S01.E21: Adoption Day

[Tara Ariano]

Stef and Mike deal with the fallout from a shocking revelation; Brandon makes another bad decision; Mariana lends support to a friend in need; Jesus is determined to manage his ADHD; Jude is asked out on a date.

[Tara Ariano]

And here's my Season In Review!

[Milaxx]

Oh my dog! The writers have got to ease up on this family. I swear they have more trouble than the Israelite's had plagues. Callie in particular is starting to look like a punching bag. I like this show, but it's starting to feel like torture porn. Hopefully next season they can tie up a few of these sad stories and give these folks a tiny bit of happiness.

[Kristen]

I'm conflicted because there are some things that this show seems to get right amid all of the other creepy/crazy things. (Dani and Brandon? EW!) At its heart it's a good show with a good premise. I've pretty much said this everywhere since last night, but I'd like to reiterate that they've wildly veered into Intense Drama For the Sake of Intense Drama territory. Did they really need to write Sherri Saum's pregnancy into the story? I know it can be tricky to hide a pregnant belly -- especially since she's having twins IRL -- but she's a mom; mom's carry a lot of bags! She's a vice principal; she's sits at a desk! They could've worked it out. Stef and Lena's communication is for shit, and their existing five children need their attention more than ever now. And the Timothy reneging thing? All this strife and Callie still can't be adopted yet? What is this Days of Our Lives? This show stresses me out more than The Walking Dead, Hannibal, and True Detective ever have!

[Tara Ariano]

Obviously we could all see something was sketchy about Dani, but I thought she was trying to weasel her way further into Mike's life. I guess once she failed she decided she had nothing left to lose and might as well usher Brandon into manhood (I assume), because what's more irresistible than a total sad sack?!

[Milaxx]

I have to admit I low key expected a Dani/Brandon hookup, but not the way it happened. For whatever reason her character has always sent up red flags even when she supposed to be acting out of kindness. So help me she better not end up pregnant. That might be my line in the sand with this show.

 

might as well usher Brandon into manhood (I assume)

 

Fortunately no. It's already been established that Brandon was sexually active. Stef & Lena being the progressive parents they are used to furnish Brandon with condoms with his original girlfriend.

Edited March 26, 2014 by Milaxx

[Tara Ariano]

AHHHH I HADN'T EVEN CONSIDERED PREGNANCY.

And of course, I forgot that wasn't his first time. Still icky.

[Katiepenn]

I jumped right to pregnancy too! It's all too easy to see it as a possibility, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they stick with the low key drama rather than soaping it up.

Edited March 26, 2014 by Katiepenn

[Amy]

Oh shit.  Now I totally think Dani is going to end up pregnant.   And pretend it's Mike's, thereby accomplishing her mission of weaseling her way further into his life.   And the DNA test will show that the baby is, in fact, related to Mike!  And they'll all live happily ever after with their secret until the baby comes down with some disease that doesn't exist in Mike or Dani's family, but that could have been inherited from Steph...

[maraleia]

Wow I'm so glad scarlette over at TWOP directed me here. With that site going down I needed a place to vent about shows. I also was getting sick of the corporatization of the site in recent years and was looking for a new place to go.

Thanks Tara and the rest of you for setting this site up.

As for the show, I really like it a lot although they need to slow down and have more moments like the one between Lena and Judicorn that happened in the finale. There doesn't need to be so much drama for viewers to like the show. Also, I really think that they had to write Sherri's pregnancy into the show because she has gotten so big.

[imustbecrazy]

I'm willing to forgive this whole convoluted baby excursion if they use it as a way to bring the family together more next season (really, Show, I don't hold a grudge... honest!).  But I agree with Kristen that they didn't appear to think this whole thing through when they decided to write it in.

It appeared they were trying to do a little plot-pruning by resolving the Zach/Mariana and Jesus/Emma threads, hopefully they can resist the temptation to fill the space and just let this family breathe a little.  Callie in particular, who is my favorite character but cannot catch a break.

Unfortunately, I don't think the Dani thing can get resolved very easily or quickly, because she is now material to Mike's drunken blackout and Brandon's little payoff scheme.  But please LORD do not let her be pregnant.  I'm getting serious Everwood flashbacks (and not of the good kind).

