The Fosters Roundtable 5×04 “Too Fast, Too Furious”

The Fosters 5×04 “Too Fast, Too Furious” is all about the teenage relationships, for better or worse

In The Fosters 5×04 Callie (Maia Mitchell) is considering taking things to the next level with new boyfriend Aaron. Meanwhile, Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) gets into roller derby and has more than enough bruises to show for it. Jesus (Noah Centineo) continues to struggle with the symptoms of his TBI, and with his relationship with girlfriend Emma (Amanda Leighton). Brandon (David Lambert) attempts to balance his new relationship with Grace while helping out ex-girlfriend Cortney.

RELATED | The Fosters 5×04 Synopsis and Promo Photos

So many familiar faces returned this episode, including Cole, AJ, and Cortney. When the exes come around, there’s always a lot to talk about. There are so many differing opinions regarding the various Fosters’ love interests, it made a perfect subject for this week’s roundtable.

Here to discuss the incredibly eventful love lives of our favorite family is our roundtable.

Nicole (@ndintelman34) – TVAfterDark writer, supermom, & domestic violence advocate

Heather (@toolsforbalance) – MEd, Educational Consultant

Tay (@ImSoBrallie) – Student, Frequent Crier, Writer

Lewis (@LewisRHS) – Actor and Musical Theater Performer

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1.Ex-love interests ruled the episode this week. Of all of Callie’s former and current boyfriends, who is your favorite and why?

Nicole (@ndintelman34): That’s easy. Brandon. I think he’s the only one that’s ever really understood her fully. All of the others she’s seem to just use as fillers.

Heather (@toolsforbalance): Not Brandon, for SURE! I’m SUCH a fan of her current squeeze-Aaron! And isn’t it damn time that a human face was put on trans person! I wanted things to work out with AJ, but he was unstable going into it, so I was waiting for things not to work out. AJ has lots of his own issues to work out, just like Callie. I love than Aaron is SUPER stable and kind-she needs that.

Tay (@ImSoBrallie):  Um, does Brandon count? Lol, well besides him – definitely Aaron! I think he understands her on a deeper level more than AJ and Wyatt ever did. He’s been there for her through a lot of hard moments, and never made her feel like it was HER making it that way.

Lewis (@LewisRHS): Brandon has always been my favourite. Throughout the series I felt that Callie and Brandon had the best chemistry and that they share a strong connection. Through the adoption of Callie this has had a clear impact on their past relationship but it is clear by the start of Season Five that the two have a strong bond.

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2. Okay, how about Brandon? Which of his lady loves do you like best?

Nicole: LOL. Callie. Same with Callie. Brandon gets involved with girls too fast because he seems to just need someone there so he doesn’t go after what he really wants.

Heather: I’m ok with his current girlfriend. She’s not Callie, but I REALLY was never a fan of Brallie-ever….I want him to find a girl version of Aaron-someone sweet and supportive.

Tay: (Can I make the same joke about Brallie or is it no longer funny??) But really, definitely Callie. Besides her – Grace seems really cool so far! She’s such a cutie, and I love her daily scary things.

Lewis: Aside from Callie I am really interested in his relationship with Grace. I like her spontaneity and her ability to take risks. I believe that Grace is helping Brandon to grow as a person and therefore show a different side to him.

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3. Do you support Mariana’s new love for roller derby or are you at all concerned for her?

Nicole: I’m concerned for her because she’s lying to her parents and also because the one girl on the team seems to have it out for her. I’m not sure it’s because the coach sees something in Mariana or what but she needs to watch her back. Mariana is desperate for friends right now and she’s being a bit too trusting.

Heather: Do you support Mariana’s new love for roller derby or are you at all concerned for her?
I think she needs a reset and this is PERFECT! This is a chance for her to clear her head and be different in her life! Stef is totally going to KILL her, but I think it’s great! I see Stef seeing bruises and worrying if Mariana’s being abused by a boyfriend. OR….is there a possibility of her experimenting with her friend from Roller Derby?? Interesting to see what happens!

Tay:  I definitely think this could be so good for Mariana. She’s been through a lot of really horrible things lately that have put her in such vulnerable positions. She needs to feel tough! I love the idea of her being surrounded by these other really strong young women, as well. Hopefully that doesn’t go south.

Lewis:  I love that Mariana has taken up roller derby. After everything that Mariana has been through the last few seasons I think that she needs this to be able to find a way to express her emotion and focus on something new. I’m unsure as to where this storyline is going to lead to but I hope that it is able to demonstrate the passion and drive that Mariana has as an individual.

