<p>I don’t like the spoilers, but I suspect they are trying to make sure the ratings are as high as they can be as they await word on whether the show will be renewed. </p>
<p>I also think they did a better job resolving the Natalie/Drew story line than I expected. Natalie was honest and open about how she felt and why she slept with Berto. </p>
<p>And how hard Hank tried with Amber was really good–especially the scene where he reaches out tentatively and then rubs her back. </p>
<p>Also, this isn’t an issue for us because both boys are more than 1,000 miles away, but do parents whose kids are close just drop in on their kids unannounced? I don’t think my kids would be thrilled with that.</p>
<p>My kids aren’t close enough to do that, either. I think the answer is generally “No”; any unannounced dropping-by goes in one direction only. However, in defense of the show, it’s not like Sarah “Boundaries” Braverman doesn’t do stuff like this all the time, to everyone she knows. (You know it’s TV, because she goes to her son’s dorm room unannounced, and he’s actually there.)</p>
<p>I thought Kristina’s scene with Gwen was very moving and also realistic, in terms of Gwen not being able to respond and speak to her. Loved the episode.</p>
<p>Dropping in on college student : I would never, but definitely could see Sarah doing that.<br>
Natalie/Drew: Still don’t love Natalie, but I don’t hate her as much.
Found the scene with Christina and Gwen very touching.<br>
New school. They keep talking about some awful developer and I can’t help but think that might be who bought the Braverman compound and that that will be an issue.
I kind of liked Julia in this episode. She realized she made a mistake and was straight-forward about it.<br>
I think Joel is realizing what a complete idiot he was.
All the Hank scenes were great, especially the scenes with Hank and Amber.
Previews: I had to pause the screen because at first it didn’t look like the Haddie character was being played by the original actress, but now I think that it is. </p>
<p>Tx5, at first I thought they were saying the developer was buying the homestead, which might make them cancel the contract. I think that still could be a twist. Can you tell that I don’t want them to sell the house?</p>
<p>You can’t just stroll into a dorm building. You need a swipe card. So let’s get past that and assume that Sarah talked some kid into letting her in. It is just not done. I had a two kids 3,000 miles away for college, one 25 miles away and one 60 miles away and I didn’t drop in on the ones who were local anymore than I dropped in on the ones across the country. Sarah has no boundaries at all. I was just waiting for her to spill to Adam that Julia had slept with teacher-guy. </p>
<p>The whole drop-in thing is because phone calls don’t play so well on TV (much less text messages!).</p>
<p>In defense (sort of) of Sarah, Drew stayed away from school for weeks and deserves some supervision. But my kid wouldn’t apply to schools less than 3 hours from home for fear that I would “want to surprise me by dropping in”. Or so she said.</p>
<p>Also in her defense, Sarah dropped in on Drew to take him a snack for finals. I always send my kids a care package before finals. If I could drop it off instead of mailing it, I MIGHT opt to do so. Of course I would call him first to arrange a time, not just drop in unexpectedly, like Sarah.</p>
<p>If anyone drops in on me unexpectedly, I don’t go to the door. Neither I nor my home is ever ready for a drop in. My D has a key so she doesn’t count. </p>
<p>I’ve always loved drop in visits from friends. But then I grew up in a small town and now live in a city, so it doesn’t happen much. But I love when a friend feels welcome and comfortable enough to drop by and visit. </p>
<p>As for dorms, it is not too hard to go in the doors when someone goes in or out. But, no, I would not drop in on my kid at college. I’d let them know I was coming. But with Drew having ditched for several weeks, I might do it, too. Especially given his relationship with his mom.</p>