The Fosters – Minor Offenses

By starrymag | February 23, 2016

By: Taylor Gates

 

This week’s episode opens in an unorthodox way: with a PSA. The commercial drops some shocking and disheartening statistics about the foster care system. Callie is front and center in it, acting as the Sarah McLachlan, if you will.

 

Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Justina (Kelli Williams) show Stef (Teri Polo) and Lena (Sherri Saum) this; while they agree it’s extremely powerful, they’re concerned that Callie will be supporting a piece of legislation they’re not familiar with. After some prodding, Callie admits she hasn’t actually read the bill word-for-word, but she knows the gist of it. It’s trying to bring real change and reform to the foster care system.

 

It’s clear that tensions are rising between the Adams Fosters, so Justina cuts in, saying she’ll get them all a copy of the bill to look over to ease their minds. She also says that the work they’ve been doing has been getting a lot of attention, and they have been invited to the White House for a foster care symposium. Callie is thrilled at the prospect, but Lena says they’ll have to check the calendar—Callie can’t let all of this distract her from her schoolwork.

 

Justina leaves and Callie lets her frustration with Stef and Lena loose. She says that this is an amazing opportunity and she can’t pass it up. Stef says that she doesn’t know Justina at all, and wanting to read the bill that Callie is being used to support is just common sense. Callie shoots back that she knows Justina and she’s doing a lot to help. She doesn’t see why her moms are being so overbearing and suspicious.

 

Mike (Danny Nucci) and AJ (Tom Williamson) ring the doorbell. AJ sits down with the entire Adams Foster clan, apologizing for his brother’s actions and for taking off. He knows he should have turned Ty in considering everything they did for him, but he was worried he would never see him again. Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) says she gets it—family is everything. Mike and Stef thank him for his apology and AJ goes to wait outside while Mike catches up with Stef. He asks her how she’s doing and she says, considering she just had surgery ten days ago, she’s doing pretty well.

 

Callie follows AJ outside, telling him that what he did was brave. AJ doesn’t feel very brave; he ran away and missed his grandma’s funeral. Callie promises she had no idea what Ty did when she told Stef where he was. AJ says that he got a letter from Ty, but ignores Callie when she asks if he’s okay.

 

Jesus (Noah Centineo) shows up to the construction site again, despite Gabe (Brandon Quinn) telling him to stay away. He tells him he knows what he is and he’s disgusted by him. He throws the tool belt he gave him, saying he wants nothing to do with his birth dad.

 

Lexi (Bianca Santos) runs into Mariana in the hallway, saying they haven’t seen each other forever. Mariana says she’s been busy, and Lexi says that she has been, too. She accidentally rubs salt in Mariana’s wounds by saying that student government is a lot of work, then awkwardly excuses herself to go to class.

 

Nick (Louis Hunter) asks Mariana how her mom is and she replies that Stef is doing a lot better. He then asks if he can finally take her out now. She teases that he’s really gunning for those french fries, but he replies since she kept him waiting so long she owes him french fries plus interest so now she has to go on a full-on date with him. He asks her if Jesus is sick today, as he’s not at school, which is news to Mariana.

 

Sally (Pepi Sonuga) proposes her student government community outreach program to Lena and Monte (Annika Marks). She wants to turn a run-down place in City Heights into a park or garden. She’s also hoping that, since she’s designing everything, it could also count as her senior project. Monte doesn’t see why not, but Lena says that since the school funds the program, it could be perceived that they are funding her thesis as well which is against the rules. Monte says that, if she gets the materials donated, it could work. If she shows local nurseries her presentation, someone is bound to help her out. Lena is a little uncomfortable with Monte’s intense praise for Sally, but agrees that technically everything would work out.

 

Mariana sees Jesus sketching in the hallway and asks him where he was first period. He tells her it’s none of her business, but changes his tune once she threatens to tell Lena. He says that he went to give Gabe his tool belt back because he wanted him to know they know what he did. Mariana doesn’t understand why Jesus cares so much.

 

Callie tells Rita (Rosie O’Donnell) she wants to write a paper about her for her Senior thesis, as she’s been her mentor. Plus, Stef and Lena have been all over her to pick a topic. Rita says she’s honored and compliments Callie on how great the new Fost and Found app looks. Callie also reveals that she’s been invited to the White House, but she’s not sure if her moms will let her go. Rita asks why they wouldn’t and Callie says they’re not too thrilled about the reform bill she’s been working on with Justina. Rita says that she’s read the bill, and while there are some good things, it proposes giving over 50% of government funding to privatized foster homes. Callie is shocked, as she thought Justina was against privatization.

 

Brandon (David Lambert) shows up to work and sees Cortney (Denyse Tontz) taking out the trash. She remarks that she hasn’t seen Brandon in awhile and wonders if the fact that she has a kid freaked him out. He says he just needed to take some time off since his mother had surgery and she remarks that it was probably good they put the breaks on things for awhile. Brandon says the fact that she’s a mother doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t want a relationship with her.

