LEANNE: Episodes 2.1-2.3
A funny sitcom about navigating family, relationships, and life as you get older.
Should You Watch It?
Yes, but with some caveats. The first three episodes of LEANNE Season 2 include wonderful storylines about family and finding love, as well as scenes that include characters praying. The characters are dedicated to their family, whether it’s wanting to keep their elderly parents at home instead of sending them to a care facility, or the two sisters encouraging each other to be brave.
However, these episodes do include some inappropriate content, like several instances of foul language, light alcohol use, discussion of a character’s infidelity and the child he is currently having with his girlfriend out of wedlock, some off-color jokes about drug use and self-harm, and a scene of comic violence.
While the episodes promote family and portrays faith as part of everyday life, it sometimes leans on questionable content for its humor, making this one not a good watch for young viewers.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESSeason 2 of this hit sitcom finds Leanne navigating life after a divorce as she approaches her 60th birthday. When her mother reveals that her father has gone missing, the milestone celebration gets put on hold. A house fire soon forces her parents to move in with her. Complicating things further is her post-divorce relationship with her ex, which takes an unexpected turn, even as he's dealing with major changes on the home front. From there, she navigates the ups and downs of dating again alongside a host of other decisions that come with entering life's next act.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means Season 2 starts strong, delivering a well-crafted sitcom that evokes memories of past shows with its constant jokes, single-camera setup, and satisfying resolutions by the end of each episode. The storylines center around Leanne’s relationships, highlighting her efforts to care for her aging parents, manage interactions with her ex-husband and the father of her children, and navigate the dating scene in her late 50s.
The cast works exceptionally well together. Leanne Morgan and Kristen Johnston portray loving yet frequently bickering sisters, while Celia Weston and Blake Clark, who play their parents, provide many hilarious moments. This season builds on the plots from the first season and emphasizes the humor in starting over in midlife, along with the challenges that everyone faces as they age.
The Worldview
These episodes carry a strong moral worldview, with Christian elements woven in. They also highlight pro-family values as Leanne stays close with her parents and sister throughout the season. In one episode, she insists her parents live with her instead of moving to a care facility, so she brings them into her home.
In another episode, she and her sister Carol butt heads over a major decision Leanne faces, and Carol pushes her to take the brave, scary choice instead of playing it safe. A few scenes even show characters talk about prayer or pray together.
That said, Season 2 packs in some questionable content. Expect several instances of foul language and light alcohol use throughout. The show also tosses in a few off-color jokes that touch on marijuana use, homosexuality, and suicide. One storyline deals with a character's infidelity and the child he fathers out of wedlock, though the other characters don't let him off the hook for it.
Overall, the opening episodes of Season 2 give viewers heartfelt moments that celebrate family, love, courage, and faith. However, they also include enough immoral content to give viewers plenty to praise, and plenty to question.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
A moral worldview, promoting strong family relationships, particularly between parents and children and sisters. Characters encourage others to be brave and make the right choice, even if it seems difficult. Christian elements, including one scene where are character says she will continue to pray for someone, and another scene where characters pray together
Foul Language
Seven obscenities, including 1 “s” word, 2 “b” words, 3 “h” words, and 1 “crap,” as well as 2 uses of the word “whore,” and 1 OMG profanity
Violence
A character slaps another (played for comedic effect), in a daydream sequence, two characters consider committing suicide
Sex
A character makes a joke about a “lesbian serial killer,” there are several mentions of a character's past infidelity, as well as the fact that he is welcoming a child out of wedlock with his current girlfriend, but his behavior is rebuked by other characters;
Alcohol Use
Characters drink alcohol throughout, but never to excess;
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
A character makes a joke about someone else smoking a “doobie,” but nothing is shown
Miscellaneous Immorality
Two characters attempt to steal their daughters’ cars to escape the house, but later apologize and explain they just want their freedom.
Talk About It
Three questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
Leanne and Carol struggle with the decision to have their elderly parents live in a home and Leanne eventually makes the choice to have them live at home with her. Why do you think she makes that choice? 1 Timothy 5:4
When Leanne faces a decision that could upend her whole life, she and her family turn to prayer before she chooses which path to take. Can you think of a time you brought a hard decision to God before making it? Philippians 4:6-7
Carol pushes Leanne to make the brave, scary choice about a major decision in her life. Why do you think Carol believes bravery matters so much here? Joshua 1:9
The Final Word
Season 2's first three episodes dig into the humor that comes when you start over in your 50s. Leanne leans on her family through every setback, and the show celebrates that bond, right down to characters who turn to prayer when life gets hard. Foul language pops up throughout, characters drink alcohol, and a handful of off-color jokes touch on topics families may want to avoid. Along with a few mature themes scattered throughout these episodes, the season is best suited for older viewers, even though it has a strong pro-family heart.
