The Fosters: Most memorable moments of each season

Tonight is the night we’ve been waiting for! “The Fosters” finally returns to Freeform, beginning its fifth season. The family drama has tackled many controversial topics such as sexuality, adoption, and violence. The Foster family has been through a lot in the last five years, so before the season five premiere, let’s take a look back at the most memorable episode of each season of the show so far.

Season 1
Season 1, Episode 1: “Pilot”

Let’s go back to where it all began: Episode number one. In this episode, we meet the Fosters, and the Fosters meet Callie. From the very beginning, the show didn’t shy away from difficult topics like abuse. But what was most special about the show was the way “The Fosters” illustrated family. Two moms, one biological son, and adopted twins: it’s not what has been shown on television before, but it is a loving family all the same. The family’s introduction to Callie and Jude is just as heart wrenching as the audience’s introduction to the show.

Runner-Up: Season 1, Episode 10: “I Do”

Lena and Stef are getting married! But no wedding can go on without drama. As their extended family arrives, Lena and Stef have to face family members who aren’t very accepting of their courtship. In addition to that, Callie’s relationship with Brandon starts to grow, complicating her chances of adoption. With all the family drama, this episode is a beautiful tribute to the relationship that Lena and Stef have, and the home that they have created together. The Foster family is filled with love, and they support each other in good times and bad.

Season 2
Season 2, Episode 15: “Light of Day”

(Photo cred: Adam Taylor)

In Season 2, the characters have grown into their own. Their family dynamic is as strong as ever, and the characters are now developing on their own. This episode is big for Jude, who is growing feelings for his friend, Connor. The two go on a double date with two girls from school, but can only focus on each other. Their feelings for each other keep growing stronger. This is also a big episode for Callie, who is connecting with her biological father, Robert. Robert wants Callie to be a part of his family, but for Callie, the only family for her is the Fosters.

Runner-Up: Season 2, Episode 21: “The End of the Beginning”

(Photo cred: Eric McCandless)

The Season 2 finale was heavy on drama and complications. After convincing her biological father to sign away his parental rights, Callie is finally clear to be adopted by The Fosters. But just when things are appearing to work out in Callie’s favor, her stepsister, Sophia, destroyed the parental rights papers signed by her father. Without the papers, Callie can’t be adopted by the Fosters, and Callie’s father refuses to sign the papers again. To make matters worse, the episode ends with Mariana, Jesus, and their biological mother getting into a car accident. And no one is guaranteed to survive.

Season 3

Season 3, Episode 10: “Lucky”

This episode is full of big moments for the Fosters, the biggest being Jesus looks completely different! After the departure of Jake T. Austin, Noah Centineo makes his debut on the show as Jesus. Another big moment in the episode is between Jude and Connor, who say “I love you” to each other for the first time. But the biggest moment of all is a happy one. After appearing in court before a judge, Callie is officially adopted by the Fosters.

Runner-Up: Season 3, Episode 16 “EQ”

A lighter episode of the series, this episode is inspired by Romeo and Juliet. Brandon is about to present his senior thesis (involving Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet), but some wonder if the play is glorifying suicide. This musical episode is a unique episode for the show, revolving around the equally as unique relationship between Brandon and Callie.

Season 4

Season 4, Episode 1: “Potential Energy”

(Photo cred: Tony Rivetti)

“The Fosters” covers a dark topic that it hadn’t addressed before: mass shooting. After seeing Mariana kissing her ex, Mariana’s boyfriend, Nick, comes to school with a gun. The school is put on lock-down, but Mariana misses the official lock-down call. The lock-down is frightening for everyone, but especially for Mariana, who is forced to protect herself. It’s heartbreaking to see her alone and scared, separated for her family and everyone else in the entire school.

Runner-Up: Season 4, Episode 11: “Insult to Injury”

The course of this episode changes and complicates everything. To start, Callie and Troy are in a car accident. Callie leaves the scene, causing police to think she is guilty of causing the accident. Following a head injury, Jesus is still in the hospital, and is in serious condition. As if that wasn’t serious enough, Mariana has secretly been taking Jesus’s ADHD pins in secret. Lena discovers that Mariana has been taking the pills, and demands that she get checked. The episode also includes an unforgettable scene between Lena ans Stef, who join hands in the hospital chapel and pray together for the safety of their family.

“The Fosters” returns with its fifth season premiere, tonight at 8pm on Freeform.

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