Please note: English is not my first language.
Every week I like to complain about these over-dramatic promos. So, this week, as usual, I was sure the promo was a lie and that the episode would be non-dramatic. I was wrong. But as I tweeted when I started the episode "Something bad is going to happen, very bad". This little dream depicting Steff and Lena enjoying motherhood wasn't right, it was the alarm.
Then, I changed my mind, the next minutes were reassuring (so naive!). Well, everything was not THAT fine, Jude was not speaking - not yet.
Then, Mike and Dani come to pay a visit to our favorite TV family. They have a little surprise ... They want to start a family. How
The episode continues with joy and good humor. Yep, I'm talking about the sale of the bed. You probably remember this non-practical bed for intimacy. A squabble starts between Jesus and Mariana. It was quite interesting to see them like that. This plot has also helped to remind us the existing conflict between them about Jesus' new girlfriend and to talk about Mariana's virginity. By the way, there are some signs that this some might be about to change. In any case, one thing is certain, she has a date!
Then, we have out cheesy family moment while they're all playing Monopoly. I really enjoy these scenes because they remind me the good old days of The WB (I miss this network, SO MUCH!)
And, then ... BOMBSHELL. My goal is not to make a reference to James Franco upcoming movie, but 25 minutes before this heartbreaking scene, I was saying "Everything will be fine". The episode had this "calm before the storm" vibe, don't you think?
The series has taken a path both devastating and interesting because it is rare to see a termination of pregnancy on television.
Indeed, Lena is suffering from pre-eclampsia and has to make a choice between her own health or the baby's life. Lena's blood pressure is dangerously high and rising. The doctor explains to Lena that they have to deliver the baby NOW. But since the baby is only 20 weeks along, she will not survive. Lena explains to Steff and the doctor that she wants to wait, she has faith. She even dreamed of the baby girl. The doctor tells her that it's way too dangerous, especially for Lena's health.
While we are preparing for the worst by having the box of tissues nearby, Lorraine Toussaint, aka the mother of Lena, makes her comeback. Here comes one of the most poignant scenes of the series. I did not cry, but I was very moved. This "Parenting for Dummies" scene was incredible!
The writers have dared cruelty, but they succeeded brilliantly. They did not let her be principal and now, this ... One of the best moments of this episode is probably when Lena explains why she desperately wants this child. When you think about it, the show managed it very well. Since the beginning of the season and even the series, Lena has always been apart. She loves them, but she's afraid. She's afraid they don't lover her as much as she does. She is afraid that one day, they tell her "Anyway, you're not my real mother." This child appears as her only chance to have a biological relationship with a family member. She is the only one not to have one. If this answer already destroyed us, Lorraine Toussaint broke our hearts into pieces. This is why I chose this subtitle. I'm really surprised to see the series continue on such a beautiful way and still succeed to surprise me, because after all, even though I was expecting something terrible for the Fosters, it's my pessimistic nature. The episode was very emotional, thanks to outstanding performances from Sherri Saum and Lorraine Toussaint.
During this tearful scene, we also follow the other members of the family in the waiting room. We have this great conversation between Callie and Brandon, when he tells her that she has stop to keep everything for herself, he has to share her problems, she has talk. She pulls away.
For the third times now, Callie realized how rough she was, and reuses Brandon's words to talk to Jude. I was not a fan of this "mutism plot", but I'm glad to see they managed to make something very good, with a nice conclusion, #JudeSpeaks.
Finally, let's talk about this quite over-the-top scene. After losing the baby, Lena is visited by a little girl who gives her, her stuffed unicorn. Now that I finished the episode, I find it a bit too dramatic, but at the moment, it was very sweet and poetic.
The episode ends up on the family planting a tree in Frankie's memory, while I'm hugging my TV.
Note: 6.5/10 It was a very good episode of The Fosters, very brutal in the last fifteen minutes, allowing the series to break another taboo.
Now, it's your turn! What did you think of the episode? Hit the comments!
I loved the episode too. When I first saw it I thought nothing of the termination (I really didn't even realize it happened). But later I saw some comments and I realized the show showed the humanity behind the decision, which is really good. It actually shows something very common, but that is overlook by pro-lifers: the fact that abortion is a medical procedure that saves women's lives.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a big fan of Callie's freak out being considered about Brandon (as rape survivors and triggers deserve more respect than that). So I am VERY glad Callie made the point about mention that she understood what it really was. She was not ready, because she suffered in the past with something that needs to be dealt with and not because some guy was still in her mind.
I agree with you on Callie's storyline. Last week, I was disappointed with the pot brownie storyline, it was too much for me, a moral message too obvious. And, even if I like Callie's character, I know that sometimes, they don't take the best choices for her character, so I wasn't confident, if you see what I mean...
ReplyDeleteI didn't mind the pot brownie story, mostly because I felt Brandon had to tell someone about the rape(he doesnt seem to see it like that, but he is underage - so that's what it was). And since he is feeling guilty, I don't feel he would talk any other way. I do hope, however, that they treat that how it deserves to be treated, with a story line that shows Dani's fault and discusses consent..
ReplyDeleteHow I said in my review, I feel like the truth is going to come out soon, but yes, I do hope that Dani won't get away with this.
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