Almost Family Review: Expectant AF/ Permanent AF (Season 1 Episodes 12 and 13)

Julia meets her biological father, Roxy and Isaac get married so he can stay in the U.S., and Edie is pregnant with Tim’s baby on Almost Family Season 1 Episodes 12 and 13, “Generational AF,” and “Permanent AF.”

In case you need clarification  — no, this show isn’t a daytime soap opera transported to an evening time slot. That would have been a better way to spend two hours.

Almost Family‘s potential has shined through on past episodes. Viewers don’t stick with a show that is mediocre from its pilot episode unless there is something good to hold on to hope for.

But on the finale event, (which is probably the series finale based on FOX’s inconsistent scheduling of the show) no real magic is achieved in the scenes between the three sisters.

The goal of the final episodes isn’t just to build cliffhangers — it’s to make a complete mess. 

Sure, Leon changes his plea to guilty. But it’s not really because he has learned a lesson. He only does it because Julia threatens to cut him out of her life completely if he lets his lawyer expose Edie and Amanda’s relationship. 

So, let’s be very clear. There is undeniable biological evidence of his crimes (in the form of his human adult children). Yet, until the 11th hour, he’s willing to ruin his biological daughter’s life to save his own.

Even on the stand, he mentions his good intentions. So, yes. Leon ends Almost Family in prison. But no justice is done for his victims.

He mentions that the nature of his crimes were never sexual as if that makes it better. Excuse me, sir? You stalked all of your offspring to measure their success in the world. There is no way to add a speck of sanity to your crimes. 

Let’s move on because Leon’s isn’t the worst ending, though it’s hard to choose between the others. 

Sadly, Amanda and Edie are in the running through no real fault of their own.

Edie cheated on Amanda and that’s why she’s pregnant. But Almost Family doesn’t have to put a plus sign on that pregnancy test. A scare would have worked just fine. 

Edie’s sexuality story has already moved so quickly. She should get those boring nights at home. More time with Amanda would make her more believable when she tells Tim she believes in the concept of “the one” now. 

The LGBTQIA community deserves so much better than the representation Almost Family ultimately fails to give them.

As tempting as it may be, it’s not time to let out that disappointed sigh just yet because Roxy, Julia, and Isaac may have it worse. 

First of all, Isaac’s is the worst story of an immigration struggle I’ve ever seen on TV. He’s a doctor for crying out loud. He speaks perfect English and is a light-skinned man of color. He must have mentors and connections beyond Leon who would help him. 

Either way, the point to it all is just the wedding. If viewers are supposed to feel some kind of struggle, we should’ve spent more time with Isaac. He’s a likable enough character. If we had seen his struggle, he’d be easy to root for. 

Then again, he kisses Julia right after Roxy marries him to help him keep living his dreams in the country. 

He has a history with Roxy, so it’s so insensitive to say yes even if he is clear with her that he has no feelings for her. She initiates the “engagement”. It’s a clue she feels something for him. 

Plus, no matter any of the feelings involved, he’s a jerk for kissing his sister-in-law at his own wedding reception.

Gross.

I had hoped to find a way to mention that a random Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” duet with the sisters and Roxy’s mom only wrecks this ship even more.

I hoped to say that I wish we had seen Julia connect with her mom more through dance. And that Roxy deserves better than a job working among men who have no desire to understand or champion her for speaking out about the abuse she suffered and still persevering in the sports industry. 

Then I typed the word “gross,” and now that’s the only possible way to end this review. The Season 1 finale event of Almost Family is gross. 

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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