Ep 1. Wreckage

The Fosters Season 3 Episode 1, named "Wreckage," marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Adams-Foster family. After a tragic and shocking accident, the family is forced to come to terms with the aftermath and figure out how to move forward.

The episode picks up shortly after the events of the previous season's finale, with the family dealing with the aftermath of a horrific car accident. They are in various stages of grief and shock, struggling to come to terms with what has happened. When we first meet the family in this episode, they are gathered at the hospital, waiting for news about one of their own.

As the episode progresses, we see the family piece together what happened in the lead-up to the accident. We get glimpses of the moments preceding the crash, and slowly start to understand just how devastating the fallout will be for everyone involved. The family members circle each other warily as they try to reconcile their individual feelings and figure out how to support each other.

The episode examines the emotional toll of trauma and loss, as the various members of the family try to make sense of their new reality. The central theme of the episode is the idea that when things fall apart, it's possible to put them back together again, but the resulting construct will never be the same as it was before. Individual characters struggle with this idea in different ways, and each is given their own arc to explore.

One of the episode's central conflicts involves Lena and Stef, the two moms of the family. Though they are usually on the same page when it comes to parenting and decision-making, the accident has pushed them apart. They have different ideas about how to deal with the fallout, and each is convinced that their way is the right way. Watching them navigate this conflict is one of the most compelling aspects of the episode.

Meanwhile, the Adams-Foster kids are each dealing with their own personal struggles. Callie is grappling with the revelation that she was assaulted by one of her previous foster dads, while Mariana is trying to figure out where she stands with her boyfriend after a summer apart. Brandon, who was in the car during the accident, is dealing with the overwhelming guilt of having caused it.

Overall, "Wreckage" is a powerful season premiere that sets the stage for what promises to be an emotionally intense and gripping season. Though the episode is definitely difficult to watch at times, it's also deeply moving and ultimately hopeful. It's clear that this family is strong enough to weather whatever comes their way, even if they don't always agree on how to do it.