Edited March 27, 2014 by imustbecrazy

[LisaM]

As someone who was at TWoP since it was MightyBigTV, I'm thrilled to be here with the original founders and to have a place to continue discussing The Fosters.

I don't think that Dani will be pregnant but it will be interesting if she tries to use her knowledge of Mike's bloody hands and Brandon's bribery of Ana against them in any way. Of course, she has secrets too which she would not want to have be known: Brandon knows that she was drinking and knows that she slept with him thus committing statutory rape.

I'm curious whether Stef and Lena will try to obtain legal guardianship over Callie while they are tracking down her new bio dad. That way, they can get her out of state control, which should make her feel more trusting that her placement with the Fosters is permanent.

[Kristen]

Oh shit.  Now I totally think Dani is going to end up pregnant.   And pretend it's Mike's, thereby accomplishing her mission of weaseling her way further into his life.   And the DNA test will show that the baby is, in fact, related to Mike!  And they'll all live happily ever after with their secret until the baby comes down with some disease that doesn't exist in Mike or Dani's family, but that could have been inherited from Steph.

You know, I do not trust this show enough to think that it wouldn't do something so soapy and whackadoodle like that. Oy. We all seem to like the small moments. I almost want to screenshot this page and tweet it to Peter Paige and Bradley Bredeweg...and maybe JLo. Haha.

[Milaxx]

Oh shit.  Now I totally think Dani is going to end up pregnant.   And pretend it's Mike's,

 

Oh Amy, you scenario makes it so much worse. Praying to TPTB that don't go down that path.

[smrou]

I really really really hope Dani doesn't wind up pregnant.  I do hope there are some significant consequences for her because...seriously, sex with her boyfriend's son (who is a minor, right?  I mean, legally or not, since I'm not sure Brandon's age, dude's a high school kid).  And while he'd been drinking, too.  Just...ich.  I literally covered my eyes during that whole scene because it grossed me out so much.

But even while I want her to have significant consequences, I also kind of want her just gone from the show because, as this episode really emphasized, there is just too much happening.  The Dani stuff, the fake ID stuff, Jesus and his girl, Marianna and her boy and the boy's mom's issues, Wyatt/Callie/Brandon romance stuff, Lena's pregnancy, Callie fatherhood shocker, oh my goodness it's just too much.  In the first part of the season this show was my great, comfy, happy show and after the second part of the season I feel a bit overwhelmed and turned off by it.  Which is a shame, because I really REALLY want it to be as good as I know it can be because when they focus on family stuff it's just such a lovely show.  Callie's whole relationship with Jude is great.  Jude's interactions with the moms and the other siblings are great.  For that matter, I love how Calile's relationship with Marianna has changed and Iove seeing the development of all the sibling relationships.  And above all else, the Lena/Stef relationship just reads so natural and affectionate and real to me and I love watching those two women interact with each other and with their children.  

Edited March 28, 2014 by smrou

[imustbecrazy]

And here's my Season In Review!

Tara - either Google was conspiring against me locating them before now, or my internet search talents are woefully inadequate...  but one of the best surprises for me since migrating over from TWoP has been to stumble upon your awesome recaps/reviews/ruminations on all things The Fosters.  I was bummed that no one was writing cogent and entertaining stuff about this show, but low and behold you were the whole time - Thank you!  Today I binge-read all of your articles on this show and they are great!

Totally agree with your thoughts in that review...

Edited March 28, 2014 by imustbecrazy

[Tara Ariano]

Aw, thank you!

[BelovedMaeve]

I've been fuming a bit and thinking on this since Monday and I'm still really irritated with the route they went with Dani and Brandon. Partly, because some of the reactions seem to be, ho-hum, statutory rape, what's that? But the show didn't stop there, they had to make him an intoxicated minor having sex with a woman in her thirties, a huge age difference.

