On Tuesday, Parenthood returned for its 16 episode third season with an episode that encapsulated all that is good about the show. After an extended hiatus, we were thrust back into the lives of the Braverman family, where Adam is thinking about a career change, Julia wants to adopt a baby from the coffee girl at work, Crosby still isn't over Jasmine, and Sarah's trying to come to terms with turning 40, losing her child, and reuniting with a former flame. Not to mention, we've already seen arrests, a dance party, and the emergence of Drunk Haddie, and it's only episode one.
With a series of new storylines opened up in "I Don't Want to Do This Without You", where could things go for Team Braverman?
""HEY, IF YOU'RE NOT USING THAT BABY...""
09/20/2011 (10:00PM - 11:00PM) (Tuesday) : MAX MAINSTREAMS INTO PUBLIC SCHOOL; THE STRESS OF ADOPTION IMPACTS JULIA, AND PAST SECRETS DIVIDE HADDIE AND ALEX -- JASON RITTER ("W.") AND MICHAEL B. JORDAN GUEST STAR ("FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS") -- Kristina (Monica Potter) is concerned over Max's (Max Burkholder) well-being as he attends a mainstream public school. Sarah (Lauren Graham) and Mark Cyr (guest-star Jason Ritter) define and grow their relationship while Haddie (Sarah Ramos) and Alex (guest-star Michael B. Jordan) may be drifting apart. Meanwhile, the stress of the adoption process causes Julia (Erika Christensen) to act irrationally, and Adam (Peter Krause) changes his career plans. Also starring Dax Shepard, Craig T. Nelson, Sam Jaeger, Miles Heizer, Savannah Paige Rae, Tyree Brown and Joy Bryant.
It sounds as if the show will be hitting its groove quicker than last season, as each element of "Hey, If You're Not Using That Baby..." has the potential to bring some real heft. Max seems much calmer this season, but with his imminent status as a child of the public school system, could he manage to hang on and manage his Asperger's? Sarah and Mark's fledgling relationship was the highlight of last night's premiere, so I'm all for exploring the dynamic between the two for an extended period of time. It may not have the amount of tear-jerking potential that other storylines this episode possess, but seeing someone finally "get" Sarah Braverman is a sight to behold. She deserves to be happy, darn it!
I guess it looks like Adam and Julia will continue their slow and steady march to Crazy Town. Adam's going in with Crosby on the recording studio is admirable in a "hail mary pass" type of way, as it's obvious that he adores his family and he wants to be The Provider for Haddie, Kristina, Max, and New Baby Braverman. I'm worried for him that it'll blow up in his face and he may have dropped his cynicism at the wrong time, but even if the studio is a bust, having a chance to re-bond with Crosby after their uncomfortable time last season may not be a bad consolation prize. Julia seems to be in the same mindset of Adam, as she'd rather go big than deal with the awfulness of adoption bureaucracy. Going big, this case, means trying to convince Zoe to allow her to adopt the barista's future baby, but I hope that the "irrational" behavior isn't quite as "off the deep end" as I'm expecting.
In the promo below, you see that we'll also be following Kristina to a sonogram and learn about Alex's criminal past, which was hinted at tonight.
What did you think about the third season premiere of Parenthood? Which storyline are you most looking forward to seeing play out? How well do you think Max will adapt to mainstream school?
