Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Cousin Debbie”? Holy exposition, Batman!

No person alive has ever referred to their mom’s cousin that way. Or their own cousin. Or any cousin.

I have never heard this in real life but it does seem to happen in movies and TV a lot. Cousin Eddie, anyone? Cousin It? Cousin Oliver?

Also, nice to see Ellenor from The Practice in what was otherwise a dull episode.

Most of my cousins were old enough to be my parents, so I grew up calling them "Cousin Debbie" like you would say Aunt Debbie. More respectful than a child calling an adult by their first name.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I completely understand Randall's reaction but Malik is such an impressive young man, I think I could get on board with their decision in the end. They're both such special kids and do have a wonderful, if young, relationship. I would insist she finish high school rather than getting a GED though, which she could do in Boston if necessary. Lots of great Boston colleges she could attend too. Not the smoothest prospective path, but I'm with Beth on not risking their relationship. Especially after everything Deja has already been through. She's not a typical sheltered suburban kid, is mature well beyond her years. My focus would be on making sure she's pursuing her own goals, and not giving them up to support Malik's.

Nopeity nope nope. And I think Randall's appeal to Malik at the end is exactly right - if Malik is so impressive then he needs allow Deja to reach her full potential.

Right now, Deja has everything going for her. Deja could be looking at a full ride to any number of prestigious universities. Giving that up for your high school boyfriend and playing second fiddle to him for the rest of your life is a dumb idea.

I think in the end Malik will tell Deja she needs to go out on her own.

They're madly in love, I don't see this happening. But I'd be so worried about Deja, mainly because there's a kid involved. Could easily see her getting sucked into being the caretaker while Malik concentrates on his schoolwork and job. Then it is definitely a slippery slope to playing second fiddle permanently. At least we know from the flash forward, she ends up doing just fine, whatever happens here.

I agree with you and another PP that the kid take this problem to a whole other level.

Totally agree.

I don't see Deja moving in the end. That would have been something to do a season or two ago and then have her come back.

Anyway, I wonder if her mother comes back and talks to her. Hopefully she tells her the real real: You are an idiot to give up the future before you for a man.

We haven't talked at all about the actual theme of this episode, which was mothers and daughters. Kate kind of irritates me and I find her the least interesting in some ways, but her interactions with her mother were very real. The only thing I thought was unrealistic was her pro-actively telling her mother that she can't watch the kids alone. No doubt it needed to be done, but did it need to be done right then? Rebecca handling it with her characteristic grace was a nice moment though.

Last, I hope we see Kevin continuing to check in with Cassidy. She actually needs support and they are good for each other that way even if they aren't going to get together as a couple.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's just a TV show but kids don't just "pick up extra AP' classes midyear. That's not how it works.

And she picked up 3 and was also going to get a GED. That was some boneheaded writing, right there.

The rest of the episode was excellent.

I posted earlier and I can’t figure out if the writing was boneheaded or if the writing was highlighting that their plan was boneheaded. I have a current HS senior and I didn’t understand what they were talking about.

She’s a sophomore, right? So maybe one solution could be for her to pile on more classes over the summer and junior year, then let her do this if she actually graduates early? Ugh.

I think it had to be the writing that was boneheaded. Picking up extra AP classes doesn't help you graduate from high school early. College, yes, but not high school. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

Besides, Deja and Malik are smart, and Malik has already been through the graduation/college app process. They are naive about family/emotional stuff, but they can look up school requirements. Plus, as a high school student who had a baby with another high school student, I would think he'd be aware of what a GED means. You can't get to Harvard from there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I completely understand Randall's reaction but Malik is such an impressive young man, I think I could get on board with their decision in the end. They're both such special kids and do have a wonderful, if young, relationship. I would insist she finish high school rather than getting a GED though, which she could do in Boston if necessary. Lots of great Boston colleges she could attend too. Not the smoothest prospective path, but I'm with Beth on not risking their relationship. Especially after everything Deja has already been through. She's not a typical sheltered suburban kid, is mature well beyond her years. My focus would be on making sure she's pursuing her own goals, and not giving them up to support Malik's.

Nopeity nope nope. And I think Randall's appeal to Malik at the end is exactly right - if Malik is so impressive then he needs allow Deja to reach her full potential.

Right now, Deja has everything going for her. Deja could be looking at a full ride to any number of prestigious universities. Giving that up for your high school boyfriend and playing second fiddle to him for the rest of your life is a dumb idea.

I think in the end Malik will tell Deja she needs to go out on her own.

They're madly in love, I don't see this happening. But I'd be so worried about Deja, mainly because there's a kid involved. Could easily see her getting sucked into being the caretaker while Malik concentrates on his schoolwork and job. Then it is definitely a slippery slope to playing second fiddle permanently. At least we know from the flash forward, she ends up doing just fine, whatever happens here.

I agree with you and another PP that the kid take this problem to a whole other level.

Anonymous wrote:What the hell does Madison do for employment?

Modest inheritance or trust fund is my guess. Her father contributed to her mental illness but financially provided for her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's just a TV show but kids don't just "pick up extra AP' classes midyear. That's not how it works.

And she picked up 3 and was also going to get a GED. That was some boneheaded writing, right there.

The rest of the episode was excellent.

I posted earlier and I can’t figure out if the writing was boneheaded or if the writing was highlighting that their plan was boneheaded. I have a current HS senior and I didn’t understand what they were talking about.

She’s a sophomore, right? So maybe one solution could be for her to pile on more classes over the summer and junior year, then let her do this if she actually graduates early? Ugh.

