Council of Dads Review: Tradition! (Season 1 Episode 5)

Council of Dads Season 1 Episode 5, “Tradition!” sets out to answer the question of what happens when the tradition holder is no longer there. It’s a common question among those of us who have suffered such a loss and are muddling through our grief.

Unfortunately, the show doesn’t entirely pull off a successful execution of their answer. To be honest, this is the first time this show has stumbled at all with its depiction of the complexity of grief.

One of the great things about Council of Dads is their multi-faceted approach to how various people handle the loss of someone they love. They look at it from all angles, whether it’s Robin’s grief as a widow, the children’s grief at losing a parent, or even The Council over the loss of their friend. 

However, “Tradition!” tries to mold Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all into one hour-long episode. This means that the emotional levity of what they’re trying to convey just isn’t there. 

We are left trying to decide how we are supposed to feel about each given situation. There isn’t enough time spent on any given holiday for us to really decide for ourselves.

To make this a bit more of a stronger message, maybe they could’ve focused on Halloween — Scott’s favorite holiday — and Christmas — which is always a big one for individuals grieving. By piling on all of the holidays, there isn’t enough room to really process the grief being displayed. 

In fact, Robin comes off as extremely annoying and selfish on this episode. She is only really thinking of herself — not really taking the time to check in with her kids about how they are doing during these holidays.

At one point, she even yells at Theo for wanting to spend time away from family during all of these holidays. It is evident from Theo’s behavior that he is trying his best to process his grief in his own way. 

Does this mean he is going to make rash decisions like drinking and slacking off in school? You bet. What Robin needs to come around to is that the world doesn’t revolve around her way of grieving.

Sure, by the end of the episode she is more open to Theo spending time with the grief crew that he’s now friends with, but she has yet to actually come out and say she supports his way of processing. I still feel like its all about her and she’s doing this gesture so that she can stop being seen as the bad guy.

I am all for women being empowered to do things at their own pace and I am not discrediting her for creating a bond with Sam. However, maybe she should have stuck by what she said to him on Christmas and walked away then. 

It’s apparent at Christmas when she decides to dive in that she is going to get her heart broken by him fairly quickly. So when it happens on New Years Eve, I am not even surprised or saddened by it.

By the end of this episode, the only really strong emotions that can be felt is when Charlotte collapses suddenly while playing water guns with the family. Otherwise, the emotional investment that should be there gets lost in the shuffle of trying to do it all.

The whole premise of Council of Dads is that it focuses on the family as a whole as well as the lives of the members of The Council. However, trying to answer the question of who takes over the traditions for this family loses its weight when you factor in all the messy relationships of The Council members, as well. 

A few seconds for each member is more than enough to explain the ever-changing landscapes of their lives. Too much focus is put on whether or not Anthony loves Margot and whether or not Oliver and Peter will work things out.

More focus is definitely needed on how these men helped each family member through their complex grief around the holidays. It could’ve been a perfect opportunity for the show to explore how The Council connects and understands each individual grief need. 

Even Patricia is vastly underutilized as someone who can really bring forth the emotions exuded during the first holidays without Scott. It would have be nice if her heart-to-heart with Robin is more in-depth and happened a bit sooner. 

It’s understandable that these two women have a complicated relationship. However, as outspoken as Patricia is, it’s hard to believe it took her until Christmas Eve to even open her mouth. 

Let’s hope the writing goes back to the previous formula moving forward because focusing on one big event is much more effective than cramming four holidays into one episode.

Council of Stray Thoughts:

• Are we supposed to care or commiserate with Luly when the family that took care of her for TWO months as a baby doesn’t want to see her? Why is she even focused on them? Her thirst for more family, as if what she has isn’t enough, gets on my nerves.
• Can Larry get more credit and appreciation, please? He is the wise soul of the group but rarely gets recognized as such.
• I am sad we may be seeing less and less of Margot now she is super sweet and a bright light. I love her (which apparently everyone but Anthony does too).

 

What did you think of this episode of Council of Dads? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Council of Dads airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.

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