I think part of the problem is that David does look like a man, a young man, but certainly an adult. I saw something he was in for Psych, he was about 16 at the time, and the difference was significant. He was all gangly and quite a bit shorter than he is currently, and perhaps that is what I am reacting to because those are the kids I work with. Their obviously still children. Dani took advantage of a drunk, heart-broken teenager. Now, I don't think Brandon is going to think of it as rape, even though he'll feel guilty about it in regards to his dad, but the truth is, in the US, in California where the show is taking place, we do not let children make that distinction. By law it is considered rape, and I really hope the show addresses that. Just because he is a boy, and could physically oppose Dani, doesn't make it less true.

I was thinking about statuary rape and the insidiousness of it, in regards to the older teenagers who believe that they are giving consent, no matter what the law states. Adults are authority figures - even to teenagers who act disrespectfully or seem to act like they know everything. If I'm out and I see kids or teens, doing something I don't approve of, I let them know (can't help it - I'm a teacher). And most of the time, they respond with an apology and a change of behavior. When another kids asks, there is a lot more variation in responses. Although peers are an extremely strong presence in a child's life, they don't have the same type of authority that adults have. Part of an ingrained response in teens and children, is how they response to authority figures (even when they are deliberately being contrary). 

Dani has a very mild authority role in Brandon's life, but it is there. He has opened up to her in regards to his feelings about Callie and he borrowed money from her, making him indebted to her. When she led him by the hand to his room and had him undress, he was responding to that sense of authority. This and other things really need to be addressed in season 2.

[smrou]

I think part of the problem is that David does look like a man, a young man, but certainly an adult. I saw something he was in for Psych, he was about 16 at the time, and the difference was significant. He was all gangly and quite a bit shorter than he is currently, and perhaps that is what I am reacting to because those are the kids I work with. Their obviously still children.

Yeah, I teach juniors and seniors in high school and they may be considered "young men" and "young women" and may be full grown physically (I mean, one student was recently remarking that she thinks it's weird that some of her male classmates have full beards because, in her words, "It makes them look like grownups") and even quite mature in certain ways, but I agree that they're obviously children.  I think the fact that David doesn't look Brandon's age is a problem, as you say.  And Marla Sokoloff is a pretty young-looking woman herself, so there's that on the other end also.  It can make the coupling appear less grotesque than it really is.  But she's my age, and the fact that I spend all day every day with kids Brandon's age means that I can never forget that they are definitely not adults.

[imustbecrazy]

I'm very much hoping that there is some sort of significant comeuppance for Dani and that TPTB do not treat this lightly.  IMO they did a really good job of handling Callie's assault by Liam in what I thought was a responsible way - the scene when she revealed to Brandon that Liam had in fact raped her still gets to me when I re-watch that episode - it would be nice if they dealt with this plot with the gravity it deserves.

If Dani has to be part of the show (and I do wish she would just go away), then make it mean something.  Besides, I would pay money to see Stef's reaction when/if she were to find out...  you think Ana was quaking in her boots last episode, I can only imagine what Mama Tiger would do over this.

Edited March 28, 2014 by imustbecrazy

[wagthedog]

From the moment I saw Marla Sokoloff (who I think I first saw on The Practice when she was young) I had a feeling Dani and Brandon would sleep together. Marla still looks pretty young, imo. Dani comes across young enough that it made me wonder what she expecting to get out of a relationship with Mike.

California law is clear regarding statuatory rape. Dani having sex with Brandon, regardless of whether he was drunk, is a felony because of their age difference. I think this show is going down a not very good path by writing stories where characters make very bad choices, including committing felonies, and then don't face (m)any consequences.

However, while California law is clear, I guess my personal opinion is that sexual relationships are complicated and can't always be reduced to the black and white nature of our laws. I'm not really sure whether I would call Dani/Brandon rape. Either way, it's a complex issue and this show isn't going to do that complexity justice. I feel like they're biting off bigger stories than they are able to chew. Sometimes they do a great job of getting the nuances of a topic, but a lot of the time they really blow it. I think this is one of those times. Sexual assault is obviously a serious issue and it's one that faces an uphill battle when it comes to the attitudes some people have about it. So it seems quite irresponsible to be telling this Dani/Brandon sex story the way they appear to be telling it.

