Family Law (2021) - General Discussion

[greekmom]

Season 2 Episode 9: Acting Out.

I wish that Abby wouldn't cover so much for Frank. Telling Nico that Jo Jo is out of town instead of the truth is very nice of her but Frank doesn't deserve it. 

According to the parenting assessment, Frank isn't the golden parent that he thinks he is. Calling Abby a "bitch", limiting Nico access to Abby by taking away his ipad and adding more parenting restrictions.  I think that the rule about not introducing new partners for a year is going to bite Frank in the butt as he is more likely to find someone new than Abby.  I loved her reply back with his wanting to go to court - her dirty laundry has been aired, his has not. I hope she finds some decent dirt besides his infidelity.  Please show do this for me. By this point the actor who plays Frank does such a good job (like the actor who played Crystal Steeles) that I don't think I can warm up to him if he's a good guy in another role.  I know that's happened with Lynda Boyd as she's been in Virgin River and Sullivan's Crossing - can't do it!).  Frank is a major see you next Tuesday (the character). 

Why aren't the kids in therapy or in Al-Anon? And why hasn't either Lucy or the therapist that did the parenting assessment suggest this instead of crap all over Abby and her addiction. The woman is doing therapy and AA. She's doing the work!

Regarding the case of the week. The brother was in the wrong. He should have been more insistence to go through court to get that Eminem wannabe away from his sister and into rehab instead of conservativeship.   Abby's speech to the judge was chef's kiss.

So sad that next week is last episode. :(
 

Edited July 25, 2023 by greekmom

[morriss]

Craig and Mr. December are the only ones in this series that are not a mess.    👌

[RunningMarket]

23 hours ago, morriss said:

Craig and Mr. December are the only ones in this series that are not a mess.    👌

Yeah, but Craig is saddled with Daniel. 

[AnimeMania]

S02.E04: Return to Sender
ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR – Abby (Jewel Staite) and Daniel (Zach Smadu) represent a mail-order bride whose husband wants to annul the marriage and have her deported. Meanwhile, Nico (guest star Brenden Sunderland) and Sofia (Eden Summer Gilmore) take the news of their parents’ impending divorce hard, and Daniels date with another woman who’s perfect on paper is a perfect failure – until a run-in with free-spirited chef Martina salvages the night. Lastly, Lucy’s (Genelle Williams) hopes for a reconciliation with Maggie (guest star Ali Liebert) are dashed when she runs into Maggie’s new “friend.” 

Premiere Date: July 28, 2023      CW      8pm 

[possibilities]

S2E4

If they want me to believe Lucy is sincere in wanting to get back together with her ex, they need to show me why. All they're doing is showing her pouting. There's  been zero reflection or view into her interior life. It's bad storytelling  and wastes the actress.

Daniel's shockingly insecure and socially inept. Wee haven't gotten any backstory on him, either, so it's kind of a strange story to tell, but at least we do get to see him do more than silently brood.

I hope something in the divorce agreements forces shitty Frank to make some kind of amends for continuing to try to turn the kids against Abby. He really is terrible.

I don't know if I think that what Harry did with his client this week was ethical. They were gross human beings, but isn't his obligation to represent his client, not manipulate him for future profit? Moreover, how dim do you have to be to hire the same attorney for your divorce after he convinced you not to have a pre-nup?

The mail order bride case was badly done, I thought. I also thought that handwaving the special skills approval was a bit hard to swallow. What special skills was she going to use in that job? And how did the client in question afford $8/message?

[RunningMarket]

Is E10 the last of this season? There were a few wrap ups and a few cliffhangers, so I wouldn't be surprised.

Putting in spoiler tags for those who aren't caught up yet. I was absolutely not surprised that:

Spoiler

Maggie moved out in the dark of night, once Lucy got court ordered time with the baby. 

Daniel continues to be tied with Frank for THE WORST. Green is not his colour. Boy he is immature and jealous. Also immature? Cecil. I'm sorry, but his character got progressively more annoying and childish as the season went on. I was hoping for a resolution to that, but nope.

