The Fosters Season 5 Episode 21 Review: Turks & Caicos
Jasmine Blu
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Weddings bring out the best and worst in people, but sometimes, they bring up unresolved feelings.
On The Fosters Season 5 Episode 21, everyone was coping with unresolved and mixed feelings.
The gorgeous backdrop of the Turks & Caicos couldn't distract from all the tension and angst.
The cast seemed to enjoy the beautiful island. It was like a reward for all of their hard work over the years. There were a few authentic moments that felt like the cameras accidentally captured them and tossed them into the episode.
There was a downside to a destination wedding in paradise. Sweet Corey couldn't go. He was all packed and ready to go when his social worker came with some bad news.
I like Corey despite only knowing him for a short while. I hate that the series is ending before his intricate story arc can be properly explored and resolved.
Scott: The judge rescinded the permission to take Corey to the wedding.
Stef: What?
Jesus: That's bullshit.
Stef: No way!
His birth mother is determined to get her son back. She worked to become 30 days sober and already wants visitation. I can somewhat understand her fear, and she had every right to do it, but I was so upset that she kept Corey from leaving the country for the wedding.
He was so excited about being a Best Man. The move to sideline him felt like the series wanted to focus more on the core family as we say goodbye. It's a pity because Corey is a lovely addition, and it would have been amazing if we saw him interacting with the others more.
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I wasn't the only one upset; Stef was livid. Both moms were upset, but Stef was more emotional than she typically is. We may not have witnessed Stef and Corey's relationship develop, but it's obvious that Stef loves Corey like her own son and has a special bond with him.
Their relationship is reminiscent of the close bond Lena and Jude had many years ago. Lena is playing it cool and careful with Corey's adoption because she doesn't know if his mother will regain custody, but Stef, on the other hand, is attached.
The moms are experiencing a role reversal. Stef is the optimistic one this time. She even promised to take Corey to the Turks & Caicos when they adopt him. If moms are unable to adopt Corey, who wants to be with moms and not his birth mother, I don't know what Stef will do.
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Stef and Corey are the cutest, but you know what? So are Corey and Jesus! It was very telling that Jesus spoke to the social worker first. Then Jesus stuck around for the chat and was as passionate and vocal about what was happening and speaking as if Corey was his own.
We rarely saw Jesus play the role of older brother. He had a few protective twin moments, but Corey brings out the warm, fuzzy, affectionate brother in Jesus, and it's unlike anything we've seen over the years with his other siblings.
Jesus didn't hesitate when volunteering to stay back and watch Corey. He was willing to give up an all expense paid trip to the Turks & Caicos and his position as a groomsman in his own brother's wedding. If that's not love, I don't know what is!
Whereas I can read between the lines to understand Stef and Corey's close relationship, I almost wish there were flashbacks to better understand how Corey and Jesus came to be so close.
Eliza: Once everyone settles into their rooms, my parents are having a little welcome lunch.
Stef: Hm. A welcome lunch. I wonder if they're going to actually let us host the rehearsal dinner tonight?
Lena: Of course, they will.
Stef: They won't let us marry them. Obviously, they want us to have nothing to do with this wedding.
Lena: Will you try to behave yourself?
Stef: I always behave myself.
I guess we should be thankful that some relationships are warm and fuzzy because we're not getting any of that from the parents. I'm still on Team Stef. Lena scolded Stef for her behavior, but Stef is exhibiting incredible restraint.
I briefly wondered if I was too judgmental in regards to Eliza's parents. Perhaps they weren't as bad as they came across. Nope, I stand by my stance on them being awful.
Related: The Fosters Season 5 Episode 19 Review: Many Roads
What kind of fancy bubble do these people live in where they clutch their pearls over tattoos? Their reaction to Stef's back tattoo was absurd. You would've thought she flashed her boob or butt.
Diane and Jim buying Eliza and Brandon a condo and announcing at the dinner so they could upstage Stef and Lena was such a dick move, oh my gosh! I'm not saying I hate them, but I they're not likable in the least bit.
Diane's inability to say anything without being offensive is almost laughable. She can't be this obtuse. Someone needs to put out a search party for her tact.
