Freeform’s newest drama “Recovery Road” has just premiered and it ‘s already become one of my newest obsessions. I’m sure it will become one of yours too!
I have waited so long to share this recap with you guys! After getting a sneak peek of the episode in mid-December, I have been anxiously waiting to share all my thoughts and give you the lowdown on what is sure to be Freeform’s hopeful new hit! LETS DO THIS!
We open the top of the episode with our main girl, Maddie Graham (Jessica Sula), waking up in a random lawn to the joys of a free shower by sprinklers; Soaking wet, hungover, no clue where her car is, & very little clues as to what exactly happened the night before. We know from the first of many little jump cuts that her previous night includes a hefty amount of booze, drugs, and LOTS of dancing.
Maddie soon stumbles home to her own bed just in time to “wake up” for school. It is in that moment that we meet Maddie’s mom, Charlotte Graham (Sharon Leal) who has to listen to Maddie drone out some white lies on the way to school.
At school is where Maddie’s true journey begins. Enter school counselor Cynthia McDermott (Alexis Carra) who calls a student/parent meeting after finding a water bottle filled with vodka in Maddie’s locker. (I really don’t understand how people think they can get away with this. Vodka doesn’t have the same consistency or smell like water at all.) Maddie is subjected to a breathalyzer test which she fails. Luckily for her Ms. McDermott offer her a plea, she can stay in school if she goes through a 24 hour detox & 90 days at a sober living facility. School by day & treatment by night. Maddie is hesitant but Mama Graham takes the plea.
(ABC Family/Eric McCandless)
After what was an intense montage of Maddie’s detox & her progression through “the five stages of grief: teenage edition,” she finally arrives at Springtime Meadows where she meets head counselor Craig (David Witts), along with her new roommate Trish (Kyla Pratt), a recovering meth addict who is getting sober so she can get her daughter back.
Just when Maddie thought this might be easy, we meet a mysterious friend from her past named Rebecca (Lindsay Pearce) & other housemates, including Vern (Daniel Franzese), Margarita (Paula Jai Parker), & Wes (Sebastian de Souza) whom she meets while in her first group session which goes a bit rocky. The group says goodbye to one of their members as they say hello to Maddie.
The next day Maddie learns that it maybe difficult to keep her secret from her friends and boyfriend when she gets called out for riding to school with Cynthia. Later that night Maddie gets bored and decides to sneak out. Lucky for her Wes agrees to go with her and cover for her, even after she tries to ruin his sobriety by buying alcohol with her fake id. It’s a good thing Wes doesn’t hold a grudge too because once they immediately get busted. Wes saves her by convincing Craig to let this one mistake slide and Craig makes sure to scold Wes on staying true to the program and to not get involved with Maddie.
Soon Maddie receives a visit from her mom who has found her car. What’s even worse is that in the front seat was an open condom wrapper. Trish later finds Maddie on the bathroom floor having a meltdown because Maddie was a virgin and now she can’t remember if what happened was consensual or not. (It wasn’t by the way because Maddie was too drunk.)
(ABC Family/Adam Taylor)
At her A.A. meeting Maddie finds out that Cynthia too is an addict, who has been sober for the past 12 years. We then find out that Mama Graham was the one who requested that Cynthia search Maddie’s locker in the first place.
Back at the home, Doug, the man who left earlier treatment a few days ago, returns high attacks Rebecca and Craig. It’s only after seeing this that Maddie realizes what a serious issue she has. We end this episode with Maddie writing in her sobriety journal ending with the words “one day at a time…”
Well there you have it guys! Be sure to follow me on Twitter @DustinB3350 for more Recovery Road and Fosters chats! Also follow @PopHeartsTV on all social media to stay connected!
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