Tears Are Not Enough Part 2
Part Two of the Season 2 finale focuses on the aftermath of Craig's father's death. Craig initially deals with the news by pretending that everything is okay. He continues going about his daily routines; going to school, socializing with his friends. Everyone is surprised at how calm and casual he seems, considering what's just happened. His friends and teachers advise him to stay home and take some time off to mourn, but Craig is convinced that he's okay. As the episode progresses, his behavior becomes more and more unusual. He expresses excitement about attending the school dance shortly after news of his father's death. He even makes a joke about his father's car accident to his friends. Craig isn't displaying what one would consider "normal" mourning behavior, because he is avoiding mourning all together. However Joey tells Craig that "the pain will catch up to (him) eventually". Which we see happen. At the funeral service, Craig bursts into laughter when the person delivering Dr. Manning's eulogy says that he was a "dedicated father". Joey escorts Craig out of the funeral when he starts laughing hysterically. Craig tells Joey that he's glad his father is dead because he's finally gone for good.
At the school dance, Craig and Ashley win luau king and queen. Craig is ecstatic, until he thinks he sees his dad standing in the crowd while he's on stage accetping his award. Craig runs out into the crowd calling "dad!" "dad!" -- but when he realizes it was just his imagination, he storms out into the hallway and has a nervous breakdown. Ashley tries to calm him down, but he begins to freak out even more. He runs down the hallway to escape the dance, where Terri chases after him. Terri sits beside Craig and tries to calm him down. She can relate to what he's going through because she's lost a parent too. Craig confides in her and tells her that he's always wanted his father out of his life and he says that he should be happy that he's finally gone. But he doesn't understand why he isn't happy. Terri replies: "Because you loved him". The episode ends with Craig sitting beside Terri, crying.
We have another light hearted sub-plot to balance out the emotionally charged A plot. Several of the main characters battle it out to see who can win the title of luau king and queen.
This was a great episode. Craig experiences an array of emotions here. On the one hand, Craig despised his father for the physical abuse that he subjected him too. And he wants to revel in the fact that his father is gone and can never hurt him again. However, on the other hand, Craig loved his father. This is the man who raised him, who he's known all his life. It's hard to lose someone that close to you, even if that person caused you pain. We can really feel Craig's pain here and understand the unusual reaction he has to his father's death. The actor who portrays Craig (Jake Epstein) also does a top notch job here. The manic behavior, the inconsistent emotions that Craig experiences throughout the episode, Epstein gives a believable and sympathetic performance in portraying these emotions.
This episode has emotional impact, character development, and closure to a very powerful storyline.
The subplot was a little weak. But overall a good episode.
Grade: B+
At the school dance, Craig and Ashley win luau king and queen. Craig is ecstatic, until he thinks he sees his dad standing in the crowd while he's on stage accetping his award. Craig runs out into the crowd calling "dad!" "dad!" -- but when he realizes it was just his imagination, he storms out into the hallway and has a nervous breakdown. Ashley tries to calm him down, but he begins to freak out even more. He runs down the hallway to escape the dance, where Terri chases after him. Terri sits beside Craig and tries to calm him down. She can relate to what he's going through because she's lost a parent too. Craig confides in her and tells her that he's always wanted his father out of his life and he says that he should be happy that he's finally gone. But he doesn't understand why he isn't happy. Terri replies: "Because you loved him". The episode ends with Craig sitting beside Terri, crying.
We have another light hearted sub-plot to balance out the emotionally charged A plot. Several of the main characters battle it out to see who can win the title of luau king and queen.
This was a great episode. Craig experiences an array of emotions here. On the one hand, Craig despised his father for the physical abuse that he subjected him too. And he wants to revel in the fact that his father is gone and can never hurt him again. However, on the other hand, Craig loved his father. This is the man who raised him, who he's known all his life. It's hard to lose someone that close to you, even if that person caused you pain. We can really feel Craig's pain here and understand the unusual reaction he has to his father's death. The actor who portrays Craig (Jake Epstein) also does a top notch job here. The manic behavior, the inconsistent emotions that Craig experiences throughout the episode, Epstein gives a believable and sympathetic performance in portraying these emotions.
This episode has emotional impact, character development, and closure to a very powerful storyline.
The subplot was a little weak. But overall a good episode.
Grade: B+