We’re now two episodes into Parenthood, and I’m still not sure about it. It’s certainly not a bad show, but it just isn’t as tight and polished as I want in a drama. With so many extremely high quality dramas out there these days (see: Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Damages, The Good Wife, et al), I’m not sure that I have room in my viewing schedule for an hour long family drama that is just “ok.” There’s nothing fresh about this show. Even though some of the story lines are unique, they all feel a little stale.
It seems like the show is positioning Max’s Aspergers as the central plot line in the show, and honestly, I think it is the story that I’m finding the least interesting so far. Maybe I just needed more time to connect with the characters before all of this went down to really be invested in their struggle. I’m actually more interested in spending some time with Haddie and her issues. Even if the “perfect” teen acting out is one of those stale story lines I was complaining about, the character seems a lot more interesting than Max.
There were things I liked in this episode, and I’m enjoying the show overall; don’t get me wrong. I like Julia, and really felt for her in this episode. Everyone puts their foot in their mouth from time and time, most of us usually aren’t holding a microphone at the time, though. I think Erika Christensen is doing a nice job, making a pretty cold character relatable. Or, perhaps I can relate because I am also pretty cold by nature.
I’m also continuing to enjoy Lauren Graham and her character, though I can definitely see the constant yelling between her and her kids growing tiresome real quick. For me, though, this show really shines when all the characters are on screen together. That sense of close family is really great, and we got to see it tonight after the school auction, as the siblings got high off Haddie’s stash of pot. More moments like this could really help to pull the show together.
I’m certainly not giving up on Parenthood yet, there’s far too much potential here, but I would love to see something that really sucks me in. How are you feeling about the show after two episodes?
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Mar 09, 2010 @ 23:00 EST5EDT
I’m totally loving Parenthood – It is funny and touching and were only 2 episodes in! Surprisingly, I like Crosby and love Julia (from Traffic) and the pot scene was definitely funny!
Oh i fuc..ing hate ugly face Dax Sheppard (KBell you can do better by the way lol) so i really don’t want to watch Parenthood but Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Bonnie Bedelia (and Friday Night Lights creator are behind this show)are here so maybe i will still watch..my love for these guys surpass my hate for dick Sheppard. LOL
What little I remember of the movie (other than sex while driving and Rick Moranis singing “Close to You”) was that there was just as much joy and schmaltz as sorrow and troubles. The first two hours of the new series felt pretty unremittingly awful, save for the schoolyard bake-out you mentioned. So many bad things happened in each branch of the family all at the same time that I questioned why I bothered to finish the second episode. A phenomenally strong cast, certainly, but they’ll have to lighten the tone quite a bit to make it something I look forward to watching (Gilmore Girls seasons 1-4, 7) rather than something I trudge through out of obligation (Gilmore Girls seasons 5-6).