all of boston laughs at the idea of bea as the smartest in any group. my interpretation of their dad (~snowowl can weigh in on this when she's back) is someone who really did try his best. he was a good provider and was as emotionally available as an unexpectedly single parent of 3 could be. i'm sure he had his own grief, struggles, and a boatload of responsibilities that made it difficult sometimes. he would've trusted his kids to handle themselves or pointedly come to him with any major issues. if they didn't, he wasn't going to pry. so maybe that's where bea gets a bit of her lackadaisical nature from. not for a lack of caring but in always being thiiiis close to feeling overwhelmed. i think everyone's hanging on by a thread sometimes. they're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks. keeping a safe distance is what's prevented any major explosions until now. re: the marraige, i'm sure their dad is sporting the ARCHED EYEBROW OF SKEPTICISM but, like, what's he supposed to do? his kids are too old for him to put his foot down and expect anyone to listen.