Good Trouble Review: Turn and Face the Strange (Season 4 Episode 1)
After a six-month hiatus, Good Trouble makes its much-anticipated return for its fourth season.
Good Trouble Season 4 Episode 1, “Turn and Face the Strange,” slowly but surely answers all the questions left from the Season 3 finale and gives us so many things to look forward to in these upcoming episodes.
The regular cast returns with typical Coterie comradery and other familiar faces, including Malika’s ex, Isaac, Mariana’s ex and former boss Evan, and Sumi, who is ultimately in charge of the living space while Alice is away touring with Margaret Cho.
The opening to this season involves love triangles, the question of will they or won’t they, and hints to significant life changes.
Of course, there is also the big reveal of the jury verdict, which feels like it has been going on forever, and we have been anxiously waiting to hear Tommy’s fate.
Not guilty, woo-hoo! Thank goodness for that until Jamie brings up what we’re all thinking when he claims that Tommy turned on his emotions when he had to appeal to the jury.
We should be accustomed to skepticism, especially from Jamie, but something in his delivery and lack of condescending tone almost makes us want to believe him.
Is he starting to ease back into his old lovable ways? Here’s to hoping because honestly, Callie and Jamie are supposed to be endgame.
One of the best things about these episodes is the tease. There is always the hint at a character’s ending or decision, and then we get a more in-depth look into their trajectory.
With the trial results revealed early, we get to see the turmoil and growth affecting the other characters through their own choices. Gael is spiraling with the idea that Isabella wants to move out of the Coterie, and it isn’t a surprise that being a father is truly the path he’s meant to navigate.
Davia and Malika embody empowered women and struggle with their feelings and relationships, elements that are so real and relatable.
As a show that ultimately acts as a platform for women’s stories, these two have been nothing short of inspirational and impactful.
In what appears as an unexpected return from Isaac asking Malika to be with him again, she stands her ground. Instead, she chooses herself and her poly relationships with Deyonte and Angelica.
If that’s not a sign of self-love and advocating for her wants and needs, then maybe it’s the new tattoos she got instead.
On the other hand, Davia telling Dennis no (again) was heart-wrenching, and maybe one day, the two of them will finally find each other. In the meantime, she also gets rejected by Matt, and it’ll be interesting to see her fall back into a friendship with Dennis.
This episode also briefly brings back Evan; his presence feels forced and uncomfortable.
It’s evident that he and Marianna are playing each other, and while we know her motives, his are a little fuzzier. Even though her old friends have accepted her back into a career and friend relationship, they still give off that fake friend vibe.
Amid all this relationship drama, it turns out that Jamie was right when Tommy admits to Callie that he did shove Zach, left the party, and didn’t find out he was dead until later but was still the one to kill him.
While that isn’t shocking, what keeps us on the edge of our seats is the blackmail.
Kathleen still can’t fully be trusted, but clearly, part of Callie is rooting for her to come out of this FBI fiasco free and unscathed.
The reveal that Callie recorded her conversation with Tommy to blackmail his father into offering Kathleen the information she needs to get out of her mess is jaw-dropping.
There’s never a shortage of drama.
The last big reveal of the episode comes when Sumi tells the group that Joaquin will be joining the Coterie.
Joaquin is arrogant, self-assured, and will most likely be more involved in Marianna’s narrative, even if he’s just someone for her to spar with.
The swooning continues to the end of the premiere when both Callie and Jamie admit that they still love each other, and the statement that they should end up together still stands.
What did you think of this episode of Good Trouble? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Good Trouble airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Freeform.
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Courtney Shapiro
Courtney is a New Jersey native who loves sitcoms, reality TV and dramas. When not talking about pop culture, she can be found catching up on the latest book. She graduated from NYU with a master's degree in journalism. Her favorite shows include New Girl, Gilmore Girls, and the Bachelor franchise.