'Almost Family' Episode 1: The show can only redeem itself with careful treatment of Dr. Bechley's actions
Spoilers ahead for Season 1 Episode 1 of 'Almost Family'
'Almost Family' revolves around a peculiarly disturbing plot. Over the course of his award-winning career as a fertility specialist, Dr. Leon Bechley (Timothy Hutton) used his own genetic material to conceive dozens of children.
When Julia Bechley (Brittany Snow) finds out about this - along with practically the whole world - her life is turned upside down. She has lived all her life as the only child. After her mother's death, she started caring for her Leon as well. In the pilot episode, she also points out how she didn't go through with her dream of studying medicine because of him. For her to discover that her father has done something so devious is incomprehensible.
But reeling from this "explosive revelation", she also discovers two new sisters - her former best friend Edie Palmer (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and ex-Olympic athlete Roxy (Emily Osment). After spending a chunk of the pilot episode frustrated with the situation and pushing each other away - except for Roxy, who seems to be the only one among them who is excited at the prospect of having found new sisters she can connect with - the trio reunites at Julia's place.
All fun and sweet. But not really.
Perhaps the most irksome thing about Fox's 'Almost Family' is the trivialization of an issue as serious as this. Dr. Bechley's act calls for serious action - the women weren't aware that the sperm they had chosen was actually the clinic's owner's! Not only are his actions ill-conceived, but they also breach the foundation of the patient-doctor trust.
Under the garb of a family drama, 'Almost Family' can only go on for so long. It would be a shame if the series continues to take the course of a family drama and concentrate on the sisters, who are essentially remnants of Dr. Bechley's horrific crime.
The only way that 'Almost Family' can redeem itself is by thoughtful and righteous treatment of Dr. Bechley's character, who has committed a horrendous crime inseminating women with his sperm without their knowledge.
'Almost Family' airs on Wednesdays at 9 PM ET/PT on Fox.