Through characters and stories we love, we can help heal the divide and show people that we are all human and all want similar things.

That may seem like small comfort at a time when racism, homo/transphobia, sexism, and anti-Semitism are at an all-time high. Even so, let’s celebrate characters changing the narrative and helping make a better, less prejudiced world.

FBI’s Omar Adom “O.A.” Zidan Is The First Egyptian-Born Lead Character on A Police Procedural

When I think about characters changing the narrative, O.A. is always the first one that comes to mind.

Unfortunately, many peace-loving Muslims get blamed for terrorist activity related to conflict in the Middle East, and that’s been reflected in our television shows for a very long time.

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Before O.A. was introduced on FBI Season 1 Episode 1. there were few Muslim characters on TV who were not either guilty of terrorism or being accused of it based on credible evidence.

Sure, Law & Order: SVU had a couple of episodes about Muslim women who were raped and killed because they didn’t subscribe to radical Islam, but guess who was always the culprit? Their Muslim fathers or brothers.

That changed seven seasons ago when O.A. was introduced. He is the first and so far only Middle Eastern-born Muslim character to be a leading man in any show, and he’s also an FBI agent.

His loyalty to the United States is never in doubt. Before becoming a field agent in an office that specializes in counter-terrorism, he served in the Army and did two tours in Iraq that left him with PTSD.

Like so many of our veterans, he has PTSD because of his experiences, though he has kept it under control enough to become one of the best, most trusted agents in the New York Field Office.

We won’t talk about his relationship with Clay on FBI Season 7, which is leading him in the wrong direction because it’s beside the point.

OA is one of the strongest characters who changes the narrative of the division and hatred that encompass the United States and the world.

It’s sad that even within the confines of the fictional FBI on TV, OA sometimes has to prove that he’s equally loyal to his country or equally capable of being objective when the targets of investigations are Muslim extremists.

Still, he defies stereotypes simply by continuing to exist and offers some much-needed representation.

Watch FBI Online

Heartstopper’s Elle Argent Is One Of The Characters Changing The Narrative About Transgender Women Of Color

LGBTQ+ representation on TV is in decline precisely when we need it not to be, and that’s doubly true for the transgender community.

It’s especially important to showcase Black transgender women and other transgender women of color who experience the intersections of transphobia, racism, and misogyny.

I’d like there to be more American transgender people of all races and gender identities on TV, but in the meantime, the UK series Heartstopper‘s Elle is my favorite example of how transgender characters are changing the narrative about who they are.

Elle is a transgender teenager who is mostly accepted as the woman she is.

Throughout Heartstopper’s three seasons, she has grown from a shy loner who was afraid cis girls in her new school wouldn’t accept her to an out and proud transgender artist who has friends both in and outside of the transgender community.

Sometimes, Heartstopper gets criticized for showing LGBTQ+ kids being happy and mostly free of hate-fueled drama, but we need stories like these.

We need characters like Elle who are supported by their parents and friends and who want to be seen as more than a statistic or a label.

Elle sends the message that you CAN be happy if you’re transgender despite all the hate in the world.

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Transgender kids have an unacceptably high suicide rate. They NEED hope. Elle gives it.

Yes, she was upset during Heartstopper Season 3 when a podcast host asked her for an interview about her art and then bombarded her with questions about whether trans girls should be allowed to use the women’s restroom and other transphobic nonsense.

She struggled with that a bit and needed her friends’ help to overcome the depression and keep moving on. But even that was a positive message, showing that in reality, it doesn’t HAVE to be over because of setbacks like this.

Watch Heartstopper Online

Good Trouble’s Davia Moss Explored How Fatphobia Affects Plus-Sized People (And Formerly Plus-Sized People)

Good Trouble is no longer on, but it deserves an honorable mention anyway.

This show did so much good in terms of characters changing the narrative around all sorts of identities. I could fill this list with almost everybody on it.

I chose Davia because there is not enough discussion of plus-sized women and the prejudices they face on TV.

The body-size movement began when Camryn Manheim first came onto the scene as a proudly plus-sized actress who did not intend to lose weight to get roles, but Davia is the most modern example I can think of.

Davia experienced body shaming both as a plus-size person and later when she lost weight.

When formerly plus-sized people become not-so-plus-sized, they experience a different flavor of prejudice, with people constantly telling them how good they look and commenting on their weight loss without knowing the details.

It’s annoying and, in some cases, upsetting if the person loses weight because they have a serious illness that they don’t want to broadcast to the world.

People should not be commenting on others’ body size, period, especially strangers, and Davia demonstrated why that is hurtful whether or not you’re a plus-sized person.

Additionally, she demonstrated that there is a lot more to a person than how big they are or aren’t. She was one of the most well-rounded characters on Good Trouble, with a lot of flaws but a big heart and the intention to help others.

Watch Good Trouble Online

The Irrational’s Alec Mercer Is A Black Role Model And Trauma Survivor

The Irrational is busy offering characters changing the narrative all over the place. It was a hard choice between Alec and his sister, Kylie, who is a strong representative of Black queerness.

Alec is one of my favorite characters in television history for many reasons. I find his commitment to rationality over emotion inspiring and his determination to live his life to the fullest despite the trauma he’s suffered even more so.

I’m also stoked about Alec because he is a Black college professor and consultant to the FBI.

The consultant part has been done before, but we all know that Black men are underrepresented in teaching across the board, on TV, and in reality.

Alec is a successful Black man who teaches and inspires others.

His college classroom is always full, and he uses interesting and creative experiments to make points about neuroscience, which isn’t always the easiest topic to understand.

Alec is also a trauma survivor and is changing the narrative on that, too.

Like many survivors, he is very strong in some areas of his life and not very functional in others.

It’s doubly powerful to have him as a representative of trauma survivorship because he knows the human brain inside and out and understands the ways that he sometimes fails him, yet he is powerless to do anything about it when flashbacks or other aspects of trauma hit him.

Watch The Irrational Online

Found’s Bella Dismantles Stereotypes Around Nonverbal People

Trauma can cause people to become selectively mute. That means that they are unable to speak in some or all situations.

That’s not usually what trauma looks like on TV, but Found is different.

This season contains flashbacks of Bella (who chose the name Lacey as an adult) struggling as a seven-year-old child who had recently escaped Sir’s clutches.

Among other things, Bella does not speak.

I love this story because I am passionate about confronting and eliminating the ableist belief that verbal ability has ANYTHING to do with intelligence or competence.

Bella communicates non-verbally very well.

Her facial expressions and other body language are so perfect that an autistic person like me, who struggles with interpreting body language, knows exactly what she is feeling at any given moment.

She can still read, write, draw, and think. She simply cannot speak.

Bella grows up to be a woman who has reclaimed her voice and refused to lose it again, but that doesn’t change the fact that she is one of a very small number of characters changing the narrative around nonverbal children, if not the only one.

Watch Found Online

Brilliant Minds’ Oliver Wolf Is The Best Of Several Characters Changing The Narrative Around Neurodivergence

There are many more autistic and other neurodivergent characters in TV Land than there used to be, but that doesn’t mean there’s a hell of a lot of accurate representation.

Brilliant Minds‘ Oliver Wolf is the best neurodivergent representative. He is a doctor who is respected by some and seen as a nuisance by others.

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He has face blindness, which is a neurodivergent condition in which a person cannot recognize people by looking at their faces.

This is far different from the usual neurodivergent character. There is a lot more to neurodivergence than autism and ADHD, not that those conditions are generally portrayed properly, either.

Wolf’s neurodivergent traits are carefully interwoven with his past trauma and his fear of intimacy because of that trauma.

That’s also an important distinction because far too many shows are interested in the question of “Will this person succeed even though they are neurodivergent?” rather than showing the character as being more than a diagnosis.

Wolf does double-duty representation-wise because he is also gay.

Neither of these identities is centered to the degree that we lose sight of him as a unique, fascinating individual who has compensated for his difficulties as best as he can to create enormous professional success.

I also appreciate how his sexual orientation and neurodivergence likely contributed to his trauma.

No one could predict his dad’s mental illness and subsequent death, but Wolf would have experienced some trauma even if those things hadn’t happened because of who he is and how he sees the world.

Watch Brilliant Minds Online

Blue Bloods’ Jamie Reagan Demonstrates That Men Can Be Empathetic and Sensitive

At first glance, it might seem strange to choose a Blue Bloods character as an example of changing the narrative.

Blue Bloods skews more conservative on the political spectrum than most shows, so an argument can be made that it changes the narrative around conservatives all being evil and selfish, which is also important in these divided times.

Jamie has always been my favorite, with Henry as a close second. He not only went into police work for the right reasons but is especially good at building rapport with witnesses and suspects.

In the early seasons, Jamie demonstrated more than once that he had a gift for helping talk down people who were having a mental health crisis.

One moment that sticks in my mind is when an autistic man began causing trouble at a store, throwing things around and generally being belligerent, and Jamie was able to peacefully subdue him by using his understanding of the man’s thought processes.

This was a man with limited verbal skills who respected Jamie and wanted to be like him, so Jamie got him to put his hands behind his head by modeling it, and the man cooperated.

He was arrested without the use of force, which would not have happened had Jamie not been there.

Jamie uses this type of sensitivity and empathy on the job all the time, though, in later seasons, he is in a higher position and doesn’t work with the public as much.

His empathy changes the narrative about what it means to be masculine and demonstrates that cops don’t HAVE to be modern-day cowboys.

Watch Blue Bloods Online

Law & Order: Organized Crime’s Jet Slootmaekers Shoots Down Stereotypes About Female Coders

Jet has been my favorite on Law & Order: Organized Crime since it began.

Jet is a computer expert, but she is far from a nerd.

She’s smart, sardonic, and seemingly fearless. She’s a cop and a computer expert, and she knows how to use a gun better than almost anybody.

In short, Jet would fit in on any modern Western… except she also knows computers.

Jet’s one weakness, if you can call it that, is that she struggles in relationships.

That’s understandable. Women who are as bright and assertive as her often have a hard time finding love, and in her case, she’s too afraid of commitment for it to work.

That’s worse in the later seasons because Jet falls hard for two men who die. That’ll screw anyone up.

Still, few female characters change the narrative of what women in traditionally masculine careers are like as much as Jet does.

Watch Law & Order: Organized Crime Online

Homicide: Life On The Street’s Tim Bayliss Is Still One of The Best Representatives of Bisexual Men 30 Years Later

Look, this might be an old show, but Homicide: Life on The Street is on Peacock, so you can still watch it.

It also has the first bisexual male character on TV. Starting with Homicide: Life On The Street Season 6, Bayliss explored his sexuality after realizing he was attracted to a male suspect.

Bayliss tried dating both men and women, struggled with the question of whether he was straight or gay, and ultimately concluded he was neither.

That was radical then and equally radical today when we still have people insisting that bi characters are really in-the-closet gay characters.

Homicide’s final season wasn’t worth watching in most respects, but Bayliss’s determination to be openly bisexual, even though the police department thought that was “unprofessional,” made up for a lot of other non-interesting stories.

