I am quite thankful the show didn't just outright abandon the Girls United folks, but with them returning to the show there is a solemn reminder of how privileged Callie is to have the Fosters for her parents, as well as the idea where she is more the exception than the rule. Meanwhile, with everyone else, most of the kids are dealing with new relationships developing and Stef is put in the position where she can either foster or stop one relationship: One between Ana and her biological kids.
Topic 1: Manipulation 101 – Jesus & Cole
Hayley is a complicated young lady to me. For while I do find her manipulative, it is hard to say if she is manipulative in a possessive way or perhaps her parent's divorce has taught her a thing or two about how to handle relationships. After all, maybe one of her parent's didn't communicate their needs and that is why they divorced or a multitude of things which may explain why Hayley would get worried about Jesus being around Emma. Either way, Stef listens in on Jesus' and Hayley's conversation and tells him outright he is being manipulated, but with him going off a bit on her I can only hope Jesus sees something Stef doesn't and I'm unsure of.
Switching gears to talk about Cole, I must say his story was a bit sad. After all, with Cole not necessarily being fish, assuming that term can apply for those going FTM, it makes him being trans difficult. So imagine when this new girl, Davani, comes in and not only treats her like a dude, but also is willing to be intimate with him. Not to the point of them having sex, I think, but definitely making out and leading Cole to believe he may have found someone who accepts him. Unfortunately for Cole, we learn Davina was just using him. For with Davina not wanting to be there, and seeing Cole as a way out, she seemed to not have any investment in Cole. Something quite heartbreaking, especially after reading Redefining Realness, for Cole's story represents those who aren't given the ideal physique and environment to transition. But with a LBGT group home offering him a spot, things may look up. I can't say though if we may get an update however.
Topic 2: Love is in the Air – Mariana and Brandon
On a lighter note, both Brandon and Mariana seem to have found new love interest in the members of Someone's Little Sister. Though Mariana's relationship with Matt is developing quicker than Brandon's with Lou. But in both cases you can see a tad bit of awkwardness, if not hesitation. Mariana's last relationship was with Zach, and that didn't turn out well, and she seems to have a slight bit of fear when it comes to the idea of being alone with Matt. Be it because she hasn't even been alone with a boy who wasn't her brother, or perhaps something darker, I can't really say. Either way, their developing relationship is cute.
Though when it comes to chemistry, Lou and Brandon take the cake. She comes over, randomly, on a Saturday night to see Brandon and listen to a record she wants to inspire their future music. With this comes them talking about love and how love songs are all about "I'm nothing without you" and as they start to understand how each other views love they almost kiss. But with the song ending, and Lou realizing she is in too deep, she decides to bail. I wonder why?
Topic 3: A Reminder of How Far You've Come – Stef and Callie
In the episode Lena and Jude are gone for Lena is chaperoning a 7th grade field trip and seems to be using the time to be within nature and use it to help her grieve. Meanwhile, Stef is dealing with a letter from Ana which is rocking her nerves. For though she seems to not present the same issues Lena has about not being the twins biological mom, nor Callie and Jude's, there is still this looming issue that unlike Callie and Jude's mom, Ana very much is alive. Not only that, she is getting better and wants to see her kids to make amends. Something Stef isn't for, nor Lena, but with the whole Callie situation, and a kid having the right to know where they come from being in her thoughts, letting the twins see Ana is an idea.
Leaving us with Callie's bittersweet return to Girls United. A place where the sole happy story seems to Becka possibly going home. Outside of that though, Rita is about to lose her lease, Kiara is still there due to her foster parents not coming through, and Carmen remains a staple. No signs of Gabi though for some reason. But the main focus of Callie being there deals with an open house done by Rita since a neighbor is really pushing for the group home to end due to the troubles it brings him, and damn if he doesn't get his way. You see, Becka's situation becomes complicated when her mom mentions getting a new boyfriend. That information triggers Becka, for she got molested by her mom's past boyfriends, and it leads her to go back on drugs. Which, in the process of getting high, leads her to nearly burning the house down. Forcing everyone to lose Rita, and it really forces Callie to realize how fortunate she is for she has two families who want her, while everyone else can't even find one stable place to stay.
