Oh how I missed Lena and Stef's parenting, which I plan to emulate; all the various developments with their children; or even Mike who really has grown on me over time. For, unlike some shows I watch, I can't say that I'm not invested in all of this show's characters. Which really does make the hiatus of this show, as well as Switched at Birth, like when your friends went away over the summer back before your average kid had a cell phone and social network profile.
Topic 1: Changes – Mariana and Mike
Since we last left Mariana she has joined the school's dance team. Not without some difficulty though. It seems in her quest to perhaps reinvent herself, those who tried out with her think she got in because of a quota system. Which considering there is one Black guy, and then Mariana, they might be right. But, from what it seems, she has proved she deserves to be on the team, and to fit in has even dyed her hair blonde. I'm not sure yet though if it is to come off as white, to simply be like the majority of the girls who have a light hair color, or if maybe she is just experimenting with her hair. Either way, Stef isn't fond of it.
As for Mike, well he is sort of low-key in this episode. Dani is moving in, and the way Mike is talking I expect him and Dani to likely be engaged before the end of the season. Especially since he portrays her as his personal Jesus. But with all that Dani did to, and for, Brandon still lingering in the air, you can tell sooner or later either someone is going to slip up or have a confession. Which likely may mean another binge drinking moment for Mike who is so guilt ridden about Brandon getting assaulted that all he needs is one good reason to go on another bender. One which Stef may provide as she discovers Mike may have beat up Anna.
Topic 2: Growing Pains - Jesus & Lena
With Emma and Jesus back on, Jesus is trying to adjust to dating a girl like Emma. For with Emma being the type of girl who wants to be "one of the guys," and is a bit different from Lexi, trying to adjust you can see is going to lead to some growing pains for him. But, thankfully, Jesus does believe in communicating with Emma, for the most part, and though he decides to leave the wrestling team so she won't be regulated to just being Jesus' girlfriend, she lets him know that while they are dating, she isn't dependent on him to fix her issues. She can handle them herself.
When it comes to Lena though, she remains the character who is always put in an odd position whether she is at work or home. For example, with Mariana coloring her hair, Lena feels the need to take Mariana's side and talk about the issues she had with growing up with curly hair. A nice little tidbit which deals with Eurocentric beauty standards and her issues growing up with her own mother. As for what is going on at work, well with the principal from last season no longer being with Anchor Bay, for reasons not said, Lena is forced to step it up. And seemingly with the old principal gone, so went a lot of major donors. However, with Lena's temperament and charm I'm sure she'll turn things around and maybe even get promoted?
Topic 3: Up Hill Battle – Callie & Brandon
But while everyone else on the show is dealing with slightly uncomfortable issues, Brandon and Callie, as always, have nothing but drama. Thankfully though, the drama doesn't deal with their relationship. Starting with Brandon, after Vico slamming his arm in a care door, his ability to play isn't what it used to be. It seems he remembers the placement of the keys, but doesn't have full feeling in his fingers yet. However, just seeing him at the piano, and recommitted to the arts, does give me hope that he won't repeat the nonsense he went through last season. Though, I should mention, like Mike he does have a bit of guilt weighing on his shoulders. Him sleeping with Dani, especially in light of how in love his dad is with her, really seems to bother him. Even to the point of avoiding Mike. Things end well for the two though and it seems they are once more on track to rebuild their relationship.
Leaving us with Callie. Since we've met her it seems with every two steps forward there has been one step back, and the pattern seems destined to continue. For with her not getting adopted, she figures she can just stick with Lena and Stef until she is 18 and do the process. Thing is, Lena and Stef didn't renew their foster parent license so Callie gets taken and misses Jude's big speech at school. But, there is a silver lining. With her deciding to put an effort into finding her biological dad, a chat she has with Daphne and Wyatt about, it seems she may end up at a crossroad. You see, what I assume to be her dad, Robert Quinn, shows up at her job and orders some food. And you can see on his face that not only does he feel guilty, but even with him already having a daughter, he may fight for Callie. Which surely is going to make for some juicy TV. If just because Callie for once isn't choosing between the lesser of two evils but two viable options.
