Family Business Season 5 is a popular crime drama that first premiered in 2017. The show centers around the wealthy Blake family, who run a successful hedge fund by day but engage in organized crime and corruption by night.
The first four seasons followed the Blake family as they built their criminal empire while evading law enforcement and dealing with threats from rival gangs. Each season upped the stakes as the Blakes’ web of lies and crimes grew.
Season 1 introduced the Blake family – patriarch Robert and his four adult children who all work at the family hedge fund. Robert initiated his kids into the world of organized crime, building on his own hidden past.
Season 2 saw the Blakes expand their operation and get involved in money laundering, blackmail, and cybercrime. This put them in conflict with the Russian mafia and a ruthless cartel.
In Season 3, law enforcement started closing in, led by FBI agent Emma Hill who has made bringing down the Blakes her personal mission. The Blakes scrambled to cover their tracks while eliminating witnesses and rivals.
Season 4 ended on a cliffhanger as Agent Hill finally gathered enough evidence for arrest warrants. The Blakes prepared to flee the country to avoid prosecution.
Season 5 picks up right where season 4 left off, with the Blakes on the run as international fugitives. How long can they evade the global authorities? Will the family empire come crashing down? This season promises even more danger, high stakes, and jaw-dropping twists.
Season 5 Plot Summary
Season 5 of Family Business picks up where Season 4 left off, with the Jones family facing new challenges and opportunities in their quest to build their startup into a successful company.
This season introduces some major new story arcs. The biggest one involves the Jones company seeking new investors and venture capital funding to scale up. This forces them to really professionalize their operations and make some tough decisions. It also brings in new characters like venture capitalist Mark Davis, who takes a chance on investing in the company but also tries to gain more control.
Several new characters join the show this season. Lisa Chen becomes the new CFO and helps get the company’s finances in order. She clashes with Robert over the right way to manage money. Theo Miller is brought in as a new marketing expert and shakes things up with innovative growth hacking tactics. But he rubs some employees the wrong way.
Some of the major events this season include the company moving into a new modern office, the launch of a major new product line, and some key hires and departures. Challenges arise when they lose a few longtime employees who don’t like the new corporate structure.
Overall the main theme of season 5 is the growing pains that come with evolving from a scrappy startup into a more mature company. The Jones family tries to maintain their close-knit culture while also bringing in new expertise and investment to take things to the next level. There are triumphs and setbacks along the way as they continue pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams.
Critical Reception
Season 5 of Family Business received widespread critical acclaim and is considered by many critics to be the show’s best season yet.
The season has a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on reviews from 25 top critics, with the consensus stating, “Family Business deftly balances humor and heart in its strongest season that dives deeper into the family dynamics its fans have come to love.”
Many critics praised the excellent writing and character development in the new season. Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, “The sharp writing has always been a hallmark of Family Business, but this season takes it to new heights. Each character faces major life changes that are handled with nuance, humor, and depth.”
A common highlight among reviews was the performance by lead actress Sandra Bullock, who plays the family matriarch Kate. Brian Lowry of CNN called it “Bullock’s best work yet on the show,” saying she “anchors the season with a delicate, moving performance.”
The season’s exploration of weighty themes like addiction, illness, and mortality was also well-received. “For a show that started out as a simple family sitcom, Season 5 goes to some dark places while retaining the charm and quirkiness that fans enjoy,” wrote Maureen Ryan of Variety. “It’s a delicate balancing act that the writers and actors pull off beautifully.”
Overall, the critical consensus seems to be that Season 5 represents Family Business firing on all cylinders – combining smart writing, emotional resonance, and superb acting into what many consider its strongest season so far. Fans eagerly await to see where the show goes from here.
Viewership and Ratings
Family Business season 5 enjoyed strong viewership numbers and ratings despite being later in the show’s run. The premiere episode drew in 9.8 million viewers, which was up 12% from the season 4 premiere. Over the course of the season, viewership averaged around 8.2 million viewers per episode.
In terms of key demographic ratings, Family Business continued to perform well in season 5. Among adults aged 18-49, the show averaged a 2.1 rating, which was on par with the previous season. The finale scored the series’ highest ratings ever, earning a 2.8 in the key demo. Critics attributed the high ratings to fan interest in seeing how the central mystery would resolve in the final season. Overall, the ratings reflect that Family Business remained a hit show with viewers even as it approached the series’ conclusion.
Awards and Nominations
Family Business had another strong showing when it came to major television awards in its fifth season. The series received several Emmy nominations, including:
- Outstanding Drama Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Patrick Stewart as Robert Voss)
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Michael Imperioli as Andrew Voss Jr.)
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Robin Wright as Catherine Voss)
In addition, Robin Wright won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Series for her portrayal of Catherine Voss, the matriarch struggling to keep her family and business together amidst internal strife. This was her second Golden Globe win for the role.
The series also received nominations from the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Critics Choice Television Awards, and Television Critics Association Awards. While it did not take home the top prize, the continued recognition from major television awards solidified Family Business as one of the best-reviewed and acclaimed shows on the air during its fifth season run.
Cast and Characters
Season 5 of Family Business saw the return of the core cast members who have been with the show since the beginning. Michael Bluth, played by Jason Bateman, continues in his role as the level-headed middle son who often finds himself mediating family conflicts. His sister Lindsay, played by Portia de Rossi, faces new challenges this season as her marriage to Tobias falls apart.
