Brand new to the forum! First time posting:
I had a lot of questions at the end of this episode. Honestly, it seems like the writers are starting to have trouble keeping up with all their hyper-dramatic plots. There are a lot of little details that are contradicting one another, and things aren't adding up into cohesive storylines.
First, Robert Quinn: If his signature was on Callie's birth certificate, then he knew she existed. Legally, wouldn't he have needed to sign an affidavit of parentage before his name appeared on the certificate? Even if he wasn't there at the actual birth, and Callie's mom just gave his name, it seems so strange that he was never contacted in 16 years. (though this is the same show that allowed its two most "responsible" characters to inseminate without the donor's consent, so I'm not sure the writers are concerned with the sensibility of their stories) Based on what we've seen of Robert so far, though, I think he was being honest in telling Callie he never knew about her. I know they've cast Callie's step-mom for at least three episodes, so I'm assuming eventually this season Callie begins spending time at the Quinn's house, befriends half-sister Sophie, and bonds with Robert (the step-mom will probably be some sort of antagonistic figure). Then either Robert decides he loves Callie and wants to be her father, or (and I think this option is less likely since it goes against the show's wonderful and non-conventional definition of family) Callie considers the possibility of letting Robert adopt her instead of Stef and Lena. Whatever happens, I am extremely convinced that the adoption papers will not, in fact, be signed as soon as Robert "hears from his lawyer." The writers should pay viewers every time they promise good fortune for Callie, until something suddenly/overly complicated/dramatic happens that acts as a roadblock for her. The girl is just slingin' burgers trying to get by. Give her a break! It wouldn't surprise me if Callie never actually becomes an official member of the Fosters, because I am even more convinced that Brandon/Callie is the writer's romantic endgame of choice.
Brandon: So this cool, edgy new band girl (whose name I read was Lou, I think) is Brandon's love interest for the season it seems. I predict they'll spend the next three episodes bickering, but then Brandon wins Lou over and she opens up to him, and they make-out and write music together. I hope this allows Brandon some room to develop further as a character, but I'm not sold on Lou yet, and I'm worried the writers will decide Callie needs to be jealous of the new girlfriend and use the story as a way to reignite Brandon/Callie. I'm not even opposed to the Brandon/Callie pairing (I realized early on in the pilot that it was probably the big endgame relationship, and just accepted it), but the writers just wrote it so wrong the first time around. If Brallie is their goal and that is ultimately the reason for the Robert Quinn plot, then they need to take their time, and make it its own story, not just a convenient way for Callie to not be adopted by Stef and Lena. After all, a 16 year old girl meeting her father for the first time is much more significant than the drama with Brandon, and it needs to be treated as such.
Jesus: While I care about Jesus substantially less than I do the other Fosters, I think the inherent immaturity in the character is interesting, and I wish the writers would expand on it and really allow Jesus a chance for personal growth. After the Mariana drug selling plot ended, his stories have essentially revolved solely around girls. Even joining the wrestling team became about Emma (whose behavior in this episode seemed completely out of left field). I know Emma is portrayed as an "independent woman," and I think that's an important thing to convey in a show for young people, but the severe bossiness was so heavy handed. I was even wondering if the writers have been hearing negative feedback about Emma from fans, and decided to just write her off as soon as possible. While I think she'll be back next week at least, it wouldn't surprise me if this episode marked the beginning of the end for her. And I was kind of taken aback that a high school freshman/sophomore, even one that is such an independent woman, would be that confident and know exactly what she liked romantically/physically. I could've saved myself a lot of money on Ben&Jerry's had I been that girl at 15/16. Honestly, I didn't even think Emma's bossiness was going to be the ultimate conflict. I thought her forwardness in the car was a hint that she wasn't a virgin, and Jesus was going to take issue with that. I'm not really sure which I like better: bossiness or virginity. Emma had a lot of potential as a character, but they should've spent more time developing her as an individual, and then her friendship with Jesus. Then people actually would've maybe cared more when they began dating. I don't know why everything has to move so quickly.
The Adults: Honestly, the adults are the biggest mess on the show right now, I think. I seem to be forgetting a scene or missing information about the pregnancy. Last I remember, Lena told Stef the news, but no one had informed Timothy. Does he still not know and was just uncomfortable around Lena because he denied the use of his sperm? And Lena had no right to be hostile. As everyone's said, this pregnancy story is the most sloppily handled plot I've seen in awhile on any show. It just never would have happened. It completely goes against everything else they've established about Stef and Lena as characters. I had no idea what all the bickering between them was about in tonight's episode, either. It was just a recycled fight from last season. But based on the trailer for next week, it seems like they may be gearing up for a Stef-and-Lena-have-marital-problems story, and that will make me gag. I'll just vomit everywhere. Their relationship is one of the best parts of the show, unlike that of Mike and Dani, which is arguably the worst part. I never liked Dani, but it blows my mind that a writing team thought it wise to take a character in the direction that they took her. The second Dani got into bed with Brandon, they created an enormous and difficult storyline, and I'm afraid they've got too much else going on to see it through with the dexterity and thought necessary. Mike has become wholly irrelevant at this point. I would be shocked if he actually did anything to Ana because there'd be no gaining fan support for him after that, so basically the writers are just wasting everyone's time while Mike stands around having no idea the woman he "loves" slept with his underage son.
Jude: Lastly, and I know everyone's said this too: but if Connor's father has homophobic views, he's had them for awhile, and I find it hard to believe that he would've allowed Connor to spend so much time at the Fosters'. The nail painting is unexplainable to me; I doubt the writers will even address it. This plotline made me sad, not only because of the content, but also because I would have loved to see Jude slowly exploring his own sexuality throughout more of the series, and then coming to conclusions and revelations on his own, not through a homophobic idiot attacking him. Jude is a beacon of light on this show (it sounds dramatic, but when on The Fosters forum, do as The Fosters do), and I hope this does not turn into another melodrama, and instead is an opportunity for the show to say something truly powerful.