Watch Homicide: Life On The Street Online

Chicago Med’s Hannah Asher Changes The Narrative On Drug Addiction

Drug addiction stories are a dime a dozen on TV.

Far too often, though, it’s treated in a stereotypical manner. Whether someone is addicted to alcohol or hard drugs, the most popular storyline for them is the relapse story, followed by the overzealous AA meeting attendee story.

Addiction is a far more complicated issue than that, but you wouldn’t know it from most TV shows.

Chicago Med‘s Hannah Asher is different.

Hannah recently went through something that could have easily triggered a relapse.

She lost a patient soon after the baby was delivered and blamed herself. Guilt, shame, and pain are powerful emotions that often drive people back toward addictive behavior.

Add in the fact that Hannah’s relationship with her new boyfriend was falling apart, and there was a chance she could lose her job because Lenox thought that it was unnecessary to employ a full-time OBGYN, and you have a recipe for spiraling out of control.

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However, Hannah didn’t relapse. There aren’t any better examples of characters changing the narrative around addiction than that!

Hannah’s addiction is part of who she is but doesn’t define her, and unlike most of the people with addiction issues on TV, she is self-aware enough to realize when she’s at risk and take action to protect herself.

That makes her a role model and dismantles the stereotype that relapses “just happen” and nobody can do anything to prevent them.

Watch Chicago Med Online

Georgie And Mandy’s First Marriage’s Georgie Cooper Dismantles Stereotypes About Country Boys In An Interesting Way

Throughout Young Sheldon, Georgie was depicted as the “stupid” (or at least ignorant) brother.

However, there is a lot more to Georgie than that, and now that he’s gotten his own show (Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage), it’s easier to see.

Georgie was never book-smart. School wasn’t his thing.

But he has a head for business and is gifted mechanically, skills that were never emphasized when he was growing up in the shadow of his younger brother.

We need characters to change the narrative of what intelligence is.

There are many kids who fall through the cracks because they would shine in trade schools or in the arts but are not academically minded.

This doesn’t mean that people don’t need to learn the basics, but not everyone needs advanced degrees, and that should be okay.

As a bonus, Georgie’s intelligence in areas other than academics also dismantles the idea that Southerners, particularly Southern men, are all idiots, which can only be a good thing in this overly divided country.

Watch Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage Online

Over to you, TV fanatics!

Who are some of your favorite characters who are changing the narrative about various groups of people?

Hit the comments with your thoughts!

The post How TV Is Breaking Stereotypes: 11 Characters Changing the Narrative appeared first on TV Fanatic.

But it also garners the most drama, and some of it is contrived and unnecessary.

It is far too familiar now for television series to put some of the most notable couples through the wringer for the sole purpose of angst and drama. Yes, we're looking at you, Chenford.

Unfortunately, the status quo for many series has become putting interesting characters together and then showing how terribly they are at conflict resolution.

It's like series are so determined to capitalize off the drama and angst within relationships that they don't even bother investing in any other angle.

It's become frustrating that series have resorted to the same patterns when showcasing their couples and what they go through rather than delivering on the more realistic and inspiring option of serving as positive examples for relationships.

Related: The Rookie: How Chenford's Breakup Romanticizes Sacrificing Love for Growth

Television is a medium that often reflects our world, the human experience, and yes, even relationships back to us, and while it doesn't have a responsibility to do that authentically, it's certainly nice when that happens.

Whether it's Chenford or every current ship on Grey's Anatomy, especially Lumone, some couples have much to learn.

We have a few pairings they could learn a thing or two from regarding how to maintain a relationship and navigate obstacles without the rollercoaster ride of emotional manipulation and tiresome drama.

Bobby and Athena – 9-1-1

One of the most notable pairings currently on air is Bathena on 9-1-1, primarily because they tend to set a precedent for all other 9-1-1 couples.

They're the blueprint.

Through them, we get this perfect example of a second-chance-at-love middle-aged couple, something which you rarely see shown and perfected well.

But we also see this more mature couple who has seen and experienced it all make space for one another in their lives. It's hard for people to bend when you have two established, strong individuals who would typically be seen as settled in their ways.

However, if there's anything some of these struggling television couples can learn from Bobby Nash and Athena Grant, it is flexibility.

They're such an excellent depiction of a pairing who can come together with their own flaws and heavy emotional "baggage." Instead of letting that keep them apart or routinely get in their way, it brings them closer together.

There's nothing the two of them can't navigate together, and we've literally witnessed them damn near drown on a cruise ship overrun by pirates, so yeah, we're not exaggerating.

Related: Did 9-1-1's Three-Episode Ship Disaster Sink or Swim?

Both characters did come with a duffel bag of emotional baggage, and they not only brought that with them, but their partner was able to help them sort through it as a unit.

We've witnessed countless examples where they supported one another through some difficult times, and they learned how to bend when they needed it and when to push back, too.

It's most telling that many of the other relationships in the series attempt to model Bathena as best as they can, or everyone turns to them for advice regarding their own life issues and relationship ones.

It's not to suggest that the two of them are perfect by any means, but unlike some of the usual issues that crop up with pairings on television, Bathena tends to face more realistic problems and find ways to work through them.

They put in the work. We don't see enough couples putting in that work anymore.

Judd and Grace Ryder – 9-1-1: Lone Star

To a lesser degree, we see something similar regarding Grace and Judd Ryder on 9-1-1: Lone Star, as they genuinely support and love each other beyond measure.

It's undoubtedly the most compelling dynamic in the series. While it's not as popular as the fan-favorite Tarlos, the Ryders have such a healthy and authentic relationship that has the staying power that inspires.

The Ryders have been tested a lot. And they've faced some things that you'd come to expect from a pairing that has been happily married for some time.

Their beautiful origin story, which is easily one of the series' best episodes, had them navigating traditional issues like Grace figuring out her professional career with her relationship and Judd self-sabotaging his relationship and agreeing with Grace's father that he wasn't good enough for her.

Related: 9-1-1: Lone Star: How Judd and Grace Are the Heart & Soul of the Series

And while it did lead to a breakup, it didn't feel contrived and led to an even better reunion that helped the pairing become one of the most enduring and stable relationships on the air.

Randall & Beth Pearson – This Is Us

Randall and Beth could also teach something about supporting and holding each other accountable.

Out of all the relationships in This Is Us, Beth and Randall Pearson are the closest any of them have come to being the picture-perfect relationship that was Jack and Rebecca.

But if we're going to be honest about this, they may have even exceeded them.

Because Beth never hesitated to call Randall out on his crap when it was necessary and often showcased how you can support your partner while simultaneously calling them to the carpet about things.

And that's something that the Pearson matriarch and patriarch often struggled with in the many flashbacks. Rebecca didn't always hold Jack to account and was usually just as guilty of placing this wonderfully flawed man on a pedestal just as much as the others.

There was something more grounded about Beth and Randall, which meant that nothing would tear the two apart even when they were at their lowest points.

It was almost a relief that we saw the younger Pearsons face any number of issues without the constant fear that they could break up at any moment.

They are one of the strongest examples of a pairing who know how to walk that line between supporting their partner unequivocally while calling them out and ensuring they grow and become better.

Dan and Roseanne Conner – Roseanne

If there was ever a couple who went through it all and managed to do it together, it was The Conners.

While controversy surrounds the show and its spinoff now, it doesn't overshadow the fact that Roseanne and Dan are among the best television couples ever.

They were the epitome of "keeping it real" and a beautiful representation of a Blue-Collar love story that mostly stood the test of time.

Some of the petty issues that appear to drive couples apart these days seem insignificant compared to the types of obstacles Dan and Roseanne faced as two working-class parents trying to make ends meet while living a happy, healthy, and hilarious life together.

They faced the issues that real people experience regularly: Financial insecurity, the daily grind of life, the wear and tear of simply trying to stay afloat, and navigating parenthood.

And they did it so comically that it was endearing because it was so relatable.

Essentially, they didn't consider any other option beyond sticking together through thick and thin and taking all life's cards head-on.

And they didn't require lengths of time apart and rollercoaster emotions to get there. They stuck together and persevered through it all.

Eric and Tami Taylor – Friday Night Lights

Like The Conners, Friday Night Lights' Eric and Tami Taylor were the type of down-home, realistic, middle-America couple that was relatable to the masses and the definition of "goals."

Seriously, the Taylors have the type of marriage that appeals to people of all walks of life, sexual orientation, or more. They're transcendent in the way that sparks multiple articles about them, and they continue to be the inspiration behind aspirational love in both fiction and reality.

The Taylors teach us about balance and compromise in a way many still can't process or navigate.

While they certainly had their arguments and blow-ups, it all came from a place that felt real rather than contrived. Their issues were ones that viewers could identify with, but they never backed out of a resolution.

They fought until they worked it out, found the right balance for both of them and compromised where they needed to.

We saw that from the start of the series, with Tami's ability to constantly bend to accommodate Eric's job, things came full circle by the end when he did the same for her.

They're two of the most stubborn people, and yet, they know how to yield to one another, which is something that we rarely see adequately depicted on television these days, sadly.

Stef & Lena Adams Foster – The Fosters/Good Trouble

Stef and Lena Adams Foster are also a pairing who had the type of transcendent love, which particularly speaks volumes for them as a queer couple.

So often, forms of media push the idea that "home is you," as in a person may find their home in the love of another person and the safe harbor they provide.

Related: The Best LGBTQIA Representation

But very few couples capture that concept properly. Stef and Lena are the best examples of this and should be the format utilized to convey this notion without sacrificing one or both characters in the process.

Stef and Lena built a brick-by-brick home for themselves and their beautiful family. They're the foundation of the home they provide for their loved ones.

It's a concept where the good times are highlighted, and the bad ones are glamorized, but with Stef and Lena, we see the strength of their love over multiple seasons and the Good Trouble spinoff.

They become each other's safe harbor in such a raw manner that it doesn't come across as this rosy view of how love should look. But that makes them timeless as a pairing that has cemented a place amongst the greats.

Stef and Lena know how to bear the best and worst themselves, the most amazing and the most vulnerable aspects to the other, and they trust one another with that.

They both come from challenging backgrounds and have made their own safe space within their relationship, which many others attempt to capture but rarely do.

Peter & Elizabeth Burke – White Collar

One of the most tired tropes in existence is that of the nagging wife of a law enforcement officer who married someone in the field and yet complained endlessly about their spouse working too much.

Elizabeth Burke is the exception to that rule, and it is one of many reasons Elizabeth and Peter Burke are an admirable couple worth emulating.

At the crux of their relationship is a profoundly deep understanding of one another and acceptance.

Neither of them ever try to change the other person. They knew who and what they married and always allowed one another to be unapologetically and authentically themselves.

Peter brings his work home with him about as much as Elizabeth gets actively involved in his cases, and they shine best when they're attacking a problem, whether hers or his, together.

Ideally, for better or worse, people want to be with someone who understands them and doesn't try to change them while also encouraging development and evolution, and the Burkes deliver that in spades.

