61 replies to this topic

[Amester0120]

A place to discuss the Florrick children and their shenanigans. Do we have any idea how old the kids are? Are they both in high school? I like what Jacob said about them in the recap:

The fervor with which teenagers Zach and Grace now engage with politics and current events tells you a lot about how they were raised; both Peter and Alicia were -- and still are, I would argue -- True Believers in the Jed Bartlett sense.

[angelita100]

The kids are the weak link of this show. Hopefully that improves. I want to like them. I just don't.

[Mikita]

I like Zach but I don't like Grace as much. She's all over the place, it seems like every season she has a new project.

[kostgard]

I understand Grace in that I get that she's a kid who is trying to figure out who she is, so she's trying on different things. But it doesn't stop her from being kinda annoying.

I just wish she were a little bit smarter/more savvy. Zach is just much sharper than she is, and it isn't like the gap in their ages is big enough to explain that away.

[TWoP Howard]

What I like about them is that they are annoying. Even really good teenagers have their moments when I want to dump a pitcher of water on them, so they seem very real to me. I think they are both very bright kids who have been allowed to let their minds run free (which is as it should be, I think), but now are getting out in the world enough that they are running into boundaries and situations which aren’t black-and-white.

The biggest situation among those would be their parents’ relationship, I think. Grace noticed that her mother was happier with her dad out of the house, and I was rather surprised that she took it so well that she even mentioned it to her mother. I’d like to think that’s the show showing that she’s growing up, since she was pretty resentful of her mother in the first season.

[Guitargal]

Zach has always bugged me probably because he is older and more able to act on his dumb impulses.

They were handy props during the marital strife, but will probably be used less as things calm down. Especially if Alicia settles down.

[kostgard]

Grace noticed that her mother was happier with her dad out of the house, and I was rather surprised that she took it so well that she even mentioned it to her mother. I’d like to think that’s the show showing that she’s growing up, since she was pretty resentful of her mother in the first season.

I was surprised at that moment too, and I'm glad that it happened. It was really nice to see Grace and Alicia have a nice mother/daughter moment.

And Grace will always get bonus points from me for the way she tortures Eli.

[maraleia]

I think that Zack is a Junior and Grace is a freshman.

I like the fact that the actors who play Zack and Grace look like typical American teens and not some heightened version of teens.

I'm looking forward to what the writers have in store for them since they are older and can be written into more situations.

[L star]

Okay this is too cute. From the CBS website: Congratulations to MaKenzie Vega, when she's not working on The Good Wife she getting player of the week at her high school! I find it adorable that they posted that on the official show website as the photo of the week.

Edited by L star, Sep 29, 2011 @ 11:24 PM.

[Mikita]

How nice of them to do that. Go MaKenzie!

[Sandman]

Yanked over from the Jackie thread:

Well, he IS a Florrick kid.

Back in season one we saw Zach heading out from the apartment with Becca, stopping to take the condoms, then going out with Becca. I don't remember anything actually being shown about Zach and Becca sleeping together; it was more implied. I think :-)

Does Zach's asking whether he's like his father mean we're going to revisit these scenes this season? (I sort of hope not - Becca bores me.)

[Nanrad]

The Florrick kids don't annoy me like they seem to with other people. I just consider them your run-of-the-mill teens. I also appreciate how they do look like teens and not like their in their twenties or something. It seems more realistic. I know (of) a lot of people who are sheltered like they are. And I swear, almost every teen is savvy with something one way or another. Some teens just aren't and it is nice that it can be represented even if we don't like it.

[Scorpiosrule]

I know (of) a lot of people who are sheltered like they are. And I swear, almost every teen is savvy with something one way or another. Some teens just aren't and it is nice that it can be represented even if we don't like it.

Except that in S1, Zach was shown to be very savvy and smart--he posed as a john to get more information on the faked picture of his dad smoking crack with a prostitute...was able to put his iPod to record who was leaving the pictures and trying to blackmail Alicia...

Then came Becca, and all his brains went to his other, non-thinking brain and he hasn't been the same since.

[kostgard]

I liked that Zach asked Peter what the story was. I noticed last season in the scene when Alicia sat the kids down and told them that she and Peter were separating it seemed like the wheels in Zach's head were turning, like he was thinking, "Okay, something else has happened. Something in addition to the hookers." I'm glad that they followed up on that.