Edited August 1, 2023 by RunningMarket
spelling

[AnimeMania]

1 hour ago, RunningMarket said:

Is E10 the last of this season?

Season 2 is 10 episodes.

[greekmom]

Season 2, Episode 10 All Happy Families

Happy that Abby got equal parenting time. Sucks that Frank's dirty laundry wasn't aired or there wasn't more to air.  Liked that the judge wiped that smug look on his face.  He is still MVP for All Around Jerk/Malaka on the show. 

Daniel still expresses middle child syndrome with his "it's always Abby! Abby! Abby! Abby!"  He really needs get over himself.  Out of the 3 I feel that Abby did get the short end of the stick.  At least Daniel got a father and as Abby pointed out, Lucy IS Harry's favourite child (probably because she is the youngest and her mother passed).  

The courtroom scenes for Lucy were great.  Sad that Maggie took off. Wonder if Lucy will have Maggie arrested with kidnapping.  Liked that Jo Jo really redeemed herself as a friend to Lucy and Abby's cheerleader.

Glad that Abby stuck with S&S and didn't go back to the firm that dropped her like a hot potato. 

Meh on the Cecil storyline but I do like the bromance between him and Winston.

The ending was hilarious.  Hopefully the air season 3 in September so we can chat about it. 

Forgot to add. I didn't realize that the intro song is an actual song and I found it on youtube. Was singing it during washing the dishes last night. The longer version is super good!

Edited August 1, 2023 by greekmom
I ain't your sucker, ain't your lollipop....

[statsgirl]

Season 2, Episode 10 All Happy FamiliesI

I'm really going to miss Cordelia (Abby's lawyer). She's awesome.

So Frank refuses to take spousal support out of the divorce settlement, probably thinking that Abby working in the big personal liability firm will make more money than he will and she'll have to support him. The rat.

It seems to me that Daniel is a lot like Frank -- both think that they are better lawyers than they really are, both resent Abby's successes, both capable of getting nasty if they think they aren't being treated with the respect they deserve. I wonder if that's intentional or it's how the creator of the show views male lawyers.

The "nesting" parenting option was interesting. I remember a friend doing research on it decades ago and how it's the best for the children. I'm glad if it's part of divorces now but it is harder on the parents as they have to each have an alternate place to live.

There was a lot of redeeming of Harry's heart in this episode, from being willing to step back and be blamed for Lucy's sake, his recitation of what he did for Abby when others told him not to, and even his refusal to fire "Cecile".

Not surprised at all at what Maggie did, her completely cutting Lucy out especially when Lucy took care of Harmony ("Melody" hee) shows a vindictiveness. As bad a Frank is, at least he showed some regret at the end that his marriage was over. Maggie couldn't get rid of Lucy fast enough.

When Daniel was listing off the people that he could fire, he said "Andy Mikita" but Jerri overruled him. That made me smile because the real Andy Mikita is one of the producers of this show and directed this episode. I remembered the name because he was an assistant director on Stargate SG1 and then moved up to directing episodes of that, Travellers, Motive and Virgin River.

24 minutes ago, greekmom said:

Forgot to add. I didn't realize that the intro song is an actual song and I found it on youtube. Was singing it during washing the dishes last night. The longer version is super good!

Wow. It's so perfect for the show.

[greekmom]

4 minutes ago, statsgirl said:

Season 2, Episode 10 All Happy FamiliesI

I'm really going to miss Cordelia (Abby's lawyer). She's awesome.

Not surprised at all at what Maggie did, her completely cutting Lucy out especially when Lucy took care of Harmony ("Melody" hee) shows a vindictiveness. As bad a Frank is, at least he showed some regret at the end that his marriage was over. Maggie couldn't get rid of Lucy fast enough.

I agree with all your points @statsgirl.  They tend to reuse the lawyers alot in the show, Maggie's lawyer has popped up how many times during the season?! Wouldn't be surprised if Cordelia pops up again. 

