Fuller House Season 1 TV Review

Fuller house Season 1 (2016-)

Created by: Jeff Franklin
Starring:  Candace Cameron Bure , Jodie Sweetin , Andrea Barber 

Fuller House -Everybody is back... almost.

Plot:
If you fondly remember Full House (1987-1995), then you'll like the modern day remake with a gender flip. DJ Tanner is now DJ Fuller and fulfills the Danny Tanner role while her sister Stephanie is an international musician, the new Jesse. Kimmy is the goof but lovable (?) Joey Gladstone. Throw in four kids, a dog, and we've got a stew, I mean a fuller house.

Verdict:
Fuller House is the modern day Full House recreation, at least what little I remember from the original. It's a gimmick, a love letter to fans, with equal shares of cheesy and flat jokes. It wavers somewhere between silliness and family values. There are plenty of self-aware jokes and I'm sure I missed many more, but it keeps the show glib and light.  
Even the credits strive to remind you of the original. It doesn't quite stand on its own, not that it ever meant to. It's cute for what it is.

If you never saw Full House I can't see enjoying this series. It's whole purpose is a detailed knock-off of the original. Which means it's an inaccurate portrayal of raising kids. The adults never seem to work and the kids take care of themselves. The point of the show isn't accuracy, but it's worth mentioning if you aren't familiar with these characters. This is for fans of the original, period.

The show is at it's best when it focuses on raising the kids and teaching them life lessons. It never goes deeper than surface level on the complexities of adult relationships which becomes an issue when the last third of the season focuses solely on adult relationships. I enjoyed the show for what it is, but I grew tired after episode eight.

This is not something I'll ever go back and watch, and I'm not anxiously awaiting new episodes either. Netflix bet big on nostalgia and won. It is a big deal to many, and it illustrates the power Netflix has in resuscitating shows and the power of nostalgia.

Review:
Episode 1: Our Very First Show, Again

Episode 1 - The torch is passed to the new generation.

The first episode is obviously self congratulatory. It starts with the original theme song in its entirety. All of the original characters introductions follow with each of them taking a proverbial bow before a direct nod to the camera that the Olsen twins aren't present. It's a legitimately funny.
It's nostalgia presented right, which is the point of the show. I liked the split screen of this episode and the original series when they recreated scenes just because I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. The first episode is exactly what people wanted. Everyone reprised their role well, though Bure seemed rusty. She did get better in subsequent episodes.
The family overhearing DJ talk to her baby, concerned about her future was a touching moment, if nothing else because the show had been building to it for thirty minutes.
Stephanie will quit her job to help DJ, Kimmy will move in, and Danny will leave them the house.

Episode 2: Moving Day

Episode 2 - The original Jesse and the Jesse heir.

Everyone moves into one house, the plot is copied from the original series, and we're given more self-referential jokes.

Episode 3: Funner House

Episode 3 - Another cameo.

Joey is back to babysit. It's mentioned that Fernando cheated on Kimmy which leads to their separation. This is the first instance of a serious plot point that is never revisited. See episode twelve for the non-resolution.

Episode 4: The Not-So-Great Escape

Episode 4 - A manipulative child and puppy scene, check.

Quaint describes this show. It seems every episode concludes with a family moment and a group hug.

Episode 5: Mad Max

Episode 5 - One of the biggest reveals is never mentioned again.

 Stephanie considers returning to her life as a musician. We know she won't because it would ruin the series. She comes back and reveals she can't have kids. I didn't expect the show to get manipulative like that. Is the show going to tackle complex problems? NO! It's an issue that is never addressed again, which feels incredibly cheap.

Episode 6: The Legend of El Explosivo

Episode 6 - The fateful introduction.

 More of the same family moments, cheesy jokes, and a family hug.

Episode 7: Ramona's Not-So-Epic Party

A great dig at the Olsen twins when Ramona buys a Olsen designer dress. Kimmy comments at these prices no wonder they don't need to act. Great moment. The show delves into many issues, but doesn't explore them. Fernando and Kimmy spend the night on the couch, but the show doesn't delve into that, starting a strange arc for the pair knowing why they separated. It's very light-hearted, which is why it shouldn't explore adult relationship and adults dating. It should stick to the kids.

Episode 8: Secret, Lies and Firetrucks

Episode 8 - The most stylish episode. That jacket.

Saget is back in plot about why lying is bad. This episode is mainly a vehicle for a couch gag because that plants it solidly in the nineties. Married With Children and Fresh Prince both did couch-centric episodes. and I know there are more. Saget's couch fabric jacket was money.

Episode 9: War of the Roses
Would I like this if i didn't see the original show? I don't think so. This is a gimmick, sure, but it works because we want an epilogue to the original series.

Episode 10: A Giant Leap
We get another flashback, because the show doesn't want you to forget it's strong ties to the original.  Steve is completely contrived. He serves no purpose other than to give us a flashback. The show should be about raising children, not the dating life of three women. It's too stylized to provide any commentary. DJ is 'kissing' multiple men.

Episode 11: Partnerships in the Night

Episode 11 - Some episodes aren't worth mentioning.

This might be my least favorite episode. The show never has a strong grasp on reality or logic, but this one inexplicably focuses on DJ's work which is inane. Why would DJ get the vet business at no cost? Businesses cost money, they aren't given away. Why would she get it over the man's son?  It's manufactured drama out of nothing. Why is international musician Stephanie broke? Why is she going to be a lacky in an event planning business? This episode exposes the flaws in the logic of the show, as if they weren't obvious before, and is the pinnacle of the show focusing on the wrong thing. Focus on adults raising kids, not adult dealing with life. This show can't handle that.

Episode 12: Save the Dates
Kimmy and Fernando get back together without addressing the reason they split in the first place.  It's not even a consideration when she decides to remarry him. I haven't mentioned it before, but Max is extremely annoying, and he has been for many episodes. He's easily my least favorite character.
The show lost me at this point because it's trying to be something it's not.

Episode 13: Love is in the Air

Episode 13 - Is this a quirky family show or the bachlorette?

My interest began to wane when the show focused on DJ's dating life and this show is the unwelcome culmination of that. My fatigue could also be due to the characters reciting the same jokes and one liners. The show really likes dance numbers, not going more than a few episodes without a new one. I have no clue why.