Council of Dads Review: Dear Dad (Season 1 Episode 8)

The storytelling on Council of Dads Season 1 Episode 8, “Dear Dad,” continues to be — without a doubt — the best aspect of this show while the flow flops a bit at times. 

Honestly, the flow for the majority of the episode is not an issue in the slightest, but a few scenes seem choppy and rushed to the point of not making much sense. Unfortunately, it’s even harder to discern the reason why these moments don’t work than it is to get Anthony to talk to Luly. 

There are two standout moments that I am referring to — both of which could’ve easily been moments of fluff and heart if they’d been executed correctly: one is the scene where Peter and Oliver meet Sage for the first time, and the second is when the kids are all cooking together.

Let’s pick apart the Peter, Oliver, Sage moment first since it happens toward the start of the episode. 

Ultimately, with a first meeting scene, the writers want the viewers to care about the character being introduced while also establishing their right to be there. With Sage, it falls flat on both fronts. 

Yes, we are aware that Peter and Oliver are considering adding another baby to their family; however, meeting the prospective, expectant mother for the first time couldn’t make less sense if it tried. 

Why is she first being introduced at their home and with no counselor or social worker present? Also, why is her first introduction also some super quick gender reveal that is awkward and unnecessary?

To properly introduce Sage, some more depth needs to be given to her character — considering she is choosing an open adoption and plans to be present in the child’s life. We haven’t seen the last of her and yet she is introduced in the same way grandma is introduced on the pilot. 

Sage walking onscreen like she is an intimate member of this family just makes her introduction to Peter awkward and out of place. Even after a full episode of being introduced to her and watching her with them, I am not convinced I should care beyond she is carrying their child.

Theo has been a bit of a loose cannon when it comes to how he is written all season long — which makes the next moment seem like an even bigger misstep. There is something not quite in sync when it comes to the writing of Theo that confuses me.

Theo is a teenager who is dealing with the reality that his father has died and that in itself makes him a bit all over the place emotionally. However, there is something more to it that makes his character appear choppy and underdeveloped. 

The rest of the Perry children have well thought out storylines and characterizations. Even Luly — who seems to fly off the handle more than most people — has defining characteristics.

It’s inexcusable for a writing team to be so stellar at creating history and background with each child and fail so spectacularly when it comes to Theo. Theo’s defining trait shouldn’t be unstable, undefined teenager — and yet here we are at the tail end of the season and he is nothing more than that.

My initial thought is that the writing is trying to amend their previous mistakes when it is written that he finds a place on the football team and then again when he is cast in Hamlet, but now he’s moved on to cooking. Sixteen-year-olds may not know what they want to do with the rest of their lives but they usually have at least one passion. 

An argument can be made for Theo trying to discover himself and find his place, but at some point he has to move forward instead of remaining stuck in one place. After all, Council of Dads passes time fairly quickly between the episodes, so he deserves something at this stage in the game. 

His undefined personality makes him the one Perry child we aren’t invested in and yet his reaction to his father’s death should make him one of the most fascinating ones. Do better, please. 

Despite these two glaring miscalculations, “Dear Dad” still manages to redeem Luly in very big ways. All season long she has been searching for answers about who she is — and, unfortunately, becoming more grating with each passing day. The further she dives into her search for something to define herself with, the more of a petulant child she becomes. 

Thankfully, she manages to check herself with “Dear Dad” and allow her maturity and growth to actually shine through. No, I am not talking about her talk with her birth mother — I’m talking about her interaction with Anthony.

This sit down could be disastrous for both of them, and yet they both come out the other side more compassionate and understanding toward one another. Luly really steps it up and handles it like the adult that she is and for that, I am becoming a bit more of a fan of her. 

This forgiveness she extends to Anthony is a huge step for her and a show of faith — it is Luly’s turning point, her saving grace. It is my hope that this olive branch is the first step toward Anthony returning to his role on The Council.

If the end of the episode is anything to go on, he is going to be desperately needed in the coming weeks. 

Luly and Anthony somehow make up for everything else on this episode — which you want on a solid TV show. Missteps are allowed and expected on an episode of TV, but it’s the surrounding story that should make up for it, and Luly’s forgiveness definitely shines.

Council of Stray Thoughts:

• This show needs to be renewed. The way it approaches each story is so nuanced and universal that everyone can learn and grow with it.
• I appreciate that Larry doesn’t stop trying to make amends with his daughter. Hopefully, someday she will forgive him.
• I get that the show keeps mentioning JJ as trans for the visibility factor, but I don’t think it’s necessary. It isn’t what defines him. 
• Sage wanting to keep her condition a secret is a bad idea and that is all I will say on that.

 

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Mary’s 15 Most Influential LGBTQ+ TV Characters