Parenthood Season One--SPOILERS included

I recently started getting into Parenthood, after many recommendations from friends, and also after reading Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave. I don't know why I waited so long. It's so addictive! I want to share my thoughts here, season by season, so that everyone who has seen it can enjoy it again vicariously. If you haven't seen it yet, please don't read any further than the trailer, as this post contains spoilers. All I will tell you is that you definitely should get on board. It's such a great show. Even if you don't have kids, there's still a lot to like. I know people who are not parents who have told me they love it too. (However, if I started watching this series before I had kids, I probably would have held off a lot longer. And that's just after watching the first season!)

Check out the season one trailer:


My thoughts...with SPOILERS

*Why do all the adult children have common names except for Crosby? I've been told that the reason behind his name never gets revealed.

*Speaking of Crosby, this is my first time seeing Dax Shepard in a serious role. He's grown on me a lot this season. He also has a great smile. Crosby's story line seems like the only thing similar to the movie Parenthood. (Remember Tom Hulce's character and his son named Cool?) I'm also really liking Crosby and Jasmine together. I'm glad she finally told her family the truth about him and that she's letting him into Jabbar's world some more. I also appreciate that Crosby is making it clear that he's not cool with her not telling him in the first place. Especially because of all he's missed so far.

*I could relate to Kristina's "excitement" over Sydney possibly having Asperger's because I've felt that way whenever someone told me they thought their kid might have hearing loss. Not out of schadenfraude, but mainly because we'd have a mutual understanding of what it's like. In general, I like Kristina a lot and feel like we're similar in some other ways. I felt bad for her when she had this chance to start up her career again and Adam was pulling this guilt trip on her.

*I feel like I am similar to Julia in some ways, as well. I can relate to her working mother guilt and trying to compensate when I am with my kids. We're similar on the "bad cop" scale. (Same reason I'm most like Claire on Modern Family.) Anyway, Erika Christensen reminds me of Julia Stiles, so it's funny that her name is Julia on this show. I don't like Raquel at all and can relate to Julia's annoyance with her. I'm glad that Julia was able to keep that separate of letting their kids be friends. I worry about Julia's relationship with Joel. It seems like they're always finding something to fight about, even though when they do get along they seem like the perfect couple.

*I'm not sure what to think of Sarah yet. She seems like this adult child at times, but I also enjoy watching her. I am sad that she ended things too soon with Mark (Amber's teacher). I really liked them together. I never watched Gilmore Girls, but I feel like Lauren Graham is taking on a similar role to Lorelai. I could be wrong though.

*Then there's Adam. Peter Krause still looks as great as he did on Six Feet Under. Maybe even better. What I love about Adam is that he's not perfect, even though he tries to be like the model older son. He's a good support system for his siblings. He's a great father and uncle, as well. Or at least he tries to be. I loved his "no time for myself" meltdown. It goes to show that finding balance isn't just for women. However, he needs to take dance lessons from Danny Castellano (from The Mindy Project). Anyway, I have to wonder if my husband will be like him when our daughter becomes a teenager. I could see that happening... The one thing that puzzles me is that he seems like a successful businessman, so why can't he help his parents out at all? Maybe I'm missing something here? Or would Zeek not accept money from him anyway (even though he wanted him to take the property off his hands)?

*The mother (Camille), played by Bonnie Bedelia, is gorgeous. I can only wish to look that great when I'm her age. However, I did not like her hairstyle on the night she went to the art gallery. Just leave it all curly!

*I'm still getting used to the dad (Zeek). He seems a bit too over-involved in everyone's life when he can't even seem to get his own life together. However, I'm glad he's starting to stand up for himself more and I have to admit that I love how he serenaded Camille.

*As for the younger generation of Bravermans....
--I really like Amber and Drew a lot. I thought Amber was going to be all rebellious, but she really has a good heart. I hope she dedicates herself more to school, especially since Sarah defended her to the principal about which grade she should be in. I felt bad for her when Haddie's friends were bullying her after she confessed to Haddie about Steve. Drew just seems like a typical teenage boy. I like that he is nice to Max and that he looks out for his sister, even though she's older than him. It was also cute how he was all self-conscious about going to the school dance. I also like the connection he has with Adam since his dad is not much of a father figure.

--Sydney reminds me of my own daughter in some ways. She's more intense than my daughter though.

--Max is a cute kid and it's interesting to see how the actor who plays him works with being a character who has Asperger's. He is very convincing though.

--Jabbar is really cute too. I like how he and Crosby are bonding.

--Haddie is the most complex. I just hope my daughter isn't like her when she gets older. I'd just be scared. I did like that she told her friends to back off of Amber and that she finally forgave Amber, as well. I don't know if her new hair color works for her though.

*The season finale felt anti-climactic to me. There was no cliffhanger. Some of the stories just tied up into a neat little bow. However, I do plan to keep watching, as I've been told the best is yet to come...

Stay tuned for my thoughts on season two. Season one was short, so it might be a while, unless I post on each half of the season.