 

In the moms’ bedroom, Lena expresses her frustration to Stef about Monte showing her up in front of the student body president. However, Mariana interrupts, admitting that she’s worried about Jesus. He found their birth dad and he’s a sex offender. Lena yells for Jesus to join them in their room. Jesus defends himself, saying it’s not as big of a deal as they’re making it out to be, as he only worked with him a few times. Stef says Mariana and Jesus are never to go near him again; he could be incredibly dangerous. She makes them verbally promise to stay away.

 

The next day at school, Nick tells Jesus that he’s taking Mariana out. Jesus says that’s impossible because the two made a promise never to date each other’s friends, but Nick says she’s in violation of that. Nick goes to the door to pick Mariana up and Mariana introduces him to Stef and Lena. Stef spies his Challenger outside and warns him that she’s cop. She also says she knows all the cops in town and if he goes two miles over the speed limit she’ll hear about it, they’ll impound his car and he’ll never see Mariana again. Lena, having some mercy on Mariana, assures him that Stef is just kidding. Jesus runs down the stairs and out the door, saying they need to hurry or they’ll be late to pick up Lexi. Stef is relieved this is a double date, but this is news to a less-than-thrilled Mariana.

 

Brandon starts playing and singing “Surf Girl” at the Smoke House, obviously for Cortney. Though flattered, Cortney says that going out with her is not a good idea. She says there are many reasons, but she also just doesn’t really have the time.

 

Callie invites Justina into her home, saying she read the bill and she’s livid at the fact it’s pro-privatization. Justina explains that, in the grand scheme of things, privatization is actually a good thing and will help kids. The companies deserve a profit for providing a superior service and will be held responsible if something goes wrong. Callie says that this will completely blow the system up and Justina says it needs to be blown up. She compares it to what Anchor Beach—a private charter school—is doing. Callie is left feeling lost and confused.

 

On the double date, Jesus asks Lexi what it’s like being class President, obviously trying to make Mariana mad. Lexi, clearly uncomfortable, tells Jesus to see what’s on the jukebox with her. With Lexi and Jesus gone, Nick apologizes to Mariana, saying Jesus told him this burger shack was her favorite restaurant. Mariana says that she’s a vegetarian, which mortifies Nick. She assumes this is payback for narcing on him.

 

Lexi asks Jesus if he’s even happy to be out with him or if he’s just doing it to annoy his sister. Jesus promises that he’s stoked to be out with her and apologizes for how he’s been acting. The waitress brings Nick and Mariana their food. Mariana asks Nick if he’s really going to eat the monster burger he has on his plate and he says of course he is—he ate his first one when he was six years old. His dad said if he ordered it, they couldn’t leave until he ate the whole thing. Mariana hesitantly says that kind of makes his dad sound like a jerk, and Nick eplies that she doesn’t know the half of it.

 

Mike, Lena, Stef and Callie are in the kitchen after dinner. Mike says that Ty’s lawyer told him he’s now also facing charges for grand theft auto. Stef says technically he did steal a car, which Mike finds ridiculous. He says Ty should face consequences for crimes he did commit, not ones he really didn’t. Stef asks what she expects her to do, and Mike leaves Ty’s file with Stef, saying if he read it maybe she would understand why Ty did what he did. Callie reminds Stef that, when she first came to their house, she told her she wasn’t disposable. She asks why she’s acting any differently towards Ty. Lena says that it’s complicated, but Callie disagrees and walks out.

 

Brandon leads Cortney into a corner of the restaurant where he has set up a romantic dinner. He says they have fifteen minutes on her break to go on a date and it’ll be better than the granola bar she eats every other night.

 

Stef is putting her bra on and Lena asks her if she needs any help. Stef brushes her off, saying she can do it, but admits she still can’t feel anything below her clavicle. Lena hopes the numbness will wear off soon. Stef checks her phone and it turns out some guys at the station have found Gabe’s record. She can’t believe what they found.

 

Nick is driving the four of them home, saying he feels like he’s about to burst from all the food he ate. He and another car stop at a red light, the driver of the other car challenging him. Jesus encourages him to race and Nick complies. They speed down the road, other cars honking at them while Lexi and Mariana freak out. Mariana yells that if Nick doesn’t stop the car, she’ll never speak to him again, which causes him to pull over immediately. Mariana tells him off, saying they could’ve gotten in another accident. Their mom is going through so much right now and she doesn’t need more to worry about. Jesus and Nick say they were just having fun and nobody got hurt, but Mariana and Lexi storm out of the car.

 

Cortney thanks Brandon for the delicious meal and Brandon says that she deserves to be taken care of sometimes. They’re about to kiss, but the two are interrupted by her son, Mason, running in. Her ex Eddie (Tip Scarry) says he got called into work early and he’s been trying to call her all night. Cortney says that she can’t just take him right now and keep him behind the bar, but Eddie shoots back that she already has one kid with her, referring to Brandon. Brandon says that his shift is over, and he can watch Mason for awhile.

