Get a group of teenagers together, and there’s bound to be a little mischief. Molly and her friends are no exception and, on this week’s Central Park, a simple slumber party turns into a ruse to meet up with boys.
We already know how close the family is, but the show reinforces Molly’s relationship to her mother by showing how she shares every intimate detail down to the school gossip with Paige. Then the upcoming conflict is established as the young teen states her desire for everything to be perfect so she can impress Hazel and Shauna. You can feel the tension in the air since Molly doesn’t want her party to seem childish.
When the trio eventually sneak out, it becomes even more uncomfortable as Molly wrestles with looking cool at the risk of losing her mom’s trust. Peer pressure is hard to resist, although, it makes you wonder what else the Tillerman daughter gets out of it. There isn’t a third boy for her to make out with. It’s fitting that the girls are met with a heavy storm both mirroring the inner turmoil and the strained familial bond when Paige finds out.
There is a bittersweet duet using similar imagery of rain storms and broken bridges. It captures the understanding between mother and daughter and their attempts of finding a middle ground. Though there is a breach of trust, they’re willing to repair things one step at a time.
Central Park also has a sweet sense of irony as well when the teens finally have their rendezvous, regardless of how unromantic it is. First, the boys didn’t risk getting in trouble since they received their parents’ permission and are responsible checking in periodically throughout the night. Second, Shauna is a little disappointed in her make out partner though it has nothing to do with his looks. I also must add how enjoyable Cole and Enrique are. They have such a level of sophistication and class with their slumber consulting firm yet still maintain their childlike innocence to remind you how young they are.
Elsewhere, Abby and Helen need to comfort Bitsy from her nightmares. It’s clever to have Central Park’s newest character working at the Brandenham. She can add a fresh dynamic over with the antagonists of the show. More importantly, she can serve as a moral compass in a way and be a positive influence over Bitsy. Abby isn’t afraid to call out the bad behavior but as she proved last week, can be fair and just.
“Slumber-Dog-Molly-An-Aire” uses a teenage slumber party to tell a tale of trust and learning to pull back to let your child grow.
New episodes of Central Park drop Fridays on Apple TV+.
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