Like any pilot episode, there’s a lot of exposition. The show has to introduce us to the members of the family who aren’t Bristol and confirm that Todd Palin is not actually Jason Sudeikis in a ski parka. We meet nine year old Piper first, whom Sarah calls her “sidekick”, and who likes to call her mother by her first name to get her attention. Sarah seems to find this amusing. Piper’s also the one who points out Sarah’s blackberry addiction to the audience.
Teenage Willow (not sure of her age) is typical; walking and texting, barely grunting in response to her mother’s requests for help with things such as picking out a suit for mom’s FOX News satellite link up. You know, the usual. The next thing we see is the arrival of Willow’s friend, Andy, followed by Willow heading right back up the stairs. Sarah uses baby gates to keep Andy at bay, but he sneaks up the stairs anyway, until Sarah notices and insists he comes down. I’m guessing that even if she was flexible on that rule before, certain events have made her change her tune. Unless, of course, this whole awkwardly staged bit was done for the cameras, which is entirely possible.
