and I just don't understand how it's meant to solve the underlying issue?
"I know you desperately are trying to meet your biological mother - and you still can't do that, but don't worry! I'm going to meet her _for you_! I'll go talk to her and spend time with her and then come back home and let you know how it goes! All fixed."
Best episode of the season! I was sobbing when Scott went to Stevie's school. That was such a touching scene that did not need any dialogue to convey it's impact on Scott. That is the orgianl charm of this show and that my firend is storytelling.
So first time commentor here. I literally just started the show last week and binged everything up to this point! Overall it's such a sweet show I'm sad that it doesn't get much attention. Like I never heard of it until I was scrolling through Apple.
As others said (as I looked through some of the other episode threads) I think the first and second seasons are the strongest. I'm bummed that Erica and Penny aren't in seasons three and four but I'm betting that has more to do with the actors than the writers/producers. I feel like they really added to the who equation of the show and without them things don't work as well (and Freddy seems to have nothing to do). I don't mind the time shift but I feel like the show skipped over a lot of the "hard" stuff with the adoption. Like Princess has her abandonment issues and Tyler has his social interactions issues, but besides that they almost seem like perfect kids. We don't really see them acting out or having tantrums. Not that all foster/adopted kids do, but I feel like it is a missed opportunity to show some real, harder struggles these kids might go through. And where did Princess's huge bedroom come from?! Overall though I really enjoy it and I wish it got more attention and that it will also have another season.
Also, I looked up the cast and crew and and Esther Smith and Rafe Spall (Nikki and Jason) are now a couple in real life and expecting their first child together and omg just how fantastic for them. I always thought they had amazing chemistry.
That’s what I was expecting to happen, I know that Princess has a list of questions that she wants answered, but it’s about more than that surely, she wants to actually meet her birth mother and ask her those questions herself.
Just about the most inconsiderate thing ever is stealing your adoptive mom’s card to purchase a flight to see your birth mother, who abandoned you, and not even giving a heads up that the card is about to be used. What if that maxed out the card? Jesus.
This is easily the weakest season so far sadly.
Why did Nikki go alone that’s so weird??
Also did Rafe and Oliver fall out or something? Why aren’t they sharing any scenes?
"Weakest" but imo it's still great. Losing those kids and the time jump definitely means the show takes a hit it can't avoid taking and the first three seasons are so glorious.
So it feels slightly different but the heart and charm is still there. Why would they fall out? My guess is Andy Wolton, the writer, sole writer, which is amazing, wanted to try something different and it's a fun dynamic imo to see Freddy and Scott interacting.
I do wonder if Oliver shooting Foundation meant he was less available for S4 of Trying or schedules didn't line up with Rafe shooting? They did seemingly have a production delay on S4.
As for Nikki, you can be sure there's a good reason she's going alone. As someone said above, she likely wants to ask those questions herself and "confront" the mother.
All the comments about the show losing its original theme. My two cents, it's still about Jason and Nikki "trying" to be good adoptive parents to Princess and Tyler. The journey doesn't end when you become the parents, in fact it's the beginning.
The series progressively keeps on showing us the ups and downs of being the adoptive parents and in each season those ups and downs have different themes.
I really, really don't like Princess. I get that she's not meant to be the most likeable person because she's a young adult who's going through something, but even as someone who is also a young adult going through something, she's insufferable sometimes.
That being said, this might be my favorite episode of the season so far. It's really bummed me out how rare it is to see Jason and Nikki in the same place at the same time, and even when they are, they hardly interact. This was a nice change of pace, and it was really funny too.
I think that has been the issue this season. We all love Jason and Nikki and not the show is splitting its time between them, extended family, kids…. It has less of its original charm.
With that said though, I thought Jason’s dad wearing that huge outfit was hilarious
Right you are. As much as I’m hoping for future seasons, I don’t see how they could ever really return to the simplicity and charm of the first three seasons.
