The Family on ABC

[SmoothLover]

I have to give the writers credit for this series because they are keeping me guessing as to what the heck is going on and where they are going to take the storyline.

[Mr Roxy]

Same here. Hard to follow as it keeps jumping back and forth between the past and present. The plan us apparently to do 13 weeks and if renewed do a story re a different family. No idea where they would go with this after the secret is revealed. Nowhere to go of interest with the family.

 

 

[SmoothLover]

Oh well that makes sense. Sort of like Secrets and Lies. It seems to be a new way of approaching these programs and I rather like it.

[Jordan Catalano]

It's Joan Allen. The show could be awful and it would still be fantastic because she's in it. But I've really been enjoying this series so far. The writing is great and is always one step ahead of the audience, taking the story in a new direction just when you thought you've figured something out. 

[CarlosAlberto]

I just loved watching the Family on ABC! One of my all time favorite shows. Produced by Mike Nichols and Created by Jay Presson Allen. Wish they would release the rest of the show on DVD. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Whoops wrong show! 

 

 

[John Adams]

The premise of this show is almost identical to the plot of, The Deep End of the Ocean. Although that movie had mixed reviews, I wonder if this TV show isn't capitalizing on the popularity of Room.

Jordan Catalano said: "It's Joan Allen. The show could be awful and it would still be fantastic because she's in it."

Agreed. She was particularly amazing in this past Sunday's episode. I think all the major characters (the family members) are outstanding. I've been in love with Rupert Graves since Maurice. Allison Pill, Zack Gilford and especially Liam James are excellent in their roles, too.

I don't agree about the writing, though. I've been very frustrated by the painfully slow pace at which the story has been revealed, and I also hate how incredibly inept the supporting characters are written (in particular,  the police and medical staff). I don't want to include any spoilers by being more specific, but I agree with the recaps and reviews at both Vulture and The A.V. Club (read at your own risk regarding spoilers).

Mr. Roxy said: "The plan [is] apparently to do 13 weeks and if renewed do a story re a different family."

I hadn't read that anywhere, but I did read that the show is most likely going to be cancelled due to low ratings. If the show were to be renewed, there are plenty of plot opportunities to fill a second season using this same family scenario. ...especially if the show moves at the snail's pace of revelations in season 1.

In spite of my frustrations, I'm riveted to watching every Sunday. The acting is amazing. Every week I'm impressed by how the actors make me believe the most incredibly unbelievable scenarios the writers have concocted. It's maddening that I don't get answers to the mysteries due to how improbably stupid and inept the minor characters are written, but I still crave the answers. When some of the answers are finally revealed (like in this past Sunday's episode), I'm happy to say I'm not disappointed. I just wish there was a more satisfying way to get there.

I hated LOST for similar reasons, and skipped several seasons because of it. When I picked it back up for the last weeks before the final episode, I didn't feel like I'd missed anything at all. Because of the use of flashbacks, I feel like I could have skipped over 2 or 3 of The Family's initial episodes and been OK to have come back for last Sunday's (I wouldn't have missed much).

[SmoothLover]

I do have to say that the father's American accent sounds like a new region of the world that has not appeared on any map. And Joan could be the grandmother of her children but I think the show is a fun Sunday night diversion. A friend of mine said it would be interesting if Adam was not really dead and I agree.

[Mr Roxy]

Adam is alive and well and resides on BWW.

[Mister Matt]

The premise of this show is almost identical to the plot of,The Deep End of the Ocean.

 

Unless I missed something vital recently,  the only thing I think they have in common is a family with a missing boy. 

[SmoothLover]

No I think the captor has Adam in the potting shed under the floorboard. He separated the boys because he was jealous they were so close. 

[SmoothLover]

Bump. Does anyone know how many more episodes there are?

[Jordan Catalano]

3 more episodes. 

[EricMontreal22]

You really can't think too much while watching this--the amount it relies on coincidences (I still don't have the names down--but molestor guy happened to use the abductor for his shelves and happened to need him again?)  Still, I'm surprised at how much I enjoy it.

[Jordan Catalano]

I don't think any of those are coincidences. 

[EricMontreal22]

So pock mark man made sure that the drawers wouldn't work in the hopes that in ten years, after one of the kids he kidnaps has escaped and moved into the family home of the other kid he kidnapped, the guy across the street would call him again?

[SmoothLover]

When you think about it the show is like a soap opera but Joan Allen given her pedigree raises the bar much like the lead in How To Get Away With Murder.

[Mr Roxy]

This gives many soap operas a run for their money. She elevates it.

[SmoothLover]

I keep thinking the older son is going to be part of a twist given that his role is much slighter than everyone else's but it is only a guess.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Really enjoying this. McCarthy and Allen are MAGNIFICENT. Alison Pill is also terrific. 

[John Adams]

What did you all think about <whatever that video technique was> used to make Joan Allen look 10 years younger in the flashbacks? I was scared (scarred even)...

[SmoothLover]

A friend of mine thinks that the parents look silly in the flashbacks. I have gotten to used to the convention so I don't  think that much about it anymore.

[bfreak]

So does anyone have any thoughts as to what Ben probably did to Adam? I'm really loving this show as well, personally?

[SmoothLover]

I guess the man who abducted the two boys must have threatened Ben in some way (probably to expose some truths) which in turn is keeping Ben quiet. 

[SmoothLover]

Bump. Of course the real surprise would be that Adam is still alive.

[Mr Roxy]

He currently lives in NY and spends his days and nights as a line sittter.