"concede" = "to surrender or yield" (See how that's confusing then?)

It's been a while since there's been a new episode of Parenthood, and I never wrote about the last one. (This is what happens to me when I try to watch Parenthood at a time when I don't have time to write right after.)

I remember really liking it, but that's all I remember. I did try to watch it again the other day so I could reignite my passion and then write about it, but I was exercising at the same time and it wasn't having the same effect.

I have also been wanting to write a small retraction concerning my last blog. On that episode, when Kristina said she "conceded," I was under the impression that meant she took herself out of the running, not that she officially lost. I obviously know very little about politics or basic political terms. But anyways, now that I know she did officially lose, I feel better about that episode.

Oh and the next episode was pretty great with her digging into the cake and throwing the eggs and stuff. (See, now I'm remembering.)

Honestly, life's been busy. I've been working a lot, and making and sending presents, and being sad about being semi-alone on the holidays. I have friends, but everybody went home for the holidays. That's how it is in LA, and it's okay, I like the vagabond nature of the city, but it's nice to have a vagabond boyfriend on Christmas anyways, I miss that.

Really?

Um.. what? Kristina Braverman conceded?

I'm sorry. I went a lot a lot of episodes suspending my disbelief that Kristina Braverman could be the mayor of Berkeley. It took me a while, but I began to believe in her, so for the show to just give her an easy out at the end so they don't have to deal with the fact that Berkeley is a real town and it already has a mayor.. dude. Really? I mean, you didn't even show us the phone call she made to Bob? And then she said she believes he will be a good mayor? True, he probably knows more about it than she does, but he's a terrible person, right? I just can't believe this was such a big plotline, when they knew all along they were stringing us along and weren't going to do anything with it in the end. I would have liked for her to have actually lost at least. There is more virtue in that because then it shows that she really wanted to do the job versus she just did it to see if she could because she beat cancer and "can do anything now."

[Sigh.]

And what's with Amber smiling at the end at the election? I'm pretty sure anybody (and especially dramatic Amber) would still be upset about Ryan and like crying in her own world or not showing up to important events or something. Though actually, now that I think about it, I think she wanted an out from the Ryan marriage so she probably really was happy he got in a fight and is in jail (?) now.

Is he in jail? I'm so confused. And really, for real Amber? You knew your angry fiance was about to pick you up from the bar, and you're sitting with this band member who's in love with you and letting him touch you? Really?

I just didn't believe a lot of this episode. And I didn't cry at all. Not that I need to. I just really wasn't getting into it.

My favorite story was the Max-and-Ray's-daughter thing, even though I got totally distracted at the beginning trying to figure out if she was reading Divergent. (She was.)

I liked the moment between Sarah and Drew and Whore Girl, but it felt strange to bring it up so late in the episode for only a few seconds.

The Crosby / Jasmine / voting thing was funny. I've been enjoying Crosby a lot this whole season, I'll give it that.

(I've been enjoying the whole season in general after the first few episodes, but this one was just a little disappointing.)

Also Julia and Joel? It's starting to feel forced. Like they've been forcing this almost-affair forever, and it just keeps dragging and dragging. I suppose that's how it sometimes is in real life, but they had a happy marriage. How could you do that to them P.Hood Writers, I really feel like it's not what they want but they're forcing it to make you happy (and also probably because they have a contract).

Good acting by little Sydney, but for real, I would like to see a storyline involving a different side of her, as I am sure she is a very sweet girl in real life and as her character sometimes.

Besides that? I like the lead singer of the band. He consistently cracks me up with his few seconds of presence.

And actually I did like the moment where Amber got to sing. It seemed almost unbelievable that she could do it that well so automatically, but she is a good singer, and it's been a while since we talked about that. And I was excited to see her get excited about something other than a guy for once (even while she was screwing hers over). Obviously they're not getting married anymore. Probably best for both of them, though it sort of sucks it got Ryan in the slammer.

People, people.

There were a lot of Fruit Loops in this episode.

I also think Victor and Julia should win Emmy's for this one.

How can I be such a good actor as they are on Parenthood?! (is the real question)

Sarah - thank you for starting to have your own life.

Crosby - thank you for smiling like a silly-kook at your son's ballet class.

Parent-who-I-always-forget-your-name (is it Ed?) - Stop hitting on Julia!

Kristina and Adam - You guys are so cute! And way to go Kristina, for real. Can't imagine what that story would have done to Amber and Ryan's already faltering engagement.

Ryan - I'm sorry, but you're sort of being a little boy. And also Amber - You're starting to see what it might be like to be married to Ryan, and I'm not so sure you're liking it. And also I think you might still want to flirt around a little. So maybe you should wait. (Isn't it interesting how when your mom finally starts to let you go and do her own thing, you finally start to see what's right?)

Camille - You're a jerk. I think you should stay in Italy. FOREVER.

Zeek - We like you right now. Keep it up.

Bob Little - Really?

Haddie - Where are you?

Drew - Where are you? Hopefully not still having sex with that girl.

