Tears Are Not Enough Part 1
Part One of the Season 2 finale focuses on Craig's relationship with his abusive father. In the Season 2 premiere, When Doves Cry, we were introduced to Craig and we saw the abuse Craig was subjected to firsthand. As the season progressed, Craig eventually moved in with his stepfather, Joey. However, in this episode Craig's real father, Dr. Manning, returns. Craig hasn't seen his dad in months, (since the season premiere). Dr. Manning returns to apologize to Craig for his behavior, beg for forgiveness and ask Craig for a second chance to be a part of his life. He tells Craig that he's sought help and counceling for his anger issues, and that he's had time to reflect on his actions, deal with his issues, and strive to be a better father. When he resurfaces at the start of this episode, Craig is surprised to see him, and yet hesitant to re-build a relationship with him. However, Craig's dad remains persistent. He offers Craig help with his Science homework, he takes Craig out to dinner, he even buys Craig tickets to London -- where he wants Craig to travel with him during the summer. Things seem promising. And his father seems to be doing much better. However, when Dr. Manning asks Craig to move out of Joey's house and permenantly move back in with him, Craig rejects his offer. He's glad that his dad appears to be doing better, but he also realizes that Joey's house is a much more stable home to be in. When Craig rejects his father's offer, Dr. Manning storms out in the middle of dinner. Craig chases after him and the two get into a heated argument. Craig's father tells him that if he stays at Joey's he will waste all of his potential. He then insults Craig's girlfriend and makes a cheap crack about Joey being a car salesman. Craig reacts to this by pushing him. His father retaliates by backslapping Craig across the face; sending Craig flying across the ground. In that moment Craig realizes that his father hasn't changed at all. Dr. Manning then calls Craig a screw up, gets into his car and speeds off into traffic. Craig returns home to Joey's and tells him everything; he confesses that he's been seeing his father in secret the past few days. He also tells Joey that he hates his father and he wants to go to Children's Aid Services to make sure he never has to see his dad again. Joey agrees. The next morning the police arrive at Joey's house with news: Dr. Manning was in a car accident and he's died. The episode ends with Craig receiving the news; surprised and unsure of how to react.
The sub-plot is much more light hearted. Liberty agrees to tutor JT for finals, but in exchange he has to take her to the school dance.
This was a good episode. Craig wants to give his father a second chance. He desperately wants to believe that things will be different this time; that his father has truly changed. However, despite his wishes, deep down he is still hesitant to trust him. And there is still that shred of doubt that his father is capable of change at all -- as evidenced by a particularly disturbing scene...when Craig is at his father's studying, his dad snaps at him for not using a coaster for his drink. Craig then invisions his father attacking him with a belt. Even though it's just a brief thought, it feels real to Craig and even the mere possibility of it happening terrifies Craig to his very core.
The turning point in this episode, and this entire storyline really, is when Craig stands up to his dad, not once...but twice. When he rejects his dad's offer to move in and tells him point blank "Joey's is stable and that's where I need to be"...and again outside of the resteraunt when he tells his father that he "will never change". Craig is finally starting to realize his self worth, and refuses to be the victim any longer. He shows tremendous growth this episode compared to when we first meet him in the Season 2 premiere. When his father calls him a screw up, this time Craig responds "No dad, you're the screw up". The episode ends with a cliffhanger. As the words "...to be continued" appear on the screen when Craig receives the news of his father's death. We will have to tune into Part Two to see how he deals...
Overall, an emotionally charged episode that leaves us wanting more.
Grade: B+
The sub-plot is much more light hearted. Liberty agrees to tutor JT for finals, but in exchange he has to take her to the school dance.
This was a good episode. Craig wants to give his father a second chance. He desperately wants to believe that things will be different this time; that his father has truly changed. However, despite his wishes, deep down he is still hesitant to trust him. And there is still that shred of doubt that his father is capable of change at all -- as evidenced by a particularly disturbing scene...when Craig is at his father's studying, his dad snaps at him for not using a coaster for his drink. Craig then invisions his father attacking him with a belt. Even though it's just a brief thought, it feels real to Craig and even the mere possibility of it happening terrifies Craig to his very core.
The turning point in this episode, and this entire storyline really, is when Craig stands up to his dad, not once...but twice. When he rejects his dad's offer to move in and tells him point blank "Joey's is stable and that's where I need to be"...and again outside of the resteraunt when he tells his father that he "will never change". Craig is finally starting to realize his self worth, and refuses to be the victim any longer. He shows tremendous growth this episode compared to when we first meet him in the Season 2 premiere. When his father calls him a screw up, this time Craig responds "No dad, you're the screw up". The episode ends with a cliffhanger. As the words "...to be continued" appear on the screen when Craig receives the news of his father's death. We will have to tune into Part Two to see how he deals...
Overall, an emotionally charged episode that leaves us wanting more.
Grade: B+