Edited March 28, 2014 by wagthedog

[LisaM]

I hope that we continue to see glimpses of the Girls United group next season. I'd particularly like to know if Daphne is successful in getting her child back. Also - if Wyatt is going to keep living with Daphne, perhaps Zac could move in there too - would certainly help with her money issues.

[Milaxx]

I think the show almost has to address the the Dani/Brandon situation simply because of the question as to whether it really was/is rape. Personally I think it was statutory simply because 1)Brandon was drunk, and 2)Dani is an adult and even if the minor is consenting it is the responsibility of the legal adult in to pump the brakes.

That said, the writers need to scale back on some of the other drama in order to give a storyline like this time breath. Don't make it seem like Mike assaulted Ana. Wrap that storyline up quick and get a protection order against Ana. Then send that actress and her storyline packing. Let's hope we are done with Mariana's boyfriend's mother. 

I want to see a return of the Girl's United subplot. I haven't like Rose O'Donnell in a long time, but I like her in this role. I even watched the web series.

[smrou]

I hope that we continue to see glimpses of the Girls United group next season.

I agree.  Out of all the various plot points that began in the second half of the season my favorite was the relationship Callie built with the Girls United group.  I was very happy to see them show up in the season finale to support Callie.  

That said, the writers need to scale back on some of the other drama in order to give a storyline like this time breath. Don't make it seem like Mike assaulted Ana.

Man, in my listing of the various things that were happening in the finale I completely forgot about that.  Making it even more clear that there was just way too much going on.  I agree.  Cut back on some of the drama--a lot of the drama--and focus on a few stories and give them room to breathe.  I don't think there has to be so much heavy plot.  This is a show with some really compelling characters and interesting and varied relationships.  Work with those things. 

[LeGrandElephant]

No comments about Brandon's hand at the end? That made me wince and feel sick.

Was that the season finale?

[SeattleSunshine]

That made me wince too.  I'm not much of a Brandon fan and spent most of the 1B season rolling my eyes at him, but I was sorry to see what happened to him in the last seconds of this season.  I hope it's not a career-ending injury, but an injury from which he'll recover with a renewed appreciation for his talents.  

So happy to find this forum and hope most of the group from TwoP lands here.  It's nice that there is actual content on this site about The Fosters, not just a single thread in the forum.  I can't believe I've never happened upon this place before. 

Has anyone seen any spoiler photos from season 2?  I'm curious to see if Lena is obviously pregnant in season 2, or if they are going to write in a miscarriage.  

[wagthedog]

I didn't have much of a reaction to Brandon's hand getting smashed. I don't know why. Obviously it is a terrible thing that could destroy his ability to play piano at the level he is accostumed to, but it didn't move me. Especially not compared to some other scenes from the series. Painful if it happened in real life? For sure. Emotionally gripping as part of a tv show? Not for me.

As far as Dani getting pregnant goes, I could definitely see it happening, but how many pregnancies can this show support? Lena's is bad enough but can you imagine Lena and Stef are becoming Moms again as Brandon is becoming a Dad? Maybe it gets played out as Mike becoming a Dad again, but yuck all the way around.

Like most (all?) people, I wish they hadn't gone there with Dani and Brandon. I can't see what unique value is added to the story. Does it show us anything new about any of the characters? I don't think so.

[LisaM]

 

Has anyone seen any spoiler photos from season 2?  I'm curious to see if Lena is obviously pregnant in season 2, or if they are going to write in a miscarriage.

I've seen a bunch of spoiler photos for Season 2 but none of Lena at all so far.

[MLE]

I just instantly had a feeling that Dani would end up pregnant after that episode. Maybe too many years of bad teen drama. I agree with imustbecrazy; definitely got some Everwood flashbacks. The only way I could see that going is telling Mike he's the father. I really, really hope I am wrong and the show does not go this way. 

Could not stand Brandon in the back half of season 1, so while it's pretty obvious his hand and piano will be a plot next season, I couldn't really get myself to care. It was also weird to see the potential for a second shared plot line with Switched at Birth.

