Good Trouble review: Tackling politics for a new generation

The third episode of Good Trouble, “Allies,” aired this week, and more pieces of the puzzle finally came together.

As we’ve previously seen in the five seasons of The Fosters that aired on television, these creators have never been those to stray from relevant topics facing our society right now, and this especially reigned true in this week’s episode of Good Trouble. Politics is here, and it’s here to stay.

A recurring theme in the first season of this show is racism in the judicial system, a topic that I believe other TV shows are afraid to truly tackle. The creators of Good Trouble, instead, are facing it head-on, as Callie clerks the Jamal Thompson case. It’s a story that is far too common in our society today, but a story not many people understand very well. I’m glad they chose to make this specific case the first season of the show, setting them up for a platform that all ages can learn something from.

Not everything about this new Freeform spin-off is political, though, and that’s what makes it so relatable. At its core, this show is a family drama based around two sisters in their mid-20s, facing problems with romantic relationships, their roommates, and of course, with each other. They’re tackling racism, misogyny, and sexuality, but ultimately, the show is about living in Los Angeles as a millennial in the current social media climate.

It’s fascinating to see how part of the story is told via text message, Twitter, and Instagram, because it’s something that I, myself, as a 27-year old female can relate to the most. The writers of Good Trouble are making it easy for their story to be told to generations who only know communication through the Internet.

So speaking of politics, let’s start with that.

GOOD TROUBLE – “Allies” – CallieÕs love life heats up, especially after she reaches out to an old friend for some legal advice. MarianaÕs attempt to get ahead at work has surprising consequences. GaelÕs sister, Jazmin, reaches out to him for help. This episode of “Good Trouble” airs Tuesday, Jan. 22 (8:00 – 9:01 P.M. EST) on Freeform. (Freeform/Richard Cartwright)

KEN KIRBY, MAIA MITCHELL, MOLLY MCCOOK

Politics for a new generation

It turns out that Malika does know Jamal’s family, even though she said she didn’t. This could definitely bite Callie in the butt, as that would be a conflict of interest for her to clerk the case. And it seems like Ben definitely noticed the questioning eyes Callie was giving Malika when she first walked into the courtroom. This is going to cause problems down the line. I just don’t know to what extent.

To bring up other enemies in the workplace, Judge Wilson could tell that Callie didn’t write the bench memo and gave her a chance to rewrite it. Before doing so, she wanted to seek out some unsolicited opinions first.

You may hate me for saying this, but I always liked Jamie Hunter. In case you’re one of the few who hasn’t seen The Fosters (and if you are, I totally recommend that you watch it), then I’ll set the stage for you.

Jamie is Eliza’s brother, who is Callie and Mariana’s brother’s wife. The two got married in Turks and Caicos, which is where he and Callie hit it off. In my opinion, the spark was instant. He comes from a very conservative family, so he struck me the wrong way at first, but over the three-episode series finale of The Fosters, he grew on me by the end. And apparently, he grew on Callie too, as they were last seen kissing near the pool down in the Caribbean.

As a fellow lawyer, Good Trouble brings him back to help Callie with her case. Since she can’t talk to anyone in her life about the Jamal Thompson situation, she seeks him out as someone who could give her some insight on what to do. And it also helps that he’s an attractive man who can make Gael jealous, so she also meets him for drinks while Gael and his maybe-boyfriend are out at the same bar.

Monday misery for Mariana

Mariana, on the other hand, is still dealing with her sexist team leader. When she walks into work the Monday after the Insta-live incident, he pretends like he has no idea what she’s talking about when it comes to all the texts and voicemails she left him. He then even steals one of her ideas that she mentions over a voicemail and takes credit for it as his own.

It looks like things aren’t going to get any easier for Mariana over the next few episodes. It does seem like we might have a brewing friendship between her and one her teammates. However, he’s going to have to speak up a little bit more when Alex treats her differently than the guys. And Mariana was sure to tell him this after he tried to apologize.

"What about you? You go along with his bullsh*t all the time. You know, being a nice guy behind his back doesn’t make you a hero."

Some other important plots to point out:

• We meet Gael’s sister, Jazmin, who I believe is trans and struggling with her manager accepting her at work. She needs money because she’s behind on rent. Gael gives it to her but now can’t cast his sculpture in bronze like he originally planned for an art show that he’s in.
• Callie and Malika began connecting on a different level this week. Both coming from the foster system, they find common ground that doesn’t have to do with Jamal Thompson’s case.
• Malika is being torn between Jamal Thompson’s mother and the mother from her childhood. Her brother Dom came to visit her last episode and said that their mom is sick. She now needs to make a choice on which family she wants to be loyal to.
• Brian is beginning to annoy me. He’s clearly very jealous of what Gael and Callie have and this three-way love triangle is going to get a little old I think.
• One relationship I’m interested in is the one between Mariana and Evan Speck. It seems as though he actually wanted to hear what Mariana had to say when she confronted him in the elevator, but the people who are working for him are not allowing that.

All in all, this episode had a little something for everyone. Just like the show itself. And it looks like the stories that are being told each week are just getting started.

Catch Good Trouble every Tuesday on Freeform.