In the first season finale of The Fosters, it’s finally adoption day for Jude and Callie! But it wouldn't be a Fosters episode if obstacles didn't stand in their way beforehand.
The episode opens right where we left off Brandon, Mike and Stef in the cop car discussing what the repercussions should be for Brandon’s previous actions (from the fake I.Ds to giving Ana money). Outside of the police car, Stef tells Mike about the chat she had with Ana earlier; where if Stef didn't give Ana $10,000 she would retract her statement. Upon hearing this, Mike is flabbergasted. “I could kill her.” But Stef suggests that he just stay away from both her and Brandon. She then decides that Brandon is moving out of Mike’s and coming back to live with her. End of story.
Mike and Dani are later seen fighting about Stef’s recent decision to which Dani says that he should just rebel against it. Mike informs her that he can’t, since she has custody over Brandon in the first place. The two bicker some more until it gets to the point where Mike kicks Dani out…for good. Meanwhile, Brandon overheard the whole conversation.
Over at the Adams-Foster abode, Stef lets Lena know about the return of Brandon. They then discuss Brandon’s possible punishment from the school (in regards to the fake I.Ds). Expulsion is definitely on the table for B. Similarly to Brandon, Callie sits on the stairs hearing everything, possibly blaming herself for Brandon’s actions.
The next day, Mariana visits Zach at his place, wondering how Mrs. Rogers is doing (since last time we saw her…she didn’t even remember her own son). She explains to Zach that his Mom needs help. But turns out he is very much aware of that fact. He tells Mariana that his Mom has early-onset Alzheimer’s and that if she does in fact go into a home for help, he’ll have to move in with his Dad in Arizona. Of course he doesn’t even want to think about that because he’ll be away from Mariana. Oh the decisions.
Meanwhile with Stef, she is waiting outside of a halfway for Ana. When Ana meets up with her, Stef tells Ana that she will give her the money, but not until tomorrow at a diner. Stef then tries to make it crystal clear that the second Ana takes the money, they are to never see her ever again.
Later that same day, Jude and Connor are at the house casually playing video games. It’s then that Mariana hands Jude the phone, saying someone wants to talk to him. The second he takes the phone and starts talking to whomever it is, Mariana runs to Jesus with the current gossip. “It’s a girl!” She also asks him if he can give Jude any tips on dating. Jesus doesn’t feel that he’s applicable for that however, seeing how Lexi dumped him and Emma thinks he’s a giant jerk now. Mariana bluntly agrees and says that ever since he’s been off his ADHD meds, he’s been different. Back with Jude and Connor, he explains to Connor that the girl, Maddie, asked Jude to the movies. Connor asks if he ‘like likes’ Maddie (oh you middle schoolers!) to which Jude says he doesn’t. Upon hearing this, Connor has a huge smile on his face and is excited because now he can ask her out! While Jude may say okay in response, his facial expressions say otherwise. He resembles that of a lost puppy, sad eyes and all.
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At Mike’s, Brandon is seen in his room packing away when his father walks in. He says that Stef has agreed in letting him stay for one more night (so he can practice for his big audition). Brandon tries to apologize about everything to him but Mike cuts him off. He says he’s never been more disappointed in him.
Lena is seen meeting Timothy later on, so he can sign the donor agreement papers. But unfortunately for Lena, it appears that Tim is reconsidering his offer. He explains to her that he just can’t imagine their being a child that he helped create out in the world…yet he can’t have any part of that. This leaves Lena devastated.
Stef on the other hand takes the news quite well, after Lena comes home and tells her this new found information. Lena explains that she got blood work and tests done before coming home just to be sure she isn’t already pregnant. But after they continue to talk, Stef’s true feelings them having a baby come out. Lena, not knowing what to respond pulls the classic silent treatment her wife’s way and exit’s the kitchen.
While Brandon is practicing his piano at Mike’s, he gets interrupted by someone knocking at the door. It’s Callie. She wants the final verdict on where they both stand; if Brandon is really and truly okay with Callie being adopted into this family. Brandon simply says he’s fine with it and that she isn’t hurting him by getting adopted.
Back home, Lena walks out of the bathroom and informs Stef that the chances are pretty unlikely that she’s pregnant now, since her lovely little time of the month have arrived. Stef, not wanting to upset Lena even more so doesn’t say anything. However she changes the subject to Ana. Lena asks if she’s really going to give the money to her. It’s then she explains the plan: Stef will be wired the entire time. All she has to do is get Anna’s extorting a police officer on tape and she’s golden.
Brandon is seen sprawled in a recliner at Mike’s, beer in hand and heaps more empty ones on the coffee table. Dani comes in, sees how drunk he is (answer: very) and starts leading him to bed. After she successfully puts him in bed, he begins raving about how Callie is going to be his sister and how he still has feelings for her. Dani sits down with him and says that he’s a great guy and that Callie doesn’t know what she’s missing (the typical “you’re too good for her” speech). But that’s when things go from “casual conversation” (somewhat) to “completely out of line”. Next thing we know, Brandon has leaned in for a kiss from Dani. One things leads into another and the two well…get very intimate very fast and very inappropriately.
