Written by John Edward Betancourt  ‘A Boat-iful Mind’ Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episodes 209-211 of ‘Central Park’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. It’s been a little while since we’ve sat down to discuss the wondrous and dynamic Apple TV+ series, Central Park, and there is a good and simple reason as to why. For this magnificent animated musical comedy, simply went on an extended midseason hiatus, one of the first Apple TV+ shows to do so. But at last, our long wait for more adventures with the Tillerman family and their friends… has come to an end. For yesterday saw a three-episode midseason premiere arrive on the network, satisfying our need for this uplifting show and then some, since this impromptu trilogy took the time to dive into a burning question from that midseason finale. Specifically, what positives would come out of Owen’s decision to remain in Central Park after receiving and declining that epic job offer from a prestigious university and well… these episodes informed us, that his decision allowed for the family to really come together and support one another and grow. As evidenced by the events of ‘A Boat-iful Mind’. Since this is a story that saw young Cole struggle with Geometry in school and struggle for the first time ever in classes, really. To the point where he decided to cope with failure by sailing boats around the park lake instead. A decision that taught his parents to approach his learning curve from a different angle in this instance, since they were able to use his love of tiny boat sailing to help him understand geometry better. Which helped him to realize he wasn't a failure or on the wrong path, he just needed to approach something complex, differently, and this support gave him newfound confidence and success at school once again. As for growth, well a great deal of that was handled by Owen. Since ‘Bee Is for Brandenham’ saw him struggling mightily with the amount of work that he had to perform on a regular basis within the park. In fact, he was so overwhelmed that headaches were starting to settle into his daily routine, compromising his ability to lead and giving him enough anxiety to outright make mistakes when working with his team to remove some bees from the Brandenham. But eventually his wife’s kind words and the realization that his team was talented and capable, allowed for Owen to finally put all of his trust in them so that he could relax with his family at last, and enjoy necessary decompression and it was just wonderful to see Owen come to learn the importance and value of a work/life balance.  ‘The PAIGE-riarchy!’ But while those two journeys were powerful in their own right, this three-episode premiere went one step further in its exploration of life by taking the time to reflect upon something we don’t talk about all that often. Specifically. women’s bodies and how they function… and how that’s stuff we SHOULD talk about. But there is a strange taboo that revolves around something as natural and as simple as a menstrual cycle and that was the focus of this tale. Because Molly had her first period, and while that allowed for a wonderful mother-daughter story to take place in ‘The PAIGE-riarchy!’ since Paige was forced to atone for hosting a slightly embarrassing Period Party for Molly, what matters more here… is that the menstrual cycle was presented to the audience as the normal function that it is and that it is part of growing up and it was nice to be reminded that such matters should be seen and discussed as such. However, we would be remiss to not discuss Bitsy Brandenham’s journey in this trilogy since it gave her a new focus as well. Because for some time now we’ve been wondering if Bitsy is reformed after the events of season one and finally on a path toward becoming a decent person at last and well, after getting through a bout of gout in the first episode of this trilogy, the bees that arrived at her hotel put her back on the wrong path. Because she once again wants to buy the park and control it as she sees fit, which was a scary revelation to uncover, but it might not be so easy for her to shoot for this goal this time around. Since there are others outside of the park that are onto her games and were happy to trick her into making mistakes that keep her clear of her goals. But regardless of the setbacks Bitsy experienced here, she’s back on the hunt for the park and back in villainous mode. However, while we wait to see how that twist will play out, we can in fact… offer up a hearty round of applause for these three episodes. For they once again offered up the slice of life perspective that has served as the foundation for this series and it also deserves kudos for its bravery with Molly’s episode and well, in the end… it is just wonderful to have this show back on the air. Because it is always a welcome breath of fresh air and always knows how to bring our spirts up and it will be a true treat to enjoy the back half of season two at last, and all the lighthearted joy it is going to send our way. Until next time.
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