Diane's inquiries about Corey's custody situation were insincere. The most cringe-worthy moment was Diane's "real parents" faux pas about the birth parents of the adoptive kids. She was flippant after being corrected and then reiterated the same point when asking questions. There was nothing innocent about that blunder.
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Although, Diane's comment about Brandon's father marrying the twins' birth mother is a reminder of how unusual the Foster family is to outsiders. Of course, it also confirmed that Diane and Jim are deliberate and calculated and did, in fact, plan the wedding a specific way. They want to cut back on the number of Fosters attending and mingling with their friends and family.
Diane: Do your other adoptive kids ever see their real parents?
Stef: We're their real parents.
Diane: Oh, of course. I mean their real mothers and fathers.
How unfair is it that a family as huge and close as Brandon's can't attend his wedding? None of his grandparents can attend, and Ana can't travel. It's like every interaction with Eliza's parents is designed to make us dislike them, and it trickled down to Eliza as well.
Eliza not speaking to Brandon about the conversation she overheard is a bad sign. Instead, Eliza let all of her feelings fester, and she became passive aggressive with both Brandon and Callie.
If Brandon and Eliza can't communicate with one another now, then why should they get married? She's already picking fights with him for taking on a job while they're celebrating. It's ridiculous.
Eliza: Why don't you go back to your room and work on your short?
Brandon: Why so you can accuse me of not being present?
Eliza kept reminding him that his latest score assignment is unpaid, and all it did was support Brandon's assertion that she's too privileged to understand certain things.
Eliza immediately landed her dream job at the Philharmonic right out of college, but that's not the case for the majority of college graduates. Most artists know that unpaid projects are still great exposure and can lead to paid opportunities.
Eliza's experiences with her father growing up may have clouded her judgment. A drunken Carter even teased that she has certain expectations and she always gets what she wants.
This leads me to believe Jim isn't the only one pushing for this prenup.
Jamie is the MVP of the hour and the best member of Eliza's family. He's aware of how much of an asshole his father is, and he knew that prenup would be horrible for Brandon. It spoke volumes that Jim sprung it on Brandon days before the wedding leaving Brandon scrambling to have a lawyer look it over.
Jim hoped Brandon wouldn't be able to find someone to look it over in time. I know Diane has been the one I've spoken about the most because she makes most of the rude comments, but Jim is slimy. I can't stand that guy.
Jamie: What were you and my sister talking about, the prenup?
Callie: You know about that? Have you read it?
Jamie: No, but I know my father, and I'm sure it's not entirely fair Brandon.
Did any of you catch the comment he made about his wife at the dinner? Also, I didn't miss his reaction to Lena saying she was running for Assembly. Like, we know you won't vote for Lena because she's a Democrat, Jim. You don't need to be so obvious about it though.
Eliza was a bit pissy when Brandon asked Callie about it, but that's the perk of having a sibling who is an attorney. Eliza's concern over Brandon and Callie's relationship has some merit though.
Callie and Brandon's poolside talk is proof that there is still romantic chemistry and unresolved feelings between them. It is possible that were dormant until that moment.
They have a special bond, and they get one another better than most, but that doesn't have to be romantic. Callie's reservations about Eliza and the wedding are valid and don't necessarily have to be about romance or jealousy either.
Brandon should have doubts about this marriage, but as much as it appears as though they tie into his feelings for Callie, they don't. Not really. There isn't a doubt in my mind that after the romantically charged moment between Brandon and Callie, it's Eliza who will be at Brandon's door.
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Callie is headed to Jamie's room. I'm grateful they called a truce and Callie told him why she was treating him a certain way. Callie and Jamie are not something long-term, but they would be excellent friends (with benefits).
Callie: She thinks I don't want you to marry her.
Brandon: Maybe I don't want to marry her. I'm just suddenly questioning if she's the one.
Callie: Why are you having doubts? Because of the prenup?
Brandon: I mean, it's everything, you know? I'm suddenly questioning if she really even gets me, you know? Maybe nobody does.
Callie: I get you.
Brandon: You're the only person who has ever really taken care of me. Like when you found me at Coachella because you knew I would be there. If you hadn't brought me back I don't know what I would have done. I think you're the person that I trust most in the world.
Callie: Ditto.