The following morning, Brandon wakes up to the alarm that Dani previously set for him (so he wouldn’t miss his big audition). Dani is nowhere to be found. Brandon checks his Dad’s room. Mike isn’t in his bed either. But it’s then that Brandon looks at his phone and sees that he has a voicemail message from his Dad. The second he listens to it, he knows his father’s been drinking. Not knowing who else to call, he dials none other then, Dani. He asks if perhaps she could track Mike down for him.
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At school, Maddie (the girl that invited Jude to the movies) runs up to Jude after class and asks if it’s okay if he can go to the movies with him. Jude says it is. Connor sees the whole thing and confronts him afterwards. He thinks the only reason Jude is interested in Maddie is because Connor told Jude that he was. Jude doesn’t seem to phased by this. That is until Connor announces that he isn’t going to Jude’s adoption, “Since it’s for good friends and clearly that’s not what we are.”
Jesus manages to track down Emma in the hallways of school later. He apologizes for his recent behavior towards her and his horrible attitude in general. He tells her that he’s going back on his meds from this point on. Emma’s response? She sends a kiss Jesus’ way and it would appear that the two are an item now.
After his audition, Brandon is outside of the principal’s office with Vico. The two are both awaiting the principal’s decision on their punishment for the fake I.Ds. While waiting, Vico expresses his worries for his future. He was planning on getting a wrestling scholarship and getting out of this town and away from his horrible Dad. Should have thought of that before all the trouble you caused, Vico!
At home, Lena sits down with Jude where he out of nowhere asks Lena when she knew she was gay. Being completely thrown off by the question, she doesn’t respond. Jude then explains his current situation with Maddie and Connor. How instead of feeling jealous over Maddie, he was more jealous because of Connor. Lena responds with by saying that jealously is an ugly thing. She further explains that just because he feels jealous during this one instance, doesn’t make him automatically gay. She of course states that even if he were or weren’t, Stef and Lena would love and accept him no matter what.
With Mariana, she is over at Zach’s house. He explains to her that his Mom had another “episode” in which she forgot who Zach was which caused her to struck him across the face with the iron she was using at the time. Mariana knows what he has to do. He has to call his Dad, even though both Zach and Mariana do not like outcome it gives them as a couple. He does so, leaving Mariana happy for Zach’s wellbeing and health, but heartbroken for her love for Zach.
Stef is seen waiting at the diner for Ana, but she never shows. She goes back to the halfway house in hopes to find Ana. But according to them, no one’s seen her. However, someone did see her yelling at a guy last night.
While this is happening, we see that Dani has found Mike and he’s in pretty bad shape. Not only is he an absolute mess, he has some cuts not to mention lots of blood on him. Dani asks if he got into a fight while she’s cleaning the blood off. What he did last night, we don’t know…but was killing Ana one of them?
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It’s adoption day! The day we thought would never come. Prior to the official adoption, the entire gang hangs out in the lobby. Stef and Lena come together where they talk about many things, such as Brandon (and Vico) not getting expelled, Ana not showing up to the diner, and how gasp! Lena’s pregnant! Turns out the period Lena thought she had was actually just spotting. Thinking that her wife is going to react negatively, Lena is prepared for the worst. But actually Stef surprisingly couldn’t be more thrilled. “We’re going to have a baby!” The two hug and kiss at the great news.
Wyatt surprises Callie with not only his surprise appearance, but with Rita and everyone else from Girls United! While much excitement is happening all throughout the lobby, lawyers pull Stef and Lena aside to have a chat with them.
Connor surprises Jude as well. The two make up and make plans to go to the movies themselves.
It is then that Stef and Lena pull Callie and Jude aside. They explain to her that there seems to be a mix-up with her original birth certificate. A different person is listed as her father, not Donald Jacob like she always thought. So unfortunately, at this time she can’t get adopted. Tears are shed between both Jude and Callie. Stef and Lena reassure Callie that just because this little hiccup occurred does not change their mind; she will be adopted by them one day.
Jude cries and says he doesn’t want to get adopted with Callie. That’s when Callie takes him by the shoulder and ever so sweetly and sisterly calms him and says that he should get adopted today and that everything is going to be okay. He eventually agrees with his big sister.
Getting some fresh air away from everybody, Callie bursts into tears herself. Rita later joins her to where Callie states the entire universe must be against her. That everything can go wrong always does for her. Rita immediately shoos that idea away and says that things happen, but you can’t let that stop you. Feeling a bit better, Callie goes inside to witness the adoption.
Jude, Stef and Lena sign the papers and the entire Adams-Foster family (including Callie) takes a picture with a judge. They finally did it! Jude is adopted; he has a family again!
Everyone goes back to the house for celebrations.
While everyone is munching on cake, Callie heads outside to the patio to which Brandon joins her. She asks about the audition and Brandon replies he got it. He leaves to go and get the last of his things from Mike’s and Wyatt takes his place.
He is curious because of this recent error with the adoption, will things change between Callie and Brandon. She says no and the two kiss.
During a song Callie plays for Wyatt on the guitar, we see Brandon about to head into his car, packed and ready to go. Just as he’s about to get in, he is jumped by Vico and his friends. He is hit, kicked, and beaten relentlessly. As he’s trying to pull himself up by his car, Vico sees his opportunity. He slams Brandon’s hand in the car door.
And that is the last we see of The Fosters until the season premiere June 16th at 8/9c.
Image Courtesy: ABC Family