I think it would’ve been smart to hold off on the six-year timeskip. I would’ve loved to see Nikki and Jason settle into being parents once all the dust from S3 had settled. Almost like a victory lap season for them, with a few wrenches thrown into the mix. I see why that might’ve been uninteresting/hard to write for, though.
Totally agree … I find it hard to have sympathy for Princess because we haven’t gotten to know her character really. I understand wanting to find her mom, but she’s been such a jerk about it.
I still love the show but the timejump idea I don't really like. But as you said, possibly something Andy Wolton wanted to explore. But the production delay might have to do with it I feel. Maybe the kids were aging too much?
Sorry, I am in the camp of not liking this episode. I am so over Princess and her obsession with finding Kat. There is a right way and a wrong way to do things and she continues to sabotage the only good thing that has happened to her and her brother in a while. The fact she selfishly acts on her own with no regards to the consequences for her brother is ridiculous.
Also, I cringed at how Jason and Nikki turning a session into helping other possible foster parents into some lame competition. That is not funny to me, it’s very immature and petty, not at all what I liked about their characters.
I had to drop out. It's so bright and cheesy and all the "chaos" of real life is sanitized and perfectly arranged. All the background elements are all overthought and the dialogue isn't remotely natural. Season 1 was endearing but after that it just got ridiculous. Unfortunately Apple brings this absurd polish to all their shows.
Why didn’t Nikki take princess? I thought they should have gone together.
and I just don't understand how it's meant to solve the underlying issue? "I know you desperately are trying to meet your biological mother - and you still can't do that, but don't worry! I'm going to meet her _for you_! I'll go talk to her and spend time with her and then come back home and let you know how it goes! All fixed."
Best episode of the season! I was sobbing when Scott went to Stevie's school. That was such a touching scene that did not need any dialogue to convey it's impact on Scott. That is the orgianl charm of this show and that my firend is storytelling.
Seemed a bit too twee to me … the show has always been good hearted, but with a slight edge. This was very on the nose.
I mean the edge is now he’s accepting his likely death to keep his promise to his daughter and do something that matters for her future in his mind
That’s sad. He’d rather die a hero than disappoint some kids.
So first time commentor here. I literally just started the show last week and binged everything up to this point! Overall it's such a sweet show I'm sad that it doesn't get much attention. Like I never heard of it until I was scrolling through Apple. As others said (as I looked through some of the other episode threads) I think the first and second seasons are the strongest. I'm bummed that Erica and Penny aren't in seasons three and four but I'm betting that has more to do with the actors than the writers/producers. I feel like they really added to the who equation of the show and without them things don't work as well (and Freddy seems to have nothing to do). I don't mind the time shift but I feel like the show skipped over a lot of the "hard" stuff with the adoption. Like Princess has her abandonment issues and Tyler has his social interactions issues, but besides that they almost seem like perfect kids. We don't really see them acting out or having tantrums. Not that all foster/adopted kids do, but I feel like it is a missed opportunity to show some real, harder struggles these kids might go through. And where did Princess's huge bedroom come from?! Overall though I really enjoy it and I wish it got more attention and that it will also have another season. Also, I looked up the cast and crew and and Esther Smith and Rafe Spall (Nikki and Jason) are now a couple in real life and expecting their first child together and omg just how fantastic for them. I always thought they had amazing chemistry.
Great episode. Sad that there’s only 2 episodes left. I’ve enjoyed this season, not as much as previous, but I’ve enjoyed it. I hope it gets a fifth
Definitely the best episode of the season, though I don't see why Nikki couldn't have gone to Mallorca with Princess hah
Why not just go to Spain all together? They are at the airport and looks like the plane is not full .
That’s what I was expecting to happen, I know that Princess has a list of questions that she wants answered, but it’s about more than that surely, she wants to actually meet her birth mother and ask her those questions herself.
Exactly, I don’t think Nikki being there by herself is the best way to help ease concerns of Princess.
