Almost Family Review: Notorious AF (Season 1 Episode 3)
About halfway through Almost Family Season 1 Episode 3, “Notorious AF,” Leon Bechley tells Dr. Abadi about Julia, “She needs to remind people that I’m the villain of this story.”
Most people who are still watching this show would probably agree with his statement. But that begs the question — why does Almost Family still refuse to treat him as such?
Allowing your villian to call himself a villain is sympathetic to him. The show is still trying to force viewers to feel sorry for Leon.
First, it does this by having Leon tell Edie that he was trying to help the very first client that he violated because she asked him to do “anything he could” to help her. (The show would be so much better without him on it anymore, yet he’s still getting to tell us his weak sob story).
Next, it has Leon appear to care about Edie. Recent celebrity news has taught us all that helping your child fake accomplishments hurts them more than it helps them. Edie’s professional identity is now shaky because of Leon, too.
And finally, it shows Leon appearing remorseful after seeing some of the fallout of Julia’s incestuous affair with Sam. It’s impossible to think of a good reason they’re still giving Leon screen time.
All of these positive twists also ignore the sociopathic speech he gave the only child who feels any genuine loyalty to him because he actually raised her. He literally threatened her that if he goes down she does too.
Now viewers are supposed to hope a case of orange soda makes it better? It’s so confusing.
Yet, it’s not like other characters are too much more tolerable.
Julia is a good person. She genuinely cares about Bechley Clinic clients. She didn’t ask for a father who medically rapes patients for sport.
But being a good person doesn’t automatically make you likable, perhaps especially on screen.
It’s not that Brittany Snow isn’t trying. It’s just that not even she can make the material tolerable.
Julia is warming up to Roxy, who is easily the most loveable character on a show where it’s hard to find much to love at all. But she still acts mostly cold and aloof toward Roxy and the world in general.
To be fair, her storyline on this episode doesn’t win her favor with me. I have a problem with all familial-related romantic love triangles including but not limited to a father and son who may be interested in the same woman, actual step-siblings falling in love, and bio-siblings who have sex before they know they’re related.
It’s true that Julia has no idea about her biological relationship to Sam before they hook up. I’m not blaming her for the mistake.
It’s merely worth pointing out that it’s very difficult to root for her at all through this episode, let alone feel happy for her when Isaac comes up with a plan to help the internet see her as more than just someone who has had sex with her brother.
Ew. The last part of that sentence was as hard to type out as it probably is to read.
But that brings up another huge problem with Almost Family. It’s putting a magnifying glass on all of its weaknesses rather than accentuating the positive elements of the show. (In case you’re wondering, it’s the potential bonds between the three sisters).
It’s worrisome that the main heroine of the show actually committed incest and viewers are reminded on not just one episode, but two.
Honesty is usually the best policy. But in this case, the truth is so disturbing it could’ve stayed under the rug, thank you very much.
Let’s end on the only bright spot the show has to offer — Roxy. Or, I should clarify, Roxy when she’s not desperate for Leon’s fatherly love. Ew again.
Watching her mentor Izzy is truly heartwarming, especially as she understands the hurt Izzy feels being bullied by her mom’s clients’ daughter.
Coaching seems like the perfect path forward for Roxy, who is ultimately the reason why this rating isn’t half a star.
If she’s actually meant to be paired romantically with Isaac, the show is making yet another mistake, though.
What did you think of this episode of Almost Family? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Almost Family airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on FOX.
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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.