What’s this show called … Parenthood?

We had some interesting poll results for this week’s column: it was just about split 50-50 on how I’ll feel about Parenthood. It’s nice to know that some of you have faith in me.

A little disclosure for all you keeping tabs at home: I did check out Parenthood back when it premiered. I wasn’t dissatisfied, but I didn’t feel any oomph coming off the show, so I bolted. Who has time to waste on a show that doesn’t call to you?

But I came back to check things out for two reasons. One, I’m a fan of a number of the actors. Two, I’ve read a lot of Meredith’s episode reviews and have been intrigued. So I gave it another shot.

Last week’s episode had a lot of moving pieces. First of all I know that Zeek (Craig T. Nelson) did something financially fishy which came to light last season, which appears to have chased off wife Camille (Bonnie Bedelia), at least for now. I say good move (sorry!).

I’m a huge fan of Peter Krause, so I kind of don’t get judgmental when it comes to whatever he’s doing (okay, knowing my tendencies that’s obviously a lie, but you know what I mean). I never watched Six Feet Under, but give me a Dirty Sexy Money reunion episode any day. On the other hand, I’ve always been kind of iffy on Monica Potter, but I love what’s going on in their little family.

I know Max’s (Max Burkholder) story, but he seemed a bit much, like the writers push the Asperger’s Syndrome in the viewers’ faces more than is necessary. I was somewhat indifferent to Haddie (Sarah Ramos), but Alex (Michael B. Jordan) is awesome … well, I don’t really know him, but Jordan is awesome. Remember Wallace from season one of The Wire? Yeah you do. And Haddie lying to be with him is such a believable story for a family to experience. I really liked the simple realness of that, despite the unlikelihood of their having connected in the first place.

I know that in her past acting life Lauren Graham was the un-mom mom, but as Sarah she’s awful. I guess she never learned how to act the part of a parent, because she just dropped the ball 100%. The little I saw of Zeek was also pretty disappointing, and I’m a big fan of Nelson’s. Too bad. Drew (Miles Heizer), meanwhile, is like a cookie-cutter character out of a how-to guide for show writers. Next!

I liked Sam Jaeger eventually on Eli Stone, but as Joel he was neither here nor there. He’s the stay-at-home dad to Julia’s (Erika Christensen) high-powered attorney, right? I don’t get her as an actress. And a dead bird for a plot? Huh?

I remember Crosby (Dax Shepard) not being ready to settle down with a woman who wanted to settle down with him. Now he’s marrying someone with a kid? At times he reminded me of Brian Darling (Glenn Fitzgerald) on Dirty Sexy Money … except for the fact that Father Brian was awesome. Crosby? Not so much.

Something else I remember from the pilot, except then it had to do with Crosby and Adam — the same-sex siblings don’t match. Adam and Sarah I buy as siblings, and Julia and Crosby as well, but Sarah and Julia? Nope. No way did those two even know each other when they were younger. The same goes for Adam and Crosby, at least from what I saw back in the premiere.

I definitely didn’t care about enough of the characters, but I’ll tell you something: the Adam/Kristina/Haddie storm that’s brewing looks awesome. And Michael B. Jordan is going to be a giant superstar very soon, and he’s great to watch on the show. The four are intriguing enough that they compel me to give the entire show a thumbs up. And I didn’t even need to see a family meal to do it! It means sorting through a bunch of dead weight, but when you finally get to the chewy inside….

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jan 10, 2011 @ 16:00 EST5EDT