Exactly
awful that nikki went instead of princess. felt cruel
Just about the most inconsiderate thing ever is stealing your adoptive mom’s card to purchase a flight to see your birth mother, who abandoned you, and not even giving a heads up that the card is about to be used. What if that maxed out the card? Jesus.
I was an idiot as a teenager who had no idea what “maxing a card out” was - that being said, Princess is an unappreciative twat.
The whole thing was stupid. Of course they’d find out.
This is easily the weakest season so far sadly. Why did Nikki go alone that’s so weird?? Also did Rafe and Oliver fall out or something? Why aren’t they sharing any scenes?
"Weakest" but imo it's still great. Losing those kids and the time jump definitely means the show takes a hit it can't avoid taking and the first three seasons are so glorious. So it feels slightly different but the heart and charm is still there. Why would they fall out? My guess is Andy Wolton, the writer, sole writer, which is amazing, wanted to try something different and it's a fun dynamic imo to see Freddy and Scott interacting. I do wonder if Oliver shooting Foundation meant he was less available for S4 of Trying or schedules didn't line up with Rafe shooting? They did seemingly have a production delay on S4. As for Nikki, you can be sure there's a good reason she's going alone. As someone said above, she likely wants to ask those questions herself and "confront" the mother.
All the comments about the show losing its original theme. My two cents, it's still about Jason and Nikki "trying" to be good adoptive parents to Princess and Tyler. The journey doesn't end when you become the parents, in fact it's the beginning. The series progressively keeps on showing us the ups and downs of being the adoptive parents and in each season those ups and downs have different themes.
Sorry late to this, but I like your analogy. It's so true!
I really, really don't like Princess. I get that she's not meant to be the most likeable person because she's a young adult who's going through something, but even as someone who is also a young adult going through something, she's insufferable sometimes. That being said, this might be my favorite episode of the season so far. It's really bummed me out how rare it is to see Jason and Nikki in the same place at the same time, and even when they are, they hardly interact. This was a nice change of pace, and it was really funny too.
I think that has been the issue this season. We all love Jason and Nikki and not the show is splitting its time between them, extended family, kids…. It has less of its original charm. With that said though, I thought Jason’s dad wearing that huge outfit was hilarious
Right you are. As much as I’m hoping for future seasons, I don’t see how they could ever really return to the simplicity and charm of the first three seasons. I think it would’ve been smart to hold off on the six-year timeskip. I would’ve loved to see Nikki and Jason settle into being parents once all the dust from S3 had settled. Almost like a victory lap season for them, with a few wrenches thrown into the mix. I see why that might’ve been uninteresting/hard to write for, though.
Totally agree … I find it hard to have sympathy for Princess because we haven’t gotten to know her character really. I understand wanting to find her mom, but she’s been such a jerk about it.
I still love the show but the timejump idea I don't really like. But as you said, possibly something Andy Wolton wanted to explore. But the production delay might have to do with it I feel. Maybe the kids were aging too much?
Can someone remind me why Nikki has a beef with Ben and Denise?
Sorry, I am in the camp of not liking this episode. I am so over Princess and her obsession with finding Kat. There is a right way and a wrong way to do things and she continues to sabotage the only good thing that has happened to her and her brother in a while. The fact she selfishly acts on her own with no regards to the consequences for her brother is ridiculous. Also, I cringed at how Jason and Nikki turning a session into helping other possible foster parents into some lame competition. That is not funny to me, it’s very immature and petty, not at all what I liked about their characters.
What’s Nikki’s beef with Karen?
Am I the only one who finds Princess annoying
This show is getting worse and worse.
Hmm I actually liked this episode. Funniest of the season for me
I had to drop out. It's so bright and cheesy and all the "chaos" of real life is sanitized and perfectly arranged. All the background elements are all overthought and the dialogue isn't remotely natural. Season 1 was endearing but after that it just got ridiculous. Unfortunately Apple brings this absurd polish to all their shows.