Back in 1989, Ron Howard directed a film called Parenthood. It was about a large extended family. The kids and adults were at various ages and had their own distinct family issues. A year after the film became a hit, a television was created, but it didn’t have the same level of success, ultimately being canceled. Twenty years later, NBC and Universal decided to give it another go by creating a series loosely based on Ron Howard’s film. Despite all of the bad timing, with the NBC/Jay Leno timeslot fiasco, and bad breaks – lead star Maura Tierney had to quit due to being treated for breast cancer – how did the new Parenthood series actually survive for another season? Those that watched the first season already know the answer to that question, but if you don’t or need to be reminded, you are about to find out the reasons.
Parenthood centers on the Braverman family with patriarch Zeek (Craig T. Nelson) and matriarch Camille (Bonnie Bedelia). The main focus, though, is on the four Braverman siblings. The oldest sibling, Adam (Peter Krause), is the responsible head of a family with a wife and two kids. Still he and his wife, Kristina (Monica Potter), don’t know what to do when their son Max (Max Burkholder) is diagnosed with Asperger’s. The youngest sibling, Crosby (Dax Shepard), is finally thinking about settling down with a long-term girlfriend when an old girlfriend (Joy Bryant) reappears with a five-year-old son he never knew existed. Julia (Erika Christensen), the sole money-maker for her home, is finding it harder to be a present mother, and to keep the other mothers away from her stay-at-home husband (Sam Jaeger). Finally, there is Sarah (Lauren Graham), the unlucky-in-love single mom who moves herself and her two kids back in with Zeek and Camille so she can get her life together.
In the first season of this family drama there are various storylines involving some pretty serious topics including infidelity, teen sexuality, drug use, interracial parenting, separation, Asperger’s syndrome, sibling rivalry, private school competition, high school drama, and the difficulties of being a single working mother. While the plots may not break new ground, there is some uniqueness in a few of the storylines this first season to keep things fresh. There definitely seems to be too much going on at all times, but there is enough quality comedy thrown in that things don’t feel overly dramatic. It also takes a few episodes to establish the characters and be able to identify them.
The main reason why this series ultimately works is the terrific cast. You will recognize most from other TV shows or movies. Peter Krause is arguably the central star of the series, but some would say Lauren Graham. Both play the basic characters they are known for, but they still play them well. You also have to give extra credit to Graham for walking onto a show that didn’t pick her as the main star to begin with. She makes this role her own, and you can’t picture anyone else playing the same part. The most surprising casting choice has to be Dax Shepard, who got his start as part of Ashton Kutcher’s pranking Punk’d crew. His character is still surprisingly solid in this more serious role. The rest of the ensemble cast does a great job as well.
The first season of Parenthood could be compared to ABC’s Brothers & Sisters. Both are family dramas that feature a fantastic cast. But Parenthood has a little more comedy to liven the serious mood at times. The one main negative for this show is that they try to cram as many serious topics as they can in the first season. There might not be much more than can come up with without recycling the same storylines over and over again. As long as the cast continues to grow and play off of each other tremendously, Parenthood has a bright future regardless of whether the writing can keep up or not.
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – Pilot
We are introduced to the very unique Braveman family. Single mom Sarah, and her two kids Amber and Drew, are moving back home with Sarah’s parents Zeek and Camille. Julia, Sarah’s sister and complete opposite is a successful attorney trying to do both, work and motherhood, alongside her stay-at-home husband, Joel. Sarah’s younger brother, Crosby is a commitment-phobe who must accept adult responsibilities when his old flame Jasmine shows up with a kid. Meanwhile, the older sibling of the Bravemans, Adam, his wife Kristina and their teenage daughter Haddie learn that their little boy, Max has Asperger’s Syndrome. Although each sibling has its own problems, this reunion may be the push they needed to help each other with the challenges that every family faces while raising children and starting over.
Episode 2 – Man Versus Possum
Adam and Kristina try to cope with their son’s Asperger’s Syndrome. Sarah is job hunting with the help of Zeek that pushes her to dream big. Meanwhile, Crosby bonds with his son and Julia deals with a difficult mom from Sydney’s school.
Episode 3 – The Deep End Of The Pool
Adam and Kristina face challenges as Max gets kicked out of school and are forced to find a new way to educate him. Sarah’s relationship with Jim comes to an end while Crosby and Jabaar spend the day bonding.
Episode 4 – Whassup
Adam and Kristina try to find out about Haddies secret boyfriend. Sarah doesn’t know how to talk to Drew about becoming a man. Meanwhile, Crosby has a little incident with Jabbar and Julia and Joel are not too sure they can let Amber baby-sit for them.
Disc Two:
Episode 5 – The Situation
Drew helps Adam connect with his son Max, when Max rejoins the baseball team. Sarah makes a new friend, Amber’s English teacher, Mr. Cyr. Meanwhile, Crosby feels pressured to have a baby sooner than he thought and Julia tries to teach Sydney self-protection.
