Please note: English is not my first language.
This week, The Fosters continues to surprise us. I must admit that I was afraid to see Dani get away with this. What happened was a rape and it was undeniable, as Elen mentioned it last week in the comments of my review.
This episode deals with 'statutory rape' ("sexual activity in which at least one person is below the age required to legally consent to the behavior"). Once more with the series confronts our perceptions, and this time, it's with rape. As Mike, many cannot imagine that this kind of relationship is rape. The Fosters is not Pretty Little Liars. Adolescents don't have sex with adults.
When Brandon revealed to Lena the whole truth, it was obvious that the secret would be out. The truth must be told. And we were all expecting this moment. In addition to this, last week Mike and Dani announced that they wanted to start a family together.
Now, the moment has arrived. Brandon, Lena, Stef and Mike are in the living-room. Stef is the first one to realize what's happening. Mike needs words. He is shocked. He cannot accept it, nor believe it. There must be another explanation. He is in denial and wants to hear Dani's version.
Mike gets angry, but he doesn't leave, he can't. No, Lena did not tie him up, but she made him promise just before the bombshell to stay until the situation is handled. He needs fresh air.
While Mike is outside, let's talk about the other storyline. I must admit that this is my little regret of the episode. I would have preferred a bottle episode with Brandon, Lena, Stef and Mike in the living room dealing with this situation, rather than an other main plot and other subplots. Maybe the writers chose not to make too much drama. The other storyline is fun. Jude finally meets Sofia and the Quinns for a boat trip. There was so much drama in the other storyline that I expected a disaster here too. Something like Jude falling into the sea, ending up to the hospital, Callie accusing the Quinns and refusing to approach them, Robert refusing to sign the adoption papers and Callie forced to live with them. Well... I had gone a little too far.
Hopefully, nothing like that happened. I was especially glad to see Kerr Smith and Bailee Madison (RIP Trophy Wife) back on the show. The casting supervisor did a great job!
When Sofia tells Callie she must be wondering what would have happened if her father had never left, we feel that everything could change. Could she abandon the Fosters (and her brother)? Robert could not sign the papers to please Sofia and learn more about his daughter. This is possible, and whatever happens, I'm sure the series will handle this brilliantly. The series has earned my trust. And yet I remember, just before the pilot, I was very pessimistic. I was convinced that the series would accumulate clichés and be ridiculous, as many ABC Family TV shows. I was wrong, the pilot was surprisingly great. The Fosters is the new generation of The WB. This is the new "Everwood", the new "Gilmore Girls" ... That is to say how much I appreciate it. And these boat trips, this is exactly what we could have seen on The WB.
Let's get back to the Quinns. Are they hiding something? I don't trust Mrs. Quinn. I'm sure she's hiding something - or maybe it's because I secretly dreamed of Katie Holmes in this role. Robert looks sincere, without ulterior motives. Sofia is endearing, but I think she's hiding something. I am convinced that behind her smile is sadness.
Back to the Fosters. While Mike is out, Lena, aka the voice of wisdom, tries to calm down Stef, who indirectly puts the blame on Mike. Once done, Stef is reasoning Mike. They come to the conclusion that none of them is responsible for this. It makes him realize that his vision of rape is wrong, he would not have reacted the same way if it had been a teacher and Mariana. Finally, Mike talks to Brandon, he explains to him that he's not responsible, what Dani did was illegal. Justice will be served.
Note: 6.5/10 Overall, this was a great episode, but it could have been better. Honestly, I felt like there was too much going on in this episode.
Now, it's your turn! What did you think of the episode? Hit the comments!
