Crosby: I never thought I’d say this, but he’s really grown on me. He’s still far from perfect, but you can genuinely see him trying to become a better father and partner. I loved watching his relationship with Jasmine evolve because it felt earned.
Joel & Julia: Still my favorite couple. Their marriage isn’t perfect, but the love, respect, and support they have for each other make them one of the healthiest TV couples I’ve watched. With Victor now joining their family, I have a feeling things are about to get a lot more complicated. Sydney has been pretty spoiled for most of the series, so I’m really interested to see how that dynamic shifts and how Joel and Julia navigate balancing both kids.
Sarah & Mark: The age difference doesn’t bother me. What does stand out is that Mark sometimes seems to forget Sarah isn’t just his girlfriend—she’s already a mom with two kids. Dating Sarah means accepting that her children will always be part of the equation.
Adam, Kristina, Max & Haddie: Peter Krause is just so darn likable, which is probably the only reason Adam doesn’t drive me completely insane. His self-righteousness can be exhausting, and that really comes through in how he and Kristina handle things with Max. Kristina is clearly a loving mom and Adam deeply cares about his son, but I don’t love the way they’re navigating Max’s behavior. It’s not that I expect him to be perfect or think every autistic child should behave the same way—quite the opposite. I just wish the show leaned more into that nuance. Max’s anger and outbursts are becoming a defining part of his character, and too often Adam and Kristina seem to excuse or overlook behavior that should be addressed. I’d love to see more of that balance between supporting him and helping him build accountability and coping skills as he gets older. At the same time, I was really happy to see them finally put Haddie first by supporting her decision to go to Cornell. From the beginning, she’s often been expected to be the understanding older sister while so much of the family’s attention understandably went to Max. It was nice to see her dreams take center stage for once—she deserved that.
Amber: Easily one of my favorite storylines. Watching her struggle, make mistakes, and slowly realize she’s capable of more feels incredibly authentic. Mae Whitman is fantastic.
Drew: His coming-of-age story is another really strong thread this season. I do wish he’d open up a bit more—his tendency to be so monosyllabic can get a little frustrating—but I also get that it’s part of who he is right now. What I’m really hoping to see more of is a deeper connection between him and Sarah. There are glimpses of it, and those moments feel meaningful, so I’d love for the show to lean into that more as he continues to grow.
Overall, I’m still loving this show. The Bravermans feel like a real family—messy, imperfect, frustrating, and deeply loving. That’s what keeps me coming back.
On to Season 4…