SEASON FINALE RECAP & REVIEW: Parenthood “Because You’re My Sister” S4 E15

I hate that it’s Jan 25th and Parenthood is over for the season.  But I’ve said it before, I’d rather have a 15 episode season of Parenthood, than no season at all.  So if 15 is all I get and it keeps Parenthood on the air, so be it.  But I’d still rather have the full 22…it has to be said!

Adam and Kristina

It’s been a pretty emotional season.  Kristina’s cancer storyline has really dominated the tear factor, with a handful of other stories vying for their Kleenex moment, so you knew there was going to be a decision at the end of the season…was Kristina going to be in remission or was she going to die?   I’m not going to lie.  I was worried Katims was going to kill Kristina off.  Because the storytelling that would happen in the build up to her death and in the preceding episodes dealing with her passing would be so incredibly powerful and interesting, I thought Katims might go that route.  At this point, luckily, he has decided not to go in that direction.  Although I fear seeing her friend Gwen might have been a foreshadowing of things to come.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I am by no means wishing for this to happen.  NO.  WAY.  I’m just putting on my forecasting hat and, as usual, reading too much into everything.

Kristina had one more scan to make sure that the cancer hadn’t spread because something looked off in her test.  But the doctor was just being cautious thinking it was probably just her body reacting to all the treatment.  Turns out that exactly what it was!    Yeah!!!  Now he did warn her that she can’t use the “C” word (cured) for 5 years but at this point, she is cancer free!!!

I’m so happy for her and for Adam.  This whole storyline was told so beautifully.  It showed how scary and lonely it can be for a cancer patient.  But it also showed how difficult it is on the spouse.  And it showed that both sides can be flawed in their actions.  There were times Adam was trying to be supportive but in his quest to support (like with bought Kristina the trip to Hawaii to celebrate her clean health), it pushed negative buttons in Kristina.  Likewise, when Adam was doing his best to be supportive (like when he bought Kristina the wig) Kristina really overreacted to what her husband’s intentions were.  Showing the side of the cancer patient in a supportive light is a dangerous and tricky storyline to go down.  You never want to show a patient unfavorably because of what they are going through but if you are going to show this as real as possible, then you have to cross that line.  But Katims did it so well that it was never disrespectful or insensitive.   But it was a perfect ending to a very well told story from start to finish.

Joel and Julia

Speaking of a well told story, this story had some mixed emotions over the course of the season.  I didn’t have as much of a problem as some people did…until the last two episodes.   Now I am going to chalk up the fast turn around to only have 15 episodes to work with and wanting to wrap this story up on a happy note this season and not drag it out into the next one.  But is that the fastest turn around you have ever seen in a kid?  He went from being really nasty and mean to Julia and Sydney to now begging Julia to adopt him and asking Sydney to show up at his adoption ceremony because she’s his sister.  This from the kid that just 2/3 weeks earlier was saying Julia wasn’t his real mother.  It didn’t make sense to me.  And there seemed to be no explanation as to what caused him to have this major change of heart.  That’s the only part that really disappointed me.  But my assumption is that Katims really wanted the adoption to happen in the finale and there was only so much time between certain episodes to make that happen.

Other than that, the adoption was wonderful and classic Braverman.  Of course the ENTIRE family would be there to support J&J.   And I LOVED how each one of them stepped up to say how they now related to Victor and how there certain areas in life where he should reach out to them for advise.  (Oh and really Sarah, YOU’RE going to suggest relationships for your area of expertise.   Ugh.)   But the best part was at the end of the scene when they were running out and Victor said to Julia “Mom can we get ice cream?”   The look on her face when he called her mom was priceless.  I love it.

Crosby & Jasmine

I still don’t agree with Jasmine on how her mom should have been handled.  Are there some sensitivities to the situation that should be respected because of who Renee is and what she has been to Jabbar?  Absolutely.  Does that give her the right to tell Crosby and Jasmine how to parent their son?  No.  And Crosby had every right to be upset with Renee interfering with their way of raising Jabbar.  Renee wasn’t happy with their routine (Crosby getting in late and having dinner as a family when he got home.)  so she just changed it.  That isn’t right and Jasmine should have put her foot down more.  She was just as much to blame in this for putting Crosby in the position of having to be the heavy and that’s why it became worse than it needed to be…because she didn’t have his back, even though she agreed with him.  Ironically, I think Renee was right that Jabbar shouldn’t be eating dinner at 8:00pm during the week.  That should be closer to a bedtime than mealtime.  But you know what, it doesn’t matter what I think or she thinks.  The only thing that matters is what his parents think because it’s their decision.  And quite frankly, I think it’s nice that they try to do what they can to have dinner as a family, no matter what time it is.   But because Jasmine didn’t have the guts to have an honest, but respectful conversation with her mother, the situation and the tension built up and exploded when it didn’t need to and Renee’s feelings were hurt.  And somehow Crosby had to apologize, which was wrong.  If anything, Jasmine should be apologizing to Crosby and her mother, because this whole thing is her fault.

I forgave Jasmine very quickly though because I LOVE the way she told Crosby she was pregnant.  Even more, I love the fact that they went to see Renee and let her be the first one they told.  And the way Crosby told her was so sweet and adorable, it just melted my heart.  So it looks like all if forgiven and another happy ending for another Braverman sibling.

Sarah/Hank/Mark

Thankfully, this storyline is over.  Sarah finally made up her mind and decided to give it a go with Hank only to have her heart-broken by him when he told her he was closing the shop and moving to Minnesota to be with his daughter.  I have to say, I can’t blame him.  But he did tell Sarah that he loved her and wants her to move with him to snowy, icy, Minneapolis.  I say, go.  I’ve said this before, I love Lauren Graham, I don’t like her character.  Sarah isn’t bringing a whole lot to the table and her stories, quite frankly, haven’t been that interesting.  So I wouldn’t mind seeing her haul off and follow Hank to Minnesota.  But that won’t happen because LG isn’t going anywhere.  I also had a MAJOR problem with how she told Mark.  Are you kidding me? You walk into his classroom and stiffer than a board, tell him you’re going to make a go of it with Hank and good-bye.  Could she have been more cold?  For God sake he was her fiance.  Didn’t he deserve a little more warmth and respect than what she gave him?   Take him for coffee, take him for a beer.  But don’t do it at work and don’t be so cold and unfeeling that we’re wondering how you two were ever together in the first place.  I assume  she was trying to play it as awkward, which I’m sure it was.  But it came off as bitter and rude, than awkward.

Amber/Drew

A quick note on these two.  I’m glad Drew got to wrap up his story with Amy and we got to see her one more time and they were able to resolve their break up in a satisfying way.  What they went through was so hard and difficult for teenagers.  For anyone really but especially teenagers.   I’m also thrilled to see his moment of joy learning he got into Berkley, after all the sadness he’s had the last few weeks.  The only thing that was disappointing is that there is still no fallout from his moment with Sarah when he fell into her arms crying after it happened.  Does she know?  Did he tell her?   We still don’t know.  My assumption is that he did because when she was congratulating him on getting into Berkley, she told him “I told you everything would be ok.”  Now was that the gentle nod to let us know that she knew?  I’m still not 100% sure.   Either way, I’m happy for Drew and I’m very excited for him.   I’m going to say something cooky, crazy now.   Is it possible Amy didn’t go through with it and is still pregnant and that we’ll see her two seasons from now where Drew bumps into her with a kid in a stroller?   I’m just, throwing it out there.  My guess is no, but you know how my mind works!

Amber and Ryan are back together…yeah!!  As they should be.  I love this relationship and it’s so nice to see how far Amber has come from when we first met her and how mature she is being.  She is getting her life together and she is being very responsible and respectful to herself and Ryan in regards to making this relationship work the right way.  The chemistry between Whitman and Lauria is incredible so I hope Ryan will be a permanent fixture on the show moving forward.

So that’s season 4 of Parenthood.  Did you love this season?  Are you sad it’s over so soon?  I hope NBC does the right thing and brings it back.  I think they will.

 

NEW PODCAST: Episode 34 Covers Scandal, Homeland, and Parenthood

While this may be one of the longest podcasts I’ve recorded, it only covers three shows:

• Scandal
• Homeland
• Parenthood

Fortunately and unfortunately, there was so much to talk about with each show that I couldn’t go past three!   But I’m hoping to squeeze another one out sooner than later so we can get to some other shows.

