In the November 2 episodes, the family is divided. It is spring break week and Amy has had a speaking engagement planned in Wisconsin. Matt, whether inadvertently or intentionally, plans a family sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands. Amy claims she cannot go because of her prior commitment, and the family is forced to take sides in the debate.
This episode left a bad taste in my mouth for a number of reasons:
1) Amy has proven to be manipulative and sides with her children over her husband. Her feelings were hurt and she felt excluded, which is normal, but instead of being mature about it, she allowed the kids to take sides and even encouraged the kids to side against Matt. And why did she never suggest postponing the speaking engagement due to conflicting family obligations? Why was this never an option for her?
2) Zach lacks maturity and is proving to be a "mama's boy." Zach is an adult--at least numerically (he hasn't proven to be very mature, however). Fine, if he doesn't want to go on a family trip, it's his loss, but he should in no way be allowed to guilt Molly into not going as well. He could have been mature about it and could have told his mom that he was sorry she couldn't go, but he chose to throw fuel on the fire and make a big deal out of it. He and his mom tend to feel sorry for themselves.
3) Molly is a wimp. Molly felt torn between siding with Matt and Amy, but chose Amy because of Zach's manipulation. Instead of doing what she wanted to do--take the trip and see the world (how many times has she mentioned her love for geography and wanting to travel?)--she chose to be manipulated by Zach.
4) Zach is envious of Jeremy. Jeremy is more mature than Zach and enjoys having a good time. He's more creative and proactive than his brother and has more friends and deeper friendships-- and this burns Zach up. I've never seen him verbalize it before, but he was fuming about the bond between Jer and Jacob Mueller. C'est la vive. Zach is beginning to see that Jeremy will undoubtedly have a more fun and successful life than his brother, and it pisses him off.
5) Matt's health is deteriorating, and no one seems to care. It was painful just to watch Matt manipulate the steps on the trip or even just walk with his crutches. His cartillage is deteriorating and his mobility is decreasing, and you'd think his family would rally round him at this time. There's a chance he may one day soon become immobile. Why the family couldn't mobilize and unify to take this trip together with Matt's health in the balance is puzzling. As Dr. Phil says, "Do you want to be right, or do you want to be married?"
6) Jacob is a lost boy. I feel the most for Jake. He was obviously torn between his parents' wishes. I hated that Amy didn't comfort him more. He is a child who has difficulty verbalizing his emotions, but his body language speaks volumes. He was practically writhing on the hall floor. Instead of easing his mind, Amy allowed Zach and Molly to continue with their little rebellion and left poor Jacob to make his own decision. Amy should have put a stop to it by forcing underage Molly to go on the trip (didn't she make a big deal when Matt committed a faux pas, calling the vacation a father-son trip on the phone with his dad, excluding Molly?). But no, she allowed Zach to have his little ally (hooray, another one for her side), and left Jacob to flounder.
7) This family is in trouble. It's one thing when parents disagree. What married couple doesn't? But when the line is drawn in the sand and children begin to choose sides, there's real trouble. Jeremy will go Matt's way; Zach and Molly will go with their mother. And Jake will be a boy who feels like he has no one.
No comments:
Post a Comment