I don't know if Grace has reached the same conclusion, but she's no where near as hostile towards Alicia as I thought she would be. I cracked up when Diane commented that 14 was a "sweet" age and Alicia just smiled like, "Only someone without kids would think that." 13-14 can be very tough. I sucked when I was 14, and I was generally a good kid.

[Nanrad]

Except that in S1, Zach was shown to be very savvy and smart--he posed as a john to get more information on the faked picture of his dad smoking crack with a prostitute...was able to put his iPod to record who was leaving the pictures and trying to blackmail Alicia...

Then came Becca, and all his brains went to his other, non-thinking brain and he hasn't been the same since.

The funny part is, while I was writing it I was thinking of Grace because I know Zack is/was tech savvy. But, also I was using it in another sense as well.

[L star]

I felt so bad for Zach this past ep when he put together that there was someone else too and then asked his mom if he was like his dad. Something about that question was just heartbreaking and I'm glad Alicia recognized what he needed and reassured him. When he first asked the question about the separation to Peter he seemed so sure that what his dad did was behind them, with the same 'it was just a mistake' treatment the kids always seemed to give Peter's transgressions. Like it had to be something else entirely for Alicia to leave. After Peter answered he just seemed so worried and disillusioned.

[name234]

voiceover - The GLTBQ vibe has a past, last season, I think, Jackie (while minding the children) saw Grace holding hands with another girl, they were praying, the other girl was a slightly flighty devout Christian. She was definitely trying to get Grace to have a come to Jesus (and stay there) moment. Alicia was more concerned with the sudden turn to the Devout, Jackie went into a full blown freak out about Grace becoming a Lesbian, . The subsequent scene between Jackie and Owen was hilarious, featuring the headdress reference in the Jackie thread. I don't know what they will do with Grace this season, but at some point i'd imagine she'll go on a date, boy or girl.

I am impressed that the writers have let Zach recognize his mother has been through a lot, and react sympathetically. Zach allowing the kiss on the forehead but DQing Alicia tucking him in was very sweet and funny.

[Andromeda]

I just don't get why someone always seems to be babysitting those kids- Owen or Jackie or whoever.
They're teenagers, they shouldn't need a Minder!

[HelenBack]

I just don't get why someone always seems to be babysitting those kids- Owen or Jackie or whoever.
They're teenagers, they shouldn't need a Minder!

I don't think anyone's minding them anymore. Alicia didn't replace Jackie when she told her to start scheduling visits when Jackie wanted to see them.

Although IMO it wouldn't be a bad idea. With both parents in high-profile, cutthroat professions, and the kids having been harassed by reporters previously, it would be nice if an adult were present most of the time just to make sure that home, at least, is a secure buffer zone for them. They didn't choose these situations.

Owen, I expect, just wants to spend some time with them while he's staying there. But I haven't seen the episode yet as the station's being tardy about making it available On Demand, so this may be mistaken. I'm just basing it on his past behavior. He seems very fond of his niece and nephew.

[Scorpiosrule]

Owen, I expect, just wants to spend some time with them while he's staying there. But I haven't seen the episode yet as the station's being tardy about making it available On Demand, so this may be mistaken. I'm just basing it on his past behavior. He seems very fond of his niece and nephew.

That may be, but Alicia specifically asked him if he could come over and watch the kids as her mediation was going to take all weekend. And that Peter would be by on Saturday to pick them up; of course he didn't; Jackie did, hours before the scheduled time. But it was a babysitting gig.

[HelenBack]

That may be, but Alicia specifically asked him if he could come over and watch the kids as her mediation was going to take all weekend.

Ah, that is different. Still, for the reasons already stated, I'm fine with it. They're just not regular, ordinarily anonymous people's children. I don't think Alicia's excessive about it, but given past events, she surely must want to protect them, and with reason.

[Scorpiosrule]

but given past events, she surely must want to protect them, and with reason.

And this is why I don't think Alicia will venture into politics. She's been a Mama Tiger about keeping the kids out of the limelight, away from the press and the campaign, etc. I don't see that changing, and running for office, even within the next two years, when her kids will still be kids, albeit not as young, will throw them into the public eye.

