Almost Family Review: Rehabilitated AF (Season 1 Episode 9)
Somehow, this show has turned its premise on its head in just eight episodes. For any other show with a premise this cringe-worthy, that would be a good thing. But now that we know Julia isn’t Leon’s biological child, a core piece of the show that works is shaky.
Almost Family Season 1 Episode 9, “Rehabilitated AF,” is Roxy’s first episode out of rehab. Stranger than the fact that we don’t get to see that journey on screen is the fact that viewers actually have to face the reality that Julia isn’t related to Roxy or Edie.
Sure, they say nothing will change. On TV, the show can make sure of that. But as someone who has wanted a sister my whole life, I know that using the word “sister” and having a biological sister are very different things.
Leon knows he isn’t Julia’s father before reading her medical report. At least the show isn’t giving us yet another weak reason to feel bad for Leon. (For the record, none of those reasons have ever worked on me and they never will.)
It’s yet another reason Leon is a slimy character who really doesn’t need to have as big a presence on the show as he does.
I have yet to watch Sisters and I don’t know what sexual assault conversations in Australia are like. But on the American version of the show, Leon’s actions are medical rape.
Some shows may weave the abuser’s narrative in effectively (like The Morning Show for example). But they are very clear about the fact that the preditor’s actions are bad and while he may be human, he isn’t lovable by any stretch of the imagination.
Almost Family fails with Leon there. At least he has the sense to fire Edie as his lawyer. She should never have been hired in the first place because whether she dislikes Leon or not there is biology to consider. He is her father and the case is directly related to that fact. If that isn’t a conflict of interest what is?
There is no point in harping on one of the show’s many mistakes that they’ve actually fixed.
They are trying to divert viewer attention from the fact that Leon is an abuser with the Nick storyline.
I care about both Izzy and Roxy and don’t want Nick abusing any other young gymnasts. But Roxy truly doesn’t seem ready for the fight she’s gearing up for.
The bright side of it all is that telling her parents the truth about Nick brings her closer to them.
I just don’t trust this series with telling a story that’s going to mirror one specific case very closely — Larry Nassar’s abuse of U.S. gymnasts.
At least there are plenty of cases worldwide to compare Leon’s medical rape to, sadly. It’s easier to fictionalize, but Almost Family isn’t handling that well. Taking on a story that’s going to be compared to one pretty famous case isn’t a good idea.
The show is a comedy and wants to be light-hearted. Its problem will always be that there is nothing funny or light about abuse and there never will be.
Notes
- Not having teenage kid approval means Julia and Donovan are in trouble but I am rooting for them.
- I feel so bad for Tim — especially when he and Edie were talking about how she never wanted kids with him.
- Edie and Amanda are moving way too fast. But I love Amanda’s ex.
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.
One thought on “Almost Family Review: Rehabilitated AF (Season 1 Episode 9)”
I don’t think that the series is taking Leon’s actions lightly. I think its showing us how it is for their loved ones and for the victims. We KNOWWW what he did was wrong and he deserves to answer for that, however it is telling us about how his family (Julia) deald with it and how as much as she is mad at what he did and turned him in, she still loves him. It shows how some of his biological children want to meet him or arent mad at him (Roxy) and others hate him. It is showing how some of his biological children become close and want a relationship, while others don’t. I think there are many layers to it and giving us an inside look we dont see. Are there parts where people might understand Leon’s point of view or see that he isnt entirely bad/monster/narcassist etc? Yes but humans can be more than one thing. They can be bad but have nice moments or have things about them or a past that makes you understand more or feel bad for them. Or they can be good but have done bad things OR BOTH. But this doesnt negate the seriousness of Leon’s crimes and how it affects so many people.
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