The Fosters Review: Potential Energy (Season 4 Episode 1)

In the aftermath of the devastating mass shooting in Orlando, the subject of gun violence has captivated the nation.

It is a topic that garners vitriolic attention and debate whenever gun-related tragedy strikes, and while progress is yet to be made in a political and legislative capacity, television shows have repeatedly depicted mass shootings over the years to portray its bleak and horrifying nature.

In similar fashion, the Season 4 opener of The Fosters could be seen as a timely episode, one that might carefully examine the consequences of gun violence.

But as we delve deeper into the hour, we realize that the premiere has very little to do with guns or the senselessness of violence at all. Instead, the entire story is a ploy for cheap melodrama that amounts to nothing but a prolonged, vacant, stalker tale.

We should probably get the bad parts out of the way first because it’s actually the most important.

The main problem with this episode is that it feels like the show is trying too hard to be evocative and dramatic and dark when none of it feels organic or earned, especially given that Nick, who is essentially a non-character at this point, becomes an emotionally unstable and potentially violent person at the show’s whim.

We don’t know much about Nick, but what we do know is that his father was abusive and that they have a strained relationship, and that’s pretty much it. We also don’t necessarily learn more than that throughout the episode either.

That’s mainly because we don’t even see Nick majority of the time, so his role is to merely scare the students and to cause temporary chaos. Yes, Nick saw Mariana kiss Matt in the Season 3 finale, and that likely triggered his current disturbed state, but it still feels random and confusing.

The entire plot in the school feels purposeless, as we navigate from room to room where Jude, Callie and Brandon, and Jesus and Lena hide out, scattered and separated from each other.

Mariana is left without a classroom to hide in because she’s been locked out, and there is actual suspense built around the threat that Nick could do something dangerous to her. But as previously mentioned, Nick is nowhere to be found. Instead, the episode revolves around the Adams Fosters as they sit and wait to be saved.

Now, on to the parts that are good. Unsurprisingly, some of the more memorable moments of the episode are the emotionally tethered ones. Steph and Lena’s fear is palpable and suffocating. Another nice touch is how everyone is worrying about each other’s well-being during the crisis, increasing the paranoia and internal panic that each Adam Foster experiences.

Other moments that feel keyed in are the ones shared by Callie and Brandon. Now that Lena and Steph know about them having sex, Callie and Brandon are placed in an awkward position.

Since they’re in a life-or-death predicament, they don’t have time to discuss it, but clearly something has changed now that Moms know, and the two of them are even more vulnerable and exposed.

Callie apologizes to Brandon for telling them truth, to which Brandon sweetly replies, “Don’t apologize. Not to me.” There’s a tenderness and sadness to their interaction that I’ve honestly grown to associate with them whenever they are in a scene together. I’m most interested in seeing how this plays out, when you know, this stupid Nick storyline is over.

Another thing worth mentioning is that the episode is beautifully directed, and the suspense and looming danger builds up with intensity, and at moments it’s captivating. But to what end? It doesn’t really matter, because nothing becomes of it at the episode’s conclusion.

All the Adams Foster family members make it out alive and untouched. We get a nice montage set to sad music as the family embraces in relief and it’s actually pretty moving.

But, then the worst thing happens: Nick remains unfound. We then quickly discover that Nick is not in the school at all, but waiting out in Mariana’s room at home.

With there being no resolution at the end, the magnitude of the whole school shooting aspect is diminished.

It also would have been different if Nick and Mariana were closer to each other, or if we knew more about Nick’s background and home life, or just more about him as a character in general before seeing him spiral out of control. Or maybe if real consequences came out of the school being in lockdown, we’d care more.

At the end, we wonder, what was the point? The story continues next week, and perhaps we’ll get more conclusive answers then.

Other final thoughts:

• I must be missing something, but what exactly is Daria’s deal? Does she have a crush on Jude, or is she just a hater?
• While I generally prefer Jesus and Emma to Jesus and Lexi, this back-and-forth thing is confusing and has no rhyme or reason. Maybe it’s time to meet someone new, J.
• Girl with diabetes suddenly has low blood-sugar during a school lockdown. One Tree Hill, anyone?
• So, Nick’s still at the house but Steph found no clue of him being there? OK, show. Sure.

What did you think about the Season 4 premiere of The Fosters? Sound off in the comments below!

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The Fosters airs Mondays at 8/7c on Freeform.

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