The Fosters Review: Now for Then (Season 4 Episode 4)

The Fosters Season 4 began on shaky grounds with its attention firmly placed on an uninspiring, shock-induced tale about mental instability.

But with “Now for Then,” we go back to the basics, making it the first episode of the season that I really enjoyed.

I mainly attribute this to the re-emergence of some likable supporting characters, specifically Ana, Gabe, and Mike. (I know we saw Mike in the season premiere, but here we get glimpses of a relationship I actually forgot existed.)

“Don’t you ever get lonely?” Jesus asks a tearful Gabe before holding him in an embrace. It’s a lovely, touching moment that underlines what the show does right. It’s a moment of complete empathy and emotion.

I want to see more of this. I want to see more of them. An opportunity was wasted between Callie and her birth father, Robert. It would be nice to see a birth parent have more of a role the kids’ lives, and I think Gabe is capable of being a steady influence if he sticks around.

The family dynamic between Jesus, Mariana, and their birth parents is one that should be explored, and now that Gabe is officially off the sex-offender list and free to pursue a relationship with his kids (if he so chooses), hopefully the story will go in that direction.

Mike plays a hand in all of this, because, oh yeah, he’s with Ana now.

I genuinely like the idea of this relationship, but I would have liked to actually see Mike and Ana be a couple more. Even if it’s not super important to the plot, some development would be nice. Maybe it could become important for Brandon and the twins if, sometime down the line, Mike and Ana decide to get married?

Meanwhile, Callie is on a journey of her own.

And while it might seem abrupt at first for her to revisit her past in such persistent way, I do appreciate the continuity. The scenes where she takes photographs from the inside of her old bedroom in the house where she was raped and taken advantage of is especially potent.

Finally, as it turns out, there is no resolution found at the end of Mariana’s visit with Nick. So, what now? Where does this story go? How long will we have to endure Mariana living in fear of her ex-boyfriend as some form of self-sacrifice?

I don’t see this ending well and that’s a bummer given how much I have disliked this story from the beginning. My hope is that they can eventually bring Nick back into the fold after rehabilitating him. It’s time that the show faces mental illness head on.

Other final thoughts:

Brandon’s story with Courtney continues to be the least interesting story by far. They throw a party at the apartment and somehow they grow closer despite the obvious signs that they’re not right for each other.

So, Callie is definitely going to date the law student guy, so why bother keeping A.J. around? Though, I will say his scene with Callie on the porch gets an A+. He is being thoughtful and respectful and not very eloquent. I love all of these things, especially coming from a very cute boy.

Mariana is notably missing in the scene where Gabe reveals his good news. Even though this plot is seen through Jesus’ perspective more, I would have had her there for that.

Matt is annoying, right? He perpetually wears a look of indignation. I like Nick (liked? I don’t know) more than him, which is one of the reasons why I hate this story.

I found it harder to come up with things to say for this episode, even though I liked it the most out of the four. What has this taught me? I’m more mouthy when I’m displeased.

What did you think of this episode of The Fosters? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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