The TV Chick

Fall TV is just starting to return, and that means the Bravermans are back! First of all, let me point out how glad I am this show has overcome awful time slots and decent ratings to have a season four. After finally finishing Friday Night Lights (I was in denial and refused to admit it was gone, thus delaying watching season 5), I am in Jason Katims withdrawal, and in need for some heartfelt, tear-inducing, truly amazing television in my life. I’m happy to say Parenthood delivers. When we last left the Bravermans, Crosby and Jasmine had just gotten married, Joel and Julia were heartbroken over the adoption that fell through (but were given a second chance with a new child) and Haddie got accepted into Cornell. The season four premiere does a bit of a time jump and focuses on Haddie getting ready to go away to college, Joel and Julia’s new adopted son Victor, Sarah and Mark’s relationship and a new potential road block in their relationship that comes in the form of Ray Romano. More on that later.

One thing I love about Parenthood, which was something I loved about FNL, is that none of these characters are perfect. They are flawed, emotional, and they struggle with life, the same way everyone does. The season four premiere shows newly engaged Sarah and Mark (probably one of my favorite relationships of the series) discussing the family portrait, which Mark is not allowed to be in. It’s a family rule after Crosby ruined things with a girlfriend who didn’t work out. In one of my favorite moments, Mark asks Sarah “did you fight for me?” The first of many times I may have teared up. Sarah also goes out and gets herself a new job, as an assistant to photographer Hank (played by Ray Romano). He’s moody and not the warmest of people, but they somehow develop a sort of rapport. Now I’m not generally a huge fan of Romano’s (he’s alright) but I liked him in this role. I loved when he bonded with Max at the Braverman’s family portrait. But I imagine I won’t like Hank for long if he gets in the way of Sarah and Mark.

In other parts of the Braverman clan, Julia struggles to form a bond with Victor, their newly adopted son. Victor is sweet but he doesn’t seem to believe this is his new family. And Haddie struggles to reach Max, which reminds us just how hard his aspbergers is to this family. Meanwhile, Jasmine and Crosby are faced with tackling the touchy subject of religion with Jabbar. The first two episodes of the new season made me laugh (two words: funky town) and cry, while breaking my heart just a little bit. The Bravermans are going to have a very tough issue to overcome this season, along with everything else that’s going on, and I can’t wait to see more.

Parenthood premieres tonight at 10 PM on NBC.