[buckboard]

Lena's pregnancy story is wrong for so many reasons: Lena and Steph did not discuss this before Lena decided she was going to get pregnant; Steph goes along with Lena, although she (Steph) clearly doesn't want a sixth child added to their already complicated family situation; they didn't get a signed contract beforehand from Timothy; their sperm donor is someone Lena works with and even supervises and who at times teaches the other Foster children.  What could possibly go wrong with all that?

Mostly I'm upset that it wasn't a mutual decision.  So when Lena thinks she isn't pregnant, Steph admits she's glad, but soon after when Lena says she is in fact with child, Steph is all smiles and happy.  Right.

Just because the actress playing Lena is pregnant doesn't mean they have to write that into the script.  Dozens of pregnancies have been shot around on tv shows, behind lamps and flower pots and laundry baskets.  Kerry Washington is doing it now on "Scandal," as Patricia Heaton did on "Everybody Loves Raymond" and so many others.....

[Milaxx]

Lena and Steph did not discuss this before Lena decided she was going to get pregnant

 

I agree with the foolishness of the pregnancy, but Lena & Steph did discuss the pregnancy. They were looking at/interviewing donors together before Timothy offered to be sperm donor and together they foolishly decided to inseminate before having the donor contract signed. It was just that Steph had "buyers remorse" after everything jumped off at the dance and the Ana mess reared it's ugly head. 

Edited March 30, 2014 by Milaxx

[wagthedog]

I agree that the pregnancy was discussed but I wouldn't say Stef had buyers remorse because I don't think she was ever really bought into the idea in the first place. She was trying to be supportive of Lena.

While I don't love the pregnancy story, I guess one thing I can say in favor of it is that at least it's a grownup problem that faces married people as opposed to the team melodrama that has been more prominent in recent episodes. I don't know how this will come across (if it is negative, it's probably negative about me) but seeing Stef and Lena deal with a family planning issue does kinda make me think "gay families - they're just like heterosexual families!" I tend to think people who watch this show are already comfortable with families headed by gay parents, but in the event people with negative feelings are watching, it seems like a positive, productive thing to introduce them to any of the many ways in which families, regardless of their demographic qualities, have a lot in common. I've always thought a good deal of the hate towards gays and gay families is caused by ignorance. It's easy to express hate for something that is unknown to you. But once you remove fear of the unknown, it's a lot harder to continue hating because you realize we're all just people trying to find happiness, facing various challenges as we go along.

[MissScarlett]

Oh my dog! The writers have got to ease up on this family. I swear they have more trouble than the Israelite's had plagues. Callie in particular is starting to look like a punching bag. I like this show, but it's starting to feel like torture porn. Hopefully next season they can tie up a few of these sad stories and give these folks a tiny bit of happiness.

No kidding!  Poor Callie.  Of course something has to happen to screw up her adoption.  Life is just never easy for that child. :(

It makes me wonder if the reason they are writing in this "different father" arc is so that Callie and Brandon can be together in the end.  God, I hope not.  I really like Wyatt.

I saw the Brandon / Dani hookup coming from miles away!  Please don't let there be a baby! :(

I winced when Brandon got his hand shut in the door and beaten to a bloody pulp.  Poor Brandon. :(  That kid deserves some happiness too.

From the bloody knuckles on Mike's hands, i'm wondering if Anna was killed?  Dun dun duuunnnn,.....

Edited March 31, 2014 by MissScarlett

[joanne3482]

I'm not really sure whether I would call Dani/Brandon rape.

 

I would probably call it rape more for the alcohol component than the age component. Brandon was not in a mental place where he could give consent. 

From the bloody knuckles on Mike's hands, i'm wondering if Anna was killed?  Dun dun duuunnnn,.....

 

I was really hoping that was a whole misdirection thing and Ana was fighting with someone else entirely while Mike got into it with a bouncer or a guy at a club (with lots and lots of witnesses). 

[truthaboutluv]

I'm not really sure whether I would call Dani/Brandon rape.

 

The law would. It may not have been a violent incident but by any legal standards what happened was statutory rape and if found out by his parents, either of them would have legal grounds to file a criminal case against her and she very well could end up having to register as a sex offender for her the rest of her life. As others have noted, Brandon being drunk also makes the the situation even murkier for Dani. 

