Let me just start off by saying that the intro for this show tickles the hell out of me. It looks like some silly family sitcom from out of the 90s. That aside, I am really loving this idea of April having cancer and still maintaining her usual routine. For while it seriously isn't nothing new for this is how most programs show people with cancer, I just feel it is slightly different for the reasons I named in the premiere. But with this new adversary, Raquel, you can see that either she is going to burn herself out quick, or may have to find creative ways to compete.
Topic 1: Family Drama - Brenna
As has been established, Brenna is the slightest bit rebellious and has quite bit of sass, a trait likely inherited from her grandmother. But, one thing she surely isn't good at is covering her tracks. For between a hangover and missing phone, Brenna seems like she is on the road to being grounded and more. But, luckily for her, nothing really horrible comes out of this. In fact, a great deal of good does.
For one, she gets her phone back, but also she finds herself with a job and a guy who seems to have a keen interest on her. Said guy, Kieran, seems to be the brother of the douche bag Brenna sort of hooked up with, but didn't have sex with. He owns a tattoo/ art studio and has this adult type vibe. Which, admittedly, does make his interest in Brenna seem a little pedophile like, but maybe it is only because it is so rare for a guy to seek the attention of a girl, in general, without romance being part of the agenda.
I digress though, for with Sara seeing Brenna starting to veer off into a bad place, she decides that Brenna needs something to do with her time. So, she says it's time to get a job. Thing is, she wanted Brenna to work under an old family friend. Partly so someone can keep an eye on her, but also because Sara seriously is still dealing with the death of her husband. I mean, my degree isn't in psychology, but you can clearly see Sara needs some counseling because her husband's death is still strongly affecting her. And one could argue as Sara tries to control the present, and future, at the same time she is sort of trying to get Brenna to regress back to old times as she realizes that everyone is slowly prepping to move on from her. Meaning she'll not only have to deal with the loss of her husband, but then her children, sort of, who will leave the nest and force who to just have her mom, who seems like a piece of work.
In the end though, Sara reminds herself she is a therapist and tries to actually talk to Brenna about her decisions, which include working at said tattoo/ art studio. Then them talking about why their relationship is the way it is, making for a touching scene which may not go too deep, but because of that it stays realistic.
Topic 2: Work Drama – April & Raquel
As for April, while she does fit in some sisterly time this episode, a good part of it deals with her still trying to prove herself to Lawrence with this task of reporting on Bruce Hendrie. And for a moment you think this new lady name Raquel might be some sort of mentor to April, but in fact she is competition. She bumps April off the story and when April tries to compete with her, by running to try to snag an interview, she fails. However, luck sees fit to give her a chance encounter with Bruce's son Leo, who is a complete butt hole. Unfortunately though, Lawrence says the kid is off limits, but admires the research April gets on him. So while she may have possibly lost Bruce, she continues to impress Lawrence at least.
Topic 3: Personal Drama - April
But when it comes to her personal life, things aren't so lucky. For one, she has this possible sister named Natalie Ortiz; she is in need of a bone marrow biopsy; her best friend, and only rock, Beth freaks out when she learns April has leukemia; and things are going far too well with Dominic. Divulging further, while the Natalie situation doesn't get past learning her name, Beth freaking out slowly becomes an issue. After all, the main reason April is hiding her diagnosis is because pity and over protection is annoying. Thankfully for April however, Beth is self-aware enough to correct her behavior so she can be there for her friend. Even to the point of making the situation a bit comical and using it to poke fun at April a little bit. Though her being rude to the waiter was odd considering she is a waitress.
That aside, time for some Dominic! Needless to say, with the leukemia BS happening, and with Uncle George returning because of it, Dominic in April's life is a blessing. They drink, talk, he is the right amount of aggressive to make her swoon, and he seems like a genuine sweetheart. But damn if that dark cloud of being sick isn't looming overhead. After all, how do you tell your new guy something like "I have leukemia?" Is it too early to put that weight on him, even if you can see him slowly becoming integral to your life? And overall, I'm wondering how this show may go. Will she go into remission and live for a long time, or will they go for the gut and give April stage IV cancer?