Click here for the link or head to iTunes and download.  And if you like, leave me a nice review!  And if you don’t, you know what they say…if you don’t have anything nice to say, keep your trap shut!  :)

 

QUICK REVIEWS: Parenthood

I really thought I was going to get through an episode without a tear shed.  Then the scene with Camille and Kristina happened where she gave her the sweater that was worn by 7 other cancer survivors curing Chemo.  Earlier there was a scene where Camille walked in and heard the tail end of Kristina’s conversation with her mother where her mother just told her she couldn’t come see her because someone else in her family had kidney stones.  So later when Camille showed up with the sweater she tells Kristina’s that she isn’t her mother and would never try to take her mother’s place but that she loves her so much and would always be there for her no matter what.  Are you kidding me?  I was a mess!!!  I love Camille and I love when the writers give Bonnie Bedelia these chances to shine.  It’s what Parenthood is so good at.  It was such a simple scene but it was so moving and beautiful and it was exactly what Kristina needed to hear.  I loved it.

I love Amber and Ryan.  Zeek and Sarah better not find a way to screw this up.  I’m getting a bit concerned since Sarah asked Zeek what he thought of Ryan and he told her that he’s a great kid but vets coming back from war have major struggles ahead of them.  The look on Sarah’s face scared me a little.  I hope it’s just a mother concerned for her daughter in not wanting her to get hurt than the “Oh My God I have to break them up because Amber deserves better” face.  I hope Zeek doesn’t go to Ryan and tell him he shouldn’t be in a relationship until he gets some direction and tells him to break up with Amber.  I want Zeek and Sarah to respect that Amber in now an adult capable of making her own decisions, as is Ryan, and that if they want to give this a shot…LET THEM.  If it doesn’t work out, fine, but let them make the decision for themselves.  I will be beyond pissed if Sarah and Zeek find a way to screw this up.

I love the effort Julia is making to make Victor feel more at home.  From going to get his friend Miguel to learning Spanish, she rocks.  And it didn’t go unnoticed by Victor who is old enough to understand what Julia is doing when he came downstairs and heard her practicing Spanish.  Between what Julia did for him at school and getting Miguel to come over and learning Spanish, I think Victor and Julia are going to have an amazing bond.

Parenthood people.  Time to get on board!

 

 

RECAP & REVIEW: Parenthood

I think the people from Kleenex and Johnson and Johnson should give the producers of Parenthood a nice portion of their incremental profits from this year due to all the tissues and Tylenol I’ve been using during each episode.  I don’t know if I can take much more.  Oh who am I kidding….of course I can!!!!!

This season is really defined by Kristina’s cancer storyline and I couldn’t be happier with putting Monica Potter front and center.  Maybe now she’ll get some Emmy love.  Wait who am I kidding, she’s not on Modern Family.  Anyhoo, last week Kristina went in for her surgery only to find out that while the cancerous lump was removed successfully, the doctor still had some bad news.  The cancer found was a more aggressive form than previously thought and one of her lymph nodes also had cancer in it.  So Kristina is still up for quite a battle.

There has been a lot of discussion out there about how Adam and Kristina handled telling Haddie.  I’m torn on this one.  On one hand, how do you lie to your daughter about something so serious?  I know they don’t want her to worry, I know they want her to go to school.  But come on.  She’s an adult.  You can’t expect your daughter to act like an adult and then you treat her like a child when it really counts.  On the other hand, if that’s how Kristina wants to handle it, that’s her right.  And if they want to insist their daughter go to school that they are paying for, they have that right.   I have to imagine if things got really bad, they would tell Haddie to come home right away.  But if I had to pick one side or the other, I would have to go with they made a mistake and should have told Haddie.  What’s delaying college one semester or even a year if it means being around your mom and family if, God forbid, something happens to her.

As weird as this sounds, I love to see how this has impacted the extended Braverman family…more so Amber and Crosby.  I never really thought of Amber and Kristina as close.  But then I remembered her working for Kristina and all the times Amber was there for Max and I realized that they are pretty close.  It was painful to watch Amber on her first date with Ryan not be able to hold it together as she was thinking about her aunt.  (More on Amber and Ryan in a bit.)   But what really struck me was Crosby’s response.  Crosby and Kristina, to be kind, haven’t always seen eye to eye and gotten along.  In fact, there were times they down right disliked each other.  But Crosby was one of the first people to jump at the chance to help.  Even though in typical Crosby fashion, it had to be all about him.  When he asked Adam for something to do to help, Crosby didn’t like the task Adam gave him and wanted something more important to do.  Finally after whining for a while, Adam gave him the responsibility of getting Kristina her last meal before the surgery…which she had to eat by a certain time.  I really thought Crosby was going to be late and miss the food cut-off time but he showed up just in time and Kristina was really very sweet about it.  But the sweetest part was when Crosby hugged her, he couldn’t let go of her.  Oh, it was so touching!

I wonder where this storyline is going to go this season.  Do you think the writers would actually go down the path of killing Kristina?  Most people say no, but I don’t know.  This show has always done what’s in the best interest of the story and I think it would be an amazing story to see what would happen after losing Kristina. Not that I want ANYTHING to happen to Kristina because I would be devastated if Monica Potter was no longer on Parenthood anymore.   But you know what?  I’m not ruling it out as a real possibility!

Can I just say that Sarah’s character is really annoying the crap out of me this season?  I hate to say that because I LOOOOOOOOOVE Lauren Graham.  But I just want to drop Sarah off the side of a cliff.  What a terrible parent she is sometimes.  I really don’t understand how anyone with any morsel of a brain cell would think moving in with Mark after what happened with Hank was a good idea.  AND, not only do you rush this moving in thing, you do it with your 17-year-old son and without thinking a lick of how it would impact him.  Actually, she had already thought about how it would impact Drew and she knew it would be bad.  That’s why she originally told Mark she didn’t want to move forward with anything until after Drew graduated.  So much for that.  All because of one kiss.  If that doesn’t send off warning signs and alarms, I don’t know what will.  But Lord is she driving me crazy.

I’m going to go on record right now and say that I am 100% fully on the Amber/Ryan band wagon.  I love this storyline with her.  Amber has always had MISERABLE luck with men.  And now we know why…because Matt Lauria (Ryan) had to come along with his amazing smile and looks and sweep her off my feet….oops, I mean her feet.  Amber really deserves a good guy and a good heart and even though there’s a big back story with Ryan (I think) and more layers of him to peel back, I think he’s going to be a keeper for Amber!!!

The only thing I ask the writers…please give us a little more Julia and Joel?  This is shaping up to be a really fascinating storyline and I want it to be given the respect it deserves.  So please, more J&J and less Sarah and her insanity.   Thank you!

So what are your thoughts on Parenthood so far.  And where do you think this storyline with Kristina will end up?

 

RECAP & REVIEW: Parenthood “Left Field” S4 E2

I’m still recovering from watching this last night.  I didn’t get a chance on Tuesday so I caught up last night.  I saw some buzz about how this episode was a tear-jerker so I promptly stopped reading the internet so as not to be spoiled.  I’m so glad I wasn’t.   Although I must say, I’m watching the whole episode wondering “where the hell is the sad part?”  And then the last 2 minutes happened.

Crosby/Jasmine/Jabbar

I’m so hit or miss with Crosby.  He’s my least favorite Braverman because I can’t stand how utterly clueless he can be at times and how his self-absorption negatively impacts the people around him, yet it’s never his fault.  But then there are times he’s so awesome, I can see why his family has dropped him off the side of a cliff yet. Last night was not one of those times.

What I liked best about Crosby & Jasmine’s story last night was that it flashed back to the problems in their relationship when they broke up.  The writers didn’t forget about that (cough, cough, Glee.)  Jasmine made a point to say that she knew her controlling side was a big reason why they had their problems so she is trying really hard to lighten up.  With each episode, I’m liking her more and more!!!!   But Crosby doesn’t seem to be making nearly the effort Jasmine is.

Crosby made fun of Adam and Kristina scheduling their time (especially their sex time which will now forever be known as Funkytown!)  There is no way I’ll ever be able to hear that song, and not think of Parenthood.   First off, who does he think he is that he can just take Adam’s phone and start going through it?  Second, Earth to Crosby…most adult have appointments and schedules.  Especially families with children.  My husband and I don’t have children but we still have a schedule and we share it with one another.