Episode 6 – The Big O
Max gets a new behavioral aide that really works for him and for the sex life between Adam and Kristina. Sarah feels confused about dating Amber’s teacher. Julia and Joel have a revealing talk about Julia’s jealousy. Meanwhile, Crosby tries to tell his parents that he has a son.
Episode 7 – What’s Goin’ On Down There?
Sarah and Amber are both attracted to Amber’s teacher, while Crosby tries to have a romantic moment with Valerie, but because he can’t leave Jabbar alone too long the moment doesn’t turn out that well. Meanwhile Julia thinks about doing pro bono work, but she’s sure that her boss will not approve it. While Adam really needs a break from everyone.
Episode 8 – Rubber Band Ball
Amber’s ex-boyfriend Damien comes to town. Zeek takes Adam on a road trip to give him some investment advice and father-son bonding. Meanwhile, Julia and Joel worry that Sydney also suffers from Asperger’s and Crosby tries to help with Jabbar’s birthday party.
Episode 9 – Perchance to Dream
Kristina is excited by the opportunity to help an old acquaintance run for Lieutenant Governor in Sacramento, but doesn’t feel hip enough among the young generation of campaign workers. Meanwhile, Jasmine and Crosby agree to go on an official date.
Disc Three:
Episode 10 – Namaste No More
Crosby and Jasmine relationship heats up and they have to figure out how to tell Jabbar. Adam and Kristina search for friends but find that it’s not as simple as they thought. Sarah learns about her father’s financial problems. Meanwhile, Julia coaches Sydney’s soccer team and Haddie turns to Amber for sex advice.
Episode 11 – Solace
Zeek crashes with Adam and Kristina, while Camille focuses on her art and not on her husband. Julia tries to get her father out of debt with the help an old college flame. Meanwhile, Amber feels guilty after betraying Haddie, and Crosby thinks about settling down with Jasmine and Jabbar
Episode 12 – Team Braverman
A family walk for autism is jeopardized when Sarah and Adam fight over Haddie’s behavior. The secret anger between Haddie and Amber comes to a head and divides the family in two. Meanwhile, Julia is forced to be on the Angel committee at Sydney’s school where she had to take care of a single mom recovering from a breast augmentation. Elsewhere, Crosby is at risk of losing Jasmine to New York after she auditions for a dance company.
Episode 13 – Lost And Found
Tensions between Sarah and Amber reach a boiling point that leads Sarah to go to Mr. Cyr to discuss Amber’s problems. Elsewhere, Crosby has to decide between his new family or his old one. Zeek tries to win back Camille. Meanwhile, Julia trying to help Zeek out arranges a dinner meeting for him.
The video is given in widescreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The transfer is good with colors generally looking bright and vivid details everywhere. However, this is not the same high-definition quality you saw during its original television run. It’s pretty standard stuff, and there are major or minor problems at all here, but don’t expect to see the same thing you saw on your HDTV earlier this year.
The audio included is available in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. There are subtitles available in English as well. The dialogue and music come out loud and clear. No major problems here either. But it should be noted that the original theme song of “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan for the television run is not included on the DVD set. It’s replaced by some generic tune.
Audio Commentary – There is one full-length audio commentaries for one episode from this season. Creator/executive producer, Jason Katims, and director, Thomas Schlamme, comment on the “Pilot” episode. They talk about how the show came to be, and also how much of the pilot was reshot when Maura Tierney had to back out and Lauren Graham stepped in. This one is not that entertaining, but there are some insightful things said.
“Get to Know Your Parents” Featurette – This runs 13 minutes and it features interviews with various cast and crew members including Creator Jason Katims, Peter Krause, Miles Heizer, Executive Producer Brian Grazer, Executive Producer Ron Howard, Bonnie Bedelia, Sam Jaeger, Dax Shepard, Sarah Ramos, Erika Christensen, Mae Whitman, Lauren Graham, Craig T. Nelson, Monica Potter, Tyree Brown, Savannah Paige Rae and Max Burkholder. Basically, they all talk about their characters and filming this show, etc. Pretty much the basic fluffy “making of” featurette.
Deleted Scenes – There are 6 scenes that didn’t make the final cut of the season and they total 20 minutes. Nothing really stands out as “must-watch”, though.
Season one is certainly not perfect. It did show that Parenthood has potential to be a great family drama that can last for years. But only if the writers show that they aren’t trying to force problem after problem into every episode. If they just let the great cast do what they do best, and let things evolve more naturally, season two should be much better.
Universal Studios Home Entertainment presents Parenthood: Season 1. Created by Jason Katims. Starring Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Craig T. Nelson, Bonnie Bedelia, Erika Christensen, Dax Shepard, Monica Potter, Sam Jaeger, Mae Whitman, Sarah Ramos, Max Burkholder, Joy Bryant, and Miles Heize. Running time: 568 minutes. Rated: NOT RATED. Released on DVD: August 31, 2010.