This is why I hated that the show went there. Aside from the fact that it was not needed in an already drama filled episode, nothing good can come from this. I felt the whole thing took the show to a trashy television place it didn't need to go. And I for one will definitely be out if Dani ends up pregnant. I have zero interest in watching a 16 year old boy have to deal with knocking up some emotionally needy nutcase who clearly has no sense and any kind of boundaries. It's like when the writers decided they wanted Brandon to mess up and mess with the "golden boy" image,  they decided to throw everything and the kitchen sink at once and I'm kind of over it. 

But more than that, I am sick and tired of shows having teenagers having inappropriate relationships (not that this was a relationship by any means) with adults and it being treated as just normal or even acceptable. Brandon wasn't even freaked out about having sex with Dani. He looked guilty because obviously he didn't want to sleep with her and regretted it but still it was almost treated like just a regrettable hook up and it's like no, it was a drunk 16 year old having sex with an adult who should have known better.

And in my opinion, the other problematic thing with this whole situation is that I don't think Brandon ever showed any interest in Dani so even though many say that you could tell the storyline was leading there, imo that was largely because Dani was creepy and inappropriate. I never saw any attraction or interest in Dani on Brandon's part. This really just felt like drama for drama sake and again with everything the show already had going on, it just wasn't necessary imo. If they were that determined to throw in an unnecessary drunken hookup for Brandon with everything else they've thrown at the character, why didn't they just let it happen with Talya. At least it would have been age appropriate. 

Edited March 31, 2014 by truthaboutluv

[joanne3482]

He looked guilty because obviously he didn't want to sleep with her and regretted it but still it was almost treated like just a regrettable hook up and it's like no, it was a drunk 16 year old having sex with an adult who should have known better.

 

It would be good if they were to play it as a rape then and not a drunken hookup. Brandon's body responding biologically doesn't mean consent and if it were a female teenager that drunk with a male adult I don't think there would even be a question. The Fosters has been good at looking at stories from a different angle and this would be another opportunity to do that. Based on the show lately, though, that's probably not what's going to happen. 

[Milaxx]

I'd rather see this pursued from the legal aspects of what Dani did rather than a pregnancy storyline. A drunk teen cannot give consent, especially with an adult who was not drunk.

[possibilities]

I really REALLY want it to be as good as I know it can be because when they focus on family stuff it's just such a lovely show.  Callie's whole relationship with Jude is great.  Jude's interactions with the moms and the other siblings are great.  For that matter, I love how Calile's relationship with Marianna has changed and Iove seeing the development of all the sibling relationships.  And above all else, the Lena/Stef relationship just reads so natural and affectionate and real to me and I love watching those two women interact with each other and with their children.

I feel the same way. They seem to lack confience that anyone wants to see exactly what everyone I know of wants to see. The over the top constant calamity atmosphere is just too much. But when they just let the characters interact, and let the show breathe, it's magnificent. The ordinariness of everyday life is special enough with this mix of characters, they don't need the adrenaline and the tears to command attention.

When she led him by the hand to his room and had him undress, he was responding to that sense of authority. This and other things really need to be addressed

And not by a pregnancy. I never thought I'd say this in any context, but I pray for a STD instead. Or Brandon having nightmares. Just not a pregnancy. Anything but that.

 

[LisaM]

I just don't think they will go down the Dani pregnancy route nor the Mike killed Ana route. The latter because it would turn Mike into a murderer and he would never be able to come back from that characterization. My spec is that the bloody hands are a misdirect and we will find out that he had nothing to do with Ana failing to meet Stef at the diner. As to Dani/Brandon, I don't think that a baby is in the offing because they have the pregnancy storyline with Stef/Lena and I can't see them doing parallel pregnancy storylines. I do hope that Dani committing statutory rape with Brandon is discovered. I have a bad feeling that she is going to try to manipulate Mike with the bloody hands knowledge.

My main focus is on Callie and Jude. Anyone have any thoughts as to whether Stef/Lena will move to assume legal guardianship over Callie while they are searching for the correct bio dad? I'd love to see her get out of state control because it would give her more assurance that she indeed will eventually be adopted.