David & Patrick – Schitt's Creek

Schitt's Creek's David and Patrick are another pairing that lays the groundwork for normalizing healthy relationships without the need for ridiculous bouts of drama.

The two normalized a lot of things, including the depiction of a queer couple, where you didn't see them as just exclusively that or even have that weigh heavily over the series at all.

Despite the occasional bump in the road, Patrick and David are so endearingly and pleasantly "normal," which is in itself what makes them so great.

They're proof that it's perfectly okay and even compelling to be a regular couple with no issues and that the love in and of itself is more than enough to reel in viewers.

Randolph Bell & Kit Voss – The Resident

Like David and Patrick, Kit and Bell from The Resident completely embody acceptance, whether of oneself or one's partner.

The two had some hardships and faced a lot of issues head-on together, from some of Kit's familial issues and scares to Bell's health crisis; they were exceedingly great at navigating whatever came their way together.

As another mature couple on this list, they exuded a grace that you don't come across often, which more couples should take note of.

Related: The Golden Bachelor Made Us Believe In Timeless Love … Then Took It Back

Kit and Bell extend that grace to one another consistently, as well as to their relationship as a whole, and thus, they became one of the healthiest and strongest romantic pairings of the series as a whole.

They even surpassed CoNic in that regard.

Rick Grimes & Michonne – The Walking Dead/ The Ones Who Live

It takes extraordinary strength to survive the apocalypse and keep love alive and thriving.

And Richonne is the sheer embodiment of strength, making their love story so epic it warranted its own spinoff.

Related: The Ones Who Live Made Rick and Michonne's Reunion Worth the Wait

The electrifying chemistry of the pair is something that can't be replicated. However, the lessons on embodying and utilizing strength when depicting a healthy, aspirational romance can be with effort.

Too many series still cater to the narrative that love is some weakness and vulnerability. Richonne has built their entire relationship around being the most fierce, strong individual still walking land while recognizing that love is what makes them so strong in the first place.

They're so unapologetic about love, bringing an enviable passion that never gives you a reason to question the legitimacy of their relationship, what they mean to one another, nor their place as one of the greatest and most iconic ships, and, yes, healthiest, too.

The combination of strength, passion, loyalty, and ferocity when it comes to one another is something to strive for.

Related: Chicago PD's Burzek's Journey is a Testament to Enduring Love

Many shows are in a troubling loop of feeling as if healthy romantic relationships are boring, and they throw everything under the sun at some of their most popular and cherished couples to keep us on our toes.

But some of the most iconic, successful ships have taught us otherwise.

73 Couples We’ll Happily Go to Hell ‘Shipping!

Open List

Hopefully, we all learn from what they have to offer.

Over to you, TV Fanatics.

How do you feel about the ongoing slate of television couples and their contrived drama?

What other successful couples can you think of who set the blueprint for healthy and entertaining couples? Let's hear it below!

The post What Losers in Love Could Learn from These Successful TV Couples appeared first on TV Fanatic.

With Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 20, we saw a significant chapter close for this refreshing, conscientious, and inspiring series.

Sadly, not only did the series finale mark the end of Good Trouble, but it also meant the last chapter of The Fosters franchise closed.

The series' end leaves a massive void in the television landscape for similar series that combined a found family element with a timely exploration of social issues while bending genres.

We've lost something special, and that's a sentiment we unpack in our Good Trouble Series Finale Review.

But TV Fanatic had the pleasure of speaking with co-creator, showrunner, and EP Joanna Johnson.

She chatted about ending a decade-long journey, the unexpected cancellation, and the impact Good Trouble leaves behind.

If you haven't watched the series finale already, be warned that there are spoilers below!

I believe Davia acknowledges what we all feel about it being the end of an era well. What's it like for you to end not only this series but also a decade-long franchise?

Yeah, it's very emotional. I feel very sad.

But at the same time, I also feel so grateful and blessed to have been on this 10-season journey with all these amazing characters, actors, and crew. Much of our crew has been with us the whole time.

When in this business, do you get an opportunity to work with someone for 11 years, you know? It doesn't happen. And so I can't be anything but grateful and feel incredibly blessed.

Of course, it's sad. I don't like change. I don't like endings; as Alice says, I don't like things to end.

But we look back on the journey; you can't be bitter about it. Because there was just so much that was good.

Five years is a very long time for this industry. It's bittersweet, but at least it made it this far.

Yes, exactly.

Unfortunately, of course, the series was canceled, so my question is: did you always have a specific ending you had in mind for this series? How close were you to get to that?

I would have done the show as long as they picked it up.

People would ask me, "Well, don't you want to do something different?" But you're working on something you love, and you get a lot of creative freedom, which we got from Freeform — always such a wonderful place to work. They were so supportive.

You get to work with all your friends you've been with for ten years; why would you walk away from that? Why leave to go out there and try to get a new show on the air, which is not easy?

I hadn't figured out the ending but wanted to do the Jamie and Callie wedding. I'm bummed that we weren't able to do that. We were going to try to do it, but we just didn't have the money allotted to be able to do it.

I certainly would have loved to do that. And there were more stories to tell with these incredible characters.

But we got to tell a lot of wonderful stories. Again, that's how I choose to look at this now. Yes, it's sad, but I'm just so grateful for the experience.

I love the final scene because, of course, the rooftop and the pool felt full circle. We started the series with Callie and Mariana and ended it with them. Can you walk me through that final scene? It felt like it was as much Cierra and Maia as Mariana and Callie.

Absolutely, and it was. I wrote all those scenes, the new scenes, but especially that roof scene, to be more than just about the characters. They were also for the actors and the show — when they ask, "Do you think we'll be remembered? Do you think we made an impact?"

And it was the same for the girls at the end, when Cierra says, "It's been quite a journey." And then Maia says, "There's no one I'd rather have done it with."

That was for them, too, because those two are like sisters in real life. They're so close. And they've been working together since they were 17 and 19.

They've been on this journey for 11-12 years of their lives. I knew it would be incredibly emotional for them, as for all of us.

Everybody behind the camera was crying.

The girls said, "Look, it's going to be really hard saying these lines. How much crying do you want us to do, and how much do we let it go? We told them to do a couple holding it in, and then after that, just let it happen.

And, of course, we use the takes where they mostly let it happen. They could have just broken down sobbing, but that wouldn't have been a very good scene. But, like you said, it's full circle. It had to end with them and on the roof, like in the pilot.

I love that it felt like it was them, and poor Cierra Ramirez has been crying so much this season already. She's been, my God, she's been phenomenal. So I can't wait to see what she does next.

She's so talented. I think she's amazing!

Now, for Mariana, was it always going to be Evan? Obviously, at the finale's beginning, she said she was moving on, but by the end, she was with Evan. Was it always supposed to be him? And what makes them a better endgame? How will they be better this time?

I wasn't convinced that Evan was the endgame until this last season with the memory loss and seeing the two of them together. And I fell completely in love with the two of them together. I love her with Joaquin, too.

But I also felt like the audience really wanted Evan. And I didn't even hesitate. I just think the two of them are so charming together and adorable, and they also have great chemistry as actors.

Oh, yeah. Cierra was great this season, but so was T.J. He had a lot of heavy stuff to deal with and did a really great job.

He did.

The theme was that characters were true to themselves while still pursuing their dreams during the finale. How did you figure out what that would look like for each character, especially with short notice?

We just had to kind of wrap it up. And so we had to be like, "And what are you going to do? And what are you doing next?" It wasn't the most elegant, but we wanted to know who chose whom and the resolutions of certain stories.

We also wanted to know what's next. Everybody got to let the audience know where they were going in the future. Everyone has a pretty happy ending, which is nice.

As I said, we just had to wrap it up. We didn't have a lot of time to shoot, so I knew the scene couldn't go on and on. No one wants to hear a lot of exposition. I didn't want too much exposition.

I understand. Since there are so many plots, is there one specific plot you hate that you couldn't expand on or wrap up a little bit more?

I had different plans for the Silas wrap-up, but I also liked what we had. We couldn't go back to the farm where we were shooting, so we had to shoot that on stages.

I knew we had to do something quick. I think it actually made sense that it came full circle to Jenna.

I would have liked to have done the Callie and Jamie wedding, but I was glad we got to do the engagement party.

And we got to see all our Fosters and moms in that episode. I'm glad we had that as their kind of finale.

I wanted to see Malika running for office and see those debates and how younger people who don't necessarily have 20 years in government can run for office and make a difference. I would have enjoyed exploring that.

Davia wouldn't have gone to New York. We had a story that kept her here that I liked as well. But you know.

You brought up the characters' musing at the pool, which was great, speaking about their impact and how they hope they made such a difference. I absolutely loved that and got emotional at that part.

What legacy do you hope Good Trouble leaves behind?

First and foremost, I hope the legacy Good Trouble leaves behind is love, the importance of the love of family, whether it's chosen or the family you were born into or adopted into or fostered with.

I hope it reminds people how important those bonds are and how important it is for everyone to have a family of friends as well as their own family surrounding them.

I hope we showed people characters that aren't necessarily mainstream in television. The Fosters was the first show and still the only show, I think, on TV about two lesbian women raising children.

We see that LGBTQ+ people can and are really good parents. We see that love is love, and that's what matters the most.

I'm hoping that we were able to start conversations about racism and policing. I'm proud of those, of the Black Lives Matter storyline we did in 2017 before 2020.

I hope it opened some people's eyes because I don't think people understand.

I think a lot of people are very blind to the fact of police aggression and brutality towards people of color and also the rates of incarceration for people of color.

They don't quite understand or maybe choose to ignore how this devastates those communities and families.

I'm hoping that people learned a little from the show and maybe got curious and decided to do a little more research.

But ultimately, of course, the idea is to entertain. So I hope that people walk away saying that it was a really fun show to watch as well.

Absolutely. I am a diehard fan of the Fosters as well. It's one of the greatest family dramas of all time. Good Trouble extended in an unorthodox way. You all have completely influenced and inspired people with both series.

I hope so. I really hope so. And I hope people keep finding it on Hulu and watching it.

—

If you want to relive all the beauty of this series, you can stream all seasons of Good Trouble on Hulu.

You can also check out our Good Trouble Reviews.

The post Good Trouble’s Showrunner Talks Bittersweet Finale, End of An Era & The Fosters’ Legacy appeared first on TV Fanatic.

With a heavy heart and the taste of bittersweetness, with Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 20, we not only said goodbye to the series but also marked the end of a franchise.

As a result, this unplanned finale had double the impact, as characters we've experienced for an entire decade signed off, presumably for the last time.

It's never easy to say goodbye to a series that has made it this far. In an industry where we frequently see series get the boot before it can even get into telling its stories, Good Trouble making it five seasons is a remarkable feat.

And even the diehard, most dedicated fans of this series often agree that the series was due to get wrapped up sooner rather than later.

However, it doesn't make this loss any less impactful, nor the fact that we essentially got a rushed finale to wrap things up and bid well to these characters as best as the cast and crew could do under the circumstances.

In that sense, it feels as if we were robbed of a much bigger sendoff, something better planned, and what we got, particularly with the last half hour of the finale, was a consolation prize.