What the hell does Madison do for employment?

Anonymous wrote:It's just a TV show but kids don't just "pick up extra AP' classes midyear. That's not how it works.

And she picked up 3 and was also going to get a GED. That was some boneheaded writing, right there.

The rest of the episode was excellent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I completely understand Randall's reaction but Malik is such an impressive young man, I think I could get on board with their decision in the end. They're both such special kids and do have a wonderful, if young, relationship. I would insist she finish high school rather than getting a GED though, which she could do in Boston if necessary. Lots of great Boston colleges she could attend too. Not the smoothest prospective path, but I'm with Beth on not risking their relationship. Especially after everything Deja has already been through. She's not a typical sheltered suburban kid, is mature well beyond her years. My focus would be on making sure she's pursuing her own goals, and not giving them up to support Malik's.

Nopeity nope nope. And I think Randall's appeal to Malik at the end is exactly right - if Malik is so impressive then he needs allow Deja to reach her full potential.

Right now, Deja has everything going for her. Deja could be looking at a full ride to any number of prestigious universities. Giving that up for your high school boyfriend and playing second fiddle to him for the rest of your life is a dumb idea.

I think in the end Malik will tell Deja she needs to go out on her own.

I agree and would think so even if Malik didn't have a child. But THERE'S A CHILD! No way would I want my daughter to be coparenting at the age of 17. A lot of it would fall on Deja. You know it would, no matter how much Malik tried to keep her unburdened. Plus Deja would be having to navigate choppy waters with the kid's obnoxious mother. No, no, no.

Deja's right that she is an old soul, and she'd probably handle the situation with a lot of competence and grace. But, she shouldn't have to. Her life experience gives her the ability to do it, but it doesn't give her the ability to see what she'd be giving up-- the fun and freedom of youth and ability to chart her own course.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s going to be Sophie. Obvious not Cassidy and I think Kevin is relegated to Madison and Elijah being together (“If she says she doesn’t want anything, just buy her something”).

Actually this episode revealed that he does have depth of feeling for Madison, which is nice. I think she's a contender, though I love her with Elijah and do ultimately prefer Sophie for Kevin. I was dying with the "which blonde" remark, omg.

Agree that this episode points to Madison. Wasn't there some scene/discussion about Kevin not knowing what love is or not recognizing it something? Kevin showed he really gets her, pays attention to the little things about her, and wants her to be happy (even at his own expense). I love their rapport. Also, their relationship is really mature and respectful. Kevin has been his best self with her.

It's just a TV show but kids don't just "pick up extra AP' classes midyear. That's not how it works.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I completely understand Randall's reaction but Malik is such an impressive young man, I think I could get on board with their decision in the end. They're both such special kids and do have a wonderful, if young, relationship. I would insist she finish high school rather than getting a GED though, which she could do in Boston if necessary. Lots of great Boston colleges she could attend too. Not the smoothest prospective path, but I'm with Beth on not risking their relationship. Especially after everything Deja has already been through. She's not a typical sheltered suburban kid, is mature well beyond her years. My focus would be on making sure she's pursuing her own goals, and not giving them up to support Malik's.

Nopeity nope nope. And I think Randall's appeal to Malik at the end is exactly right - if Malik is so impressive then he needs allow Deja to reach her full potential.

Right now, Deja has everything going for her. Deja could be looking at a full ride to any number of prestigious universities. Giving that up for your high school boyfriend and playing second fiddle to him for the rest of your life is a dumb idea.

I think in the end Malik will tell Deja she needs to go out on her own.

They're madly in love, I don't see this happening. But I'd be so worried about Deja, mainly because there's a kid involved. Could easily see her getting sucked into being the caretaker while Malik concentrates on his schoolwork and job. Then it is definitely a slippery slope to playing second fiddle permanently. At least we know from the flash forward, she ends up doing just fine, whatever happens here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s going to be Sophie. Obvious not Cassidy and I think Kevin is relegated to Madison and Elijah being together (“If she says she doesn’t want anything, just buy her something”).

Actually this episode revealed that he does have depth of feeling for Madison, which is nice. I think she's a contender, though I love her with Elijah and do ultimately prefer Sophie for Kevin. I was dying with the "which blonde" remark, omg.

This is what I think too. I commented upthread that Kevin wants to romanticize his one-true-love like his parents too much, and that is why Sophie is always in his periphery.

Anonymous wrote:Also, that dinner. Classic. Beth was on it.

She's perfect. And Beth is right: they need something better than the Worst Case Scenario game.

Anonymous wrote:I completely understand Randall's reaction but Malik is such an impressive young man, I think I could get on board with their decision in the end. They're both such special kids and do have a wonderful, if young, relationship. I would insist she finish high school rather than getting a GED though, which she could do in Boston if necessary. Lots of great Boston colleges she could attend too. Not the smoothest prospective path, but I'm with Beth on not risking their relationship. Especially after everything Deja has already been through. She's not a typical sheltered suburban kid, is mature well beyond her years. My focus would be on making sure she's pursuing her own goals, and not giving them up to support Malik's.

Nopeity nope nope. And I think Randall's appeal to Malik at the end is exactly right - if Malik is so impressive then he needs allow Deja to reach her full potential.

Right now, Deja has everything going for her. Deja could be looking at a full ride to any number of prestigious universities. Giving that up for your high school boyfriend and playing second fiddle to him for the rest of your life is a dumb idea.

I think in the end Malik will tell Deja she needs to go out on her own.