After telling Jasmine how lame Adam and Kristina are, he went above and beyond to show how it awesome it was that they were so “unscheduled.”  He didn’t want to commit to a time to going out with friends because of his work schedule so he blew it off.  Ok, that’s not so bad.  Then, Jasmine make a beautiful, healthy dinner and Jabbar wasn’t too happy about it so Crosby said they’ll blow it off and go out for pizza.   That’s bad.  The creme de la creme was when he forgot to pick his own son up from school because he didn’t remember Jasmine telling him.  That’s beyond bad.  I was really pissed at Crosby about the dinner fiasco and I was more mad a Jasmine for letting him get away with it.  She should have excused herself and Crosby from Jabbar, and she should have told Crosby why doing what he did was unacceptable.  The fact that she would even have to EXPLAIN that to him is preposterous, but that’s Crosby.   Seriously, what message does that send to your son that all the time mom just spent making a nice healthy meal for her family was not nearly as important as “bucking the rules” and going out for unhealthy pizza (though sooooo much more delicious than salmon….I’ll give them that!)   How completely disrespectful to Jasmine and what an awful message to send to your child.   Then you forget to pick your child up from school and when your wife is upset about it, you yell at her to calm down and take it easy because it was a simple mistake.   Is he kidding?

Episodes like this are why it’s so hard for me to like the character of Crosby with any consistency.  It obvious how hard Jasmine is trying to compromise for their relationship, yet Crosby is still Crosby.   Yes he agreed to do the calendar thing at the end of the episode, but it shouldn’t have to come to you forgetting your son to do it.  Crosby needs to stop comparing himself and his life to his siblings so he won’t make so many dumb decisions.  But that’s never going to happen so it is what it is.  Poor Jasmine.  I never thought I would say that again!!

Sarah/Drew

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Sarah isn’t a good parent.  She loves her children more than anything and I know she would run through fire for them to protect them and keep them safe, but she’s clueless.  I think she wants too much to be their friend instead of their parent.

What we all saw coming in the last episode happened…Amy broke up with Drew.  Sarah then goes into Sarah mode by telling everyone and then acting like an idiot in an effort to help.   Like when Drew got a text and she shouts at him “that’s probably Amy now begging for you to take her back!!!”   Really?  What is wrong with you?  Your son just had his heart-broken for the first time.  How about using some common sense and telling him that if he needs someone to talk to, you are here for him and that you love him.  That’s it.

Then, you tell his most upsetting moment to date to your new boss who barely knows any of you and ask him his advice.  When it’s quite scary, you retreat, but the damage is done.  Drew’s biggest heartbreak is already out there.  Later, Drew is talking to him about it and Hank actually gives him some good advice..it’s ok to be sad.  When Sarah goes to see Drew later that night and asks what he and Hank talked about and how she doesn’t think it’s a good idea to talk to Hank about these things, Drew tells her what he said and she has a change of heart.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Sarah, I just don’t like when she gets weird like this with her kids…especially Drew.  Just be normal. Realize your son may not be comfortable talking to you about this (and having you spew the fact that he was dumped by his girlfriend to everyone in the state of California.)  Give him his space, tell him you’re there for him, and let it go.  And I know it comes from such a good place because she loves her children more than her own life.   That’s why I’m always able to look it past it because I respect how much she wants her children’s lives to be happy and fulfilled.   But Sarah, I’m begging you, give the kid a break!

Joel/Julia/Sydney/Victor

Like Julia, I haven’t really warmed up to Victor yet.  But this episode helped a little.   Victor was afraid to go to school.  Not sure why, but he was.  He kept playing sick (and lots of video games) in order to avoid school.  Eventually, they got him to go but he wouldn’t get out of the car.  So Julia promised him that she would stay in the parking lot, the whole day, so that if he needed anything, she would be right there.  So he went in.   When it was recess, he came outside and the first thing he did was look for her.  When she waved and smiled, he did it right back.  Heading into the yard, he turned to look for her one more time.   It was so sweet.

Later that night, it’s 3am..I must be lonely!!!!  Sorry, broke into a little Matchbox 20 there.  3am and Joel comes downstairs to find out what Julia’s doing.  She’s catching up on work because she didn’t go to the office and she tells him the whole story.  She thinks Joel is going to be upset with her and he just kisses her and tells her what a great mom she is.  The relief comes over her face as she buries herself into him ready to cry.

I loved this scene.  I love seeing how this is impacting their relationship.  I can imagine that bringing a child around Victor’s age into the house, could tear some families apart.  J&J are getting stronger and closer.  It’s great to see because for so long, Julia was the 9-5er and Joel was Mr. Mom.  Now we see Joel getting his career back off the ground while Julia is making more sacrifices to stay at home when necessary.  It’s a 100% partnership with them.

I have to wonder how that’s going to impact Sydney?  So far, she’s been great during this whole thing.  But I have to believe that at some point, she’s going to rebel.  And it’s going to be against Julia.   Julia didn’t sacrifice work to stay home for Sydney (at least not that we saw) and Julia is letting Victor do things Sydney was never allowed to do.  She only a kid.   I’m waiting for her to act like one and pitch a fit over this…LOL!

Adam/Kristina/Max/Nora

Nora is flipping adorable.  That’s really all she brings to the table right now is cuteness galore.  So it had to be mentioned.

I’m not going to get too much into the dog thing other than to say, how cute were those Golden Retrievers?  I wanted to take them all home with me.  I’ve brought this up before but I would love to talk to someone who has experience with kids with Aspberger’s.   How much of Max’s behavior is the autism and how much of it is him misbehaving?   And how can you tell the difference?  When he was screaming at Adam to “write the check, write the check” I just wanted Adam to yell back, “hey when you make the money, you can make the demands.  Until then, shut it.”  But I don’t know if that’s the autism or not.  I can see how his reaction to learning the dog was sold is a result of the autism as well as when he was correcting Adam colloquialisms.  But that scene I wasn’t too sure.

Up until the end of the episode, I was wondering when the tears were supposed to hit.  Because when I read the episode will be a tear-jerker, I’m thinking it should have happened by now.  Those people who said that were lying!!!!   OH NO!!!!  And not only did a few tears fall from eyes, I was inconsolably crying…even 10 minutes after the show stopped.  Even now it’s taking everything I have not to start again.

I loved the way this scene was filmed.  There was no dialogue.  You just watch what is happening at a distance and you let their expressions tell the story.  I’ve said every season, there is no better facial actor on the show than Monica Potter.  In fact, I think she’s the best on all of TV right now.  Starting with her mammogram, there is no script.  Just a song so moving, I thought I was watching the Sarah McLachlin/SPCA commercial.   In case you’re wondering what the song was, it’s Iron & Wine’s Naked As We Came (click to hear.)   All we see is the test, Kristina being called in for the results, her reaction to the news, Kristina driving to meet Adam and Max picking up the dog, Adam seeing her and knowing something is wrong, Kristina putting on a brave face for Max, Adam coming to her and Kristina telling him the results of her exam, and the hug.   What a scene.  As always, Potter hits it out of the park, but Peter Krause really brought it even during his brief moment when he hears the news.  It was so touching and sad.  I just wanted to run through my TV and bear hug them and tell them it was going to be ok.   But will it?   Parenthood is at it’s best when the family rallies around one another.   Kristina and Adam are really going to need it, I have a feeling.

BEST.SHOW.ON.TV.  PERIOD.  The writing, the acting, the music…everything.  The Best.   Well, this and The Good Wife.

 

SEASON PREMIERE RECAP & REVIEW: Parenthood “Family Portrait” S4 E1

This is absolutely one of my favorite shows on TV.  And every season, I can’t wait for its return.  The fourth season of Parenthood did not disappoint with a very touching episode that surprised me because I’ve never liked Haddie.  So let’s start there because there was a lot going on in this episode.

Haddie/Adam/Kristina/Max

I had a feeling Sarah Ramos wasn’t going to be back much this season once we learned she was off to Cornell.  I wasn’t all that upset either because I’ve never liked the character of Haddie.  I never liked how whiny she was and how selfish she could be.  Plus, everything is the world seemed to annoy the crap out of her.  She was written perfectly as a typical teenager and Ramos did a great job executing it to a tee.  Still doesn’t mean I have to like her!   Most of this episode revolved around Haddie leaving for college.  Here’s what I don’t understand.  This is the week before she leaves correct?  So why was Kristina and Adam trying to cram ten pounds of shit into a five-pound bag (as my husband loves to say?)  Obviously Haddie wants to spend time with her friends before she leaves and she should have the right to do that.  Why would you put shopping, parties, family visits, and immediate family time all within the course of this one week?   Couldn’t you have spread it out over the summer?  It was already going to be stressful enough for all of you that week leading to Haddie heading East.   Why make it that much more stressful on all of you?