Related: Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 19 Review: It's All Coming Back to Me

And we'll take it for the "feels." Everyone enjoys a Coterie family dinner and a dance party. If you weren't misty-eyed by the final scene of Callie  and Mariana on that rooftop, bearing their hearts before flicking off those lights at the signature pool and walking away, I don't know what to tell you.

I appreciate everything the powers that be did to wrap up what they could as best as possible, and even under short notice, they captured the heart and emotions of losing this series and what it means to lifelong fans.

The final montage of Cierra Ramirez and Maia Mitchell over the years, from The Fosters until Good Trouble's bittersweet end, was perfectly done.

In the end, that's what most of us fans, particularly those who have followed their journey since The Fosters, are drawn to most.

Davia: It’s the end of an era.

Alice: I hate endings.

_{🔗 permalink: I hate endings.}

At the center of Good Trouble and the stories are these two remarkable sisters – the heart and soul of the bunch and how they blossomed from teenagers stumbling through life and finding their way to these beautiful, intelligent, accomplished, mature young women.

It takes the final installment of this series to hit just how far Callie Adams Foster has come in her journey from when we first met her.

She's such an impactful character whose journey has made its mark on the grand scale of the television realm — a character who has impacted, inspired, and been relatable to a generation, just as Veronica Mars was for the generation before and so forth.

Mariana proved how well she could hold her own and helm this series in Callie's stead, which was vital to show for a character who was sometimes known for her codependency.

As dark as Good Trouble Season 5 has been (and polarizing as well), an undeniable fact is that Cierra Ramirez has put forth such incredible, heart-rending, emotionally stunning work with whatever storyline was tossed her way.

Seeing her performance through some of these difficult arcs hit like a tidal wave over and over how much she's grown as an actress.

It's upsetting that Good Trouble is concluding, and with that, her portrayal of a character she's walked the shoes of for ten years. But my goodness, I am excited to see what the future holds for this young woman.

We've had the privilege of seeing how she's honed her craft from the time she was a teenager until now, and in a just industry, the world should be her oyster, whether it's acting or her continuing to get her feet wet with directing.

Sumi: Hey, starfish, what’s wrong?

Alice: I just got off the phone with the landlord. They’re selling the building, and we all have to be out in three months.

_{🔗 permalink: I just got off the phone with the landlord. They’re selling the building, and we all have to…}

Saying goodbye to Mariana is like sending a little sister out into the world and watching her spread her wings and fly, but knowing she has the tools to soar and looking forward to how she does so is just as exciting.

We've also had the privilege of seeing what Maia Mitchell can do over the years. If you haven't already, check her out in The Artful Dodger.

For the finale, it was fortuitous that she was available and could show up for the final stretch, showing just how content Callie is in her life.

Anyone in tune with the character knows how beautiful it is to see this woman reveling in a career she loves, a healthy, stable, loving relationship with a man we sadly won't get to see her marry, and with so much love and support as her family expanded to include the Coterie crew as well.

When it comes to the finale, the moments you cling to as a fan are at the end.

Nothing could've emotionally prepared a girl for the core Coterie crew members having their love fest on the rooftop and slowly walking away, leaving Callie and Mariana to have one final moment.

When Callie mentions that she wouldn't have done this journey with anyone else, it's evident that within those final moments, it stopped being Callie and Mariana. Instead, Mitchell and Ramirez shared this intimate moment and expressed their genuine love for each other as soul sisters.

And it felt like we, as viewers, were intruding on this moment. But it also made you want to embrace them both through the screen.

Related: Small Screen Icons: Strong and Impactful Female Characters

It was indeed something special, a deliberate moment to acknowledge the two actresses' deep bond, something showrunner Joanna Johnson expressed in an emotional interview you should stay tuned for later.

But this experience with the Coterie isn't just about the sisters. It's about all these wonderful characters we've spent time with over the years.

And their final moments together were just as intimate and heartfelt. Luca said it was the best home he'd ever had, which was humorous and heartfelt.

And a clean-shaven Joaquin, joking about the circumstances under which he entered the place but found a family, made you smile. The Coterie has a way of making a haven and providing a family to those who need it the most when they need it the most.

Initially, Joaquin was such a closed-off character, and even he fell victim to the Coterie's charms. He solidified his place in their family before he even realized it.

It's also something that hit hard with Dennis Cooper when you reflect on his journey. Similar to Joaquin, he attempted to keep an emotional distance and endured some powerful moments as a man grappling with suicide ideation and grief.

But now, he's the happiest and healthiest he's ever been, and these people are the epitome of his family.

Even Kelly got to bask in the unity of the house and everything it represents as a core member on that rooftop, and it was indeed something special.

The family dinner and dance party were a great way of paying homage to how welcoming the Coterie is for many. All our newbies and other figures broke bread around the table or danced in the front room, from Mabel and Evan to Sumi, Angelica, and Jay.

The exposition-heavy family dinner could have been better. Sadly, it was the most effective way to address everyone's storylines and attempt to wrap things up as much as possible.

Was it clunky and hokey? Of course, it was. There was no getting around it. I found myself both happy to see a final coterie meal and annoyed that the bulk of everything we'd get about these characters got shoved into inorganic dialogue because there were few alternatives to make it work.

It was like an icebreaker moment on the first day of class or at a work mixer, and it required us to buy that this close-knit bunch wasn't informing their friends about what was happening in their lives in the three months they spent packing because the building got sold.

Related: The Fosters Series Finale Review: Where the Heart Is

Yes, it's hard to unpack this series finale properly when we know the circumstances surrounding how it came to be in the first place.

It seems unfair to judge how it holds up.

It was an unplanned finale for a series that ran out of time telling its stories and had to rush to wrap up the larger arcs however it could.

All of that showed in every facet of the super-sized finale, which is why it was much easier and more fun to honor the show for what it was, aside from this farewell.

Dennis: Do you think anyone will remember us? That we were even here.

Callie: I’d like to think so.

Gael: That we had some sort of impact.

_{🔗 permalink: That we had some sort of impact.}

One of the striking moments of the finale was when Dennis wondered if they would be remembered, and Gael pondered what type of impact they'd have.

It speaks to Good Trouble's legacy, not just as part of a larger franchise, as The Foster's footprint is firmly stamped and goes without saying.

But Good Trouble has its own legacy, and to answer the guys' musings, yes, we will remember that they were here. They will be recognized– their impact felt.

The series took bold, audacious, unapologetic swings at tackling real-world issues and is one of the few series out there that captured the heart of the Millennial and Gen-Z experience, especially in its early days.

Related: These Shows Are Successfully Commenting on Social Issues

Good Trouble was as intentional as the Coterie as a living space, and nothing can take that away.

Those first couple of seasons, in particular, stand out and are held in high regard because of their audacity and a sense of purpose as they try to step into the namesake, getting into good trouble by reflecting the world around us while also being hopeful and inspiring.

Good Trouble mattered, and so did these characters.

We fell in love with the actors who graced the screens and poured their hearts into these roles and telling these stories, and they should go forth knowing that every one of them left a little bit of magic that carries on because as long as they resonated with a single viewer, the impact was made.

As for the technical stuff, well, there are a lot of wishes and hopes for what we would've liked, and the pacing of the first hour of this finale was a reminder of how the season meandered too much with storylines because they couldn't go anywhere by the end.

Callie: What happened to the sitcom?

Alice: I had to turn it down. I didn’t want to leave the guys, and they ended up canceling the sitcom anyway. Yup, they pulled the plug, it’s a brutal business.

_{🔗 permalink: Yup, they pulled the plug, it’s a brutal business.}

We have some comfort in knowing that Gael Martinez resolved things with Yuri in a scene that could've been an email. And that Jay is a great influence and the perfect partner for Gael because he challenges him and makes him reflect on himself and his desires.

Gael loves what his street art means, and he needed the reminder that he didn't need to subscribe to some concept of elitism in art by focusing on "fine art" when his passion is in the raw, truthful, grittiness of street art.

And thankfully, it paid off. After a series-long journey, Gael is a proud, accomplished artist. And while there was no more mention of Lyric, we can surmise he's a content father, and all is well there.

He may move in with them to help care for his daughter, or he may move in with Jay so they can continue flourishing.

Davia: So what do we do?

Dennis: We do long-distance. I’ll come to New York as much as I can. You can come home whenever you can.

Davia: OK, but if the show is a success, two years is a long time.

Dennis: Not in the scale of our whole lives together.

Davia: Are we spending our whole lives together?

Dennis: That’s my plan.

_{🔗 permalink: That’s my plan.}

Hell, maybe while Davia Moss is gone, he and Dennis can shack up together as besties.

Haven will be fine, and despite all their bickering, Dennis and Davia are in a great place and stable enough to survive a long-distance, bi-coastal relationship as she pursues her off-broadway stint.

Davia is living her dream, and that's great for her.

Something tells me that Sumi and Alice's new house will be the haven for the rest of the Coterie family whenever they need it because it's in Alice's nature to be nurturing and have a home for her extended family.

Malika: I need you to make a decision. I’ve got to know where we stand and if I need to move on. And before you answer that, there’s something else: my work is not going away. I want to be with you, but I have plans for my career, and I’m about to make a pretty bold move, so you have to be on board.

Angelica: On board with what exactly?

_{🔗 permalink: I need you to make a decision. I’ve got to know where we stand and if I need to move on.}

And one could appreciate her dig about the fickle industry and cancelations. However, she got to keep the theme of the finale, which was pursuing dreams without sacrificing herself by turning down the sitcom series regular role and getting to host the show she runs with the MMM trio, after all.

Malika running for council president against her nemesis feels far-fetched, and it almost makes me grit my teeth that, as a WOC, I have to question how another WOC who has barely gotten her feet wet in this can sail past others to this position.

But hell, if others can get opportunities through nepotism, connections, privileges, and luck, then Malika may as well be council president and potentially pursue a field in politics.

And I'm pleased that she called Angelica out, laid out her feelings and conditions, and demanded an answer so she wasn't in limbo anymore; good for them.

Related: The Cleaning Lady Season 3 Episode 1 Review: Arman

The Luca situation was whatever it was, but the kid doesn't have to worry about his immigration status, has found something with Mabel, and he's going on tour with Olivia Rodrigo, so go him.

Joaquin probably got the shortest end of the stick here (and the bluntest edge of a shovel). We're led to believe that finding and saving his sister and finding success as a journalist via his cult stuff is rewarding enough.

I wasn't sold on much of that, but whatever works.

The Silas ordeal took up the bulk of the finale, and thankfully, it resulted in Silas being run down and likely in prison, Madison's body found, and Jenna freed from the mental confinement of a cult.

And they reneged on Joaquin Perez and Mariana once they inserted the moments of Evan talking to her about his memory returning.

The second she knew Evan's memories were back and that he loved her (and likely always would), her ability to move on went up in flames.

I appreciated her effort and adored Joaquin even more for respectfully giving her the out at the top of the hour by letting her know that he understood they slept together again under emotional circumstances. He would give her the space to sort through that if necessary.

