Parenthood – Recap & Review – The Booth Job

photo: nbc

Parenthood
The Booth Job

Original Air Date: Oct 12, 2010

Karen Belgrad – Associate Staff Writer
Karenbelgrad
@thetwocentscorp.com

In the world of real life families, some weeks we interact and overlap more than others. Some weeks we’re all up in each other’s business and every move. Other weeks, we’re lucky to see each other over a quick dinner. This week the Bravermans mostly orbit in their individual worlds, albeit with mixed results.

Before we get into the details, I’m issuing a plea to anyone reading this but not actively watching. This show is consistent, enjoyable, and heartfelt. I firmly believe, based on ratings, that this may be the best show you’re not watching. So please watch Parenthood! Now, on to this week’s family dramas…

Sarah: Who knew working as an intern at your brother’s company was so good for your dating life? Sarah is given a key spot at an industry trade show, clearly to the disdain of other employees who had coveted (and probably deserved) the opportunity. Using Facebook, she researches all of the attendees (who amazing do not have privacy settings on high) and dazzles boss Gordon (Billy Badwin) with her attention to details. She thanks him for the opportunity, he thinks she doesn’t know how great she is and kisses her! She looks pleased and confused at the same time. Mike (last week’s date) had also shown up at the trade show and was seemingly bothered to see her with Gordon.

Amber: Amber and her friend Kelsey are getting tutored for $40 a pop by Howard. Unfortunately, Howard and Kelsey would rather spend the hour getting stoned. Amber, being a better kid than everyone gives her credit for, quickly lets Kelsey know that $40 is a lot of money in her house and she’d like to actually et her math tutoring done. Kelsey is understanding.

Adam: Adam is not interested in the idea of an Aspergers support group with other parents. Kristina begrudgingly goes without him and is quite taken to learn that that the group’s parents are in the same boat as she is. Adam is not convinced and thinks that Kristina is all the support he needs. But once Max asks about what type of group his mom is going to, Adam is affected and surprises Kristina at the group. He verbalizes his fear of how one day he’s actually going to tell Max about his Asperbers and is unsure how he’ll do that. Later, over a game of Go Fish, Adam admits to max that his “group for people with a common shared interest” is going good.

Crosby: Now that Jasmine is back in Berkeley full time, they need to find Jabbar a new school. No, I don’t know what he was doing the month that Jasmine was in Europe while all the other kids were in school. In order to get him the best, Crosby and Jasmine decide to try to get him into Sydney’s charter school. Daunted by another couple buddying up to the principal, the two slip on fake wedding rings and try to impress. The normally daffy Crosby is the big hit, with the principal seeing dollar signs by having the kids record a Christmas CD in Crosby’s studio. It looks like Jabbar is getting into the school, and as the two have a celebratory toast, Crosby comes awkwardly close to proposing and Jasmine can tell. He backs down, but she looks like she would have said yes.

Julia: Joel and Julia are in need of a story that, despite the title of the show, isn’t about parenthood. Every other sibling gets broader strokes, but these two are stuck in working mom/stay at home dad plot limbo. This week Sydney is crawling into bed with her folks every night after nightmares. Joel is stressing because nighttime is the only time her gets to take off his dad hat. Julia isn’t stressed because nighttime is the majority of her mommy-ing time. But Julia sees his point and talks Sydney into giving them some sleeping space.

Zeek/Millie: Have we heard Zeek call Camille ‘Millie’ before? Well, I like it! As part of their couples counseling the two are looking for an interactive activity to do together and Haddie suggests ballroom dancing (which kid suggested the movies, you know, where talking is rude?). Millie is totally for it and Zeek is surprisingly receptive to the idea. At class, it’s apparent the Zeek has grace and Mille has two left feet. After a change-partner call, Zeek is also really, really happy to have a graceful dance partner in the class, Gay Tony (Zeek’s nickname, not mine). Millie wants to quit, as its not making her happy because they’re not really doing it together. He sweetly tells her that the bottom line is that he loves her and isn’t going to lose her.

Line of the night:
Sydney: “Sometimes daddies are like little babies who need attention too.”

All in all, I thought this was a good, solid hour of a good, solid show. I missed there being a little more sibling interaction, but, for the most part, each story held up on its own, And that’s my TwoCents!

What’s your TwoCents? Do you like Sarah with Mike or Gordon? Do you think Kristina needs to be less passive with Adam? Did you enjoy Amber’s singing voice? And will you forgive the DVR fairies for messing with my recordings and causing this review to be so late?

Share your TwoCents, comments, and feedback below!