It's been a whirlwind on this little show. The first set of episodes seemed like it was trying to touch multiple controversial topics, one after another, but then in the 2nd half it calmed down and got focused. However, in this last episode, they revved things up to get us excited for the summer premiere. With that said, let's get to it.
Topic 1: A Threat to Normalcy – Mariana & Stef
To start off, let's talk about Mariana. Over the course of the season she has lost her best friend, dealt her brother's medication to make money for her mother, and got a boyfriend. But, with Zach revealing his mom has early onset Alzheimer's, and her becoming violent with him, it seems like he may not return for season 2. Or, at the very least, his role maybe reduced since he is only moving to Arizona. Where in Arizona isn't said to give any glimmer of hope.
As for Stef, her story has revolved around her wife and children. Despite an outside demeanor which would make her seem cold, we learned more so she is weary if anything. A father who denied her and her partner for most of her life is gone. And between an out of control son, and an ever expanding family, she has many reasons to worry. But, despite all that and more, Stef tried her best to be the grounding element of the family. In the finale though, she is ready to make a desperate attempt to maintain the family she fights so hard for.
Thanks to Ana trying to blackmail Stef, she takes it upon herself to catch Ana trying to extort a police officer. With this, Mike can be saved from not only the district attorney, but himself; and with this she can bring Brandon back home because Mike owes her one. But, something happens with Ana at the halfway house so she has disappeared, leaving us to wonder what may have happen to her, and whether Stef's family is still safe or just a moment away from being torn apart.
Topic 2: Pleasant Surprises – Jesus & Lena
Then there is a need to talk about Jesus. The boy who was the charismatic heartthrob who almost got his now former girlfriend pregnant, then nearly cheated on her after she left the country, has now found himself with a girl who is more easily accessible. And it is hard to say if Jesus evolved over the season but, like many of the teens on the show, he stumbled and seemingly learned from his mistakes bit by bit. But perhaps the nicest bit of Jesus' story, and Mariana's in a way, was when Mike decided to play surrogate father to them. For, with Ana being around but their dad being unavailable, those handful of moments helped remind you that despite all the drama of Jesus', and Mariana's, life, they are really just kids lucky enough to be found by a good family.
One which is due to expand by the way for Lena is pregnant. Issue is though, Timothy has reneged on signing the surrogate papers which surely will cause issues. But, what has Lena's life been over the season but one thing to overcome, with her kindness, after another? Be it an ex strolling into her life and causing friction between her and Stef; her mother reminded her she isn't Black enough, or presenting other triggering issues which Lena still seems to have left unresolved; or even dealing with trying to raise kids which seem to go to her when they want a "yes" and want to avoid a "no." To me, while Stef presents the strength of the family, Lena presents the heart. For between sticking it out for Callie, her chats with Jude when it comes to him maybe being gay, or bi, and her consoling all her children, even if they are the ones in the wrong, who could ask for a better mother?
Topic 3: Disappointment – Callie & Brandon
Leaving us with the stars of the show, Callie and Brandon. When we first met Callie she was very rough around the edges, jaded by life, and very much unattached. But with Brandon's open hand, something sparked in her, and him. Together they grew into different people over the course of the season, but as Callie slowly became better, Brandon seemed to fall apart.
Brandon, originally touted at a golden child, seemingly became erratic and stupid after falling in love with Callie. He presented her a sort of hope, and he found in her someone to help, someone who would rely on him, and his weird need to be her hero led to one dumb decision after another. Some of which negatively affected Callie to the point of running away, but even with this, their relationship never found any sense of endings, just pauses.
What didn't help is when Callie found Wyatt, another troubled teen, which led Brandon to have to compete for Callie. This blow seriously made him desperate, and possibly even taken advantage of. For, you see, Mike's girlfriend, a seeming ally, decides that Brandon will not only pay her back by getting back to playing the piano, but also by having sex with her. So, in a rather odd scene, the two make love, as Mike goes on a slightly unrelated bender. Though when he, Mike, finds out, expect his recovery from feeling like he disappointed Brandon to be even harder.
Which leaves us with this: A discovery that Donald isn't Callie's dad, meaning Stef and Lena can't adopt her. Yes, Jude can be adopted, but not Callie. So, she now has a new potential storyline, as everyone else's wraps up. But, before I forget, the last moments of the show present Vico getting retribution on Brandon by crushing his forearm. Possibly, at best, postponing his return to music.
