Sequel to beloved show fails to fulfill high expectations

That’s right, the “Full House” cast is back in the sequel “Fuller House.” The new Netflix original series, which was created by Jeff Franklin, debuted on Feb. 26. People everywhere, myself included, tuned in to watch the familiar faces we grew up with reappear in the iconic Tanner family house.

    The sequel is set 29 years after the last episode of “Full House.” Candace Cameron Bure plays D.J. Fuller (previously D.J. Tanner), a widow who is now juggling three children, a job as a veterinarian and household chores. Jodie Sweetin returns as D.J.’s younger sister Stephanie Tanner, who is now a DJ but lives in her childhood home to help her sister. Andrea Barber also comes back as Kimmy Gibbler (D.J.’s best friend), and moves in with her daughter Ramona, played by Soni Nicole Bringas.  Throughout the season, cast members who were part of the original Tanner family, or were acquainted with them in the original show, made frequent guest appearances.

    While it was nice to see the “Full House” cast back together, the show lacked humor and original content. The only part that really kept me hooked was seeing all the old cast members together in the first episode.

    Since the first episode had to connect with the original series somehow, I understood that the plot and some characters’ catchphrases had to be the same as they were in “Full House.” For example, Stephanie Tanner’s iconic phrase “How Rude!” still found its way into the script every once in awhile. At times, the random placement of different characters’ well-known catchphrases made the plot line choppy and confusing.

According to slashfilm.com, the cast and creator Jeff Franklin purposely referenced “Full House” many times, wanting to bring back some old scenes. Yet, if the scenes in which characters repeat lines from “Full House” were taken out, there would not be much of “Fuller House.” It would have been refreshing if they had started creating new content.

For instance, in episode 3, Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier), a comedian and best friend of Danny Tanner (the father played by Bob Saget), pulls out Mr. Woodchuck, his beloved stuffed animal. This is an iconic part of his character, of course, but I felt that Mr. Woodchuck was not needed in this particular scene or most other scenes he was in.

In fact, the scene that did not include Mr. Woodchuck was one of my favorite scenes. When Joey comes over to watch the children after D.J., Kimmy and Stephanie go out for the night, he and the children have a house fight with green goo and silly string. I liked to see his funny, free-spirited character return without the stuffed animal.

Aside from the overuse of memorable lines and scenes from the original series, “Fuller House” displays some great new talent. My favorite part, besides seeing the old cast, are the three boys who play as D.J.’s children. All three of them, even the little baby, are the main source for the little comedy that appears in the sequel. Watching Jackson Fuller (Michael Campion) interact with his younger brother Max Fuller (Elias Harger) is priceless, especially when they bicker or tattle on one another.

Also, the interactions between Ramona and Jackson represent a relatable relationship between a teenage boy and teenage girl. Every time Jackson and Ramona resolve their conflicts, I see the true unity of the family in the Tanner house and feel the warmth of the original show.

Although it was fun to have the cast back, the confusing humor, dependence on the original series and mediocre acting made the show less enjoyable than I hoped it would be.