One of my biggest pet peeves about Parenthood (really the only one) is how the show always has people talking over each other.  I hate it.  It’s one of my biggest pet peeves in reality because I don’t think there is anything ruder than talking and having someone completely disregard the fact that you are speaking and begin to speak over you.  It’s as if that person is saying “what you’re saying is so insignificant and has so little value, that I am going to begin speaking because I couldn’t care less what you have to say.”   Sorry for the mini soap box, but it had to be said.  So when it happens in Parenthood, it drives me bonkers.  Adam/Kristina/Haddie/Max have always been the worst about this on the show.  Every scene they are in it’s as if 2-3 different conversations are going on.  It’s hard to follow and not the least bit entertaining.  The scene at the burger place was awful.  First, if you want to take Haddie out to celebrate her, why not ask her where she wants to go?  Second, knowing you have a son with Aspberger’s, wouldn’t you call the restaurant ahead of time to make sure they serve the same burger that your son always gets?  You know what will happen if they don’t and if you’re trying to make a nice family outing, keeping Max in check would be a good idea.  Third, how dare Kristina yell at the people behind them.  You all know I love her character but this bothered me.  Your son is pitching a fit, your oldest daughter and yelling back at him, and your youngest baby has just burst into screaming tears.  When the man turned to look at them, Kristina yelled to have him mind his own business because that wasn’t his family.  Well guess what?  When your family disrupts other people’s families from enjoying their meals, they have the right to give you the stink eye.  If you don’t like it, then make sure all hell doesn’t break loose when you go out to dinner.  I’m not saying it’s easy and I can appreciate how challenging it can be.  But you also can’t be upset with other people who may be annoyed that your family is keeping them from having a quiet, enjoyable meal.

Even with those few annoyances, overall, it was a really sweet episode for these guys.  One of the things I think the show highlighted beautifully is just how difficult it is on the sibling of a child with Aspberger’s.  We always see and hear about the parents view-point, but it’s nice to see how hard this has been on Haddie.  Haddie tries to have a nice moment with Max telling him how much she will miss him and loves him and that she appreciates his special qualities of honesty and directness.  She even gives him a present to let him know how much she cares.  But you see her get nothing back from Max.  That has to be hard and I thought Haddie handled herself very well.   Haddie always has to be the bigger person and when her parents don’t always discipline Max the way they should (like the way the blew off him destroying her room to look for his lizard) it’s hard to not want to take it out on him and it’s understandable when she does lose it.

We also got to see Kristina’s side of her baby girl going off to college.  You see how she really wanted some girl time with her daughter before she leaves.  She really puts it in perspective when she says “she’s never going to live here again.”  Actually, that’s a good thing.  You should want your child to be self-sufficient and independent.  It’s a sign they’ll be ok.  But from a mother’s view-point, her baby is grown up and moving on.  And while she’s thrilled for her, it crushes her at the same time because everything is moving to a new stage in their lives.

The scene that really got me, was the final scene.  Even though I knew it was coming, it still got me.  Haddie is at the airport about to board her flight and her parents are keeping it together (Adam’s just fine but Kristina is really trying hard to be strong and not cry) and Haddie is also very stoic.  But as soon as Haddie gets in line, she runs back to her parents, crying her eyes out, and gives them a huge hug.  It was awesome.  And I was so happy for Adam and Kristina because they got their reassurance that Haddie is going to miss them just as much as they will miss her.  Oh man, did I cry!!!

Crosby/Jasmine/Jabbar

I’m still not happy Crosby and Jasmine are married but I guess I’ll get over it at some point.  But I thought their story of the week was very interesting.  Crosby noticed Jabbar praying and wasn’t quite sure how he felt about that.  When Jasmine and Crosby confronted her mom about it, I loved seeing them as a united front and on the same page.  It was the first sign to me that I could start to like Jasmine again because that shows she’s grown.  Before she would have taken her mother’s side but not this time.  She and Crosby were a team and told her mom that something that significant should really be up to them to teach Jabbar.  And I agree with them 100%!  But her mom had a great response…then what do you plan on telling him and teaching him because he deserves to know something.  And she’s right.

Crosby goes to see his mom and dad and asks them about their spiritual background and how they handled this with them.  I was conflicted about this because in one sense, shouldn’t Crosby know his parents view points on religion and spirituality?  Wouldn’t that have already been discussed and wouldn’t he know the results of those conversations?  In another sense, I really respected how Crosby took this seriously.  Seriously enough to go to his parents and ask their advise since they didn’t grow up in a house where religion was prevalent.  He and Jasmine talked about it and he asked her what about her religious upbringing did she like.  Now of course Crosby said something that made me want to smack him upside the head (he’s usually good for at least one of those per episode) which was “well I don’t want my son belonging to some club I’m not apart of.”    Oh really?  So if Jabbar wants to be on the football team or a mathlete or part of the German club or drama club, you won’t let him because you won’t be part of it too?   That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!    Ultimately, I think Crosby made the right decision and followed his mom’s advise in letting Jabbar figure out for himself what religion and spirituality will mean to him.   It’s a fascinating debate because can children really figure that out for themselves?  Probably not.  But there is nothing wrong with opening him up lots of different faith-based religions, learning about them, understanding them, and letting them choose which speaks the most to them…especially if religion isn’t a huge presence in your life.

Sarah/Mark/Amber/Drew

I’ll run through this part quickly.  I’m not sure why Mark was brought back.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Jason Ritter.  But it’s pretty well-known that he’s going to be in another show mid-season that Jason Katims is creating specially for him.   So he’s not going to be around.  At this point, I don’t know why Sarah just couldn’t have denied the proposal off-screen and she comes back this season single.   I though his speech to Camille was sweet about being in the picture but at the same time I was just screaming at my TV: “come on!!”  It’s a picture!!!!  I can see if other fiances were included in the picture and now he isn’t but Kristina wasn’t allowed in until she and Adam were married.  Jasmine wasn’t allowed in.  So why should it be any different?  I don’t agree with Camille’s stance, but if that’s her decision, so be it.  She should have held her ground.  Seriously though, I can see not wanting random girlfriends and boyfriends in the picture but fiances?  That doesn’t make any sense to me.  And what if one of her children didn’t believe in marriage and lived like Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell?  Does that make the significant other any less family?  I think not.  Also, why not take two pictures?  One with mom, dad, and the kids and one with mom, dad, kids, significant others, and grandkids?

Sarah is searching for a new job outside of bartending and when scheduling the photographer for the family picture, noticed a Help Wanted picture in the window.  She asks Hank Rizzoli (guest star Ray Romano) if she can put her hat in the ring for the job.  I have to say, I wasn’t thrilled with the addition with Ray Romano because I was not a fan of his.  I never found him particularly funny and I hated his sitcom.  So I was nervous. I am shocked to say that I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed his character.  I liked his banter with Sarah.  I thought they had a nice connection…he’s the grumpy curmudgeon while she’s the bubbly, aloof, optimist.  She has no experience and she lies to get the job.  It fails horribly (from a logistical standpoint) but the family loved her and Hank couldn’t help but notice how great she was with the clients.  So he decides to hire her full-time to be the client liaison while she learns more about the photography business.  And I like where this is going!

Amber continues to make bad decisions but I don’t care because I love her character.  But I do have to ask, what happened to her job with Kristina?  I thought she was seeing that through and now she’s working at the Luncheonette?  I hope that gets explained (and I hope Kristina still has her job!)  But she sleeps with the lead singer of this band only to find out he has a girlfriend.  She tells Crosby, who tells Adam, who decides to fire the band.   (Loooooooooooooooong deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep breath and siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.)  I was with Amber, I can’t believe Adam fired a paying customer because he upset Amber.  If anything, he should have been upset with Amber for AGAIN mixing work and pleasure to disasterous circumstances.  But at the same time, I LOVED how protective he was of her.  Ultimately, she’s still his niece.  And as he explained to Crosby who was giving Adam a hard time “you don’t have a daughter.”  I get that.  I still think it was absurd that a 20-year-old with no business experience had to explain to a 40+ year old with 20+ years of business experience that he can’t make business decisions on his personal feelings.  But I still loved the scene with Peter Krause and Mae Whitman.

