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‘Breeders’ Episode 3 Review: Paul is a classic example of clumsy upbringing

As Ally and Paul Worsley’s power-packed life moves onto its next chapter, we learn few things about Paul’s childhood and that makes us realize why he is the way he is with his kids

This review might contain spoilers!

The latest FX comedy series has managed to live up to its promise. When the season opened with Paul and Ally’s struggle as parents, we weren’t sure what to expect. The first two episodes were mostly about dealing with their children’s tantrums, juggling work, their personal chemistry, et al. But as the story progresses and moves on to episode 3, it slowly unfolds little nuances of Paul and Ally’s respective lives as well.

But before we get to that, here are a few highlights of the episode. Ally is trying hard to get used to her father being around, who, needless to say, is not an easy man to be with. Not that there’s anything wrong with Michael, per se, but Ally is anyway struggling to manage her home, work, children, as well as marriage. Another child in the form of her father is the last thing she needs or expects from life. Moving on, Paul is having a hard time dealing with his own parents. His father has a fall and is undergoing treatment, and while he is trying to be by his parents’ side, he ends up accidentally hurting his mother.

Sounds quite common, doesn’t it? Despite exploring the most mundane, slice of life issues, this show has more than what meets the eye. And this is what we realized is hidden in episode 3.

No one might say it out loud, but it’s becoming clear that Paul’s upbringing has largely affected his parenting skills. For instance, when he holds him mom’s arm, pulling her over the curb, only to save her from being hit by the emergency vehicle, his mother blames her son for injuring her arm and chest. Or, that time, when Paul and his father talk about his (Paul’s) childhood over a drink and Paul realizes that his dad was not a great father either. This, in a way, reflects in Paul’s behavior towards his children. It’s not his fault that he is quite clumsy in his parenting. But you cannot rule out the fact that there’s a valid reason behind how he is. It is most likely because his parents were clumsy with him too!

We have said this earlier, and will say it again, ‘Breeders’ is brutally honest not only about parenting but also about parent-child relationship. Whether you are a child to your older parents, or a parent to younger children, managing the dynamics of each (or at times of both) can be so overwhelming, that you start to doubt yourself at every action. And in the process, it is very logical to lose your patience and have a few falls. It is incredible how this episode of ‘Breeders’ did not attempt to sugarcoat any emotion in any of its characters, and that’s where it shines.

Taking one step ahead of parenting, the episode also touches upon the emotions of Paul and Ally as a couple and their constant struggle to be a unit as a couple and be good parents at the same time.

The ending scenes, with the couple facing the Child Services representatives are touching is strange ways. It’s a delight to see how brutally honest they are, in spite of coming across as awkward, you could clearly see the love they have for their children, even if they want to “kill them” at times.

‘Breeders’ airs every Monday night at 10 pm (ET), only on FX.