[izabella]

Anyone have any thoughts as to whether Stef/Lena will move to assume legal guardianship over Callie while they are searching for the correct bio dad?

I'm wondering if this bio-dad knows he's the bio-dad or if that was kept from him.  And, if he didn't know, if maybe he might want to be Callie's dad now.

[wagthedog]

The law would.

Yes, California law is unambiguous on this point. But part of why I don't like the show doing this story is because this type of situation can be complicated. The law is black and white, but reality is more grayish. I don't think the show has any intention of giving the story the time and consideration that would be needed to handle it thoughtfully. Rape is obviously a serious thing but it is too often used casually and carelessly on television.

How drunk is too drunk to consent? What are the power dynamics in the relationship that could have led one person to felt coerced, etc? When I watched the scene unfold I didn't really think Brandon was so drunk that he couldn't consent, but rather drunk enough that his inhibitions were lowered. Leaving age aside, I thought it was sort of classic, what I'll call, "sad sex" for both Dani and Brandon. The kind of sex you have when you've been dumped or had some other sad experience and you're throwing yourself a pity party and there's a warm, willing body ready to reciprocate. Both Dani and Brandon were sad and sex was easy.

One thing seems sure, if the show decides to let Stef in on what happened, she's going to go bonkers. Can't blame her, but she does have a way of going at least a step beyond what I'd be comfortable with. Not a criticism, just a difference.

[truthaboutluv]

One thing seems sure, if the show decides to let Stef in on what happened, she's going to go bonkers. Can't blame her, but she does have a way of going at least a step beyond what I'd be comfortable with.

 

Unless she beats Dani up, I can't see what step she'll go that'll be a step beyond. If she brings up charges against Dani, she would be well within her right to do so because this adult woman had sex with her 16 year old son. She is a criminal. 

Leaving age aside, I thought it was sort of classic, what I'll call, "sad sex" for both Dani and Brandon. The kind of sex you have when you've been dumped or had some other sad experience and you're throwing yourself a pity party and there's a warm, willing body ready to reciprocate. Both Dani and Brandon were sad and sex was easy.

 

YMVV, but that's just it, you can't leave age out of it. And that's why I say I am so disappointed in the show for going there because I think your comment is indicative of the trend of the responses when shows pulls stuff like this. It gets treated like it's normal or well not normal but as a bad decision by two people, a regretful hookup. And for me, it was more than that. This wasn't just sad sex between two people imo. Like I said, if Brandon had hooked up with Talya I would have seen in that way.

But for me this was an adult taking advantage of a teenage boy. Yes he was sad and heartbroken but he is a teenager and at that point was a vulnerable teenager. She as the adult should have known how to deal with her pain better than having sex with a 16 year old boy. Her feelings and vulnerability is not my concern. Like everytime I really think about the storyline I just get more furious at the writers. I put up with all their 10,000 drama they've thrown in one season but this was just unnecessary and I swear, I swear, I hear the word pregnancy come out of Dani's mouth and I'm done. 

[wagthedog]

YMVV, but that's just it, you can't leave age out of it.

From a legal standpoint, I agree. But like I said, imo, life isn't black and white.

Unless she beats Dani up, I can't see what step she'll go that'll be a step beyond. If she brings up charges against Dani, she would be well within her right to do so because this adult woman had sex with her 16 year old son. She is a criminal.

For me, it's more Stef's demeanor and approach that go beyond. She goes into certain situations, guns figuratively blazing, and that's not typically how I'd handle most situations. Doesn't make me right, just makes me uncomfortable watching her. And I do think there are times in life when a slightly lighter touch is more effective.

[possibilities]

I don't see any ambiguity at all in Dani being a predator. She has been acting in a parental (or at least supervisory) role with Brandon. She is the ex-lover of his father. She is probably twice his age, but in any case she's an adult and he's a teenager. Sad sex is for peers.

It really upsets me to think the show might not take this situation seriously, but at the same time I realize that's a possibility. And if they do take it seriously, they might not handle it well enough to make sense to people who don't already see it as serious.