Drew, kind of bores me.  I don’t know if it’s the character or the actor, but Drew is a drip.  I’m sorry.  And it looks like Amy will be breaking his heart next week.

Joel/Julia/Victor/Sydney

Wow, this is tough.  Joel and Julia are really struggling incorporating Victor into the family.  I like this storyline because I think it’s fascinating to see how you bring a child into your family who is much older.  I would guess Victor is around 7-8 years old?  So Victor has thoughts, feelings, and opinions already developed.  This isn’t something J&J can develop from scratch like they did with Sydney.  I can’t even imagine how difficult that is.  And I can appreciate the predicament of letting Victor do things they wouldn’t normally do to make him feel loved and wanted yet needing to discipline him to the point that you are truly treating him like family (to Joel’s point.)  How do you know that line?  When is the right time to stand up and say you’re in my house you need to live by my rules?   Each kid is different so how do you know?    And it just broke my heart when Julia said “I’m trying to fall in love with my son.”   You can see this is killing her.  You can see how badly she wants this but it’s hard.

I have no doubt this will work out because I think J&J are great people who want this child to have a great life.  But the process to get there will be amazing to watch.  And I’m sure it will get worse before it gets better.

Whew!!!  What a premiere!  I know it sounds like I’m being really hard on the show.  Maybe I am, but I just love it so much that when there is something I don’t like, it usually hits me harder than it should!  The ratings have me nervous, they always do so I hope Parenthood continues to have enough of a following to last a few more seasons.  Because I LOVE the Bravermans!!!

 

RENEWED SHOWS: NBC

One of the top shows I’ve been waiting to hear about has finally been renewed…..YEAH!!!!!!    Here is the official list so far:

• Parenthood
• 30 Rock
• Parks and Recreation
• Up All Night
• Community
• Whitney

Parenthood was a 15 episode order (really this show should be at 22 but beggars can’t be choosers.)  Community was a 13 episode order and likewise Up All Night and Whitney will be 13 as well (but it’s not official.)  And Parks and Rec was given a full 22 episode order….sweet!!!

I’m stunned Whitney was renewed.  Actually it’s not so much the renewal as much as the amount of people who watch it being enough for a renewal.  I haven’t met one person who has liked that show.  I haven’t read one article, blog or listened to one podcast where someone thought Whitney was a good show.  Who the hell is watching it?

I’m just happy Parenthood, Parks and Rec, Community and 30 Rock are all coming back.  30 Rock, while tired and past its prime, should go out on its own terms and I’m glad it has the chance for a final season.

 

SEASON FINALE RECAP & REVIEW: Parenthood “My Brother’s Wedding” S3 E18

I just got around to watching the last two episodes of Parenthood.  Wow did I need some major tissues.  Before I get into the episode itself I just have to ask the writers and directors of Parenthood a question….what is with the CONSTANT speaking over someone every time there is a conversation (especially a debate?)   At first I understood they were trying to keep it real since families do step on each other’s words (you should be at one of our family dinners) but it’s gotten to a gratingly ridiculous level.  Not every time a conversation is had, do people talk over each other.  So why does Parenthood feel the need to have this happen at most times?  Kristina, Adam, and Zeke did it, Kristina and Sarah did it, Adam and Crosby did it.  I just want to jump through my TV and yell SHUT THE F*#@ UP FOR ONE MINUTE AND LET (ENTER NAME HERE) FINISH THEIR DAMN THOUGHT!!!!  In all seriousness, it completely takes away from the enjoyment of a scene and sometimes it’s tricky to follow because everyone is talking at once.  Seriously the scene where Sarah comes to see Kristina about Amber, I was ready to call Jason Katims and rip him a new one.  After “please sit down and shut the door” all Sarah and Kristina did was talk at the same time.   I really wanted to hear Kristina’s explanation and I really wanted to hear Sarah’s response.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t get either very well because they both insisted on talking at the same time.  I just want to know if this is something they are being directed to do?  Are the writers writing it this way?  Is it the actors’ choice?   No matter what the reason behind it, it needs to stop.  Or at the very least be severely toned down.  This is some of the best writing on TV and I would actually like to hear the dialogue vs. having to decipher it via facial expressions because everyone is being rude and talking over each other.  Now that I have solved that problem, onto the episode.

Crosby and Jasmine

I’m getting this out-of-the-way first.  Anyone who was read any of my Parenthood posts in the past knows how I feel about Crosby and Jasmine.  I HATE them as a couple.  I don’t like the people they are when they are together.  But I knew it was only a matter of time until the show got them together again.  I was hoping it was going to be a story about them parenting Jabar apart and moving on in separate directions while working together to raise him.  I think that could have been much more interesting but we all knew that wasn’t going to happen.

So in a matter of a blink of an eye, they broke off their seemingly happy relationships because Jasmine all of a sudden realized she loves Crosby and wants to be with him and marry him….like today.  Dr. Joe and Lily hit the pike and the family is beside themselves with excitement over the idea of Crosby and Jasmine getting married at the Braverman estate.   They get married and everyone is having a great time (especially Drew and Amy!)  Save for a best man hiccup (more on that later) it was a great wedding and the couple is officially back together.  Yippee (enter sarcasm here.)

Adam and Crosby

Crosby is one of those characters I can’t figure out yet.  Sometimes I love him to no end and other times I can’t stand him and hate the way his family always picks up for his bone head ways.  I guess I’m so hard on Crosby because I know family members who are like that.  No matter how bad they screw up or screw other family members over, everyone else has to be the bigger people and make it right.  I hate that.  So that’s why at times I just want to throw Crosby through a wall.  This business deal with the Luncheonette was no different.

Adam and he were approached by a rival recording studio about buying them out.  Adam wants to discuss it and Crosby has no time for it because the Luncheonette is his dream.  Adam tries to explain to him that as business partners, they need to discuss this because that is what business partners do.  Crosby’s response: “no, there’s nothing to talk about, we’re not selling, oh and I’m getting married.”  Adam gets a call to meet the buyer who doesn’t want to go without Crosby but he says it’s just drinks and just to talk.  Adam goes and ends up walking away with an even bigger offer.  For some reason, Crosby gets even more incensed about this (as does Zeke which makes no sense….oh wait it does because Crosby is always the good guy and Adam is always the bad.)  Crosby then tells Adam he is longer then best man and a fist fight breaks out between the two of them at the Braverman’s!!!!!  In front of the whole family!!!

The next day Zeke goes to Adam’s house, tells him how wrong he is and ask how he could think of doing something so awful to Crosby and tells him to fix it.  So Adam fixes it by giving the worst best man speech at a wedding ever, and ripping up the offer from the company.  Now Crosby and Zeke are happy and everything is right with the world.

Ok, first and foremost, back off Zeke.  As usual you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.  This is between Crosby and Adam.  And it’s a business thing, not a family thing (although they did make it a family thing by fighting in front of the whole family.)  But you know who you need to blame for that?    CROSBY!  Adam didn’t bring it up.  He didn’t want to discuss it in that forum.  But the typically immature Crosby didn’t care and brought it up anyway.  So why are you bitching to Adam?   And instead of storming into HIS home with his family to lay him out for the situation, Zeke should have listened to Adam’s side and then Zeke should have had a conversation with Crosby.  Really what he should have done was mind his own business, but God forbid with that guy.

To be honest, this whole thing is Crosby’s fault.   If he just sat down with Adam and TALKED to him, they could have avoided all of this.   The thing that pisses me off is that everything is always about Crosby.  His dream, his life, his vision.  Well what about Adam?  He has a massive income drop, he has a daughter heading to Cornell, a son with Aspberger’s, and a new baby.  He is drowning in bills.  Can you really fault him for wanting to entertain the idea of selling?  NO.  Just like Adam shouldn’t blame you for wanting NOT to sell.  But Crosby never allowed for the possibility of that mature conversation to happen because he just blew Adam off and dismissed Adam’s wishes, because everything is always about him.  And as usual, Crosby gets what he wants by being an ass and guilting people into doing what he wants.  Can you tell that it really rubs me the wrong way.