 

Mariana and Lexi sit on the porch. Lexi asks Mariana why she didn’t tell her about Stef’s double mastectomy and Mariana admits she’s been avoiding Lexi. Lexi makes her feel like a loser because she’s doing so great and is so popular even though she wasn’t even at school last year. Lexi says, if it makes her feel any better, student government is seriously kicking her butt. Mariana admits that does make her feel slightly better, causing them both to laugh.

 

Brandon is struggling while babysitting Mason, as he is knocking stuff over and putting dirty things in his mouth. He grabs a knife off the floor and Brandon tries to convince him to exchange it for a less-dangerous spoon. Cortney walks in and Brandon promises her the whole night hasn’t been as disastrous. Cortney thanks him for helping her out before taking Mason to the car. Brandon sits down, finding Mason’s teddy bear on the floor. He runs out to give it to Cortney, who says he saved her life since Mason can’t sleep without it. Brandon kisses Cortney, but she still thinks this is a bad idea. Brandon shrugs, asking what they’ve got to lose.

 

Stef comes downstairs, pouring herself a glass of water and reading Ty’s file.

 

The next day at Ty’s trial, he pleads guilty to all charges. Stef walks in the courtroom, announcing she is the parent of the kids hit in the car crash. The judge allows her to read a victim’s impact statement before sentencing. She says that, being Mariana and Jesus’ mother, she wants to see justice done. However, as an investigating officer, she is confident Ty didn’t steal the car, and the man that accused him is just afraid if he didn’t he would be charged with obstructing justice. Stef goes on to say that she doesn’t believe what Ty did is malicious. He’s never been given a fair shake by the justice system, as he was thrown into juvie for many minor offenses at a young age and likely fled the scene of the accident in fear. She doesn’t forgive Ty, but she does believe he deserves lenience.

 

Sally and Monte tell Lena the great news—that all the plants got donated thanks to Monte’s help. Sally says she is super excited this can be her Senior thesis and goes off to class. With Sally gone, Lena tells Monte that her involving herself in a student’s thesis and giving her special treatment is completely inappropriate. Monte says that she’s just encouraging a promising student and expanding their community outreach; sometimes rules have to be broken and Lena didn’t seem to mind that while she bent the rules to get Jesus back into school.

 

The judge announces the DA has agreed to take off the grand theft auto charges. However, with Ty’s previous record, he’ll have to go to jail for eighteen months. Before being taken away, Ty tells AJ that he will be out before he knows it, and in the meantime, he has Mike. Mike thanks Stef, telling her this is better than the five years he could’ve gotten. Stef still thinks it’s a little harsh, and says to thank Callie, as she’s the one that got her here.

 

Callie goes to visit Rita, telling her the results of Ty’s trial. She also says that she’s read the bill and after talking to Justina, she sees that privatization actually makes sense. Rita thinks it’s too bad she feels that way, as she doesn’t like kids being sold to the highest bidder. Callie tells Rita the system is broken—this is a good way to switch things up and have somebody be accountable when things go wrong. Rita says it’s a dangerous way to switch things up and is suspicious these are Justina’s thoughts, not her own.

 

Callie gets angry, saying everyone always thinks she’s being brainwashed when she disagrees with them. Callie accuses Rita of wanting to keep everything the same so she can keep her job and Rita is insulted that’s what Callie thinks of her. Rita has been working in the system for thirty years and Callie says it’s hard to accept change when you can’t see the big picture. Rita snaps, telling her to say hi to the president for her before walking out.

 

Stef and Lena have invited Ana (Alexandra Barreto) to talk to the twins about their birth father. Ana says that he’s on that list because of her—he was eighteen and she was fifteen when they met. Her parents didn’t approve, as he was older and a dealer, so she ran off with him. The police busted him for possession and unlawful sex with a minor because of their age difference. She never knew he was on the sex offender registry until now. She always told the twins their father was a one night stand so they didn’t think they came from both a junkie and a drug dealer.

 

Stef asks Lena why she has been changing clothes behind their closet door. Lena admits she didn’t want to make Stef feel uncomfortable considering everything she’s been though. She feels a little guilty that her body is still intact. She apologizes, realizing thinking that way is stupid, but Stef tells her it’s okay. That she is okay. Stef tells Lena to lay down with her and puts her hand over her chest. She’s starting to get a little feeling back, and she can feel Lena touching her now. She says that Lena doesn’t make her feel worse—she makes her feel better.

 

Callie and AJ go to visit AJ’s grandmother’s grave. He hopes she forgives him for missing the funeral. Callie assures him she’d understand since he did it to be with Ty. She wants to know if he forgives her for telling Stef, but AJ says there’s nothing to forgive. He didn’t see her in juvie because he was embarrassed. Their relationship was just starting to get somewhere and then he took off. Callie kisses him and AJ realizes maybe he didn’t mess everything up after all.

 

Jesus visits Gabe at the construction site, apologizing for what he said. Gabe says he doesn’t have to—whatever he’s looking for, he won’t find it with him. He’s not his father  and he never will be.