photo: nbc
Parenthood
Opening Night
Original Air Date: Jan 18, 2011
Karen Belgrad- Associate Editor
Karenbelgrad
@thetwocentscorp.com
Tonight the world’s longest gestating elementary school production finally comes to fruition. Yes, it is time to finally see “The History of California”. How excited are you?
NBC announced today that Parenthood is staying put on Tuesday nights for the rest of the season (and not moving to Mondays). Hopefully the stability helps the “little show that should” garner a third season. There’s been no word on an early pick-up, so keep watching and make sure to let NBC know you love the Bravermans.
Joel and Crosby are in dress rehearsal mode for the school play when Jabbar comes down with stage fright and wants out of his one-line role. Crosby wants to try and calm him and talk him into doing it. Jasmine thinks it’s OK and doesn’t want to pressure Jabbar. Crosby finally loses his cool and goes off on Jasmine for not allowing him to be an equal parent and have his opinions heard. She actually seems to hear him! It’s always bothered me that Jasmine has such a high parenting horse. She kept Crosby from his son. It’s her fault that he’s just learning the ropes.
Unfortunately, Sydney had already been chosen to do Jabbar’s part. Crosby handles it like a pro… offering her a movie and unlimited candy/popcorn to step down. The play is the most elaborate, choreographed grade school production I’ve ever seen. Who knew that, even with two months of rehearsals, so many six year olds could sing and dance with that much synchronicity! Of course, Jabbar hits his mark and all is well. Julia, and me, are a little bothered by Sydney being dolled up as sex symbol Marilyn Monroe (a little too Toddles & Tiaras looking in my opinion!). I was little surprised to see The Black Panthers portrayed in a grade school show, no matter how advanced the charter school is!
Drew is a slacker. He was supposed to sell $500 worth of holiday wrapping paper for a baseball fundraiser, but never got around to it. He recruits Sarah to help, but her idea is standing outside a store with a “Support a Procrastinator” sign. They take the paper to the shoe company, but Adam pushes them out, unsure about Cory’s stance of fundraising. Drew manages to finagle a little money from Adam and Cory, but is still shy of his goal. He hints to Sarah that other parents just buy the paper themselves. Unfortunately, Sarah doesn’t have that much extra tip money lying around. Zeek tells her that only moron parent give their kids the easy way out. So, of course, Zeek buys all the paper himself. You can tell that Sarah wants to be bothered by it, but is just touched that her dad is helping out her kids.
The big story this week was the continued saga of Haddie and Alex. Haddie, the world’s worst teenage liar, quickly has her sneak around with Alex plan blow up in her face when her parents catch her meeting up with him. What teenager has the secret guy come to their own house? She’s grounded and sullen, bemoaning all that is wrong with her parents for cutting her off from Alex. Surprisingly, Alex is actually mad at her for bringing him into her lie. With his new found sobriety, he values honestly above all. He even goes to see Adam to apologize for his role in her duplicity. Adam explains that he wants Haddie, at sixteen, to not have to be faced with adult issues before she has to be. Alex, the most mature nineteen year old in the world, understands where Adam is coming from and thinks he’s a good dad.
It’s World War III at Adam and Kristina’s, with Haddie stomping and pouting throughout the house. Adam, in a tried and true television staple, removes her bedroom door as a sign of the lost trust. They also take her phone and laptop. Kristina becomes equally unhinged with Camille for being Haddie’s confidante. It’s humorous to see how similar Kristina and Haddie are, their volume levels may differ, but their temperament is identical. Haddie is also a great representation of a typical teen. She thinks she knows everything, acts as if she knows everything, but clearly has a lot to learn about life. With more mature Amber’s assistance, she’s able to call Alex and actually tells her parents she spoke to him.
Kristina finally has enough with Haddie’s attitude and says that this isn’t a temporary thing. They will never allow her to see Alex. Kristina throws out the parental standard of “as long as you’re under our roof.” So Haddie packs a bag and show’s up on Camille’s doorstep, asking to stay there until college.
It’s funny. I’m never 100% sure if I love or loathe Kristina and Haddie. Which I actually believe is a testament to the powerful performances that both actresses bring to their roles. It takes a strong performer to make you want to hug, throttle, and then sit down and talk to a character. It’s a great mother-daughter dynamic, as both are stubborn and clearly cut from the same cloth.
Many of you last week were looking for information about Mae Whitman’s (Amber) “The Graveyard Song.” Although I’ve seen many unofficial download options (which I would never recommend), I haven’t seen an official release anywhere. I’ll keep you posted!
Well, those are my TwoCents! What are your TwoCents? Share your comments, thoughts, and feedback below!
TheTwoCents 
Another solid episode of an amazing show. So much drama between teen and parents! Definitely felt real. I’m interested to see where this Haddie/Alex relationship goes. Also, I think Haddie living with her grandparents could be very interesting. Could create some tension with Adam and the rest of his family. Thanks for your recap!
Love Love Loved the play! Hated your review.
Hopefully we’ll find more to agree on in the future! Thank you for reading!
The main thing that they are forgetting to deal with on the TV show Parenthood is that Alex is 19 and Haddie is 16. That legally makes it a statutory rape situation. In most states, he would get put in prison for sexual contact with a minor, which is basically saying that he is a pedophile as far as most of society is concerned. I can’t believe that they haven’t brought it up yet on the show. If he actually dated her and had sex with her, she would be signing his sex offender papers for the rest of his life. What is the deal? Why haven’t they mentioned anything about that yet. I personally know of 2 people who have gotten this statutory rape charge (sexual conduct with a minor). One of my friend (male) was 19 and his girlfriend was 17. Also, a girl was dating the younger brother of a friend of mine (she was 16 and he was 18). He also is now a sex offender because of having sexual relations with a minor *(his girlfriend who was a junior when he was a senior in high school)*. I personally think the law is crap, but this show needs to be responsible and not be putting ideas in young people’s heads that could get them put into prison and give them a life sentence as a “sex offender” where they would have to register for the rest of their life and never be able to get a good job or be around children again. I love the TV show Parenthood. I think they need to be more responsible about this issue though.
I did a little legwork and found that in California, the age of consent is 18, but it’s only a misdemeanor if the minor has 3 or fewer years of difference with the major and does not require registering as a sex offender.
So IF Haddie and Alex were to become active and IF someone were to notify authorities, then he’s not looking at hard time or registering.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#United_States http://www.shouselaw.com/statutory_rape.html#register
That being said, I don’t see Haddie as being ready for sex just yet. Based on her interactions with Steve last year, and her clear naivete, I see her as waiting until college. But I could be wrong… I also don’t see Alex as the type to push for it.