Unless Alicia changes her mind about that, I just don't see it happening.

[stealinghome]

I don't think Alicia wanting her brother to be around to watch the kids is all that weird, given their previous experiences, as other posters have pointed out. I mean, I'm sure she leaves them at home in the afternoon, after school and before she gets home from work. But if she's going to be gone from like 8-6 on two consecutive days, I can understand wanting an adult around for part of that.

Plus, it's probably self-protection as much as it is for the kids--making sure that they don't have any parties or pull any funny business while she's gone. Without an adult, the crazy tutor would probably trash the place trying to grind up on Alicia's lamps and fling herself at the couch.

[HelenBack]

Plus, it's probably self-protection as much as it is for the kids--making sure that they don't have any parties or pull any funny business while she's gone.

Good point. For a few more years, she needs to make sure she's as irreproachable as possible as primary custodian of them. Peter might not try to take them (I have no idea), but their grandmother has threatened Alicia regarding custody already.

[Scorpiosrule]

Peter might not try to take them (I have no idea), but their grandmother has threatened Alicia regarding custody already.

I don't think Peter would try to take them--that's one thing that I 100% believe that Peter won't do.

As for Jackie? Please. She has NO RIGHTS and she can hoot and holler to her harpy biddy's heart content, but as David told Alicia--she has NO STANDING.

[HelenBack]

As for Jackie? Please. She has NO RIGHTS and she can hoot and holler to her harpy biddy's heart content, but as David told Alicia--she has NO STANDING.

No, but what loving mother wouldn't be frightened by the very thought anyway? I don't have kids, but if I did, it's easy to imagine that such a threat - no matter from how tangential a person, no matter how unlikely ever to be a real problem - would absolutely strike terror into my heart. I am certain that no amount of reassurance from any lawyer would make that go away. It's visceral.

And Alicia doesn't know what Peter will or won't do. She doesn't know him. That's their whole problem. She knows he's a good father, there's no question there, but that's really all. As someone noted on the episode thread (sorry I've forgotten who), it's interesting how many characters wear masks on this show... and IMO Peter most of all, with Alicia, for all those years. It would be foolhardy for her to make any assumptions about his potential future actions now.

[Scorpiosrule]

And Alicia doesn't know what Peter will or won't do. She doesn't know him.

I disagree. I think she does. Despite the lying and the cheating...the one thing that both Alicia and Peter have been on the same page about is their love for their kids.

If Peter were to get all petty and vindictive, he could have told Zach lies about why Alicia kicked him out. But he didn't. And that's how I can be so certain, when it comes to Zach and Grace, that Peter wouldn't go there.

The first thing Alicia did was go to David about custody and asked about grandparents, and he told her Jackie would have no standing. That seemed to relieve Alicia--so I'm for Alicia getting in Jackie's face and preventing her from seeing the kids after this latest stunt.

But since no one told her, I don't think we'll get that.

[Kel Varnsen]

I mean, I'm sure she leaves them at home in the afternoon, after school and before she gets home from work. But if she's going to be gone from like 8-6 on two consecutive days, I can understand wanting an adult around for part of that.

I imagine that a main reason for the babysitter has to do with the crazy hours Alicia works. I mean sure if she worked a reguarly 9-5 job and could be home every day by 530 she probably wouldn't need anyone there. But she works crazy hours and finding out from your boss at 3pm that you are not going to be home until after 10 that night it doesn't leave a lot of time to find a babysitter. So having someone there on a regular basis, who is family would probably be a lot easier, and it would probably be reassuring knowing that the kids are fed and that sort of thing.

[HelenBack]

Grace, Grace, Grace. Why, why, why are all your schoolgirl crushes on the weird ones?

I have no problem with the schoolgirl crushes, if anything I find Grace's constant search for self rather adorable. But seriously. It's always the weird ones!

[Nanrad]

HB, I just think Grace is trying to find herself. Minus the tattling and scandal, she is probably what Alicia was like as a child. Grace is so used to being sheltered, I think she becomes infatuated with these girls because she is trying to be vicarious. Religion is something they don't practice in their house, so Grace wanted to find out if she was missing something--who knows what conclusion she came to. With weird tutor girl, I think she is now learning to be herself and not to care what others think--hopefully.