Topic 1: Changes – Mariana and Mike
Since we last left Mariana she has joined the school's dance team. Not without some difficulty though. It seems in her quest to perhaps reinvent herself, those who tried out with her think she got in because of a quota system. Which considering there is one Black guy, and then Mariana, they might be right. But, from what it seems, she has proved she deserves to be on the team, and to fit in has even dyed her hair blonde. I'm not sure yet though if it is to come off as white, to simply be like the majority of the girls who have a light hair color, or if maybe she is just experimenting with her hair. Either way, Stef isn't fond of it.
As for Mike, well he is sort of low-key in this episode. Dani is moving in, and the way Mike is talking I expect him and Dani to likely be engaged before the end of the season. Especially since he portrays her as his personal Jesus. But with all that Dani did to, and for, Brandon still lingering in the air, you can tell sooner or later either someone is going to slip up or have a confession. Which likely may mean another binge drinking moment for Mike who is so guilt ridden about Brandon getting assaulted that all he needs is one good reason to go on another bender. One which Stef may provide as she discovers Mike may have beat up Anna.
Topic 2: Growing Pains - Jesus & Lena
With Emma and Jesus back on, Jesus is trying to adjust to dating a girl like Emma. For with Emma being the type of girl who wants to be "one of the guys," and is a bit different from Lexi, trying to adjust you can see is going to lead to some growing pains for him. But, thankfully, Jesus does believe in communicating with Emma, for the most part, and though he decides to leave the wrestling team so she won't be regulated to just being Jesus' girlfriend, she lets him know that while they are dating, she isn't dependent on him to fix her issues. She can handle them herself.
When it comes to Lena though, she remains the character who is always put in an odd position whether she is at work or home. For example, with Mariana coloring her hair, Lena feels the need to take Mariana's side and talk about the issues she had with growing up with curly hair. A nice little tidbit which deals with Eurocentric beauty standards and her issues growing up with her own mother. As for what is going on at work, well with the principal from last season no longer being with Anchor Bay, for reasons not said, Lena is forced to step it up. And seemingly with the old principal gone, so went a lot of major donors. However, with Lena's temperament and charm I'm sure she'll turn things around and maybe even get promoted?
Topic 3: Up Hill Battle – Callie & Brandon
But while everyone else on the show is dealing with slightly uncomfortable issues, Brandon and Callie, as always, have nothing but drama. Thankfully though, the drama doesn't deal with their relationship. Starting with Brandon, after Vico slamming his arm in a care door, his ability to play isn't what it used to be. It seems he remembers the placement of the keys, but doesn't have full feeling in his fingers yet. However, just seeing him at the piano, and recommitted to the arts, does give me hope that he won't repeat the nonsense he went through last season. Though, I should mention, like Mike he does have a bit of guilt weighing on his shoulders. Him sleeping with Dani, especially in light of how in love his dad is with her, really seems to bother him. Even to the point of avoiding Mike. Things end well for the two though and it seems they are once more on track to rebuild their relationship.
Leaving us with Callie. Since we've met her it seems with every two steps forward there has been one step back, and the pattern seems destined to continue. For with her not getting adopted, she figures she can just stick with Lena and Stef until she is 18 and do the process. Thing is, Lena and Stef didn't renew their foster parent license so Callie gets taken and misses Jude's big speech at school. But, there is a silver lining. With her deciding to put an effort into finding her biological dad, a chat she has with Daphne and Wyatt about, it seems she may end up at a crossroad. You see, what I assume to be her dad, Robert Quinn, shows up at her job and orders some food. And you can see on his face that not only does he feel guilty, but even with him already having a daughter, he may fight for Callie. Which surely is going to make for some juicy TV. If just because Callie for once isn't choosing between the lesser of two evils but two viable options.
