Fuller House Review: For the Love of a Child (Season 4 Episodes 4-6)

Of course, many family sitcoms have to delve into bonds between parent and child. It’s a must for all within the genre. However, sometimes that element is explored in unique and original ways. Such is the case with Fuller House Season 4 Episodes 4-6. 

Jeff Franklin’s creations, both Full House and Fuller House, have been well-grounded in creating meaningful parent/child relationships. However, this season of Fuller House takes this a step further and explores the roles of surrogate parents, biological parents, and the child. 

As explored on Fuller House Season 4 Episode 5, “No Escape,” the lines get blurred when Kimmy starts bonding with the baby she is carrying. She takes it so far as to claim possessiveness over the fetus. In true fashion, hijinks ensue. 

Ultimately, Kimmy and Stephanie sit down and discuss the roles they will have moving forward. Kimmy worries she will carry the baby and then fade into the background. In an impactful, emotional moment, Stephanie assures Kimmy that no such thing will happen.

It is a true show of how deeply the two women are bonded now that they are on this journey together. In the past, Stephanie would do the bare minimum and then push Kimmy away, but now she is actively creating more moments for her and Kimmy to work together and share their lives.

On Fuller House Season 4 Episode 4, “Ghosted,” Kimmy takes her and Stephanie’s working relationship a step further by offering her up a position to be a child party singer. This also creates opportunities for Stephanie to spend more time around children.

This venture proves disastrous at first, but Stephanie soon gets the hang of it. It is Kimmy who reminds her that she doesn’t have to change who she is in order to be a children’s entertainer. 

Where Kimmy was concerned about her role ending the day she gives birth, Stephanie is worried that by not carrying the child she won’t be able to bond with it. It is Kimmy’s turn to reassure Stephanie that she is going to be a great mother and that bonding with her baby won’t be a problem.

“Ghosted” is a perfect example of just how just and fair Stephanie will be as a parent. When Ramona gets ghosted by a group of friends, Kimmy succeeds at only making the situation worse. Whereas, Stephanie goes up to these girls and puts them in their place by calling out their behavior as not being cool in the slightest.

This really shows that Stephanie has what it takes to be a successful parent, as long as she believes in herself. With the support of her sister, D.J., and Kimmy it isn’t going to be hard for her to keep that belief firmly in place.

That strength of mutual support is present any time the She-Wolf Pack makes itself known. So when the girls go on a 70s cruise and get involved in a mystery on “Angels’ Night Out” (Fuller House Season 4 Episode 6) that bond gets thrown to the forefront. It’s a bond that is inspiring to female friend groups the world over.

In a time where women are learning to build each other up instead of tearing each other down, the She-Wolf Pack rises above the pack as a strong contender for the prime example spot. These three women never insult each other or purposely cause each other harm. They stand together and praise one another for all their successes in life.

While the Kimmy and Stephanie parental bond is a wholly unique experience it isn’t the only parent of note in these few episodes. There is also Fernando, who rarely gets the opportunity to actually shine as a serious parental figure to Ramona.

In fact, most of the time Fernando is simply the comedic afterthought to any scene he is in. He is rarely taken seriously. 

So when the opportunity for him to really show his fatherly chops, audiences are moved to tears. On “Angels’ Night Out” Fernando is tasked with keeping an eye on Ramona while Kimmy is out. He tries his best to recreate father/daughter dinners from the past but is met with a less than amused Ramona who’d rather be out with friends.

The hurt displayed in Fernando’s eyes is something not really ever seen before, his usually uplifting charm is all but diminished. It’s a true testament to Juan Pablo di Pace’s dramatic chops that allow these scenes to stand out amongst the rest. 

Fernando isn’t as adept at the parenting thing as Kimmy is but, it is painfully obvious that wants to be if just given the chance. What better way for him to display that sentiment to the world than by playing “Sunrise, Sunset,” from the famous musical Fiddler on the Roof, on his guitar as he solemnly waits for Ramona to come home from hanging out with her friends?

It is a genuine marker for the level of love he carries for his daughter and how he realizes his time with her is running short. She is growing up and if he wants to really bond with her he needs to keep creating moments like his father/daughter dinners instead of letting the time simply pass him by.

The strength and love of a parent for their child is a theme found amongst all family sitcoms. Fuller House continues to stand out among the crowd with their uniquely, relatable depictions of this theme which allows them to reach a larger audience.

What did you think of these episodes of Fuller House? Share your thoughts in the comments below! You can also catch up on our review of Fuller House Season 4 Episodes 1-3 right here.

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Fuller House is available now on Netflix.

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