I think Frank actually showing regret at the end of his marriage was totally out of character, if a bus got him tomorrow (the character NOT the actor) I wouldn't cry over it.

Here's the link to the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=himEn9j5_Gs&ab_channel=jeremyfishermusic

 

[AnimeMania]

S02.E05: Fifty Shades of Judginess

THE TENSION INCREASES BETWEEN DANIEL AND HARRY – Harry (Victor Garber) forces Abby (Jewel Staite) to join him in representing Phaedra, a recent widow, in an estate dispute. Her late husband’s daughter, Esme, wants to cut her out of the will because they met while her mother was still alive… and Phaedra was his “escort.” Meanwhile, Daniel’s (Zach Smadu) insinuations that Harry is behind the times—published in a feature magazine article, no less—lead to increasing tension between father and son. And Sofia (Eden Summer) and Nico (guest star Brenden Sunderland), upset about the divorce, act out big-time leading to a harrowing night for Abby, and bitter retaliation from Frank (guest star Luke Camilleri). 

Premiere Date: August 4, 2023      CW      8pm 

[possibilities]

S2 E5

Is it realistic that Abby could lose all custody rights after this event? She left her kids with the grandmother. She could certainly testify that she would never trust grandma again, and that she didn't think to look under the covers to verify the identity of the lump in her son's bed, but will be more careful in the future. 

I feel like this supposedly cutthroat lawyer she hired isn't ding enough to show that Frank is a bad faith actor here, and has been trying to undermine Abby's relationship with her kids all along.

[statsgirl]

After Abby threw up in court, and whatever else she did, Frank got emergency sole custody of the kids so any time that Abby spends with them is at Frank's discretion. If/when Abby takes it back to court, the judge can order a change.

I am no fan of Frank but I can understand why he would be upset. 14 year old Sofia drank her grandmother's alcohol, got roaring drunk and went out to a strange party. Meanwhile Nico who is 8? ran away across the big dangerous city at night and no one noticed that he was gone. Both the kids put themselves in danger and Abby didn't know it.

[AnimeMania]

S02.E06: Wicked Games

SPARKS - Separated from her kids, Abby (Jewel Staite) throws herself into helping Jessie, a woman who claims that her ex-husband is criminally harassing her. But she and Daniel (Zach Smadu) begin to suspect their client is doing it all to herself. Meanwhile, Daniel is smitten with an older woman, until he discovers she’s a former acquaintance of Harry’s (Victor Garber). And sparks fly when Jessie’s case throws Abby into the path of Aidan (guest star Spencer Lord), a handsome – and younger – firefighter.

Premiere Date: August 11, 2023      CW      8pm

[DanaK]

16 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

S02.E06: Wicked Games

SPARKS - Separated from her kids, Abby (Jewel Staite) throws herself into helping Jessie, a woman who claims that her ex-husband is criminally harassing her. But she and Daniel (Zach Smadu) begin to suspect their client is doing it all to herself. Meanwhile, Daniel is smitten with an older woman, until he discovers she’s a former acquaintance of Harry’s (Victor Garber). And sparks fly when Jessie’s case throws Abby into the path of Aidan (guest star Spencer Lord), a handsome – and younger – firefighter.

Premiere Date: August 11, 2023      CW      8pm

Figured it was the boyfriend halfway through

[possibilities]

S2 E6

I was also convinced it was the boyfriend.

The tormenting of Daniel is getting to be to much for me. Dad saying "I need a woman of substance but she would be great for you" was beyond thoughtless, rude and insulting. It was flat out cruel. 

Lucy deciding the client was not faking because  she was genuinely scared seemed ridiculous to me. I have known people who are genuinely freaked out, or else effectively faking it, who were also delusional or liars. Having an elevated heart rate and activated nervous system is not exclusive to sane and honest people. In this case, I did believe she was probably telling the truth, but I thought Lucy's reasons for coming to that conclusion were BS.

I wonder if the custody evaluation will come to the conclusion that Frank is the parent with issues, and Abby gets more than she even hoped for when the evaluator kicks him in the gut. 