Sarah, Amber, and Kristina

I already said my piece about them talking over one another so I won’t go back there.  This is a tough one.  I think I’m still going to side with Kristina here.  What Amber was doing was wrong.  It happens, but it’s wrong.  And it’s gross.  She’s not even a year removed from high school.  She’s 19.  Bob has to be in his mid to late 20s.  I’m not saying relationships that are 5-10 years in age difference can’t work.  My husband is 5 years older than me.  But when you’re talking about someone who was going to her senior prom this time last year, it’s icky.

Having said that, they are two consenting adults who have the right to do whatever they want and make whatever mistakes they choose.  I know Kristina’s first instincts were to run and stop what was happening (which she did), but I don’t agree with how she handled it.  Which by the way, if was Amber, I would never say anything to my cousin ever again.  What a snitch Haddie was!!  But she’s another one I’ve never liked.  Anyhoo, Kristina goes barging into the hotel room and embarrasses Amber, embarrasses Bob.  It was bad.  Her intentions were good and her instincts were right, but it should have been handled a little differently.

When everyone gets back, Sarah goes to see Kristina to find out what happened.  Kristina expected Sarah to be as upset as she was but Kristina was stunned when Sarah was confused as to what the problem was.  Really, Kristina how dumb can you be?   It shouldn’t surprise you at all that her mother. who is dating a man 15 years younger than her (her son and daughter’s teacher no less) who has made countless bad choices throughout her life, can’t see why this is bad.  Sarah seems angry with Kristina for interfering so Kristina asks her to leave.   See maybe, if you didn’t speak while Kristina was speaking, she could have explained why this is a bad thing and you could have listened.

I’ve mentioned before how I love Sarah, but I think she’s a bad mother.  She loves her kids and would do anything for them, there’s no denying that.  She wants to be more of a BFF with them instead of a mom to them and that’s a problem.  How could you honestly be upset with Kristina for trying to stop Amber for making a huge mistake?  And let’s list all the reasons this is a big mistake:

1. She’s 19 and he’s 7+ years older
2. She’s his employee
3. He’s her boss
4. He’s running for political office so if the affair leaked, it would be really bad
5. Her reputation will be destroyed if it got out

Should I keep going?  How as her mother does Sarah not see that?   All she seemed to care about was is he married and does Amber like him.  While those things are important, are they the point here?   NO!!  Come on Sarah.  You should be thanking your lucky stars you have a sister-in-law like Kristina who would not only care enough from stopping Amber from making a huge mistake but then would follow-up by stopping to see her and explain why she did what she did.  That’s called PARENTING!!!  By the way, that was a great scene with Kristina and Amber.  Monica Potter and Mae Whitman blew it out of the water with their subtlety.  But then again, they always do.  Kristina basically tells Amber that she made so many bad mistakes when she was younger and that she thinks so much of Amber that she wants to help her not make the same mistakes she did.  She sees so much potential in Amber and wants to see her fulfill that for herself.  It was such a nice scene.  And it worked because Amber broke it off with Bob to come back to work and pursue this as a potential career.  Good call Amber!!!   At least someone is trying to steer you in the right direction!

Julia, Joel, and Zoe

You just knew it was coming.  You knew Zoe was going to keep the baby.  Each week, the writers kept slipping little hints that this was going to happen.   I was hoping it was red herring and Julia and Joel would have their new baby boy, but it didn’t.   In the end, after all Julia did for her, Zoe decided to keep the baby.  And I was so mad at Camille.  When she was helping Joel pack the room, she had to make the comment of “well Zeke and I were afraid this was going to happen.”  You know what Camille, this is really not the time for “I told you so!”  You really think Joel wants to hear that right now?   Dear Lord!

The irony of the entire situation is that while Julia was doing things to support Zoe while pregnant and to give her the love and encouragement she was sorely missing in her life, all she really did was give Zoe the confidence and strength to go back to her family and to be a good mom to her son.  It was that strength she learned from Julia that made her believe she could raise her son.  It beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.  I still wanted to rip her heart out and set it on fire for Julia, but it made sense.  I cried and cried watching that scene.  Although it was tempered because my husband came and sat with me about 20 minutes into the show and not having watched an episode since last season and starts asking me “who’s that girl?  why are they crying?  why are you crying?   what’s going on?  what baby are they talking about?  what’s with the watch?”   If I could have stuck him in a sound proof room, I would have.

So it’s back to the beginning for J&J and they go to an adoption agency to try to get their hands on a new baby.  The agent offers a suggestion of some type of fast adoption should it happen, and they agree to it.   Well, when they say fast, they weren’t kidding.  At the wedding, they get a call that an opportunity has come up.  I can’t remember what happened but I get the impression one parent is going to jail and one is out of the picture so the boy needs a home.  But he’s about 6 or 7 years old.  J&J will take him and get him settled in.

I guess my confusion is, I thought they wanted a baby.  Not a little kid.  I know they didn’t care about race or gender, but I thought they wanted a baby.   That’s all Julia has said…she wants a baby.   Not a kid, a baby.  Guess not.  And, are they foster parents or is this their new son?  I hope they address that next season because I have no idea.  If he is their’s I can already see the storylines of he and Sydney not getting along.  He’s probably going to be manipulative and nasty but play the game in front of J&J until something happens to Sydney and it wakes him up to being a turd.   J&J figure out he’s a turd and then they fix it and everyone’s better.  Maybe I’m wrong, but I can easily see that happening.   Regardless, if he turns out to be their son, I’m so happy for them!!!!

Sarah and Mark

Sarah and Mark are finally starting to realize what we as the audience have noticed for weeks now.   They are too different and want different things as a result of being at different stages of their lives.  Neither one is wrong, it’s just different.

Mark has all these things he wants to experience.  Sarah, not so much.  Mark wants kids.  Sarah, not so much.  Mark wants to move to NY.  Sarah, might want to, but only after Drew graduates and the kids are settled.  See the pattern here?  It’s a shame because I really do like them as a couple.  But it’s clear they are on different paths.  And I really applaud Sarah for making the hard decision to break up with him.  Because it had nothing to do with not loving him and everything to do with wanting different things.  I know Mark came back and proposed to her at the wedding and cliff hanger was left as to what Sarah would say.   But the answer has to be no.  It’s easy for Mark to say, who cares about those other things, we love each other and that’s all that matters.  No kid, it isn’t.  It’s important, but it’s not everything.  And Sarah knows that.  As much as I love Jason Ritter and want him to stick around, it’s time to say good-bye to Mark Cyr.

Drew and Amy

All I want to ask is “why are you so sweaty?”  I was laughing my ass off when Drew and Amy came down stairs and Sarah asked him that.  And they were so nervous they couldn’t look at her and couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Drew and Amy decided they were both ready to have sex and decided Uncle Crosby’s wedding was the best time.  It’s actually a good idea because everyone is occupied but it’s still VERY risky.   The thing I found funny was how matter-of-fact the beginning was.  They get in the room and then stand off the side of the bed, and start stripping while starring in each other’s eyes.   Then when fully naked, get into bed.   Call me crazy but it just seemed a little stiff to me.  I know they’ve never done this before, but there had to be a more romantic way to do it than that!   It just seemed so business like.  I don’t know.    But I was happy for Drew!

So that wraps Season 3 of Parenthood.  Another solid season that should warrant a renewal from NBC in May. What did you think of the season finale and the season as a whole?  Let me know!

 

RECAP & REVIEW: Parenthood “Sore Loser” & “Mr. Honesty” S3 E9 & 10

There were some MAJOR developments in the last two episodes of Parenthood.  As always, there is much to discuss about what is happening with the Braverman clan from parenting to marriage management to really bad decisions and choices.  So let’s break it down by family:

Joel/Julia/Sydney

I REALLY hate when Zeke is right.  With every fiber of my being, I hate when Zeke is right because he is such a jerk and I hate his character so much.  But in “Sore Loser”, he was 100% right and he needed to say something to Joel and Julia.  The way he goes about it is still wrong but his instincts about Sydney were dead on.  Sydney is a spoiled brat.  In Julia and Joel’s quest to make sure she feels strong and positive, they created a little monster who has no idea how to behave when things don’t go her way.

