Ms Cyatt

Thanks for telling me that. It would have been nice to learn more about Brennan's mom Christine's family.

Jasper1975

It was always interesting to see Max. And given that it was all so fresh for Brennan. And to see her accepting her father's flaws, but also she felt the hurt that he abandoned her... But I was always curious about Christine.

Ms Cyatt

It was definitely hard for Brennan to deal with Max. She wanted to love and have a relationship with him but she still was upset with Max for leaving her. I'm sure if her mother had lived she would have had the same issues with her.

Jasper1975

I agree. Christine was able to stay in a "saint" like existence. Because she was dead, and she could put all her frustration on Max. And yet love that he was back in her life. She could name her daughter after her mother. And not really question her love for her mother. If it had been reversed, yeah, she might have more issues with her mother if she was alive.

Instead she was to give Max that role. Although the episode where she's shot, and is able to talk to her mother allowed her to confront her mother.

It was a interesting complex family.

Ms Cyatt

Exactly. Even though it turned out Christine was the one who said they couldn't go back while Max wanted to.

Jasper1975

It seems in character that Max would want the family to stay together. But Christine was more practical that it only brought more danger. Of course maybe they didn't think that Russ would bail on Brennan and therefore Brennan would be put in the system. She was thinking they could protect the kids. And maybe Russ could be there for his sister.

But at least Max able to be part of some critical times in her daughter's life. And yet they complex family.

Ms Cyatt

Yes I definitely think that seems in character for Max. While we never met Christine it definitely seemed like she was the one who would want to keep Russ and Brennan out of danger.

As for Russ no they definitely didn't think he would have put Brennan in the system.

msstock87

I think even though Brennan had forgiven her family, I think deep down she always felt doubt with Max and Russ. I think she did her best to suppress it though.

Ms Cyatt

I agree about that. I think that even though she forgave them it still hurt her that they left her.

msstock87

I can't say I blame her! I would feel the same way.

Ms Cyatt

I would too. I don't know if I would be able to forgive them.

msstock87

I am not sure if I would be able to either.

LindaL100

I agree, if I was in Brennan's shoes and my parents abandoned me when I was a kid it would've been difficult for me to forgive them too. Although I do understand why her parents did what they did to protect her, but it was still a traumatic period in Brennan's life, it took a long time for her to forgive them, which was totally understandable.

Jasper1975

Once young Christine and Hank came... Brennan's issues with her parents, and being abandoned truly was a wound that never could quite close. She could put a band aid over it in those years she wasn't a mother. But having Christine really pushed that button.

They probably didn't think Russ would bail. They thought they would be protecting their children. By staying away, and then Christine Brennan died and Max knew he had to stay away... But eventually he couldn't stay away, and came back... And allowed to have a relationship with his children. It was a complex one, where the issue of trust was always one thread from being frayed.

I wished we saw more Russ and Brennan. They did truly did bond again. But still, yeah, he abandoned her and she was put in the system because of his actions so I think there would always be that question.

It was sad to see Brennan putting Max through the wringer occasionally but given her situation. It's remarkable she was allowed to be able to have her father back in her life, and after what he did... He should have expected there would always be a part of his daughter who wouldn't be able to heal.

And especially when his grandchildren came along.

msstock87

I think one of the biggest moments in their relationship was when she finally trusted him to babysit. That was hard for her, but she finally let him in enough to do that.