I do think she lied though. She said she'd been sober for a year but I think her lapse was more recent than that.

Edited August 14, 2023 by possibilities
to add episode number

[AnimeMania]

S02.E07: Arrested Development

Abby (Jewel Staite) and Daniel (Zach Smadu) represent Drew, a forty-year-old man whose parents want to evict him from their basement. The case seems like a non-starter, but when Abby finds out the parents’ lawyer is Frank (guest star Luke Camilleri), she’s determined to win. With Lucy’s (Genelle Williams) help, they build a case that Drew’s extremely nurturing parents have loved him into permanent dependency, and that he can’t possibly live on his own. As they work on the case, all three siblings are forced to consider the ways they have—and haven’t—grown up. Meanwhile, Harry (Victor Garber) loses a client to his rival because Daniel’s statements to the press have her convinced Harry’s firm is all collaboration and no bite. And Abby’s first date with Aidan (guest star Spencer Lord), gets off to an awkward start—until Abby has an unexpected burst of honesty. 

Premiere Date: August 18, 2023      CW      8pm 

[possibilities]

S2 E7

Frank is a cartoon villain, being played by the actor with cartoon villain flourishes. I don't understand why the lawyer Abby  hired was portrayed as being so tough when she seems to be doing nothing. 

I did like seeing Abby's mother get a tiny clue during her interview with the custody evaluator.

Aiden The Firefighter is a cartoon hero, but I find it tiresome that we aren't learning anything about him other than that he gets off on Abby's vulnerability. I am fine with him not being put off by it, but it bothers me that their relationship is being portrayed as totally one-sided. Who is he? They should show that to us, and show Abby finding out more about him during their interactions, so we don't conclude he's like that boyfriend from last week who acted like Dream Guy while torching his girlfriend's life.

 

[DanaK]

Per the Futon Critic, episodes 9 and 10 will be shown on September 1

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/2023/09/01/

[AnimeMania]

S02.E08: Family History

SARAH WAYNE CALLIES DIRECTS – Abby (Jewel Staite) can’t help but intervene when she discovers Jerri’s (guest star Bobbi Charlton) daughter won’t let Jerri meet her grandchild, but Abby’s meddling reopens old wounds from Jerri’s past. Meanwhile, Daniel (Zach Smadu) is thrown for a loop when Craig’s first owner threatens to get him disbarred for stealing Craig unless Daniel forks over a curiously specific amount of money. Harry (Victor Garber) forces Abby to attend a professional gathering, so she invites Aidan (guest star Spencer Lord), as a plus-one to make Frank (guest star Luke Camilleri) jealous. Harry insists on helping Lucy (Genelle Williams) handle her divorce, and Lucy makes a surprising discovery when she arrives at Maggie’s (guest star Ali Liebert). 

Premiere Date: August 25, 2023      CW      8pm 
Next Week: Back-to-Back Episodes (Season Finale)

[buckboard]

S02.E08: Family History

Glad we got to see some Jerri backstory, but it was handled rather badly, IMHO.  Sure, her daughter was traumatized by Jerri's drunken behavior, but why didn't Jerri point out that she hasn't had a drink in 26 years?  Doesn't she believe Eleanor that Jerri has been sober for all that time?  If the daughter is worried about Jerri behaving badly with her daughter, why don't Jerri and Eleanor's other kids tell her how good Jerri's behavior has been with them?  Do either of them have kids?  I'm glad Jerri's daughter is sitting down with her, but it seems that if Lucy was a half-way decent therapist, they could have dealt with this in the session.

[possibilities]

You'd think that Maggie might be capable of calling 911 herself, instead of sitting on the floor hyperventilating and bleeding out. What if Lucy didn't show up at that moment, with a key? Also, why does Lucy still have a key?

I was glad they finally showed that Aiden isn't too good to be true. 

Frank continues to be a cartoon villain. If he was genuinely worried because of Abby's past behavior (which I think the show wants us to think, by  paralleling it with Jerri's story), then that is something that he should and could have said a long time ago, instead of just acting like a poisonous BS artist. But I guess we're supposed to realize that Frank is not facing his own issues, and unless he does some kind of work on himself, he's also a problem. He's looking for  scapegoat rather than facing his own issues.