Joaquin is a genuinely good guy. And he and Mariana have such an adorable friendship.

Joaquin: So I know emotions were kind of high last night, so if this is just something that happened and you’re still figuring things out, then I get it.

Mariana: No, I’m ready to move on.

_{🔗 permalink: No, I’m ready to move on.}

Unfortunately for Joaquin, even with their sexual chemistry and tension, it rarely felt like it could be anything beyond that.

So Mariana made her choice, something we learned when Evan joined the Coterie for dinner, and she gave him a chaste kiss.

And as much as Cierra Ramirez evoked in scenes with both men during those flashbacks, they were underwhelming because the situation called for more than they could do.

Maybe Eviana has what it takes to last forever. And perhaps Joaquin will find a love who can love him back in equal measure.

Evan: I remember everything. It all came back to me at once: everything we’ve been through and all of my feelings. Mariana, I love you.

_{🔗 permalink: everything we’ve been through and all of my feelings. Mariana, I love you.}

I want these things for all of them. And I'm sad that I can't see them come to fruition.

It's also disappointing that because Mariana got sucked up into this cult arc for so long, we don't know where she stands as a professional woman…

We'll have to believe that she will continue to be co-CEO of Speckulate, but for her arc to start so strong and intriguing during Good Trouble Season 1, only to feel like an afterthought by the end, is unfortunate.

And we sadly won't get to see Callie and Jamie's wedding.

Mariana: I don’t want to say goodbye.

Callie: I know. Me neither.

Mariana: It’s been quite the journey.

Callie: It certainly has. And there is no one that I would’ve rather done it with.

_{🔗 permalink: It certainly has. And there is no one that I would’ve rather done it with.}

But we have some semblance of closure, and in the end, it's all you can hope for, so with that, I appreciate what we got.

And it's been a pleasure covering this series.

My debut experience at TV Fanatic was covering The Fosters, and even with reservations, it extended into this spinoff.

And it's been an incredible experience and quite a journey.

Over to you, Good Trouble Fanatics. Are you content with the finale? Did things end as you hoped? Let's discuss it all below!

You can watch the full series of Good Trouble on Hulu.

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The post Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 20 Review: What Now? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

They talk about Jenna still being with Silas.

Jenna notices that Silas is putting a sign up to protect the property, and she hears the women talking about Silas and Madison. He had a sweat lodge in the yurt and Madison was there, but they assumed Silas let her go since she wasn't for what was happening there anymore.

Jenna says they have to protect Silas, even and especially from Joaquin.

Yuri shows up to confront Gael about his art. He doesn't feel he owes him anything, but he arranges a meeting for Gael to sit down with this famous artist Gael admires.

Ethan Davia's friend, calls Davia and needs her to come in because Serena is sick. Davia doesn't want to do it,  but Dennis encourages her to go through with it since she worked so hard.

Malika goes to the bar to talk to Angelica and lays it all out there needing an answer from Angelica on what they are.

Jenna offers to help Silas if something really did happen to Madison. She encourages him to move the body if necessary because they need him and she knows her brother won't stop looking.

Luca dances so well that his instructor wants him to go on tape and film it. Riley seems worried, but Luca isn't. She asks him about it later, and he shares that he spoke to his professor and found his alien ID number.

Ethan talks to Davia and shares with her that he and Serena arranged for Serena to drop out so Davia could reclaim her rightful role.

The councilman arranges to have Malika's women's shelter brought to vote again, and it is passed. Her coworker is shocked and upset that Malika sold out, but Malika shares with her that she didn't and that she plans on running against the councilman for council president.

Gael tells Jay about the Frank Barta deal, but Jay feels like Gael is compromising himself and selling out.

The guys help Alice with her pitch to be the host, but the network offers her a series regular role on a comedy series instead. Alice doesn't know what to tell the guys.

Davia's debut at the play goes incredibly well.

Joaquin gets a call from Jenna at the farm.

Evan shows up at Mariana's room to talk to her and tell her that he has his memories back.

Silas went out further on his property to dig up Madison's grave.

Gael meets with Frank Barta but thinks about what Jay said about Gael's elitism regarding fine art and trying to impress people. He's been passionate about his street art.

Angelica tells Malika that she is all in and wants to be with her.

Malika makes her announcement to the press, saying that she's running against Jack for his seat.

The producers and such announce that they're taking the play to off-Broadway in NYC.

Alice breaks the news to the guys.

Davia breaks the news to Dennis, and he's supportive. He says that they can do long distance no matter how long it takes, and that nothing matters if they're spending their whole lives together as that's his plan. He knows they're strong enough to handle it.

Mariana and Joaquin are where Silas is and filming him digging up the body. Joaquin interrupted while Evan was about to talk to Mariana, and she left with him to help with Silas situation.

Joaquin tries to get closer while filming, but Silas catches him. They end up fighting each other.

Silas almost knocks him out with the shovel when Mariana hits Silas with his own truck. They check on each other and notice that Madison's body was in the hole.

When they look up, Silas is gone, and he knocks Joaquin out with a shovel. He's about to attack Marinana when Jenna shoots Silas with the shotgun.

They say Silas is stable and will make it, which is better for Jenna even though she's in the clear.

Joaquin wanders how Mariana is doing and what happened with Evan.

Alice gets a letter that the landlord is selling the building, so they have to be gone in three months.

Three months later, they're having their last coterie family dinner, and Callie is there.

Alice shares the new artwork for the show. She chose to stay with the ferret show and is the host now, and they canceled the sitcom anyway.

Mabel shows up for the dinner.

Malika is kicking butt in the polls, and Davia is bound for NYC in a day or so. Gael won a big contract to paint a mural in downtown LA, and he's focusing on his street art which is paying off.

Luca will be going on tour with Olivio Rodrigo dancing.

Joaquin's articles on cults led him to offer to write for different magazines, and he and Jenna will be going to see her parents when she finishes rehab.

We get flashbacks to when Evan told Mariana that he got his memory back and how he still loves her and she gets all emotional. She tells Joaquin that Evan go his memory back. In the present, Evan shows up at the family dinner. And he and Mariana kiss.

Sumi announces that she and Alice are buying a house. And that they can all come together to their place.

They have a dance party.

The post Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 20 Recap: What Now? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The absolute highlight of Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 19 was the movement regarding this love triangle. We're still unsure where it's supposed to land, and with no time left for this series, these complications are more nerve-wracking than ever.

Outside of that, the Silas saga still rages on, Gael finally makes a move against Yuri, and Davia gets screwed over.

We only have one installment left, and I have no idea what we're supposed to expect from the coterie gang moving forward.

Can we get closure? How much can we get by adding some scenes to an installment already in the works with a designated plan?

So much of the season has been treading through water, biding time until what? No one knows, and then we got the colossal blow that it was the final season.

It's difficult not to look back on so much of what the season was and lament how much time was wasted when we could've been setting these beloved characters up for greatness and a proper end note.

It takes an installment like this to reflect upon how many stories they've let drag on longer than necessary and others of which there's minimal investment in the first place.

Derek returned to annoy Alice Kwan, and the Ferrett trio tested Alice's leadership skills again.

And through that, she had the confidence to toss her name out there as the next host for their show. It's something Alice wouldn't have done ages ago. The little things make her growth throughout the series more pronounced.

She also had the love and support of Sumi as both her partner and her manager.

It's nice that Gael Martinez has also found support for Jay. It's a challenging situation because we barely know Jay. He came in out of the blue, and they teased the prospect of them together. Now, they must be an item.

So much of their relationship has developed offscreen. It works well enough, as one of the more common critiques for Gael over the years was how he was exclusively just defined by whatever relationship he was in.

Instead, we're circling back to him finally doing something about the Yuri situation.

It has been a long time coming, and I'm glad that with the series ending, we'll at least have some closure on this, and Gael won't have to be a doormat to this obnoxious man.

Yuri is like the annoying gnat of the series, so it's a long time for him to get squashed.

I don't know how the mural situation will help, but one can imagine it's a matter of exposing Yuri for who and what he is at his opening.

What I'm curious about is its ramifications. Wouldn't a gallery get rid of it instantly? And wouldn't Gael face some consequence after outing himself through his artwork while attacking Yuri?

He told the whole story of Yuri's terrible behavior through the mural and included an image of himself in it, too. It all seems so risky.

But if it lead to Gael getting the credit for his art and him becoming the next sensational artist, finally making the break he desired since Good Trouble Season 1, then so be it. It's where we need to be with him.

Sadly, the play wasn't particularly gripping, so there's no real upset that it may be the end of it. However, Davia Moss's so-called friend has been shady since he showed up.

Dennis knew it wasn't a good idea and warned her about getting in bed with this supposed best friend again, and now she's gotten screwed over.

What good is a so-called friend when they can't support you or have your back? It took next to nothing for this man to sell her out!

Brayden came through with the lift when she called him out, and it felt as if it confirmed he was doing exactly what she accused him of doing.

But it's not a surprise that the Serena situation would backfire.

My heart breaks for Davia. She left her job and the security of it for something like this, and now she's left hanging.

I loved the shot of her hiding outside against the brick wall. It was beautifully filmed.

Related: Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 18 Review: All These Engagements

Good things are coming for Davia, but who knows what that'll look like, which makes this turn toward the end an interesting one.

Initially, the image of Malika reflected in the mirror felt as if it had to do with the conflict in her personal or professional life.

And to a degree, she maybe felt that way about Isaac. But it didn't stop her from standing strong and firm regarding his addiction issues as she told him he couldn't stay there anymore.

She was enabling him, and he had to leave for his best interest and hers. But it's upsetting that he won't have the love and support of the Coterie environment anymore.

You felt for Malika during those moments, and Zuri Adele is such a beautiful crier. Those scenes were also shot very well and captured the plot's tone well.

But Malika has opted to show some restraint in her professional field. Instead of initiating a protest at the town meeting as she has in other situations, she's doing the backroom deals and handshakes.

I don't know if Malika coming around to this way of politics expresses her growth or shows how much she has changed in a polarizing way.

But if the councilman keeps his word, she'll get her shelter. I don't know how her colleague will feel about how it's done.

On the love triangle front, the Luca, Riley, Mabel thing was messy.

It's unfair for Riley to assume that Luca confiding in other people outside of her is wrong. Luca has friends, and Riley can't be everything to him.

But from her perspective, she was correct about him not being honest with her, and it was enough for her not to trust him. He withholds things from her while pursuing her and projects them onto her without her knowing.

She's spent most of their relationship unknowingly having to prove him wrong, which is unfair.

Related: Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 17 Review: You Can't Always Get What You Want

But the thing with Mabel got blown out of proportion and felt contrived. All of it led to Mabel confessing her feelings, and Luca kissing her (as an act of comfort?) was frustrating.

It doesn't depict Luca in the best light, but this love triangle has been ruining his character all season.

He's landing wherever the wind blows, which makes him come across as an insensitive jerk or player.

Should we be concerned that he told Riley about his status? They wouldn't have brought it up if it wouldn't play a bigger part in matters, right?

What else is there to say about the Silas Saga? The Silas Saga Sucks.

