Question I

[Jonetta]

Jesse follows Brian, sees him with his brother and other gang members, tries to intervene and gets beaten by Jose. Despite his injuries, he continues to lie to Sean who knows it but doesn’t call him out on it. What did you think of Sean’s approach in handling the situation? What could he have done differently?

[Anita]

I expected Jesse to give it up after he was beaten. It turned really serious at that point, and he should have told Sean everything. Sean needed to get Jesse to tell him everything at that point, but Jesse didn't want to betray Michel and Brian. I don't know what Sean could have done differently, but he sure needed to have done something.

[Sharon]

I thought Sean needed to be more upfront with Jesse. In my opinion, he should have told Jesse that he knows that he is lying. I think he missed an excellent opportunity when the doctor looked at Sean suspiciously. Sean should have told Jesse that the doctor suspects Sean of abuse and lying could get Jesse removed from the house and back with his grandfather.

Like father, like son, both were hard-headed, and neither knew how to talk to the other.

[Anita]

I agree Sharon, Sean should have confronted Jesse with his lies and the doctor's natural suspicion was a great thing for Sean to use. That could have gone very bad for Sean. Jesse could have been removed and that would have given Granddad ammunition. Sean really should have pushed Jesse at that point.

[Robin]

Good point, Sharon. I agree Sean should have told Jesse that the doctor was suspicious about the bruises. I think that would have got Jesse talking.

[Jonetta]

Great point, Sharon! It probably would have worked.

Was anyone else really surprised that Sean didn’t call Jesse out when he saw those bruises? I couldn’t believe it. When he discussed it with Lucy, he went back to his experiences with Duke. I think that’s why he didn’t say anything. But, Jesse’s relationship with him was different.

I knew then that Sean’s head was all messed up.

[Sharon]

I was very surprised. The fact that he didn't call out Jesse made me see how unsure he was with his ability to be a good father. It is interesting that Sean is so sure what to do to help Lucy yet always second guessing when he is dealing with Jesse.

[Jonetta]

I’ve never seen Sean be unsure of anything but he just can’t seem to find his confidence as a father to Jesse. When he talked about his relationship with Duke, a lightbulb went on. It’s clouding his judgment.

[Anita]

Sean is equating his relationship with Duke to his relationship with Jesse. Duke didn't do the best of jobs handling Sean and Sean is afraid he is doing the same with Jesse. It is getting all up in his head and he's afraid to make a mistake. This situation was a definite fail for Sean. I hope he learns from it.

[Jonetta]

Exactly! Even Jesse said to him that Duke raising him had to be weird being it was his brother. He doesn’t see it as being the same.

Get it together Sean!