The scene where Sydney and Joel are playing Candy Land and she loses it and completely has a melt down, I couldn’t believe what I was watching.  I literally gasped out loud when she threw the cards at him and then proceeded to slap him.  My jaw hit the floor.  Now I don’t have kids so for those of you that do or are around children a lot, does that really happen?   Can kids really have that bad of a hissy fit and be so disrespectful to their parents?  It’s so hard for me to fathom.  A child accusing their own father of cheating and then getting physical with him out of frustration.  Wow.  And I have to say, Joel really did a great keeping his composure because I don’t know if I could have.

I’m really proud of J&J for not giving into Sydney’s tantrum but I wish we could have seen the calm discussion J&J had with her to explain how that behavior isn’t acceptable and how you should be a gracious loser.  I know Joel went through some of that with Sydney when playing Candy Land but I would have thought that would have went in and out of her head.   It seems like we skipped over that part.  Sydney went from her tantrum to playing chess with Zeke and being a nice loser. That seemed a little quick for me, but I admit, I am nit-picking.

As for the baby adopting storyline, you knew this was coming right?   Something was going to make this not as easy a situation as it initially seemed.  Although I thought it was going to go down one path and it went down a different one.  I am going to preference my next comments with I have no idea of the adoption laws in California and how this whole thing works.  I don’t what is right and what is wrong.  Therefore, I can only comment on what I see on-screen with my limited knowledge.  I can see both sides here.  On one side you have Zoe and Troy.  Two young kids who have created a life that they want to see go to a good family because they have decided they aren’t the best option for their child.  So before they are ready to just sign this child over, they have a conversation with J&J about it and ask about compensation for the child.  J&J are paying all her medical expenses but Troy is looking for a bigger pay-day than that.  In his research, Zoe could get $30,000 for an egg and people usually pay for adoptions so he is looking for J&J to step up and write them a check otherwise, no deal.   On the other side, you have J&J.  A wonderful, successful couple with a great home life that is ready to give a baby a good home.  J&J did not respond well to Troy’s demands.  Julia informed him that in the state of California, it is illegal to solicit money for a child.  Wait, was it illegal to solicit or pay for a baby.  I think it’s pay for a baby.  So Julia tells Troy, it isn’t going to happen because it’s illegal.  So on a side note, how does that work in CA then?  I was under the assumption that when a couple goes through the adoption procedure, there is a cost involved in getting that baby.  In CA is that not that case?  Are adoptions free there?  I’m confused.  Regardless, Julia and Joel are standing firm and are ready to walk away if this is the path Zoe and Troy are taking and I am thrilled to see them handle it that way.  I know how much they want a baby and I am glad to see that they aren’t willing to just do anything to get him/her.

You know where I thought this was going?  I thought Troy wanted to keep the baby and have them try to raise him/her themselves.   Turns out that no, he just wants a big pay-day for his child.  A part of me can understand it because they are young and need help.  But the other part of me thinks he’s a scum bucket for doing it.

Adam and Kristina

Oh boy.   Talk about something blowing up in your face.  I’ve seen this storyline happen in many shows.  Unfortunately, I’ve seen it in real life as well.   When someone cheats (or in Adam’s case, an inappropriate situation happens) and it’s a one time thing….a mistake…do you tell the other person?   What is the right thing to do?  It is such a hard question to answer and I think each situation is different so I don’t think you can make a blanket statement to cover everything.

In this particular situation, Adam should have NEVER told Kristina what happened.   Kristina has been in a very vulnerable situation lately after having just given birth to Nora.  Adam knows this.  Hell even Crosby knows this because he laid it out for Adam why this is such a bad idea.  But Adam decides to tell her anyway.  He thinks he’s doing the right thing by giving her the respect of telling her what is going on and not hiding anything but he really isn’t because he didn’t think this through.  Number One, all he did was relieve his guilt over the situation.  This wasn’t about being honest with Kristina, this was about relieving his own guilt.  Adam knew this was never going to happen again.  He has no attraction to Rachel in that way and both regretted it as soon as it happened.  So why say anything?  Number Two, he had to know that Kristina was going to want Rachel gone.  HOW DID HE NOT SEE THAT COMING?  You tell your wife, your receptionist has kissed you.  Of course her next question after did it mean anything, was it a one time thing and did you kiss her back was going to be, did you fire her?  If you were never planning to fire Rachel, you should have never told Kristina.   Then not only do you not fire her, but then you lie to Kristina about it!!!!  So you don’t want to disrespect your wife by keeping this kiss from her, but you are going to disrespect her by lying to her about firing this girl and think your wife is so dumb she’ll never notice when she calls your office or stops by to see you?  Seriously?   Come on Adam.   You have now made a meaningless situation now VERY meaningful in the way you have handled this.  And I am 100% in Kristina’s corner.  Of course she is upset, of course she is second guessing her husband’s feelings for her, of course she is going to go ballistic.  By lying about firing her, you have now made your wife feel like there is something more going on than there actually is.  No disrespect to Rachel or receptionists but it’s not like she’s their VP of Finance or their top sales person or the only person who knows how to work the equipment.   She answers phones, gets coffee, and entertains the clients.  You can’t find someone else to do that?   You can’t see how Kristina is going to think that?   I just wanted to kill him.  He should have never told Kristina but now that he has, he has no choice but to fire Rachel.  He can’t keep her around if he expects Kristina to be ok.

Sarah/Amber/Drew

While I love the character of Sarah, she’s not the greatest mom.  Don’t get me wrong, she loves her kids and she would do anything for them and always put their needs first.  I just think she has a tendency to want to be friends with Drew and Amber vs. being their mom sometimes.   They walk all over her.  And even when she tries to establish some sort of discipline, it eventually goes away because she can’t stand the idea of one of her kids being mad at her.  Prime example…Drew and his grades.  She was furious that his grades dropped and directly related it to his new relationship.  Sarah told Drew that he couldn’t see Amy during the week anymore and only on the weekends.  Which I thought was perfectly fair.  Drew goes to see Amber and Amber tells him how to get around that.   Well Drew doesn’t do a very good job and he gets caught by Sarah and everything is taken away from him…his phone, his iPod, his computer, everything.  But then after Mark Cyr tells her she’s being too hard on him, she backs off and let’s Drew see Amy again.  What’s up with that?  Sarah did the right thing.  If for nothing else, Drew needs to respect his mother when she tells him something.  But  Sarah proved that they can continue to do whatever they want because she doesn’t want them to be mad at her.  It’s the one thing that really frustrates me about her.

As for Amber, she is really struggling.  She can’t make rent, she can’t take care of her car, she can barely buy food…it’s awful.   But it’s great at the same time.  It shows that maybe it’s time to stop trying to live on your own with no education and go back to school!  But I have to say, the scene with her and Camille is heartbreaking.  You can tell she really doesn’t want to be there and it is killing her to ask for help.   I’m sure everyone has been in that situation at least once where you just need some help to stop the bleeding.  So she smartly asks for help before her situation gets any worse.  Camille helps her but also gives her advise to change what she is doing because what she is doing now, isn’t working.   Here’s an idea…..GO TO COLLEGE!!!   Sarah is also trying to help by showing her how to create a budget.  It was during this scene I wanted to drop kick Amber down a flight of stairs.  Sarah is asking her how much money she is bringing in and how much her rent is and Amber just got overwhelmed and said she didn’t know her salary or her rent and doesn’t know how to do this.  How do you not know your rent and how much you are making?  No wonder you are in trouble.  You don’t have that many bills at this point so it should be easy to track and it’s simple math…make sure you have enough coming in to satisfy what’s going back out plus a little.   Early on, it’s that simple.   If Amber can’t manage a basic checkbook, she certainly isn’t ready to be on her own and should come home and go back to school.  But when she got overwhelmed, Sarah said don’t worry we will figure out a plan and work this out.   Here’s a great plan….GO TO COLLEGE!!!!  Are you sensing a theme with me here?   I think it’s a matter of time and Amber is the kind of kid that needs to learn these things on her own.  But she’s very smart and driven and she needs to come to this decision in her own way when she is ready.  I have a feeling she may be at that point soon.

Crosby/Jasmine/Jabbar

Ugh.   And you know why I’m saying ugh.  Crosby and Jasmine slept together last week.  So now, this make Jasmine no better than Crosby by sleeping with someone else when in a relationship.  So maybe she’ll come off her high horse a bit…but I doubt it.

I don’t like these two together (I bet you never heard that before) and I was really enjoying seeing her build the relationship with Dr. Joe (whose character I really like a lot) and her and Crosby parenting without being together.  I think that storyline is much more interesting but I fear that with this latest development, the direction of this writing crew will be putting Crosby and Jasmine back together.  It cemented it for me when they both told Jabbar that they are never getting married.   Don’t like it but what are you going to do.

