The third episode of Council of Dads asks some tough questions.
The Perry family charges on in the shadow of a father’s death and the glow of new opportunities in the third episode of Council of Dads. Somewhere in between they are faced with some difficult questions about the future. Of course, the dads play a big role in navigating those choices.
To play or not to play
You may have noticed that 16 year-old Theo tends to be on the grumpy said. Larry has been able to cut through that ‘angsty’ demeanor, but now mom Robin could really use a hug from her son. Robin enlists the help of best friend and council dad Oliver to try to get through to the quiet teen, maybe help him find some happiness. Oliver does just that with a few roadblocks along the way.
Ollie takes a crack at gauging Theo’s interest in playing football. At first, Theo scoffs at the idea saying he “never makes teams”. A few quick moves with the soccer ball at Tess’s game prove that Theo is a natural at catching the ball. Oliver enjoys reliving his Duke football days practicing late into the evening.
Oliver passes on a call from husband Peter and arrives home late after helping Theo. Naturally, Peter is not happy about that. Robin is not thrilled either as she shows Oliver severe injury scans from former football players. She has fears about her son’s safety. All the while, Oliver is enjoying the excitement of football again and Theo is really excited about the prospect of playing. Robin says Theo is not allowed to play.
The fallout on football
Oliver talks to Robin about different ways teens can go at this age. He compared “kids who play in the park during the day, and kids who drink there at night”. We all know Scott was a recovering alcoholic. Yes, Theo could be injured playing football. Football could also be a positive outlet for Theo as he navigates this difficult time. Robin ends up surprising Theo with Oliver’s Duke football helmet. She tells him that she will allow him to play “against [her] better judgement”.
Showrunner Tony Phelan revealed on Twitter how they wanted to include both sides of the discussion before Robin makes a decision.
We also had huge discussions about football … pros and cons. And we wanted to show them both @CouncilofDads #CouncilofDads.
— Tony Phelan (@TonyTphelan) May 8, 2020
Peter opens up with Oliver about how hard is to be envious of Oliver helping Theo when the teen is missing his father. They do have a daughter of their own after all. Peter knows he has valid concerns, but the circumstances make him try to be more patient. Talking honestly with each other seems to help.
Telling a story without the whole story
Oh, boy! The big news dropped last week (to viewers, that is) about Anthony most likely being Luly’s biological father. It’s getting harder for Anthony to keep the secret when Luly probes him for details surrounding the time of her birth.
The aspiring writer wants to tell a true, even though sometimes difficult, story of her dad. She received poor feedback when tries to tell the story with sweet anecdotes. So, who better to get the scoop from then his best friend, Anthony?
Luly joins Anthony, Charlotte and JJ on a crabbing outing on the boat. This gives her time to get more information from Anthony. Anthony seems a little uncomfortable and Luly wants to know what he’s hiding. She says she already knows about the adoption just not a lot of the details. Anthony seems surprised that she knows. He describes a couple that wanted to adopt Luly before her dad finally decided he wanted to get clean and sober to raise his daughter. There were court proceedings and Scott was given custody. The adoptive couple kept Luly with them while a decision was being made.
Luly is encouraged about being able to write a true memoir of her dad. She thanks Anthony for helping her. Later that night, Anthony visits Luly’s birth mom Michelle and advises her that Luly is really digging around for the truth.
On the other hand, Larry chooses not to share details about Scott’s fall, albeit brief, off the wagon when his cancer returned. Larry also reminds her how she should be grateful that Scott quit drinking to raise her. We sense his own regrets about drinking through his children’s formative years.
To sell or not to sell
Larry has a lot of experience selling businesses. When the Gladwell Corporation approaches him about a bid to purchase the Crab Shack, Larry runs the numbers on Robin’s financials and thinks it would be a good idea to sell. After all, Scott’s medical costs have encroached upon the kids’ college fund.
Everyone is against the idea. Robin remembers Scott proposing at the restaurant and his signature “Scotty” sandwich. The kids have wonderful memories being there with their dad. Anthony says the Crab Shack was a huge part of Scott’s identity. No one wants to lose those memories.
Finally, Robin comes to a conclusion that she should sell the restaurant as long as Gladwell maintains the atmosphere and menu that Scott was known for. She wants to keep his memory alive while using the money to help her family move forward.
Gladwell (represented by Margot played by Hilarie Burton) agrees wholeheartedly. She even asks that Anthony remain in charge for at least a year. Anthony happily obliges.
On the ‘rings’ of love
JJ asks his mom why she is still donning her wedding rings. I love how JJ is so direct and doesn’t dance around awkward topics. Heck, maybe he is too young to even realize they are awkward, but it is endearing none the less. This question gives Robin some food for thought.
Someone at the ice cream (Leopold’s in Savannah) asks questions about her rings and she ends up having to explain that she is a widow. After her efforts to keep things moving forward, Robin decides to move her wedding band to a chain around her neck.
Future concerns
Evan struggles with whether or not to return to college for architecture, especially given $75,000 debt he would incur. Additionally, the school is planning a project that very much sounds like gentrifying his childhood neighborhood, Cuyler-Brownsville.
Evan is proud of the history of his old neighborhood, which was completely erected by freed slaves. Evan wants to help the neighborhood for those who already live there. He surprises Luly telling her that he wants to invest in one of the neighborhood homes and refurbish it. She agrees.
In other news:
- Anthony talks to Larry about how he left his restaurant Pelago. Does this mean permanently or temporarily? We do learn that he is staying in the Perry guest house while he searches for his own home in Savannah.
- There seem to be a few sparks flying between Anthony and Margot, or at least some good old-fashioned flirtation.
- Larry has a chance encounter with his estranged daughter Lauren when his granddaughter Ivy stops to say hello to JJ at the Crab Shack. Lauren pulls Ivy away from Larry and JJ and questions if JJ and baby Hope are his “new” kids. Larry tells her he is helping out their family. Laura asks why he couldn’t do that for his own family and walks away.
Come back for another all-new episode of Council of Dads next Thursday at 8/7c on NBC!
Revisit notes on episode 2 here.
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