Every time it seems like they'll get somewhere like an episode of Scooby-Doo, Joaquin Perez and Mariana are foiled again.

They took what Adam shared with them and ran with it, pressing the cops to get a warrant for the Farm, their promises to Callie Adams Foster be damned, and even stood outside while the police executed it.

There were so many factors that could've gone wrong. Silas looked concerned about the cadaver dogs, but they found nothing beyond coyote remains.

And I spent much of the time wondering if the dogs were only smelling things that were surface level or getting thrown off by things masking a body.

At this point, Joaquin and Mariana have used up their last bit of good favor with the cops, and there's no denying this is a vendetta.

It doesn't matter if they're right; without their ability to prove it, they're coming across as the crazy ones now.

My heart broke for Joaquin when he realized that Jenna was at the Farm and that she wanted to be there. Bryan Craig has delivered some of his best work on the series thus far.

The raw emotion as he pleaded his case against Silas was such a gut punch, and you wanted to reach through the screen and hold him yourself when he was breaking down on the bed.

He did all of this to save his sister, and it feels as if it was all for nothing because she's right back where she started.

I hated that for him, and since it has been the driving force behind why he's been here the whole time, it feels like the rug is getting pulled from beneath him.

Joaquin's sole purpose is saving Jenna and taking down Silas this entire time, and I don't know what he'll do with himself outside of this.

Mariana comforted him and made for a genuinely sweet moment between the two. Romantic and sexual undertones aside, they have an endearing connection and great friendship.

The vulnerability between the two of them is refreshing and lovely.

Of course, they took the opportunity to push the boundaries of this love triangle further by the two of them descending into smoking hot and sexy comfort sex.

They have an undeniable chemistry there, and it takes the books for being one of the hottest lovemaking scenes in the series. Whew!

Related: TV's Hottest Sex Scenes That We'll Never Forget

But it made the love triangle messier than ever.

Joaquin did not want to be in a relationship with Mariana or make any moves unless he knew that things between her and Evan were over for good and that she had moved on.

Even with her observation that Evan may never become the man he once was, there wasn't any indication that she still didn't harbor some feelings.

And yet, she kissed Joaquin, and this gesture that could've been mutual comfort may become something else entirely and essential; Mariana has unwittingly done what Joaquin asked her not to do.

He loves her, and if she finds out about Evan and Evan gives her an inkling that he wants to be with her, there's still a sliver of a chance that Mariana may wish to pursue him again.

Interestingly enough, she felt so strongly for him in other instances this season, but their infighting made her think that maybe they were never meant to be together, even when they were together.

It's a heck of a conclusion to draw.

Their arguments made her reevaluate their relationship and whether or not they ever should've been a couple, and before that moment, she still was looking at what they had through some rose-colored glasses.

Now, she and Joaquin have physically reconnected. They already have an emotional connection, and I don't know if the prospect of things potentially feeling easier with him, his representing something new and growth, or any other number of reasons is enough to make her shut things down with Evan completely.

The one criticism of the situation with Joaquin is that I don't believe Mariana Adams Foster loves Joaquin the way he loves her.

It's also a bit troublesome that they've built so much of their relationship around Silas, this situation, and a shared trauma.

Even now, any good favor for Joquiana fans is marred a bit when they only came together like this again in a time of sadness and loneliness.

It's concerning that their relationship primarily hinges on that and little else. I am curious to know what Joquiana even looks like outside of this Silas situation.

As a fan of Joaquin, I want the poor guy to take a beat, maybe consult a therapist, and work on healing because of how deeply this situation with Silas has destroyed him.

So, they shifted things in his favor again, but there's still uncertainty.

I appreciated that Dylan attempted to stir things up and put a wedge between Evan and Mariana, but the two went right to each other to talk things out instead.

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It's another mark for their ability to communicate. However, neither was willing to hear the truth about Dylan's ill-intended criticism.

Evan wondered about their compatibility and recalled some of their more argumentative moments.

But nothing topped Evan, getting flooded with the last of his lost memories. Mariana has been the anchor for him throughout his recovery.

Everything that relates to him regaining his memories has been connected to her.

In that sense, I find it hard to believe that the series could emphasize how profoundly those two are connected and then not do anything with it or make them an endgame.

We watched Evan fall in love with her again and find himself again.

No matter what happens to him and who he becomes, all versions of Evan Speck love Mariana; they're fated.

And now we've reset, and we're right back to where we were pre-shooting with Evan, ready to profess his love to Mariana and getting thrown off by Joaquin and what he is to Mariana.

T.J. Linnard has been the dark horse performer of the season. He's been incredible and a pleasure to watch onscreen.

Once again, he was beautiful while depicting those moments of Evan recalling all his memories, a series of flashes, an Eviana Greatest Hits right up to the shooting.

I'm genuinely excited about what happens next, what he does with this newfound realization, and how he shares things with Mariana.

But I'm also not looking forward to any of this trio getting hurt, which feels inevitable now.

Over to you, Good Trouble Fanatics.

With only one episode remaining, how high or low are your expectations for a proper wrap-up? Joquiana or Eviana? Sound off below.

Good Trouble returns with its series finale Tuesday, March 5 at 9:30/8:30c on Freeform! You can stream the entire series the following day on Hulu.

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The post Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 19 Review: It’s All Coming Back to Me Now appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Evan: Did we always fight like this? When we were dating? Mariana: No. Not always. Evan: I guess I just don't understand how we were compatible.  Mariana: Maybe we weren't. But we're very different people now.

Joaquiin: Are you okay? Mariana: Eavn and I had a fight. About work mostly. But I don't think he's ever going to remember the man that he was.

Riley: I just don't know why it's so hard for you to trust me. Luca: I couldn't do that dance because I'm undocumented.

Isaac: Can I stay here, please? Malika: No. Isaac, I'm sorry. You are so important to me, but I – I cannot enable you anymore, and that is exactly what I would b e doing if you were to stay here. Isaac: But it would be different. Malika: No it wouldn't. The truth is you need more help than the Coterie and I can give you.

Luca: Why sahy anything about it at all? Mabel: Because. I have feelings for you, and I have been trying to show you. I'm sorry, you obviously don't feel the same way.

Adam tells them about a sweating ceremony and he speaks about Silas lying to him and telling him that he shot a coyote and buried it behind his house.

Gael wakes up from sleep with Jay to a notification that Yuri is showing a new collection of paintings that Gael created for him and won't compensate him for it.

Alice is assigned to get Derek to host something with the guys. She's not sure if the guys will ge on board.

Evan and Mariana disagree in front of the employees about apps.

Davia is nervous about the producer cut for the film and is still wary of Serena. She doesn't know if Brayden can't do the lift or he's just still angry about the kiss situation

and tries to get him on board.

Malika's costar comes to her about trying to stop their nemesis from becoming council president.

Dylan tries to play both sides against each other when speaking to Mariana and Evan individually.

Mariana agrees to meet with Joaquin and Detective Briggs.

Derek, who she went to her writer's camp with, comes in to host the ferett show.

Luca dances so well that he will get featured in a video that may go viral, but he reconsiders the video because of what Callie said about him being careful about his status.

Joaquina share Adam's admission with the detective who says he'll see if it's enough to get a warrant to search Silas' farm.

Gael is inspired to do something about Yuri when he keeps seeing how everyone loves his work.

Brayden pulls off the lift, and things go smoothly.

Malika makes her agreement to not disrupt the town hall meeting as long as he goes through with his deal to get her women's shelter done.

Alice is torn because Derek isn't good, and she has to stand up to him and the guys aren't feeling it.

Evan and Mariana update each other on Dylan's antics. But they also have let him get in their heads about one another, and they argue about whether or not he was right about the other person.

Evan wonders how they were ever compatible when they were dating. And Mariana realizes that they are very different people now.

Mariana confides in Joaquin about her fight with Evan and her realization that he'll never be the man that he was.

They learn that the cops got a warrant for Silas' farm. Silas sends Jenna and the others inside when he sees the cops coming. Jenna watches from inside.

Mariana and Joaquin show up, too, and Jenna sees them outside.

Silas is squirrelly when he realizes that they brought cadaver dogs. But the dogs haven't found anything.

Someone tells them that the ground is disturbed in a certain area, so they start digging.

Mariana tells Evan that she's not coming in today because she's at the farm. Evan starts having more flashbacks to some of the turbulent moments with Mariana, including when she brought up Amanda.

Riley goes to see Luca to apologize for getting upset at him and throwing Mable in his face. She's confused about why he can't trust her. He tells her about his status.

They tell Davia that Serena will be taking over because she finally posted the picture at Haven, and now people are expecting her to lead, not Davia.

Davia goes off on her friend for not having her back and screwing her over again.

Alice unites with the guys against Derek. Alice thinks she can be the new host.

Riley brings up that Luca isn't honest with her and seems to trust Mabel more than her and it scares her that she can't trust him. She seemingly breaks up with him.

Isaac is at the Coterie and apologizes to Malika. He tells her that he's getting back on his meds. He asks to stay there with her again and she telsl him no and says that she cannot enable him anymore and he needs more help than she and the Coterie can give him.

The police dig and find coyote bones.

Silas goes off on them and says that Adam was lying.

Joaquin pocket-dials JEnna's phone and realizes that Silas has it and that Jenan must be there. Joaquin goes looking for Jenna through the house and finds her. He tries to take her out but she says she came back, and Silas didn't kidnap her.

Joaquin has a breakdown, expressing how terrible Silas is.

Joaquin is at home crying and blaming himself for Jenna being in Silas' clutches again, and Mariana comforts him.

Luca confronts Mabel about what she told Riley and she admits she has feelings for him. She gets emotional and he comforts her and then kisses her.

Gael makes a huge mural indicting Yuri and telling the story of how he screwed him over right on the gallery near where Yuri will be featured.

While feeding the turtle, Evan suddenly has another flood of memories of Mariana and remembers how much he loves her.

Mariana wakes up in bed with Joaquin and kisses him, and they start to have sex while Evan is thinking about Mariana completely.

He remembers everything, including the night he got shot.

The post Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 19 Recap: It’s All Coming Back to Me Now appeared first on TV Fanatic.

With an hour like Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 18, it gathers many beloved characters together for a happy event with classic Coterie feelings and delivers on some of The Fosters' nostalgia.

Not only did we have a happy, content, and beautifully in love Callie to contend with and elicit all the "feels," but Stef, Lena, Jude, and Brandon's presence pulled at a girl's heartstrings.

Gosh, dammit, I really miss The Fosters!

I miss The Fosters and mourn the loss of family dramas of the same caliber that excelled at compelling storytelling and tapping into all the emotions that the human experience entails.

They don't make family dramas like that anymore. I certainly don't see too many of them on a roster anywhere.

Family dramas and even series with a strong family drama component feel like they're dying off, reaching their conclusions after fairly decent runs, with nothing to fill that space anymore.

My colleague, Jack Ori, lamented it in a wonderful Blue Bloods editorial.

Good Trouble, while unorthodox with its approach, also has all the elements of a family drama. And now that it's also concluding, where does that leave us?

