‘Lopez vs Lopez’ Recap: ‘Lopez vs Van Bryan’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

LOPEZ VS LOPEZ -- "Lopez vs Van Bryan" Episode 109 -- Pictured: (l-r) Matt Shively as Quinten, Mayan Lopez as Mayan, Stephen Tobolowsky as Sam Van Bryan, George Lopez as George -- (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Nine of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Diversity and representation are supremely important right now in popular entertainment and rightfully so. Because our books, our shows, and our movies, should resemble what the world actually looks like and they should feature stories that tell tales about other cultures, so we can learn more about cultures we know nothing about. But above all what these stories should do, is break down stereotypes and removes stigmas regarding other races and other cultures, so that we can come to understand that we are one people, and that while we do indeed harbor unique traditions within our respective cultures, the human experience is something we all share in and one particular series that is excelling at this right now, is Lopez vs Lopez on NBC.
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Because not only is this series doing a wonderful job of putting the Latino and Latinx Experience on display and teaching us a great deal about Latino culture and its beauty and its opportunities, but it keeps finding ways to break down barriers and stereotypes, and this week’s episode is a fine example of that. For ‘Lopez vs Van Bryan’ takes the time to explore the reality that fathers that don’t wish to be responsible or in their children’s lives, is not something that is exclusive to Latinos or BIPOC individuals either. Bad parenting and dads that can’t cut it or are toxic in nature are everywhere to be found, and that is important to note because that does remove that stereotype from the equation, and it accomplished that particular feat… by introducing us to Quinten’s father.

For Sam Van Bryan came to visit the Lopez/Van Bryan household and well, at first glance… it seemed as though this was going to be a story about George facing his shortcomings as a father because of his choice to steer clear of Mayan’s life for so many years. For Sam was… the model father and model grandfather. He was eager to speak to his son and see him and he was equally as eager to spend time with Mayan and Chance. Because the man just seemed to be filled with endless love and endless energy, and he was also a man that conducted himself with incredible integrity, since George did want to find a flaw in his personality and well… George should have been careful of what he wished for. Because a simple dinner, revealed a disappointing side to Sam.

Because he was… abusive toward Quinten at that dinner, hinting greatly that Quinten wasn’t the son Sam expected him to be, and as George spent more time with Sam, he came to learn that Sam was not that great of a father. For he was supremely hard on Quinten and saw him as something of a failure. Which took George by surprise, since Sam seemed so together, and also because… Sam was wrong. Quinten was a great dad, that valued family and clearly wanted to be the opposite of his own dad. Which is why he went part time at his day job, to support Mayan and his son, to be there for every critical moment. But rather than be rude about it to Sam and perhaps complicate the situation, George very beautifully pointed out those observations and how that is a bigger win than Sam ever knew. Giving rise to an understanding and a connection between George and Quinten since the latter heard that conversation.

But what made this entire episode so powerful, is that journey between George and Sam. Since it really spoke to how poor parenting is indeed, a human experience, and not the butt of a racist joke or exclusive to the stereotypes we’ve seen before. It’s just a fact, and it is something that will take a long time to fix. But calling it out and recognizing its impact on a popular television series on a major network is a big start to course correcting that kind of problem, and once again, that kind of commentary reminds us of the brilliance of this show. Because it really is speaking to topics that no other show is right now, and it is working hard to break down walls and stigmas to showcase… life. Life as it really is in the modern United States of America and it truly does leave us eager to get to get to next Friday, so we can embrace another incredible lesson from this incredible show. Until next time.

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