Topic 1: Manipulation 101 – Jesus & Cole
Hayley is a complicated young lady to me. For while I do find her manipulative, it is hard to say if she is manipulative in a possessive way or perhaps her parent's divorce has taught her a thing or two about how to handle relationships. After all, maybe one of her parent's didn't communicate their needs and that is why they divorced or a multitude of things which may explain why Hayley would get worried about Jesus being around Emma. Either way, Stef listens in on Jesus' and Hayley's conversation and tells him outright he is being manipulated, but with him going off a bit on her I can only hope Jesus sees something Stef doesn't and I'm unsure of.
Switching gears to talk about Cole, I must say his story was a bit sad. After all, with Cole not necessarily being fish, assuming that term can apply for those going FTM, it makes him being trans difficult. So imagine when this new girl, Davani, comes in and not only treats her like a dude, but also is willing to be intimate with him. Not to the point of them having sex, I think, but definitely making out and leading Cole to believe he may have found someone who accepts him. Unfortunately for Cole, we learn Davina was just using him. For with Davina not wanting to be there, and seeing Cole as a way out, she seemed to not have any investment in Cole. Something quite heartbreaking, especially after reading Redefining Realness, for Cole's story represents those who aren't given the ideal physique and environment to transition. But with a LBGT group home offering him a spot, things may look up. I can't say though if we may get an update however.
Topic 2: Love is in the Air – Mariana and Brandon
On a lighter note, both Brandon and Mariana seem to have found new love interest in the members of Someone's Little Sister. Though Mariana's relationship with Matt is developing quicker than Brandon's with Lou. But in both cases you can see a tad bit of awkwardness, if not hesitation. Mariana's last relationship was with Zach, and that didn't turn out well, and she seems to have a slight bit of fear when it comes to the idea of being alone with Matt. Be it because she hasn't even been alone with a boy who wasn't her brother, or perhaps something darker, I can't really say. Either way, their developing relationship is cute.
Though when it comes to chemistry, Lou and Brandon take the cake. She comes over, randomly, on a Saturday night to see Brandon and listen to a record she wants to inspire their future music. With this comes them talking about love and how love songs are all about "I'm nothing without you" and as they start to understand how each other views love they almost kiss. But with the song ending, and Lou realizing she is in too deep, she decides to bail. I wonder why?
Topic 3: A Reminder of How Far You've Come – Stef and Callie
In the episode Lena and Jude are gone for Lena is chaperoning a 7th grade field trip and seems to be using the time to be within nature and use it to help her grieve. Meanwhile, Stef is dealing with a letter from Ana which is rocking her nerves. For though she seems to not present the same issues Lena has about not being the twins biological mom, nor Callie and Jude's, there is still this looming issue that unlike Callie and Jude's mom, Ana very much is alive. Not only that, she is getting better and wants to see her kids to make amends. Something Stef isn't for, nor Lena, but with the whole Callie situation, and a kid having the right to know where they come from being in her thoughts, letting the twins see Ana is an idea.
Leaving us with Callie's bittersweet return to Girls United. A place where the sole happy story seems to Becka possibly going home. Outside of that though, Rita is about to lose her lease, Kiara is still there due to her foster parents not coming through, and Carmen remains a staple. No signs of Gabi though for some reason. But the main focus of Callie being there deals with an open house done by Rita since a neighbor is really pushing for the group home to end due to the troubles it brings him, and damn if he doesn't get his way. You see, Becka's situation becomes complicated when her mom mentions getting a new boyfriend. That information triggers Becka, for she got molested by her mom's past boyfriends, and it leads her to go back on drugs. Which, in the process of getting high, leads her to nearly burning the house down. Forcing everyone to lose Rita, and it really forces Callie to realize how fortunate she is for she has two families who want her, while everyone else can't even find one stable place to stay.