One couldn't help but ponder these things while thoroughly enjoying Callie and Jamie's engagement party.

It was a fun and heartfelt hour, primarily focusing on Callie Adams-Foster and reminding us how far she's come as a young woman.

Much like Mariana, there are so many moments when it suddenly hits you. We've been privileged to see this character evolve from a closed-off, impulsive teen girl to this beautiful, grounded, inspiring, and lovable woman.

Again, it's rare that audiences get that opportunity anymore. Spending that much time with a character, a decade, and following their journey to adulthood like this is a privilege.

Even Callie's journey from Good Trouble Season 1 Episode 1 until now has been a moving one.

By the end of the hour, you held your hand to your heart and basked in the happiness that Callie had found and where she was.

She's healthy, happy, and prosperous. She's found her purpose in a job that she loves and has a supportive family that keeps her grounded.

And she has found genuine, true love with a man like Jamie, who accepts and loves her unconditionally and makes her feel safe.

I love that for her.

Maia Mitchell and Beau Mirchoff have such great chemistry that a girl got a bit misty-eyed during many of their scenes.

Most notably, Callie expressing how overwhelmed she was by Diane and stating she didn't want to feel needy by leaning on him, followed up with him affirming her in the most swoon-worthy way, was effortlessly the scene of the hour.

Callie: I just don’t want to be needy.

Jamie: Callie, if there is one thing you will never be, it’s needy. You are so independent sometimes I wish you needed me a bit more. Out of all my friends, you are by far my best friend. You’re the one I want to hang out with the most.

_{🔗 permalink: Callie, if there is one thing you will never be, it’s needy. You are so independent sometimes…}

It was a testament to their love and how right they were for one another. And as someone who appreciates the relationship, it was a beautiful moment for them.

But as someone who appreciates Callie, from The Fosters until now, it was an emotional scene because we know how far this woman has come — what it took for her to be in this place in her life, and your heart swells and eyes well with pride.

She's opened herself up to love and being loved and found that with Jamie. She's allowed herself to express her feelings openly and healthily without fear.

She's found her safe space among her tribe, from her adopted family to her coterie family, and she's found safety, stability, and happiness in her relationship with Jamie.

The stars have aligned for these two beautifully, and we're lucky enough to see and experience how it paid off for them.

Even as Callie faced issues with Diane, there was no real threat to her happiness and what she had with Jamie. It was merely another obstacle for her to overcome but an opportunity to showcase her growth.

She was gracious enough to go along with Diane for as long as possible. But the tension was building as Callie struggled to bottle up her feelings about the affair.

But all that tension between the ladies and Callie dealing with overhearing things about Jamie's previous fiancee, Heather, or not having any control at her party culminated with this lovely moment between her and Diane that felt well-earned and effective.

Related: Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 17 Review: You Can't Always Get What You Want

It's not that they won't have issues in the future, but Diane's ability to express the real reason she's terrified and Callie providing Diane with a promise that, with few words, felt rock solid and affirming is a pivotal turning point in how these two women move forward from here.

Diane will always be annoying in the way that family, especially in-laws, can sometimes be, but the two women clearing the air at that moment bodes well for the future and how they move forward from here.

Diane's fears were valid. She knows how much Jamie loves Callie and that he's reached that point where he'd put Callie first as he starts his own family.

She was genuinely afraid of the changes happening and that it could result in Jamie growing farther away from her and her husband as he started his own family and maybe even immersed himself in the Adams-Foster clan.

Diane: I want to clarify something, Callie. I do like you. I’m just scared, I guess of losing my son. Sons tend to gravitate more towards their wives’ families, and it’s clear that you’re not a big fan of mine, so I’m just worried that your feelings towards me are going to pull Jamie in further away.

Callie: You raised Jamie to be such an amazing man. I respect you for that. I would never ever try to spoil his relationship with you or take him away. I promise.

_{🔗 permalink: You raised Jamie to be such an amazing man. I respect you for that. I would never ever try to…}

And who can blame him? Between the Adams-Foster clan and the Coterie crew, you hit the jackpot with acquiring a new family.

Diane's honesty and vulnerability in that moment was the breaking down of a necessary wall, and now that she's done that, the two women could be closer than ever. It could also change how Diane interacts with the others as well.

There were so many sweet familial moments sprinkled in throughout the hour.

The siblings discussing Mariana Adams Foster's love triangle was amusing, and Brandon and Jude doing their brotherly thing of interrogating Joaquin Perez to get a feel for him was entertaining.

They liked him, though. And it doesn't make Mariana's feelings about both men any clearer.

Even Callie seeking Brandon's advice about dealing with Diane was amusing. And we learned through that quick exchange that he and his wife partly live outside the country because of her.

Unsurprisingly, there was a Noah Centineo cameo, but we learned that he and Emma are doing well together and regret they couldn't make it.

However, shockingly, we got a Sophia sighting as she appeared via Facetime and learned that she was in graduate school. They even cracked a few jokes about Bailee Madison's uncanny physical similarities to Maia Mitchell.

The Sophia cameo was a genuine shock but a delightful nod to The Fosters lore.

And, of course, like Mariana, we had been wondering when Callie would officially proclaim her sister as Maid of Honor, and it didn't disappoint.

She presented her with that beautiful bracelet that cements just how close they are with each other, the true soul mates of both series.

And the precious Pretty Woman callback with snapping shut the jewelry box made me smile from ear to ear.

Callie's wedding will be a beautiful and emotional affair, and ironically, seeing the love between the two sisters will make it so almost as much as Callie and Jamie themselves.

But the hour definitely gave Jallie fans so many moments to swoon and squeal over.

The two of them dancing together was a sweet moment as well. I wish nothing but the best for this couple.

And on that note, we must get into the Mariana of it all.

Mariana: How do you know so much about so many different things?

Evan: When I was a kid, well, I didn’t have many friends, so I used to read my grandfather’s Encyclopedia Brittanicas. I guess that makes me sound like a huge nerd.

_{🔗 permalink: When I was a kid, well, I didn’t have many friends, so I used to read my grandfather’s…}

The Eviana crumbs they've given us have been delightful, with so much space between them.

If Good Trouble didn't prove anything else, it was how easily the Eviana pairing can still have a hold on some of us. They have embodied all of the romantic tropes with this pairing, and sometimes, it's too good to pass up.

When we saw Mariana dolled up at work, presumably changing there so she could head to the party rather than stop at home, you knew Evan would accompany her.

Sometimes, it's frustrating that Mariana immediately blurts out something about Evan he hasn't rediscovered about himself yet.

Related: Good Trouble Review: Eviana Nostalgia Reignites

Understandably, the idea is that she knows him well, presently, better than he even knows himself, and it's something that only makes him fall deeper in love with her.

But it can occasionally be upsetting for someone in Evan's predicament when he's facing someone telling him who and what he is before he can figure things out.

But alas, Mariana's generous offer kept the poor guy from eating ramen alone. Without him tagging along, we wouldn't have gotten hit almost as aggressively as Evan with those Eviana flashbacks.

Mariana is the person who triggers parts of his memory, and the romantic in me swoons over that. She's his person. And despite everything he and they have gone through, that hasn't changed.

Sometimes, people are fated to be in your life, and you're inextricably tied to them no matter what. And that's what Evan and Mariana are to each other.

There's no getting around that.

And anyone in their orbit can see and even feel their connection. It's no wonder Joaquin doesn't want to get involved with Mariana until he's confident that she's moved past things with Evan.

He visibly had a tough time seeing Mariana with Evan, but he pushed past his discomfort and handled it like a trooper.

Related: Good Trouble Season 5B Wishlist: Jallie Wedding, Fosters Reunion & Mariana Makes a Choice

The great thing about this love triangle is that the chemistry is there with both guys; they're both genuinely great men. She can't do wrong picking either of them.

But it's still hard not to root for Mariana and Evan when they share special moments together. Their dance was so special, and T.J. Linnard does some great facial work when Evan is overwhelmed with all of these intimate memories of his time with Mariana.

They left us hanging again with that scene and him fleeing, but it hurts so good.

And then we edged right back into the Silas saga.

Joaquin Perez and Mariana meet up with Adam and finally have the break they need to take Silas down.

Now that Adam has had some time and space to mourn, he realizes that Silas probably did have something to do with his mother's death.

And now he wants revenge. With nothing else to lose, he's also eager to take his former boss down, and that'll be through sharing where Madison's body is.

It's heartbreaking to have official confirmation that the girl is dead, but it's crucial that her parents have real closure, and Silas needs to go to prison for good after all his despicable actions.

Adam: I’m ready to tell you where Madison’s body is buried.

_{🔗 permalink: I’m ready to tell you where Madison’s body is buried.}

After such a strong, nostalgic, heartfelt, and humorous hour, they dragged us back into that plot again, but at least with this bombshell, a conclusion is imminent.

Champagne and Coterie Chit-Chat:

• The running joke of Jay mixing up Callie and Kellie, leading to serious confusion, was funny. Jay is sweet, and I enjoyed him in the Coterie atmosphere.

• Sometimes, I can't decide if Alice and Sumi are great as girlfriends or better off as friends. They'll potentially be wives sometime in the future, so it's good for them.

• I was incredibly proud of Malika Williams for recognizing why she was so afraid to confront Isaac and then doing it anyway. It's what is best for both of them. With proper help, Isaac will be okay, and she won't have to lose that relationship that is so important to her.

• Did anyone else forget that Callie was helping Luca out with his immigration situation? Callie's warning about being careful who he confides in is foreshadowing, no?

• It's good that Luca told Riley about his past, as they can pursue their relationship in good standing. They seem happy together, or were, at least.

• I felt bad for Mabel, especially with the chef rubbing it in. But she definitely knew what she was doing, letting Riley know that Luca confided in her first. Rawr!

• Teri Polo and Sherri Saum have shown off their comedic chops more on Good Trouble than on The Fosters, and I always love every second of it. Their zoned-out faces and attempts to escape Elaine were hilarious.

Jay: I am here with Gael. As his date.

Kelly: Oh, he introduced you as his studio tenant. I never know which way the gay is blowing with him.

_{🔗 permalink: Oh, he introduced you as his studio tenant. I never know which way the gay is blowing with him.}

• Elaine was funny, and I also adored her sweet moment dancing with Joaquin. Mary Anne McGarry was a gem in what may be one of her last roles. May she rest peacefully.

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Over to you, Good Trouble Fanatics.

We're almost at the finish line for this series, so what do you hope to see wrapped up?

Did you get The Fosters nostalgia? What are your thoughts on Adam dropping that Madison bombshell?

Discuss it all below!

Good Trouble airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on Freeform. You can stream it the following day on Hulu.

The post Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 18 Review: All These Engagements appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Her mothers, Jude, and Brandon take note of the party not having Callie's pesonal touch and Callie asks Brandon for advice on dealing with Diane.

Mariana brings Evan to the engagement party with her.

Gael introduces Jay to Kellie but it's so loud that he thinks that he said Callie and is confused by her reaction to the party.

