“Oh my Lanta”

 “Holy Chalupas” 

If you’re a fanatic of the show “Fuller House”, then you’ve heard these phrases from DJ Tanner (Candance Sweetin) and Max Fuller (Elias Harger), two of the show’s main characters.

Candance Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner), Jodie Sweetin (Stephanie Tanner), Andrea Barber (Kimmy Gibbler) are cast members from the original series “Full House” who are now starring in the new hit series “Fuller House,” an American sitcom show based on DJ, who is a widow and a mother of three young boys, who finds her herself back in her childhood city with her sister Stephanie and her childhood best friend Kimmy Gibbler.

I have watched “Fuller House” since it began airing on Netflix on February 26, 2016. Now in its second season, what I like best about this show is how the characters interact with one another even though they have different characteristics. I love how the show is both a comedy and family drama. It’s a show that anyone can watch, plus it brings back memories of the original show “Full House”.

Cast Members

“Fuller House” has a great deal of characters besides DJ, Stephanie, Kimmy, and Max, that contribute in all 2 seasons: Jackson Fuller, DJ’s oldest son (Michael Campion); Tommy Fuller, DJ’s younger son (Dashiell Messitt); Ramona Gibbler, Kimmy’s daughter (Soni Nicole Bringas); Fernando, Kimmy’s husband (Juan Pablo Di Pace); Steve, DJ’s high school sweet heart (Scott Weinger); Dr. Matt, DJ’s colleague (John Brotherton).

At times, some of the old cast members from “Full House” appear as guest stars: Danny Tanner is the father of both DJ and Stephanie (Bob Saget); Jesse Stamos is the uncle of DJ and Stephanie (John Stamos); Joey Gladstone is Danny’s best friend (Dave Coulier); Aunt Becky is Jesse’s wife (Lori Loughlin).

Season 1

Season 1 kicks off with the Tanner clan reuniting in their childhood home after DJ’s husband passed away. The reunion includes Danny Tanner, Uncle Joey, Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky. Now a widow, DJ is facing the huge responsibility of taking care of her three boys with no one’s help. Her family over hears how overwhelmed she feels about being a single parent, and they decide that they will stay to help her out.

DJ refuses to receive their help because she knows that they need to have their own life, but at that precise moment, her younger sister Stephanie and best friend Kimmy offer to stay with her to raise the boys.

The show continues when Kimmy and her daughter Ramona move in to live with DJ and Stephanie. At first DJ’s oldest son, Jackson, is not pleased with the news because that means that he will have to share his room with his little brother Max. Jackson later recognizes that this is not such a bad idea because his mom DJ also shared her room with Stephanie which resulted in her learning to appreciate her sibling.

Kimmy and Stephanie force DJ to stop her mommy duties and enjoy life for once. The girls go out while Uncle Joey stays at home to take care of the kids. Girls night out is going perfectly fine, but it is interrupted when Kimmy’s soon-to-be ex-husband Fernando shows up, accompanied by a woman, and tries to flirt with Kimmy. In the club they have a dance competition, which DJ and Kimmy win leaving Fernando looking like a loser.

This is my favorite episode in season 1. That episode shows true friendship especially when DJ and Stephanie help Kimmy win the dance competition. DJ was her dance partner while Stephanie sang “I’ve had the time of my life”, where both DJ and Kimmy showed their dance moves by interpreting the Dirty Dancing movie. Meanwhile, these girls showed the true meaning of friendship, and Uncle Joey showed the true meaning of having fun without technology. I love how Ramona, Jackson, and Max tried to slime their Uncle Joey, but instead they slimed DJ, Stephanie and Kimmy.

Season 1 is filled with many amazing moments such as: Stephanie showing her unconditional love to her nephew Max; Ramona and her mom dancing at a Mexican wrestling show; Kimmy, Stephanie and DJ becoming the She-wolf pack; DJ falling for two guys Steve and Matt; Stephanie leading a Bollywood dance; Aunt Becky and Uncle Jesse coming back to San Francisco to renew their vows after being married 25 years, Kimmy and Fernando finally working things out and re-marrying which makes Ramona happy.

Although there are many funny moments in this season, there are also sentimental and tear-jerking episodes. For example, in Episode 5 “Mad Max” Stephanie confesses that she can’t have kids, which leads to a heart-warming, sisterly moment. Also, in Episode 8 “Secrets, Lies and Firetruck” DJ shares a very honest, heart-to-heart moment with Jackson and Max when she tells them that she sees the resemblance of her husband in her kids. It’s one of the most touching episodes because you witness the sadness that the family has, but the strong love they have for one another.

Season 2

Season 2 brings new lovers, family reunions and more shocking news such as DJ finding out that Steve and Matt have new girlfriends; Jimmy Kimmy’s brother falling in love with Stephanie; and Fernando moving in with the Tanners.

New romance blossoms when Ramona starts having a crush on Jackson’s best friend Popko after she gets her first kiss from him. Jackson is trying to catch Ramona’s best friend Lola’s attention by joining the football team, and Steve knows that DJ will always have a special place in his heart but he has fallen in love with his new girlfriend.

“Fuller House” is known for their family reunions especially on holidays. The gang reunites for Thanksgiving, but there are conflicts within the family. Aunt Becky wants to adopt a child but Uncle Jesse doesn’t; Uncle Joey’s kids are wild and destructive; and the whole reunion is a mess. DJ feels overwhelmed with the situation, but just like any big family, the conflicts are resolved once they finally start eating together.

The season ends with the family meeting up again for New Year’s. Many surprises arise when Steve propose to his new girlfriend, Matt and DJ are finally in a serious relationship, and Aunt Becky and Uncle Jesse finally adopt a child.

My favorite episode from Season 2 is when the gang reunite to celebrate New Year’s at DJ’s house. Everyone is gathered together in the living room at a huge table, where you witness the joy, love and care everyone has for one another. This episode reminds me of the times I have my family come over for the holidays where we share many great moments together.

Favorite Character

Even though every character has unique characteristics, my favorite character is Stephanie Tanner. In the show she’s the aunt of the three young boys, a singer, musician, and a risk-taker who enjoys life to the fullest. Just like in “Full House”, Jesse, who’s the uncle of both DJ and Stephanie, plays the role of helping Danny Tanner raise his kids. Similarly, Stephanie fills in his shoes in “Fuller House” as the fun aunt who provides care. There are many of Stephanie’s characteristics I can relate to like her spirited, charismatic sense of humor, as well as the love and care she has for her nephews, since my world revolves around my nephew Isaac.

Old vs. New

While the show still revolves around the themes of love, family, and facing reality, major differences are seen in the new spin off “Fuller House”. Uncle Jesse, Uncle Joey, Danny Tanner, and Aunt Becky, are now guest stars rather than main characters. The show’s main focus is now set on how DJ, Stephanie, and Kimmy deal with the everyday struggles that come their way rather than having them affect the entire family. A gender switch can also be seen since this time it’s DJ who plays the role of a single parent, rather than her dad, as well as the kids in the house being all boys instead of girls.

“Full House” had 189 episodes in total with 11 seasons and it was aired on ABC Family which is now called Freefrom. In contrast, “Fuller House” has 2 seasons with 26 episodes, currently working on season 3 which will premiere on Netflix in 2017. According to “Symphony Advanced Media” http://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/fuller-house-ratings-netflix-making-a-murder-1201685846/,   about 14.4 million viewers among adults 18-49 watch “Fuller House.”

I recommend this show because it’s comical and enjoyable to watch, but at the same time it shows the importance of family and sticking up for one another no matter how bad the situations are.