Councils of Dads

I heard this show would be similarly written as This Is Us and it's true. If you like This Is Us then it's likely you'll be sucked into this show as well. Council of Dads thus far is well written and has a slightly far-fetched storyline but I enjoyed watching. There were already a few moments of eye-welling and that's impressive for a 41 minute show that has no previous backstory.

The problem is NBC is already pushing the storywriters' political beliefs too early for me to try to get around it.

Twenty minutes into the show and I'm hearing about how great Ruth Bader Ginsburg is (who the heck talks about her casually?) and a second wave of a transgender six year old kid that only an old, white, bigoted woman would bat an eye at. I'm surprised she wasn't wearing a Trump hat just to drive the point home.

I've heard the many complaints about this in sports, but it seems like we have no escape from politics. I would turn on MSNBC or FoxNews if I wanted to be indoctrinated. Leave the politics out and keep writing quality content. I would rate higher and watch more if they did.

This has really grown on me! Each episode has built on the one before, and now I'm hooked! I need to see where these characters go. Please renew for another season!!!

Yes, there are lots of little plot lines, yes there are multiple tv tropes at play and yes it is a tearjerker most episodes. It's also well written dialogue, and has characters that you can root for quickly, and the story lines are fast. It's not full of filler and unnecessary garbage. I think this is a show designed for today's smart tv viewer who doesn't have to have everything spelled out for them, and who isn't afraid to cry over characters in a tv show. And not for nothing, if you let it, this show can lead into some thoughtful discussions about some potentially tough subjects, like the best episodes of "This is Us".

As with any pilot, viewers endure more character introduction than plot. Unfortunately, the character introduction portion of this pilot was so heavy, bland and scattered, it completely dampened what might end up being a decent story. I was not immediately hooked. I'll give this another watch....maybe two. But right now, there is absolutely nothing going on that makes me want to spend much time attempting to find a reason to care about these characters.

Yes, this show is an attempt to provide us with a summer "This is Us." Yes, I will watch anything with Sarah Wayne Callies in it. Yes, this is an overwritten show. Yes, we're introduced to two young LGBTQ... family members in one family (I'm glad we're being sexually all-inclusive these days, but I actually would like to have one show without children struggling with their sexual identity. It starts to lose its importance and begins to come across as a plot ploy, which is disrespectful in itself.). BUT I find myself getting drawn in more and more with each new episode. AND I think I've cried through each episode- even when I know that's exactly what the writers want me to do.

So I suggest giving it a chance. No, it's not "This is Us," but it is a tender and sweet family show that will leave you feeling warm inside.