Daniel's love for the dog is sweet. I think that they should have looked more into other avenues than caving to the threat, but he's been consistently characterized as more of a soft touch than a lawyer, so I guess it works. Abby is usually more creative and successful at this kind of thing, but she really didn't give a shit about the case.

I don't know what to say about the safe cracking case. 

 

[statsgirl]

On 8/26/2023 at 2:53 PM, possibilities said:

But I guess we're supposed to realize that Frank is not facing his own issues, and unless he does some kind of work on himself, he's also a problem. He's looking for  scapegoat rather than facing his own issues.

Looking for a scapegoat, and wanting to have his cake and eat it too (e.g. justifying his affair and also wanting to punish Abby while refusing to look at what he does to hurt his children).

Abby has done a lot of work on herself since we first met her while Frank has wrapped himself in his self-righteousness and refused to.

On 8/26/2023 at 12:44 AM, buckboard said:

Sure, her daughter was traumatized by Jerri's drunken behavior, but why didn't Jerri point out that she hasn't had a drink in 26 years? 

I think that Jerri did or maybe Eleanor did but the daughter was so angry, she didn't care.  As far as she sees it, she's protecting her daughter by refusing to let her be in Jerri's company.  She isn't in a place where she can forgive her parent. In real life, it can take years to get there even with a good therapist.

I like the twist that it was Jerri's drinking that pushed her daughter away, not being transgender.

[AnimeMania]

S02.E09: Acting Out

FEELINGS – The firm represents Charisma Singhal, a young superstar whose reckless behavior has led her older brother to push for a conservatorship, à la Britney Spears. Abby (Jewel Staite) sets out to prove that Charisma has the same right to make bad choices that we all do—which would be an easier sell if Charisma would stop making such terrible choices. Meanwhile, Daniel’s (Zach Smadu) embarrassment over a botched live TV interview leads to the revelation that he has feelings for Martina (guest star Miranda Edwards) and a kiss that could destroy their friendship. With Maggie (guest star Ali Liebert) undergoing emergency surgery, Lucy (Genelle Williams) is pressed into caring for baby Harmony—and finds herself bonding with the newborn. 

Premiere Date: September 1, 2023      CW      8pm 

S02.E10: All Happy Families
(Season Finale)

As her probation comes to an end, Abby (Jewel Staite) is torn between her new life at Svensson and Svensson, and a lucrative offer from her former firm. Lucy (Genelle Williams) asks Abby to represent her as she fights for legal status as baby Harmony’s parent. Abby and Frank’s (guest star Luke Camilleri ) divorce finally culminates in court. Meanwhile, Daniel (Zach Smadu) is thrilled that Abby is moving on. But Harry (Victor Garber), faced with Abby leaving, is forced to choose between his daughter and his pride. As her divorce throws Abby’s life choices into sharp relief, she comes to a decision about what she wants for her future—just in time for her family situation to get more complicated than she could have imagined. 

Premiere Date: September 1, 2023      CW      9pm 

[possibilities]

I like this show. I wish more people watched it.

I figured Abby would stay at the family firm because that works for the show, but it didn't occur to me that Harry wasn't offering her more for the actual reasons-- that he can't give her more than Daniel and that the firm is in financial trouble. Interesting.

I hope Daniel gets it together in S3. He really isn't that great of a lawyer, but he's rather sweet with the dog and the girlfriend, so maybe he can find a niche that suits him better, instead of always flailing.

I have mixed feelings about Lucy. She really didn't do anything to deal with her issues and I think she is actually an impulsive flip flopper. Maggie was wrong to flee, but Lucy hasn't redeemed herself yet either.

The worst part of the nesting arrangement is that the parents are sharing the same bed/bedroom, aren't they? If they had an extra bedroom, it would be much better, so they didn't have to alternate in the same bedroom. I also didn't think Frank got enough of a penalty for trying to alienate the kids against their mother. They could have had a built in sanction for that behavior. The damage it did remains. But I was very glad that he didn't get what he wanted, i.e. house, money, and kids, all to himself. 