Topic 1: Family Drama - Brenna
As has been established, Brenna is the slightest bit rebellious and has quite bit of sass, a trait likely inherited from her grandmother. But, one thing she surely isn't good at is covering her tracks. For between a hangover and missing phone, Brenna seems like she is on the road to being grounded and more. But, luckily for her, nothing really horrible comes out of this. In fact, a great deal of good does.
For one, she gets her phone back, but also she finds herself with a job and a guy who seems to have a keen interest on her. Said guy, Kieran, seems to be the brother of the douche bag Brenna sort of hooked up with, but didn't have sex with. He owns a tattoo/ art studio and has this adult type vibe. Which, admittedly, does make his interest in Brenna seem a little pedophile like, but maybe it is only because it is so rare for a guy to seek the attention of a girl, in general, without romance being part of the agenda.
I digress though, for with Sara seeing Brenna starting to veer off into a bad place, she decides that Brenna needs something to do with her time. So, she says it's time to get a job. Thing is, she wanted Brenna to work under an old family friend. Partly so someone can keep an eye on her, but also because Sara seriously is still dealing with the death of her husband. I mean, my degree isn't in psychology, but you can clearly see Sara needs some counseling because her husband's death is still strongly affecting her. And one could argue as Sara tries to control the present, and future, at the same time she is sort of trying to get Brenna to regress back to old times as she realizes that everyone is slowly prepping to move on from her. Meaning she'll not only have to deal with the loss of her husband, but then her children, sort of, who will leave the nest and force who to just have her mom, who seems like a piece of work.
In the end though, Sara reminds herself she is a therapist and tries to actually talk to Brenna about her decisions, which include working at said tattoo/ art studio. Then them talking about why their relationship is the way it is, making for a touching scene which may not go too deep, but because of that it stays realistic.
Topic 2: Work Drama – April & Raquel
As for April, while she does fit in some sisterly time this episode, a good part of it deals with her still trying to prove herself to Lawrence with this task of reporting on Bruce Hendrie. And for a moment you think this new lady name Raquel might be some sort of mentor to April, but in fact she is competition. She bumps April off the story and when April tries to compete with her, by running to try to snag an interview, she fails. However, luck sees fit to give her a chance encounter with Bruce's son Leo, who is a complete butt hole. Unfortunately though, Lawrence says the kid is off limits, but admires the research April gets on him. So while she may have possibly lost Bruce, she continues to impress Lawrence at least.
Topic 3: Personal Drama - April
But when it comes to her personal life, things aren't so lucky. For one, she has this possible sister named Natalie Ortiz; she is in need of a bone marrow biopsy; her best friend, and only rock, Beth freaks out when she learns April has leukemia; and things are going far too well with Dominic. Divulging further, while the Natalie situation doesn't get past learning her name, Beth freaking out slowly becomes an issue. After all, the main reason April is hiding her diagnosis is because pity and over protection is annoying. Thankfully for April however, Beth is self-aware enough to correct her behavior so she can be there for her friend. Even to the point of making the situation a bit comical and using it to poke fun at April a little bit. Though her being rude to the waiter was odd considering she is a waitress.
That aside, time for some Dominic! Needless to say, with the leukemia BS happening, and with Uncle George returning because of it, Dominic in April's life is a blessing. They drink, talk, he is the right amount of aggressive to make her swoon, and he seems like a genuine sweetheart. But damn if that dark cloud of being sick isn't looming overhead. After all, how do you tell your new guy something like "I have leukemia?" Is it too early to put that weight on him, even if you can see him slowly becoming integral to your life? And overall, I'm wondering how this show may go. Will she go into remission and live for a long time, or will they go for the gut and give April stage IV cancer?
