their own unique ones. Gabby (played by Hayley Kiyoko) has the unique trait of Cyber Bullying; Becca was a severe drug addict; and Cole, the trans-gendered member of the home, was arrested on charges of prostitution.
Together, it presents a complex mixture of girls who all have a unique story to tell, and seemingly Cole will be a strong focus for between Callie witnessing her binding to them being forced to be roommates after an altercation, it seems the LGBT community are seemingly going to get a representative for each letter on this program.
Topic 3: The Forgotten Ones
Lastly, let's talk about the twins. With Lexi gone, both Marianna and Jesus lost someone key to their story, as their mother is off somewhere. So, for Marianna her new story deals with a boy name Chase, who looks like a Zac Efron rip off, and the reintroduction of Kacey into her life as the two work together on the play The Glass Menagerie. Now, being that Marianna isn't a bad girl, but Kacey is, the two butt heads quite a bit, especially with their shared affection for the senior boy Chase. But, alongside Chase, a boy named Zach is introduced, who seems to also vying for Chase's affections.
As for Jesus, with Brandon still being distant toward his father, seemingly Jesus decides to take the opportunity to have a dad and the two play ball. But, when complications happen, due to his medication for ADHD, Mike decides to butt in a bit into Jesus' parenting. With this, the idea of behavior modification over drugs is discussed, which Jesus is all for. Thus leading Jesus' story to now be placed into the world of wrestling. Of which, a new perspective of people is given through one wrestler named Emma. She takes down Jesus and seemingly, Callie may not be the only one to bring some diversity to the program.
Overall
It is hard to argue that Monday nights on ABC Family aren't trying to push the envelope and try new things with a rather tired genre. As often said online, but not often seen in media, representation matters. And with The Fosters, it again seems like they are trying to cover all the bases they can, but it seems far more planned out, thus far, than the first half of the season. My big time interest though is definitely Callie's group home, since it has the most potential for innovative story lines, but I must admit that while everyone may live less interesting lives, I do feel like everyone over the course of the first half of the season were given their moment to shine, so perhaps right now it maybe just Callie's?