So what do you think of Parenthood’s amazing third season and these last two episodes?

 

REVIEW: Parenthood “Nora” S3 E5

I know, I know, I’m really behind!  So I am going to try to make this quick.

Adam/Kristina/Crosby

Ok show of hands.  Who was peeing their pants with stomach cramps when Adam started walking down the street in his ’80s pimp/rap outfit?  He looked like a New Kid on the Block who ran over the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.  I was laughing so hard…it was priceless!

I think Adam and Crosby are going to have major problems if they don’t start respecting one another with this business.  Crosby’s expertise is in the music part of the business and his relationship with the artist they are looking to sign.  Adam’s expertise is all the marketing, financials, and logistical side of the business.  And neither one of them was respecting that about the other.  Crosby was all over Adam to not wear a suit and bring a contract to a meeting to land a rapper, Mista Ray.  Adam was all over Crosby for being too casual with the clients and not taking the business seriously and “lying” to him.  I think they could have met in the middle.  I find it very hard to believe that Mista Ray has never had a meeting with anyone wearing a suit before.  I also believe that Crosby’s relationships are strong enough to land the artist without a contract but that there isn’t anything wrong with covering your ass.  What they should have done was go into the meeting, as the people they are.  Crosby could have given Adam pointers on how to talk to and manage informal clients and Adam could have said to Crosby that while he understands they don’t like contracts, he is bringing one just in case and will politely and gently try to get it sign to protect themselves.  Seriously, they need to hire me!!

Well, after Adam had his Run-D.M.C moment, he realized that he can’t pull it off and asked Crosby to get one of his suits for him at his house because he was already at Mista Ray’s and Crosby was still on his way.  When Crosby goes to the house, he and Kristina get into it.  There are times I have Crosby’s back and other times where I want to wring his neck.  This was one of those wring his neck moments for me.  He picks a fight with Kristina about picking Jasmine’s new boyfriend as the family pediatrician.  Are you seriously going to pick a fight with a woman who is 9 months pregnant?  Are you kidding me?   I know it’s always hard to see your ex moving on.  And Crosby does have some valid concerns over Jasmine dating Jabbar’s doctor.  But why are you pissed at Kristina?  I don’t understand.  It’s not like her going to Dr. Hottie is going show a sign of solidarity between her and Jasmine against Crosby.  It was stupid.   But if festered from there and they started fighting about everything…Jasmine, Gaby, the business, Max, you name it.  But when Crosby goes to storm away Kristina asks him to come back for a second because her water just broke.   Yeah!!!

They are off to the hospital but of course they can’t get a hold of Adam because for some reason his cell phone has no service at Mista Ray’s house.  So he thinks Crosby has missed the meeting when he’s really taking care of Kristina at the hospital.  What ensued was a very sweet and funny scene, where Crosby stays to help Kristina through the birth and Adam finally shows up (Crosby sent a text to one of Mista Ray’s boys who told Adam to get to the hospital) right as Nora is born.  That’s right…Nora Walker’s mother is Kristina Braverman and not Marion Cunningham.  Sorry, bad Brothers and Sisters joke.   (Tap, Tap…Hello, is this mike on?)  Next thing you know, EVERY Braverman is there (including Jasmine…ugh) and everyone gets to meet beautiful little Nora.

Sarah/Mark/Seth/Zeke

Sarah and Mark’s relationship is going very well and then something annoying happens…Seth (played by John Corbett) shows up and ruins their evening.  How?  Because he is three sheets to the wind.  Seth has fallen off the wagon it appears.  Sarah is trying to handle the situation while Seth continues to call Mark Captain Morgan (which was a little funny I have to say) and then all of sudden asshole Zeke shows up.  You all know how much I hate Zeke so just bear with me.  He takes over and makes the situation 20 times worse and kicks Seth off his property.  I understand he is being protective here, but it’s none of his business.  Yes, Seth is on his property therefore making it his business.  But if he were a class act (which he isn’t) he would have let his daughter handle the situation herself and only interfere if she asked or if it got out of hand (which it didn’t.)

The next day Sarah goes to see Mark and asks if Seth (and her father) freaked him out to the point that he wants out.  He insist that he doesn’t and he is intent on staying with Sarah.  I love Jason Ritter!!  The one thing I did notice in this scene is that the dialogue seemed very stiff between them.  I don’t know if that was intentional or not but it seemed like I was watching two acquaintances having a discussion about politics where they were treading lightly for fear of insulting the other person rather than watching two people with intimate knowledge of one another because they are in a relationship having a meaningful conversation.  It was very strange.  Regardless, Mark’s all in.

Back at the house, Camille is trying to tell Zeke to back off and let Sarah handle the situation with Seth and to try to be more understanding because he has a disease.  Zeke doesn’t want to hear it and yells at Camille for being as dumb as Sarah for always having a soft spot in her heart for Seth.  It’s called compassion Zeke!   Ever heard of it?   No?   What a shocker.  I seriously don’t know how Camille has continued to stay married to that jerk.

At the end of the episode, Sarah gets a call late at night.  It’s Seth.  She drives to a seedy motel and can’t seem to find anyone answering the office.  She goes towards Seth’s car and hears noises in the alley.  She sees Seth falling by the trash cans and runs over to see him.  He’s beaten very badly and you can Sarah’s heart crushing all over her face.   Regardless of how much of a douchebag Seth is, he is the father of her children, he was the love of her life (right or wrong) and he does have an addiction he is struggling with everyday.  Of course her heart is going to break for him and she is going to help.   The question is, how much and how long will she help him?

Max/Jabbar/Amber

At first, I didn’t like where this was going.  And if I’m really being honest, I’m still not sure how I feel about it.   But there may not have been any other solution.  SO I would really like to know what other people think.

Kristina asked Amber if she could stay with Max since he received detention for pushing Jabbar.  Amber reluctantly agrees.  Kristina also asks her to help Max construct the apology letter to Jabbar.  Again, reluctantly agrees.

When at school with Max, Max is having no part of the apology.  He says Jabbar started it and he has nothing to apologize for.  How about you are twice his size and older than him and shouldn’t be getting physical with anyone?  Amber asks him to watch her and ask which apology looks more sincere.  She showed Max a sincere apology and a not so sincere apology.   He couldn’t tell her which one was more sincere.  ”You really don’t know do you?” Amber asks Max.  And it dawns on her that this is part of his Aspberger’s.  Emotions are foreign to him.  Amber decides to go down a different road.  She starts showing Max a video of Bill Clinton apologizing for his being a pig and sleeping with Monica Lewinsky in the Oval Office.  She starts to ask him what he notices about the video.  Little by little they start writing down words that Max uses to describe what he is seeing the screen.  Amber then teaches him what a certain facial expression or tone of voice, means in an apology.  Then they start working on crafting the proper apology to Jabbar (using the ever popular Tootsie Roll as incentive.)  It works and Max gives Jabbar a heartfelt apology and asks Jabbar if they can still be friends.  Jabbar tells him they never stopped.  I love that kid!

Here’s where I didn’t like what was going on.   Did Amber teach Max how to FAKE being sincere or did she teach him how to really be sincere.  Because if she taught him how to act the part, nothing was accomplished.  But in fairness, if Max simply has no control over his emotional state, because of his Aspberger’s and this was as close as she could get to having him emote an apology, then she did an amazing job.  That’s where I get confused because I don’t know enough about his disease to know if someone with Aspberger’s can really learn emotion or not.  I honestly don’t know.

Joel/Julia

Not much to say here other than latte girl is going to give her baby boy to Joel and Julia and there were some really cute scenes with Sydney and latte girl as well as some touching scenes with Julia and latte girl in the hospital.

I really do believe at this point, that Julia was truly being nice to latte girl because she really liked her and saw that she was in a tough place with very little support around her.  I don’t believe she was doing it in the hopes of getting her baby…which is exactly what happened anyway.  For now.

Does anyone else believe that this girl may change her mind?   because after she decided to give her baby away, she turned and burst into tears.   Yes, I know.  These decisions are brutally hard and there is a ton of emotion that happens during this time.  But I just have to wonder if she may be changing her mind.  Guess we’ll see.

What are your thoughts on Parenthood?  Let me know below!