Joe Dubois really has to be just about the best dad ever. He would do anything for his daughters, as any dad would. But the thing that really makes him stand out from other dads on TV is that he doesn’t let his “dad feelings” get in the way of understanding what they’re going through. That doesn’t mean he’s not willing to step up and take charge when necessary, though.
Last night’s episode was a prime example of Joe’s excellent parental skills. He realized something was wrong with Ariel, put together the pieces of the puzzle to figure out what was going on, and quickly and quietly resolved the matter without even bringing her into it. You’ve got to give the man credit. Most dads, even if they put together that it was their daughter’s baby-raising partner that was smoking pot and not her, would still feel the need to have that talk to make sure she knows how bad the guy is for her, etc. Which would send her right into the lazy pothead’s arms.
Joe, on the other hand, knows better. Maybe its because he’s surrounded by women in his family, or maybe he knows he can avoid that awkward conversation with Ariel if he takes care of the situation without her knowing. I’m going with Joe not wanting to see Ariel get the munchies every time she touches the doll. That whole “I could really go for a cookie” thing would get real annoying real quick.
Whatever his reasons, it was highly entertaining watching Joe confront Ariel’s partner/pothead/crush in front of the school. Don’t these kids have any money leftover from their pot expenses to buy some Visine? The best line came at the end of their talk: “Oh and Adam, if I ever get the sense that you’ve given my daughter your ‘allergies’, I know where to find you.” Although, I did know someone in high school who really did have terrible allergies, and I totally had to convince my own dad that he was not on drugs. True story!
Clacked by Cate Cropp
on Feb 10, 2009 @ 13:00 EST5EDT
If Joe is such a good dad, then why didn’t he ask Ariel about that bad wig she was wearing?