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4. What, in your opinion, was the highlight of this episode?

Nicole: I think the highlight of this episode was Callie being honest with Aaron. She needed to tell him that she wasn’t really ready for a sexual relationship. She moves too fast with guys and finally she’s slowing things down for a chance. It’s important for her personal development.

Heather: To be honest, seeing Emma call Jesus on his shit was refreshing! He may have a TBI with poor impulse control, but he’s still 100% responsible for his behaviour. He needs to clean things up with Brandon-BIG TIME!

Tay: Callie talking to AJ was a highlight for me. I felt like the show went from AJ to Aaron so fast, I got whiplash! Now AJ and Callie got at least a little bit of closure, and they both got to say what they were feeling. It felt like their relationship finally got an ending.

Lewis: The moment that stands out to me is the roller derby scenes with Mariana. It’s really refreshing to see her trying to move on from everything she has been through and therefore not have to focus on the continuous family drama.

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5. How do you feel about Callie turning to Cole for advice about Aaron?

Nicole: I think that’s wrong for any relationship. The last thing you want to do is alienate your partner. Especially about sex. Guys are especially sensitive if they think you’re talking to someone else about issues in the bedroom.

Heather: I thought it was smart and sensitive! She may not have handled it well, but at least it was a compassionate and understandable thing to do.

Tay: I understand where she was coming from. But she definitely should’ve just gone to Aaron about it. He’s the only person who truly knows what his wants and needs are.

Lewis: I understand why Callie felt that she should talk to Cole as he is able to offer valuable support and be there for Callie. However, I think that Callie should have considered how Aaron would respond to her speaking to Cole as it is a sensitive subject for him and therefore he prefers to keep his private life between them.

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6. Let’s talk about Emma. Twitter seems mixed about her right now. How do you feel about her at the moment? Is she handling the situation well, in your opinion?

Nicole: No, she’s not. I understand she may be frightened but she needs to go to Jesus’s moms or to him himself. She’s also being awful to Mariana. Like seriously awful. Right now I just can’t stand her.

Heather: Let’s talk about Emma. Twitter seems mixed about her right now. How do you feel about her at the moment? Is she handling the situation well, in your opinion?
Not a fan of her attitude towards Mariana, AT ALL…however, as I said, she needed to talk to Jesus and be honest with him.

Tay:  Ugh, she’s being SO mean to Mariana! That’s really been rubbing me the wrong way. I think her speech to Jesus was justified though. I just can’t help but have sympathy for everyone on this show!

Lewis: I think that Emma is handling it well considering how intense the last couple of months have been. Emma has not had a lot of support and therefore is allowed to respond the way she has been. I think that she should have spoken to Jesus before her abortion and this would have resolved the situation before it happened but ultimately the decision is hers.

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7. Here’s a tough question: tell me who your very favorite Foster is and why.

Nicole: Callie has always been my favorite. She continues to struggle and bounce back no matter what happens to her. I’m anxious to see where she goes next and that makes me tune in each week.

Heather: Without question, it’s Stef and has been from the beginning. She parents the same way I do and I would want a partner and wife as loyal and hardworking as Stef. My girlfriend is a LOT like her in many ways-direct, strong, intelligent, super-involved Mom. And let’s face it, Teri is hot and SO funny!

Tay: Definitely Callie! I really connect with her journey. She’s inspired me so much throughout the past four years. I love watching her grow and change – yet still stay the same selfless, brave, (often reckless) young woman!

Lewis: Callie is my favourite as she is an inspiring individual. Throughout her whole life she has been faced with challenges and the show has been able to show her growth as a person. I think that the mistakes she has made has allowed her to grow and therefore become an inspiring and motivated individual.

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Final Verdict: The Fosters move a little fast, but we aren’t at all furious

This episode was heavily focused on the teens, but that’s not a bad thing (although, we totally missed Jude.) In fact, the only infuriating thing in “Too Fast, Too Furious” was Cortney, and the fact that Brandon continues to sacrifice both his time and his happiness for her. It appears that Callie (who our roundtable nearly unanimously agreed is the best) will call him on it next week, so maybe that will soon change. On the adult side of things, Mike and Ana are engaged!! Here’s to hoping it works out for those two and remains as drama free as possible on a show like The Fosters.

The Fosters returns next Tuesday, August 8th at 8/7C on Freeform.