Almost Family Review: Risky AF (Season 1 Episode 5)

Yet again, on Almost Family Season 1 Episode 5, “Risky AF,” we’re supposed to feel bad for Leon.

As we get older, we realize that perhaps it’s true that there are no bad people — there are just people who do bad things. 

So Genevieve’s speech to Leon is the best way the show has handled his situation yet. 

If anyone has been wanting more insight into why Genevieve isn’t angrier at Leon for medically raping her, now they have it. Her reaction is understandable for a non-vengeful person. And she’s right that she can’t technically change anything. 

But, it’s good to hear someone say that Leon did something terrible and he deserves to feel the weight of that right now. 

It’s better than Almost Family has done depicting Leon’s crimes in the past, but let’s be clear — it’s not great. 

At least Brian gets to punch Leon. Violence is never the answer blah, blah, blah, but he deserves it. We all knew at least one Bechley baby was going to do it. 

Now that we can stop talking about Leon for the majority of this review, let me say on record that it feels very strange to actually like most of the other storylines on this episode. It’s mediocre TV, but this episode is even better than the pilot.

If Julia had actually walked out on her date just because he’s a widower with teenage children, there would be more ranting. She does. But let’s be real — this is Julia. We have to give her points for sort of adulting and meeting up again to apologize. 

More than that, she wants to continue seeing English teacher guy (if he has a name I didn’t catch it), who is my favorite character on the show so far. He deserves better than Julia, but I want to see him on my screen more. So, I ship this for selfish reasons. 

There are hints that Julia and Isaac are the inevitable ship we’re supposed to be rooting for, though. Then again, something tells me Tim will be single eventually. 

Whether she’s with Tim, Isaac, or English teacher guy, the element of this show that’s halfway decent is Julia’s chemistry with men — at least the ones she might pursue seriously. 

I’m not quite sure that that’s thanks to a good story or if it’s a testament to Brittany Snow’s acting. 

But let’s revisit the fact that Tim is going to be single soon. It’s such a sad situation. 

Bisexual people being cheaters is such a damaging trope, and Almost Family should put an end to it soon. Edie has feelings for Amanda, so this is going to be messy. 

At this point, she’s probably feeling too many feels for Amanda to save her marriage. But Tim being blind to what’s really going on is getting old and is disrespectful to the character. 

Enough talking about men, because this show had the most potential when I thought it was a story about sisters. So once again, Roxy’s plot training Izzy is the best story the episode has to offer. 

Plus, the fact that I believe Julia and Edie’s pep talk telling Roxy not to get her rivals get to her and to train Izzy is encouraging. Even though I dislike most of the episodes of this series, something about that bond works and is sticking with me.

It’s disappointing that there are hints that Roxy’s former coach raped her (it seems consensual but her age at the time matters); this show is horrible with serious, sensitive matters. That’s also why I don’t trust them to tell Isaac’s immigrant story well. 

I didn’t see it coming, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good twist. Immigration stories are important, but they need to be told with care in this political climate. 

Isaac is more privileged than most. This detail about him seems to be thrown in just so Almost Family can keep using the news to make themselves feel relevant.

It will never work if it doesn’t feel authentic. But for now, it feels nice to almost enjoy an episode of this show. I’ll take it. 

Notes 

• Lorenzo is cute and makes me like Amanda more, but his name does not fit his face. 
• If Edie can say she’s falling in love with Amanda she really needs to tell Tim, even if it’s hard. 
• You should name every character who is as relevant as English teacher guy in the first scene unless there is a specific reason not to. This is the second time the show has had a character naming problem. 
• If he’s a Bechley baby I’ll scream. 

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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