I guess this is one of those areas where people either perceive one way about it or the other, and may never come to a mutual understanding. Queer as Folk (which Peter Paige, one of The Fosters' producers, had a major role on), had a central couple which consisted of a high school boy and a much older adult. They never did treat it as though it was a problem. At least that guy wasn't the lover of the kid's father, in a parental role, or going after the kid while the kid was drunk and in crisis. But still-- it's hard to know what Paige may think about this subject.

Edited April 1, 2014 by possibilities

[bybrandy]

I've certainly seen some cases where I thought statutory rape was an unfortunate charge, IE the boyfriend has just turned 19.   But to me this isn't one of them.   She knows he's a minor.   She knows he's Mike's son.  She knows he's drunk.  She knows he's hurting.   So she knows he's off limits from about five different standpoints.
 

[myril]

I've certainly seen some cases where I thought statutory rape was an unfortunate charge, IE the boyfriend has just turned 19.   But to me this isn't one of them.   She knows he's a minor.   She knows he's Mike's son.  She knows he's drunk.  She knows he's hurting.   So she knows he's off limits from about five different standpoints.

Very much agree (and noticed my first long time boyfriend would have committed a felony according to Californian law, odd to think of).

Now the show itself brought the subject of statuary rape up before with Liam, and it would sit not well with me, if this time they let it go as if just some misdemeanor happened. Ex girlfriend of father has a drunken one-nighter with underage son, no harm done - that can't be it. I don't necessarily want or need them to arrest Dani and get her sentenced but I think it should made be crystal clear, what she did was wrong. Think, if it ever comes up, Mike or Stef or both learning about it, they could be in a difficult situation. As police officers they quite likely know the law in this, as parents they might hesitate to let Brandon go through more, guessing that he himself might be ashamed but not feel like he weren't able to say no. There is enough drama in the family going on.

Edited April 5, 2014 by katusch

[AliceL]

This is interesting. I assumed the Dani rape was something that was absolutely going to come into play in Season 2. I think we all saw it coming based on good characterization. As possiblities said, she's a predator. She repeatedly crossed boundaries with Brandon in acting like a friend and not a responsible adult. Her crossing the rape line was inevitable. Thus far none of her transgressions have come to light, but my guess is not that it's because TPTB think her behavior isn't wrong, but becasue they are letting that story line rest in favor of others.

[FineWashables]

I love this show, but the last thing they need is another kid.  Babies are almost always the signal of jumping the shark.  Hoping this doesn't happen here.

 

Statutory rape is wrong, m'kay?  

[Eeksquire]

I'm coming late to the party (just watched the whole series embarrassingly quickly - thanks Netflix!) but so much happened in this last episode that will need to be dealt with, it's like the whole season will be spent unraveling what happened in this one episode*.  I guess the more I think about it, the more irritated I am that they are moving the show into "legal" territory - there's potential litigation over the baby, there's assault charges for the attack on Brandon, there's whatever happened with Mike and the bloody knuckles (and Ana?), there's the Brandon-Dani situation (although here on the East Coast, the age of consent is 16, so it wouldn't be statutory rape here, but still gross and wrong), there's Callie's paternity and adoption, as well as her ongoing parole situation... I really don't want to watch them spend all of their time in court next season (or in lawyer's offices).  

 

Sidebar: Anyone who is getting a sperm donor THAT THEY KNOW and not from a sperm bank (setting aside the do-it-at-home kit, which I've never heard of anyone doing outside of tv and movies) without getting a lawyer involved WAY BEFORE the magazines and specimen cup is out of their minds.  This is NOT a matter for LegalZoom, kids, and as people that have adopted before AND dealt with custodial issues before AND had said issues blow up spectacularly in their faces, one would assume they would know better.  Sorry, rant over.  That just struck me as a totally false note - I can accept the teenagers making terribly stupid shortsighted choices because that's what teenagers do, but I can't accept that Lena and Stef (who are otherwise smart people) would be THAT dumb.

 

*Of course, if I were a showrunner on ABC Family, I might do the same to ensure that I wasn't left hanging for months and months to see if anything else got better ratings before being cancelled a la Bunheads.