 

[greekmom]

On 9/2/2023 at 2:10 PM, possibilities said:

The worst part of the nesting arrangement is that the parents are sharing the same bed/bedroom, aren't they? If they had an extra bedroom, it would be much better, so they didn't have to alternate in the same bedroom. I also didn't think Frank got enough of a penalty for trying to alienate the kids against their mother. They could have had a built in sanction for that behavior. The damage it did remains. But I was very glad that he didn't get what he wanted, i.e. house, money, and kids, all to himself. 

 

We don't know if they have an extra bedroom upstairs but they still have that ensuite basement apartment that Abby was living in S1.

I agree that it's not an ideal situation as the bedroom has to remain neutral but it's not fair that Abby is relegated as a "house guest" in her own home.  

Despite that the fact that Abby is an alcoholic, Frank did cheat on her. And it wasn't an "oops I made a mistake."  Two wrongs do not make a right and Frank should have asked for either Abby to get help for her issues or for a divorce long before he stepped out of the marriage.  He knew Abby had a drinking issue.  I think he enjoyed the fact that Abby had a crutch and it gave him the upper hand since his wife was out earning him. 

[buckboard]

2 hours ago, greekmom said:

I agree that it's not an ideal situation as the bedroom has to remain neutral but it's not fair that Abby is relegated as a "house guest" in her own home.  

 

On the other hand, during their away from the nesting house week, Abby can stay at her mother's lovely home, while Frank has to find someplace to rent.

[statsgirl]

On 9/2/2023 at 2:10 PM, possibilities said:

 I also didn't think Frank got enough of a penalty for trying to alienate the kids against their mother. They could have had a built in sanction for that behavior. 

Yes, that was really low. Frank was much better in season 1 when Abby and i thought that they could repair the marriage.

The idea of the kids staying in the house while the parents move back and forth (as opposed to the kids moving between the parents) has been around for a while (I know someone who was doing her dissertation on it n the 90s) because it's best for the kids. But it's harder on the parents so it doesn't happen that much.

6 hours ago, greekmom said:

 I think he enjoyed the fact that Abby had a crutch and it gave him the upper hand since his wife was out earning him. 

Yeah. Frank has a lot of insecurities and that translates into a pettiness that makes him act like a heel. Or he just is a heel.

[greekmom]

2 hours ago, statsgirl said:

Yeah. Frank has a lot of insecurities and that translates into a pettiness that makes him act like a heel. Or he just is a heel.

I just want Frank to "get his" at some point.  You know, if he has a gf then she cheats on him, he gets disgraced professionally or the kids (especially Sophia) finally TURNING on Frank for a good part or a whole season.

[threebluestars]

One thing I absolutely love about this show is how they show the characters reading and always show the books.

[AnimeMania]

Family Law Season 3      January 17, 2024         CW       9pm        

Clear of her probation and divorce, Abby is riding high at Svensson & Svensson, but the hard work of reckoning with her past is just beginning,” reads the description. “She moves on to AA’s Step Four — writing her moral inventory — and begins her nesting arrangement with Frank (Luke Camilleri). On her off weeks, she still lives with her mother Joanne (Lauren Holly), whose rekindled relationship with Harry (Victor Garber) is churning up all of Abby’s childhood trauma. Meanwhile, Harry revels in Abby and Daniel’s (Zach Smadu) cutthroat competition for top earner at the firm until his reckless past comes back to haunt him. Daniel’s romance with Martina (Miranda Edwards) is cut short when her boyfriend Quinn (Thomas Cadrot) returns – and takes on a new layer of complexity when Quinn befriends Daniel. And Lucy (Genelle Williams), trying to find her feet after Maggie’s (Ali Liebert) betrayal, throws herself into a new relationship — one that she intends to make work no matter what.

[DanaK]

I’ve created a Season 3 thread