Adolescence
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Thats why parenting is so scary.
Some of us are naturally lazy.
Some of us hate sports.
Some of us are germophobes.
And we give that all to our kids, whether we know it or not.
But thats the thing about theAdolescencefinale: We reallyshouldknow it.
(Example: The first time your kid uses the F-word in mixed company.)
Every parent is just trying to do their best.
They might not be getting there, but theyre at least aware of the quest.
Thats why its so heartbreaking to watch Eddie and Manda go through every emotion in theAdolescencefinale.
Talk about a day ruiner.
Its quickly apparent that the perpetrators are two bratty teenage asshole kids, but it doesnt matter.
The damage is done, and its like an enormous needle scratch on the familys good day.
Granted, things could be slightly better than they were when Jamie was still home.
(Theyre not real, but you get the picture.)
(If you crowdfund it, lots of us will get behind it, the creepy clerk offers.)
You think it cant get worse, but then Jamie calls.
But then Jamie drops a bomb, telling his dad that hes going to plead guilty in court.
I still cant really parse that father-son relationship.
Is he telling him because hes in more meetings and hearings with him?
Is he telling him because he saw the video and the mother hasnt?
Im also not really sure how the family feels about the decision.
(Maybe making a decision has made it a little better, eh?)
But thats the whole thing.
They thought they had Jamie under control.
Eddie says, Feels like it was yesterday, and Manda replies, It was.
As we see when Eddie goes in, its like Jamies coming back tomorrow.
Made bed, little teddy bear, and computer games all lined up.
It makes Eddie sob loudly into his sons pillow because what else can you do?
I shouldve done better, as every viewer at home erupts into sobs of their own.
Its true that he could have done better.
And thats why it hurts: We know we all could, too.