Topic 1: A Threat to Normalcy – Mariana & Stef
To start off, let's talk about Mariana. Over the course of the season she has lost her best friend, dealt her brother's medication to make money for her mother, and got a boyfriend. But, with Zach revealing his mom has early onset Alzheimer's, and her becoming violent with him, it seems like he may not return for season 2. Or, at the very least, his role maybe reduced since he is only moving to Arizona. Where in Arizona isn't said to give any glimmer of hope.
As for Stef, her story has revolved around her wife and children. Despite an outside demeanor which would make her seem cold, we learned more so she is weary if anything. A father who denied her and her partner for most of her life is gone. And between an out of control son, and an ever expanding family, she has many reasons to worry. But, despite all that and more, Stef tried her best to be the grounding element of the family. In the finale though, she is ready to make a desperate attempt to maintain the family she fights so hard for.
Thanks to Ana trying to blackmail Stef, she takes it upon herself to catch Ana trying to extort a police officer. With this, Mike can be saved from not only the district attorney, but himself; and with this she can bring Brandon back home because Mike owes her one. But, something happens with Ana at the halfway house so she has disappeared, leaving us to wonder what may have happen to her, and whether Stef's family is still safe or just a moment away from being torn apart.
Topic 2: Pleasant Surprises – Jesus & Lena
Then there is a need to talk about Jesus. The boy who was the charismatic heartthrob who almost got his now former girlfriend pregnant, then nearly cheated on her after she left the country, has now found himself with a girl who is more easily accessible. And it is hard to say if Jesus evolved over the season but, like many of the teens on the show, he stumbled and seemingly learned from his mistakes bit by bit. But perhaps the nicest bit of Jesus' story, and Mariana's in a way, was when Mike decided to play surrogate father to them. For, with Ana being around but their dad being unavailable, those handful of moments helped remind you that despite all the drama of Jesus', and Mariana's, life, they are really just kids lucky enough to be found by a good family.
One which is due to expand by the way for Lena is pregnant. Issue is though, Timothy has reneged on signing the surrogate papers which surely will cause issues. But, what has Lena's life been over the season but one thing to overcome, with her kindness, after another? Be it an ex strolling into her life and causing friction between her and Stef; her mother reminded her she isn't Black enough, or presenting other triggering issues which Lena still seems to have left unresolved; or even dealing with trying to raise kids which seem to go to her when they want a "yes" and want to avoid a "no." To me, while Stef presents the strength of the family, Lena presents the heart. For between sticking it out for Callie, her chats with Jude when it comes to him maybe being gay, or bi, and her consoling all her children, even if they are the ones in the wrong, who could ask for a better mother?
Topic 3: Disappointment – Callie & Brandon
Leaving us with the stars of the show, Callie and Brandon. When we first met Callie she was very rough around the edges, jaded by life, and very much unattached. But with Brandon's open hand, something sparked in her, and him. Together they grew into different people over the course of the season, but as Callie slowly became better, Brandon seemed to fall apart.
Brandon, originally touted at a golden child, seemingly became erratic and stupid after falling in love with Callie. He presented her a sort of hope, and he found in her someone to help, someone who would rely on him, and his weird need to be her hero led to one dumb decision after another. Some of which negatively affected Callie to the point of running away, but even with this, their relationship never found any sense of endings, just pauses.
What didn't help is when Callie found Wyatt, another troubled teen, which led Brandon to have to compete for Callie. This blow seriously made him desperate, and possibly even taken advantage of. For, you see, Mike's girlfriend, a seeming ally, decides that Brandon will not only pay her back by getting back to playing the piano, but also by having sex with her. So, in a rather odd scene, the two make love, as Mike goes on a slightly unrelated bender. Though when he, Mike, finds out, expect his recovery from feeling like he disappointed Brandon to be even harder.
Which leaves us with this: A discovery that Donald isn't Callie's dad, meaning Stef and Lena can't adopt her. Yes, Jude can be adopted, but not Callie. So, she now has a new potential storyline, as everyone else's wraps up. But, before I forget, the last moments of the show present Vico getting retribution on Brandon by crushing his forearm. Possibly, at best, postponing his return to music.