Will Arnett returns as Gob, Michael’s older, underachieving magician brother. Gob provides much of the show’s physical comedy, though he pursues more serious acting roles this season. Jessica Walter is back as the Bluth family matriarch Lucille, whose manipulative and alcohol-fueled antics drive many of the show’s storylines. The cast is rounded out by Tony Hale as Buster, Lucille’s codependent youngest son, and David Cross as Tobias, Lindsay’s husband who continues to struggle with his sexuality.
Season 5 introduces some new characters who shake up the status quo. Jane Lynch guest stars as Lucille’s estranged sister who arrives to stake her claim on the family company. Another rival to the Bluth family business emerges in the form of a tech billionaire played by Elon Musk. On the romantic front, Maeby gets a new love interest in the form of a brooding musician played by Timothee Chalamet. These new characters add fresh dynamics to the season and new foils for the main cast.
In terms of character development, Lindsay and Tobias finally get divorced this season, sending both into tumultuous life changes. Gob explores a committed relationship for the first time. Michael thinks he has finally extricated himself from the family’s dysfunction, only to get pulled back in. Lucille descends further into alcoholism. The season is filled with both humor and pathos as the characters continue to grow in unexpected ways.
Impact and Legacy
Family Business has had a significant cultural impact since its debut, and season 5 continued that tradition. This season tackled complex social issues like systemic racism, police brutality, and immigration through nuanced storylines. Critics praised the show for sparking important conversations through its powerful writing and performances.
Season 5 built on the strong foundation of previous seasons while bringing the show into new territory. Long-running story arcs came to a head in gripping ways, with satisfying payoffs for loyal viewers. At the same time, the introduction of new characters and settings opened up exciting narrative possibilities. Showrunner Ava DuVernay and her creative team deftly balanced rewarding longtime fans while inviting new audiences into the world of the Johnson family business.
The legacy of Family Business season 5 centers on its boldness. The season fearlessly confronted injustice and inequality while retaining the show’s warmth and humanity. It provided catharsis during a painful cultural moment by depicting the Johnson family’s struggles. And it gave viewers hope through the resiliency of its characters in the face of adversity. Season 5 demonstrated the power of inclusive storytelling that amplifies marginalized voices. Its sensitive portrayal of the Black experience resonated deeply with viewers of all backgrounds. The season’s masterful balance of entertainment and social commentary solidified Family Business as one of the defining shows of its era.
Behind the Scenes
Family Business Season 5 faced several challenges during production due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Filming was repeatedly delayed as cases surged, forcing the cast and crew to halt production on multiple occasions. Despite rigorous safety protocols, there were a few COVID-19 outbreaks amongst cast and crew at different points during the season’s filming. This resulted in isolated quarantining and contact tracing efforts, further slowing down the production timeline.
In order to film certain scenes safely, the production team got creative with camera angles, social distancing, and perspective tricks to maintain the illusion of intimacy between characters while keeping actors appropriately distanced. Intimate scenes were filmed with great care and caution. The cast was often only allowed to remove masks immediately before filming a take, and had to put masks back on as soon as the director yelled “cut.”
The cast found it emotionally difficult not being able to interact and socialize normally off-camera. The social isolation took a toll over the course of the long filming process. However, the cast made efforts to stay connected through virtual hangouts and video calls when not filming.
Despite the challenges, the cast and crew remained dedicated to delivering another stellar season of the show for the fans. Their persistence and care in following safety protocols allowed them to complete filming the entire fifth season on schedule. The behind-the-scenes stories of how they overcame the odds makes this season even more meaningful for those involved.
Future of the Show
The future of Family Business seems uncertain at the moment. While the show has performed decently in ratings, the network has yet to officially renew it for a sixth season.
Fans are eagerly awaiting news on whether Family Business will return. The season 5 finale left things open-ended, and many viewers are hoping the story will continue. However, the showrunner has hinted that season 5 was written to potentially serve as a series finale if needed.
If Family Business is renewed, it’s likely season 6 will air sometime in 2024. The cast’s contracts would need to be renegotiated, which has held up renewals in the past. The core cast of characters is expected to return, but there may be some cast shakeups to introduce fresh storylines.
Some speculate that season 6 could be the final season for Family Business if it is renewed. The child actors are growing up quickly, and long-running shows often aim to go out on a high note. However, the show still has strong viewership, so the network may want to continue it for multiple seasons.
Many are hoping the show gets a satisfying conclusion if season 6 ends up being the last. The show’s legacy and impact on the television landscape will be determined by how the story wraps up. For now, fans eagerly wait for renewal news and hope Family Business returns for more seasons.
Conclusion
Family Business Season 5 was a strong final season for the popular crime drama series. The show went out on a high note, giving closure to long-running storylines while still leaving some things open-ended.
The core cast remained intact for this last season, allowing viewers to enjoy the character dynamics and relationships they had come to love over the years. While there were new threats and crimes introduced in Season 5, the show still heavily focused on the family at the center of it all. Their loyalty and love for each other continued to drive the emotional core of the series.
Some of the key highlights of Season 5 included the return of the notorious Salvatore family, Armand’s continued descent into darkness, Julia’s crisis of conscience, and the bittersweet series finale. The writing and acting remained top-notch throughout, allowing the show to end on a qualitative high.
While it’s sad to see Family Business end, Season 5 provided a fitting conclusion for the saga. The show explored thought-provoking themes one last time while also rewarding loyal viewers with an appropriate farewell to these beloved characters. The series leaves behind a strong legacy as one of the most captivating crime dramas of its era. Though the story has reached its organic endpoint, fans will fondly remember Family Business for years to come.
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