Diane brings her mother, Elaine, to the table with Stef and Lena. They quickly realize the relationship between the women is fraught.

Joaquin gives Mariana the cold shoulder when he realizes that Evan is there and things are awkward.

Malika confides in Dom about what's going on with Isaac who encourages her to confront Isaac instead of enabling him.

Brandon and Jude interrogate and pull the brotherly arc on Joaquin after hearing about Mariana's interest in him and Callie's disinterest.

Lena and Stef are losing thier minds getting stuck with Elaine and all of her stories.

Luca thanks Mable for giving him advice about Riley. He told Riley everything about his past. And things went well.

He wants Mabel to meet Riley.

Joaquin tells Mariana about how her brothers grilled him.

Callie tells Luca that he had a green card in foster care but his sstatus hasn't expried and they just have to get his green card renewed. She tells him to still be careful and not share his status with anyone no matter how much he trusts them.

Alice gets in her head about Sumi having wedding fever, but she learns that Sumi doesn't want to do any of it again which then changes her mind.

Mariana talks with her brothers about Evan and Joaquin. They like them both and get why she's so confused.

Callie does a video call with her other sister, Sophia.

Mariana is curious about who will be Callie's maid of honor.

Kellie hits on Jay further confusing Jay who still thinks she's Callie.

Alice talks to Davia about Sumi not wanting to get married and her assuming that she would.

Gael asks Davia if things are okay between Callie and Jamie, and he tells Davia about "Callie" hitting him, Kelly overhears it and realizes that ther ewas a mistake.

She talks to Alice about Calllie hitting on Jay not realizing that it's because he mixed things up between Callie an dher.

Alice spreads it around and Mariana overhears.

Mariana tells Callie about Jay.

Callie gets emotional after having a fight with Diane about her not having any say in anything and her wishing Jamie was still marrying Heather.

Callie and Jamie take a moment and she confides in him about Diane and he comforts her and they kiss.

Sumi and Alice talk about one day getting married.

Joaquin asks Elaine to dance.

Evan and Mariana dance. Evan has more memories and flashbacks of intimate moments with Mariana. He flees quickly too overwhelmed by it all.

Callie and Diane talk to each other and clear the air. Diane was afraid that Jamie would gravitate more toward Callie's family and she'd lose her son. They manage to call a truce and clear the air.

Mabel introduces herself to Riley and tells Riley that she's glad Luca told her the truth about himself, which prompts Riley to feel some kind of way that Mabel knew more about Luca than she did.

Mariana gives Callie a braceet and asks her to be her maid of honor with a signature Pretty Woman moment.

Malika confronts Isaac about the antidepressant thing and asks to see his prescription bottle.

He gets upset about her confronting him and packs up to leave.

Joaquin updates Mariana about Adam. He wants to talk to them.

He telsl them that he thinks Silas had something to do with his mother's death and he's done protecting him. He's ready to talk.

The post Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 18 Recap: All These Engagements appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It's always a delight when Lena and Stef guest star in an installment, and Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 17 gave us some family moments between the Adams-Foster parents and the Hunters.

And the hour also saw Mariana and Joaquin doing the opposite of what Callie told them to do. Go figure, right?

Picking up where things left off with Alice and the Ferret trio, things weren't going well between Morty and Maury, and predictably, it was because the latter was hurt that Morty never told him he was gay sooner.

It's not uncommon for people in Maury's position to think this way and feel as if not knowing someone they love to their core is a personal affront.

He felt as if their whole friendship was in question if Morty could keep something so monumental from him.

It's a generally human reaction to situations like this, but also self-absorbed.

Instead of considering what it was like for Morty to live most of his life in the closet and not feel comfortable coming out and embracing who he is, not only to his friends but to himself as well, he made it about him.

Maury needed to get outside his own head and feelings, but for the most part, Alice Kwan was tasked with guiding these two men through the situation.

And much of it hinged on Alice teaching Morty that sometimes, presumably, part of the queer experience consists of coddling other people's feelings for the sake of maintaining a relationship.

It's not to say that Maury was horrible for his behavior, as he isn't, and he clearly loves and cares about Morty. And Alice's advice about meeting Maury halfway and not throwing out three decades of friendship was valid.

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Nothing that the two were caught up on was big enough to warrant them falling out.

Yet it doesn't stop some of what she said from being unfortunate in the sense of what someone may have to put up with for the sake of their cherished relationships.

Nevertheless, seeing the men make amends, express themselves so openly, and return to their usual form was great.

The cross-generational approach to exploring the queer experience is something that has landed well for this particular arc.

Maury: I’m happy with the way I live.

Morty: I wasn’t. I’m tired of living the way that other people want me to. Including you.

_{🔗 permalink: I wasn’t. I’m tired of living the way that other people want me to. Including you.}

The only pity is that we didn't spend more time on it much sooner.

It's not lost that while Alice is doing a great job assisting Morty, her relationship with Sumi is hitting some rough patches.

Alice and Sumi are not ready to move in together, and it's clear that Alice has some unresolved feelings about the prospect of leaving The Coterie behind.

It's an apt thing to explore, especially since we'll have to do the same soon enough as the series ends.

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She's taking all of this out on Sumi, who is unable to read between the lines and figure out the source of Alice's anxiety and irritability over them taking this next step.

It doesn't have to mark the potential end of Sumi and Alice, but there are some things they have to talk through before they make any big moves.

Things are off between the two, though.

Sometimes, it doesn't feel like a stretch to believe that Alice may have outgrown Sumi, who has often served as a bit of a security blanket in human form for Alice.

As their relationship hits some bumps in the road, something new is finally blossoming for Gael Martinez.

He and Jay have been dancing around each other since they first met, so it was well past time for Gael to be upfront with Jay and make a move.

They're nice together. Jay is encouraging in the ways that Gael needs. And he supports not only Gael's art but also helps him think outside the box.

Their first kiss was hot and something out of a romance, from the lighting to the hand placement and longevity.

Gael: I was avoiding the studio. But it’s not you. Well, I mean, it is, kind of. Maybe I misread this, but I’ve been feeling a vibe between us.

Jay: You did not misread the vibe.

_{🔗 permalink: You did not misread the vibe.}

I'm glad that Gael is looking for something meaningful and real, not just a quick hookup. He's due for a romantic, soft, sweet, healthy relationship out of attraction, intimacy, and choice rather than circumstance.

And even Denvia had their sweet moments during the hour.

Their constant bickering was getting exhausting for a bit, and it was easy to forget why we were rooting for this endgame.

However, Dennis Cooper can up the ante with charm and romance when he wants to, and their first few moments of bonding at Haven, dancing together, were sweet.

After that glowing review, he didn't hesitate to thank Davia for her neverending support through this venture.

But then Ranjit had to come and cockblock all the Denvia goodness.

But surprisingly, Ranjit had some good moments. That $100K investment deal is exactly what Dennis and Haven need. Ranjit came through on that front, and it's the least he could do after his previous actions.

However, His most surprising move was how he defended Davia to the investors. He didn't allow his determination to seal the deal to prevent him from checking that man on his sexism and making him apologize to her.

You could tell that Davia Moss started to see the depth of Ranjit and grew to respect him a bit more than she previously did. However, his casual coke issue proves he is still a liability who requires a lot of self-work.

Some of the major highlights of the hour came from the awkward dinner situation with Callie, Jamie, Stef, Lena, and the Hunters.

Kudos to the series for their ability to make fun of themselves and the show's lore.

The Hunters' joke about their kids marrying the Adams Foster kids and not having a fourth child to pair up with Mariana was hilarious.

Jim: So, how are the Libs in Sacramento?

Lena: Getting things done. Not lying about a stolen election and storming the capitol.

_{🔗 permalink: Getting things done. Not lying about a stolen election and storming the capitol.}

And it can't be an evening out with those two without Jim initiating some healthy political debate.

Lena's quick-witted barb about the insurrection was worth a giggle.

And indeed, drama ensued when Callie expressed her feelings about Diane hosting their engagement party.

Callie made a proper mess of things at that dinner by lying about having a party at Haven and wanting to avoid things with Diane.

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Everyone essentially abandoning Lena at the table with the Hunters so they could talk through Callie's last-minute assertion that their engagement party would be at Haven was amusing.

And that's saying something since the hour opened with Callie pissed off at Jamie for not defending her in a dream she had.

Amid all this, Callie needed to learn how to compromise and consider that Jamie's parents are every bit as important to him as hers are to her.

I love Callie to bits, but she needed to give a little. Regarding marriage and family, you must learn when to concede and how best to compromise.

Stef: It is both impressive and scary how quickly you made all that up.

Callie: Thank you.

_{🔗 permalink: It is both impressive and scary how quickly you made all that up.}

If Diane could not plan the engagement party she desired with her own daughter, and the Adams Foster family took over, then it was only fair for her to get a shot at it during this instance.

Considering that Callie wasn't that interested in an engagement party in the first place, it was the perfect avenue for her to concede a little something for the benefit of her in-laws, so she didn't have to compromise on something she actually cared about later.

But she stepped in it big time by having that discussion in the bathroom with her mothers when she didn't know whether or not anyone else was in there.

Diane overhearing that whole thing is bound to cause some issues later.

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With so much going on, there was little time to focus on Mariana and Joaquin.

But we got confirmation that they would only give up on that Silas investigation once they reached the desired results.

The two of them avoiding eye contact with Callie was funny.

But they're so relentless that it's gotten reckless, and nothing good can come from this.

Of course, this storyline is dragging on far longer than it has any reason to, and sitting through most of it can sometimes be a chore.

Mariana and Joaquin Perez have an intriguing connection, and one can appreciate their moments together outside of this investigation.

It sucks sometimes that they saddle them with this more than anything else instead of exploring other things.

One has to wonder if Jenna can serve as a double agent. She doesn't seem too comfortable with the fact that Silas wants her to spy on her brother and keep tabs.

But she's also under Silas' thumb. The scary thing is not knowing if Silas is responsible for Madison's possible death and, if so, what that means for Jenna if she gets on his bad side.

It sounds like the "yurt" that he had on his property could have led to a situation where one or more people died in there because of the heat.

It could be the real reason he got rid of the thing.

It doesn't bode well that Madison was one of Silas' favorites, and that's probably why she's missing. At this point, their best bet is to confirm that Madison is actually dead and prove that Silas is the one who killed her.

Pardon the pun; their shot in the dark was in getting Adam to speak to them and putting him to use. But approaching him at his mother's funeral was in poor taste.

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If they had a chance at winning him over, it wasn't through bombarding him at the funeral before he was taken back to prison and telling him that Silas likely killed his mother, but without producing any evidence.

And thus, they dropped more information on us and left us spinning around in our desk chairs like bored children over the latest development in this case.

Anyway, bring on the Jallie wedding.

Over to you, Good Trouble Fanatics.

How bored are you with this Silas investigation? Were you delighted to have Stef and Lena back on the scene? Are Alice and Sumi doomed? Sound off below.

Good Trouble airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on Freeform. You can stream the following day on Hulu.

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The post Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 17 Review: You Can’t Always Get What You Want appeared first on TV Fanatic.