Synopsis
“From the hit series The Fosters, the spin-off, Good Trouble, follows sisters Callie and Mariana as they move to Los Angeles and begin their lives as young adults.” – Freeform
Review
I’ll admit, I was late to The Fosters party. I only just binge watched it a few months ago. While it’s not one of my favorite shows, I did really enjoy it. Enough to be interested in checking out the spin-off, Good Trouble. We all know how spin-offs can be. They don’t always live up to the expectations coming from the original show, and that can be disappointing. Fortunately, I don’t think that will be the case with Good Trouble. At least, the pilot episode wasn’t.
One of the best aspects of The Fosters was the importance of family. No matter what everyone went through, they always came back to each other. Thankfully, Good Trouble seems to be sticking to that aspect as well. The spin-off may not include all the characters from its predecessor, but family is still the main undertone for Callie and Mariana. Though they have their differences and disagreements, they’re still there for each other. They’re still sisters. They’re still Adams Fosters. That fact, along with some guidance from their family and new friends, is how they’ll survive living in L.A. on their own.
Another great quality that The Fosters didn’t shy away from was hot-button and important issues that people really experience in today’s society. Good Trouble isn’t shying away from the issues either. Police brutality, equality and competition in the work force, the struggles of finding your place in a big city as a 20-something, politics… all these issues and more were touched on in the pilot episode. There was even a little blurb in the bottom corner of the screen about how ridiculous rent has gotten (Callie and Mariana are paying $1,800 for a dingy communal loft), and how you can help make a difference. I always love when television shows, especially those aimed toward teens/young adults, put focus on important, real life issues. In my opinion, it makes the show more relatable.
What makes Good Trouble really entertaining, though, is that it’s fun, sexy and smart. We’re following these two insanely intelligent women fresh out of college as they try to navigate being full-fledged adults in Los Angeles. While it tackles serious issues, it has a younger vibe than The Fosters did. There’s a healthy combination of Callie and Mariana being the young and fun 20-somethings that they are, the consequences of their actions, and the adults they’re trying to be.
Overall, I give the pilot an A. So far, it’s right in my wheelhouse. I’ve been on the hunt for new shows that appeal to my love for soapy teen dramas, and there’s not many out there anymore. So, I can’t wait to keep watching and see the journey these characters go on. Hopefully there will be some familiar faces returning as well.
Good Trouble airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Freeform!
GIF credit: tilyoutryit , omarshanas
Good Trouble Season 1 | Episode 3 “Allies” Review