There is some chemistry between Jude and Carter, too. Jim and Diane noticed it, and Jim is not pleased. You can't help but feel bad for Carter. You can tell he's a guy struggling with his sexuality and hiding it from his parents.
Jude is the perfect person to help him. When he cut Carter off from drinking, put him to bed, and politely declined Carter's sexual advances, it was the Jude we know best.
Jude has grown up. The sad part is how distance he is from his family, including Callie. I liked that the two siblings had an open and honest discussion about the Prep.
Callie: Should I be worried? Are you having safe sex?
Jude: If I was a girl, would you act the same way if this was birth control? Would you suddenly assume I was going to be unsafe?
Callie: If you were a 19-year-old girl hooking up with a lot of people then yeah. I would be just as worried. It's not just HIV you have to think about. There are STI's.
Jude: Look, the CDC recommends prep for all sexually active gay men, ok? I'm being responsible. And just because you haven't hooked up with anyone in 5 years doesn't mean you should be uptight about everybody else's sex life.
Callie: How would you know anything about my sex life?
Jude: You know what, you're right. I guess I wouldn't since we barely talk.
I had no idea that the CDC recommended that sexually active gay men take it. It's a relief that it wasn't something worse. I understood why Callie's concern, and in her defense, Jude has been off. Moms noticed it too, and I'm waiting for them to talk to him about it and give him a mama sandwich.
In the meantime, the twins need a "get along" shirt. They both have reasonable positions. Mariana is protective of her brother, but Jesus is annoyed that she can never mind her own business.
This is why your best friend and your brother dating is a terrible idea. Mariana couldn't let her brother enjoy himself with Jayden. She knew Emma was heartbroken after the breakup, and she is hoping Emma and Jesus will reunite.
Jesus: You just had to tell me about her job offer in India.
Mariana: What, so you would just rather her pass up this amazing opportunity and you never know about it?
Jesus: Yes, absolutely, because then we d still be together, but as usual, you can't shut your mouth about things that aren't your business. And when you decide which of your multiple job offers you want to take, please pick the one that's as far away from me as possible.
Mariana was dead wrong for cockblocking Jesus by telling Jayden he was gay. Don't even get me started on her telling Ashley that Mat gave her crabs. Why would she keep telling people that? Who does that?
Mariana is still one of the more annoying characters of the bunch, and her bouts of immaturity are worse when we know she's in her twenties now. Think of all that "good trouble" she and Callie will get into together. Oh boy!
Of course, Mariana was projecting her own relationship issues with Mat on Jesus. It turns out Mariana and Mat had their very own Ross and Rachel "we were on a break" moment, and that's why they weren't getting along.
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Everything about their tiff was childish and irritating up until Mat's smooth line after stumbling upon Mariana crying. You know what? Fine, they can reunite. I'll allow it.
Mariana isn't following Callie's advice about doing things that she'll regret, but who is to say that Mariana will regret hooking up with Mat again? If anything, Callie needs to follow her own advice with this Brandon situation, but I digress.
In the perfect world, the only wedding that will take place is another one between Stef and Lena as they renew their vows for the third time. Everyone else is a disaster in true Foster fashion.
Brandon and Eliza are not meant to be, and it has nothing to do with Callie. Brandon should just throw that whole family away and try again with someone else.
Mat: Hey, you OK?
Mariana: I thought you'd be back in your room with Ashley by now.
Mat: Ashley's not the one I want to take back to my room.
It breaks my heart that so many interesting storylines are establishing, and we'll never get to see many of them unfold because only one hour of the series remains.
It's rude and disrespectful getting us this invested.
How do you feel about the second part of this series finale event? Should Brandon and Eliza get married? Will Brandon and Callie make a reckless decision that could cost them everything?
Hit the comments, and watch The Fosters online if you missed anything!
Jasmine Blu is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. She is an insomniac who spends late nights and early mornings binge-watching way too many shows and binge-drinking way too much tea. Her eclectic taste makes her an unpredictable viewer with an appreciation for complex characters, diverse representation, dynamic duos, compelling stories, and guilty pleasures. You'll definitely find her obsessively live-tweeting, waxing poetic, and chatting up fellow Fanatics and readers. Follow her on X.
