Ep 5. Going South

In season 3 episode 5 of The Fosters, titled "Going South," the family takes a trip to visit Brandon at Idyllwild Music School, where he is currently a student. The episode begins with the family packing up and getting ready to go on their trip. Stef and Lena are worried about taking Mike with them, as they don't want him to feel like a third wheel. Meanwhile, Mariana is excited about the trip, as she hopes to meet new friends and possibly even a boyfriend.

When they arrive at the school, they are all impressed by its beauty and are excited to explore. Brandon is happy to see his family, but he is also a bit nervous about them being there, as he is worried that they might disrupt his routine and his focus on his music.

Stef and Lena are impressed with the school and are happy to see that Brandon is excelling in his studies. They also meet some of his new friends, including Lou, a talented pianist who is impressed by Brandon's skills on the guitar. However, they are concerned to learn that Brandon has a gig coming up and has not told them about it. They are worried that he might be putting too much pressure on himself and not taking care of his health and well-being.

Meanwhile, Mariana is having a hard time fitting in at the school. She is jealous of Lou, who seems to be perfect at everything, and she is also feeling left out of the group. She tries to impress them with her cheerleading skills, but they are not interested. She also tries to start a romance with another student, but he is not interested in her either.

Back at home, Jude is struggling with his feelings for Connor. He is worried that things might be changing between them, and he is afraid of losing the friendship that they have. He confides in Callie and tells her that he is not sure if he should tell Connor how he feels.

As the episode progresses, the family attends Brandon's gig and is blown away by his talent. However, they are also worried about his health, as he seems to be pushing himself too hard. Stef and Lena talk to him about taking care of himself and not taking on too much.

Mariana also learns an important lesson about fitting in. She realizes that she needs to be herself and not try to impress others. She decides to be true to herself and joins the robotics club, where she meets some new friends who accept her for who she is.

Finally, Jude decides to tell Connor how he feels. However, things don't go quite as planned, and he ends up feeling even more confused than before. The episode ends with the family packing up and getting ready to head home, but not before making some important discoveries and realizations about themselves and each other.

Overall, season 3 episode 5 of The Fosters is a heartwarming and thought-provoking episode that focuses on the importance of family and self-discovery. It tackles issues such as fitting in, taking care of one's health, and navigating the complexities of young love. With its strong writing, talented cast, and powerful themes, it is a standout episode in what is already a fantastic season.