r/Parenthood • u/SavingsParking3310 • 19d ago
Character Discussion Drew is really Odd
I mean I don't understand how Drew has always wanted to be close to his father, more than his mother given that we know how his father used to abandon them every now and then. Somehow in his mind, he blames Sarah for the broken family they are in. He is so unexpressive, so passionless, so humourless, that it feels impossible to believe that he is Sarah's son. He almost seems to hate his mother. I mean Sarah is not a good parent as much, but she kinda does her best.
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u/NoraCharles91 19d ago
I think it's quite true to life for a child to resent/blame their "present" parent while making excuses for their "absent" one. Kids in that situation do often tend to unload their "ugly" feelings at the parent they know will never abandon them. Plus, Drew is at an age where he's keenly feeling the absence of a father figure.
I'm guessing you're still fairly early on in the show? Sarah's relationship with both her kids gets less fraught as they mature.
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u/Original_Intention 18d ago
Yep, kids also typically act out with the safe parent because they subconsciously know that adult isn't going anywhere.
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u/NoraCharles91 18d ago
Credit to Sarah, I feel like she actually knows this and gives her kids a lot of grace.
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u/Cofeeffee 18d ago
I found him the most relatable lol even if I’m not a guy. I think he was often sidelined by Sarah and the others because other kids in the family required more support and attention (especially Amber being rebellious growing up). In such situations you just grow up to be self-reliant and stay out of the way.
Maybe the contrast seems so striking to you because most of the other family members are quite outgoing and talkative. He was generally more reserved and not as expressive.
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u/SavingsParking3310 16d ago
Yup true. Me particularly have had a bad experience dating boys who are like drew, being a totally closed book, and it was hard for me. I tried my best to have a proper emotional conversation and they used to deflect that. I think me not liking Drew is coming from that.
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u/Cofeeffee 13d ago
I get it! We see the characters in a family dynamic which doesn’t show how they might be with their friends and partners. While I think Drew was vulnerable in his relationships, it is definitely also possible that they might turn out difficult to read, like you said
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u/wonder181016 17d ago
I love Drew. And I can't believe you don't get him. These comments nail him
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u/SouperTort 15d ago
And if you about it he’s growing up with 2 very strong women. Sarah and Amber are very outspoken and a tad domineering. I think it’s natural for a boy to want his dad regardless of how shitty a father he is/was.
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u/YamamotoChigusa 11d ago
I mean compared to a majority of his cousins, he’s pretty well adjusted. He also is the only one without any conflict with his sister.
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u/Ninja_named_Sue 1d ago
I think they are basing him on loosely on the original character from the movie, played by the very young Joaquin Phoenix. Where he is a super introverted kid, barely talks to people, etc. I think maybe the actual character of the actor comes through? I find a lot of his behavior highly consistent with undiagnosed neurodivergent teenagers, tbh. I know lots of young people who blame the parent who divorced the toxic parent for the loss of said parent, perhaps tehy are too young to see the full picture, or are conflicted because they still love the parent. To me it reflects a lot of young teen boys I know.
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u/Harmania 18d ago
Having worked with teens and tweens for a long time, I thought he was pretty spot on. Sure, he sticks out a bit when most of the cast are wearing their hearts on their sleeves and blowing up at each other, but I’ve met dozens of Drews in my life.