"Sins of
the Father"
A review by Jenni:
What I love about this
episode:
I'm quite fond of the Andrew and Tess interaction in this
episode. It's all good and fun and just plain cute.
And
even though I think Andrew's good looking even with greasy hair, I
do
agree with Tess that he was a "sorry looking angel." His
smile
after she says that is adorable! And I like that Andrew
really
does try to explain to Tess about borrowing the car. He
doesn't
truly steal it... his request just got interrupted is all!
"The angel of death done killed my car!" I love that line
from
Tess cause it's just so versatile when it comes to
paraphrasing.
You
know like: "the angel of death done stole my heart!" or "the angel
of death done killed my love life." Things like that...
On a more serious note, I like the line TBAA takes here regarding
parental responsibility. They don't excuse Willis'
abandonment
but Monica also doesn't let Luther blame his own bad choices
completely
on that. I think they struck a good balance. I do
think
parents need to be responsible for and care for their
children.
But I know too many people with apathetic parents who still took
responsibility for their own decisions. It can be
done. And
Luther does eventually take charge of his life which is great.
I *love* when Debbie Allen's character (Valerie) stands up in
church
and asks Tess if she knows what it's like to work three jobs and
raise
a family. I truly admire the angels when they take a stand
and do
their utmost to help us humans out. But they don't really
know
the stress and the conflict humans face day in and day out so I
like
their occasionally being reminded.
"Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous." A
Tess
line but I think I heard/read somewhere that John Dye's mother
said
that often. Wherever it originated it's a truly great quote
and
one I very much believe.
I think one of the most touching moments for me is when Andrew
tells
Willis he can die with God or without Him. Willis nods a
little
and then says "Show me the way to go Home." Great last words
and
while I can't say they make it all better, they are filled with 
hope.
I'm
glad that the children of the cop Luther shot are not
forgotten. I would have really been angered by this episode
had
it focused solely on Luther's and his family's pain. But
Monica
will not let Luther forget about them and Luther himself even
brings
them up to Samuel. It also makes one appreciate the
sacrifice
police officers and their families make for us.
People who have read many of these probly know I'm on shaky ground
with
Monica. But I think her rant about the street lingo and the
messed up priorities of gang life is awesome. The way she
delivers it with righteous indignation but eventually
compassion...
good job! Just sorry that a few weeks later she did
something I
will likely never forgive her for...
Tess praises Andrew at the very end. I hope Andrew got that
down. He may need to mentally replay it in loop later on...
What I didn't love about
this
episode:
This is purely a theological difference of opinion and not
something I
fault TBAA for. Cause the writers have the right to voice
their
opinions. And I have a right to disagree so... while I
appreciate the Dante-esque nature of Monica's statement that
there's
"no hope in Hell for anyone," I don't agree. I'm more of the
C.S.
Lewis/George MacDonald view of Hell. Lilith and The Great Divorce
typify my
thoughts on Hell more than TBAA does.
But I am genuinely bothered by Monica talking to Willis after the
guard
tells her only to speak to the inmates once she's given
permission. I get that Willis needed someone to talk to as
much
as Luther did. But there are reasons for guidelines like
that and
Monica really should have respected the prison guard more, IMO.
I'm not crazy about Christopher Darden being cast in this. I
dunno. I guess I remain uneasy with the celebrity status
given to
people who participated in the OJ Simpson trial.
Lingering questions:
Okay... how does Andrew and/or God make Tess' car disappear
without
anyone noticing? I mean I realize there was a car theft
problem
but a car disappearing without actually been driven away???
You'd
think that might get some attention!
At what point did Willis figure out that Luther was his son, I
wonder? Did he know the whole time?
Parts
that made me feel
swoony:
Any time Andrew appears in the church. Cause that white
shirt...
very nice.
I feel so bad for Andrew when he sees that it's Samuel stealing
the
car. The way his face falls... augh. I wanna hug
him.
And tell him he did his best.
I'm really chilled by Willis' account of the "white dude" he saw
during
the gun fight that he was surprised didn't get "put out."
I'm
obviously not surprised Andrew wasn't shot but I just really hate
that
image. Just because I know Andrew can't die doesn't mean I
want
to think of him in that fatal of a situation. I wanna go sit
with
him under the Dyeland willow tree when I hear that sorta
stuff...
I really hate it in "The Root of All Evil" when that guy's
plotting to
kill Andrew. Same thing. I know he can't but... don't
like
the idea at all.
I also get chilled when Andrew follows Willis and the
"processional"
out of death row. Precisely because it does look like a
really
creepy processional with him the last member of it. I just
don't
want Andrew to be in those sorts of situations... I just
want him
to see nice things... It's one of those times, though, when
I'm
so impressed by him. He's so calm and dedicated and
strong...
The white shirt returns at the end... And Andrew's so cute
when
he assures Tess he actually upgraded the car. Even though he
seems a lil unsure about it. Lovely, lovely man...
Random thoughts:
I felt for Monica walking through the prison. That is *not*
a
comfortable feeling. Although I did find it odd that they
did the
pat down in a large hall with windows. When I toured a
prison for
class it was a small, windowless room with just the visitor and a
same
sex cop. That was better.
While I have my issues with Pastor George, I did feel for him when
he
had to urge Valerie to let Samuel be arrested. And then he
went
to pick Samuel up himself. I know my pastor has shown up at
court
dates for his parishioners so this episode makes me think of him
and
his dedication.
A Word from Travis:
This is my second favorite episode of season 3 as I enjoyed
the acting, the surprise family connections and the overall
storytelling. I’m aware of Ms. Debbie Allen’s work as the
producer-director on “A different World” but I wasn’t so aware of
her work as an actress. I realize that sometime after, De'aundre
Bonds (Luther) spent several years in prison. This episode is
great to show to middle and high schoolers that they can see that
violence isn’t the answer. With choices come consequences and both
Luther and his father, Willis, paid the price. However, God gave
Willis a second chance and he was able to enter into heaven and
Luther was able to speak to his brother so he didn’t go down the
same destructive path. The most emotional part of the episode is
when Luther was able to speak to his brother, outside of prison,
briefly, encouraging him to make better choices. The scene with
Tess revealing herself as an angel to the mother, encouraging her
that, with God, her life as well as Dre’s life would still be
worthwhile (coupled with the background music) was just excellent.
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