Good Trouble is a spin off/sequel to the hit show The Fosters. I will do my best to keep this review as spoiler free as possible, but I make no promises. Overall I was very happy with this show. It follows Marianna and Callie, two sisters trying to carve out a life for themselves in Los Angeles.
Marianna is a technical engineer, working at an app startup company. Callie works as a lawyer’s clerk. This season focuses primarily on Callie’s case she is working as well as Marianna’s troubles at work (sexism, racism, among other problems).
The good parts about this show? It keeps a similar flow in regards to the writing and overall pacing of the show. It gets “bogged down” occasionally, but overall it does a great job. Callie and Marianna stick true to their core personalities from their previous show, The Fosters. Do you need to watch the show The Fosters to completely understand Good Trouble? In my opinion, no. We see glimpses of what’s going on with their brothers and their moms appear in a handful of episodes. It certainly helps to watch The Fosters before diving into Good Trouble, but it is not required.
Let’s get into the bad. The show has flaws that are pretty similar to where The Fosters ran into trouble. I understand that this show is overall classified as a drama. I accept that. However, there are times when it feels like it is adding drama, just for the sake of drama. Also, the social commentary with what is going on in our world at times feels painfully forced (there is a moment in the show where a woman tells another person “Check your privilege” in the middle of a conversation just to give an example).
There is a bizarre choreography number in the final episode of the first season (no singing, just dancing for clarification purposes). I understand the meaning behind it, but it felt incredibly out of place.
There is a character who contemplates suicide near the end of the first season. Overall, it is handled extremely well and tastefully.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the first season. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a new show to watch!