But for real, do these people take acting class? Because I don't feel like they get enough acting practice on the show to do their few-minute screen time so flawlessly, I don't get it. I need to learn their technique.

Now I'm all wound up.

So now Amber's gonna get all focused on her "recording career" and not want to get married, right? And she's gonna have a fling with that guy she keeps hugging?

I'm glad Ryan is catching a glimpse of her tendencies, but then he buys an expensive ring and does a second proposal? It's funny how people on this show tend to make big, impulsive commitments right in the middle of their doubts. (See: when Sarah wasn't sure about Mark, so she decided to move in with him.)

I guess we do that in life though. I was super unsure about what to major in in college, but after I finally chose it at the last minute, I went at it with full force, taking all my major classes right away and blasting through so I wouldn't be one of those "undecided" people. And what was the result? I graduated early with a marketing degree, which I have not to this day ever officially used in my life.

I think when we have doubts about things, we should admit it, express it, you know? Not run from it or overly run toward it, pretending to be sure.

So anyways..

I love how realistic the Joel / Julia / Other Guy situation is depicted. A different show might race into the affair in an overt way, but Parenthood lets you see how the little things can lead to unwanted results.

Same with the Drew situation with that girl. Drew! I wanted you to tell her to leave at the end when she wanted you again. You were so close!

And Sarah - It is possible for you to "do something different with your teeth," it's called whitening. You don't have to be such a jerk to Ray, he's just a camera nerd that's in love with you, and he's doing a good thing for Max, and you could just accept his compliments. And I wouldn't even mind if you dated him again, you have my permission. Sure I miss Mark, but the show's not letting us see him so it's sort of out of sight out of mind, and Ray / Hank is in sight, and do you really not like him anymore?

I'm really enjoying all the band scenes. They make me laugh.

Oh, something I didn't like though was how when Adam and Zeek were talking, Zeek acted like he had been totally against the condo, but he wasn't! He was for a while, but he changed and got optimistic about it. I felt like he was trying to be supportive of Camille in a sincere way, but then Camille gave him the shaft because.. why? Because he built a fire pit in their backyard? Was that his way of saying "screw your condo idea," because I didn't get that. I just felt like he was helping her see the options of moving versus compromising, not telling her which one to want but just letting her see.

Ah, well. I'm at a loss with those two.

I totally watched this late at night tonight (Saturday), and now I'm all wound up and I have to get up early tomorrow. This is why I don't like to watch this late. Ugghhhhhhhh.

Seven Moments

There were a lot of little things I liked on Parenthood this week:

1. When Crosby is going door-to-door, and the girl is like, "Crosby? I thought you moved to Europe.."

"Uh.. I did move to Europe, and.."

[Door slam.]

Omigosh what a hilarious throwback to Crosby's player days, so right on that that would happen to him while he's campaigning for Kristina.

2. When Crosby tries to slam the minivan door, and it won't let him because it's one of those doors that shuts (very slowly) automatically. (I love how Parenthood gets the details, seriously, Parenthood Writers, seriously, I love you.)

3. When Zeek and Camille go to look at that condo and Zeek is actually sincerely trying to give it a chance. Such love we hadn't seen in their relationship in a long time, I was starting to get tired of them. (Though it was a little hard to believe that after he did all that, Camille wouldn't at least attempt to ask him about the trip versus telling him like a brat and walking away. Camille, I want to like your character, but you do things like that, and I just don't.)

4. When Joel has the nice dinner all ready for Julia and tells her he's sorry, and she almost starts crying because of her earlier affair-of-the-mind with that parent guy whatever his name is. Was that his wife that came home or his ex-wife? I thought he was divorced for some reason, but I guess not?

5. All the Amber / Sarah moments make me cry. You'd think I'd be bored by those because it's pretty much the same vicious cycle between them, but dude those girls can act, I could just watch them argue and cry all day.

6. Oh, the Kristina moment! I mean, it was predictable that something good was probably going to happen for her during the debate, but it was still touching and so believable that she would come down to that woman and that everyone would be moved. (I was a little surprised Bob Little let her keep talking though since he's such a little interrupter-face.)

7. Oh, it was sort of funny when Julia was taking the kids door-to-door for the campaign, and Sydney was like, "This is nothing like Trick or Treating." Ha! Um, yeah, you don't get candy, and people don't want you there. Timely joke.

I'm sure there were more, and I should probably think of three more to make ten, but I have more things to write, and I think I'm done. I really, really liked it though. I wanted it to go on forever, I almost feel like watching it again but I really don't have time.

Autistic Photographers and Insecure Lead Singers

I watched Parenthood last night, the night it is actually on, at its actual time. And it was still good.

I wasn't as tired because I had taken a two hour nap earlier (SO awesome), but I still feel like this is not the best time for Parenthood to air. I don't know what it is, it's just too late, and I don't know. Maybe I just like watching it on the internet because it's closer to my face and there's not quite as many commercials or pop-up ads as I'm watching. (Who would have thought there would be more pop-up ads when you're watching on TV than on the internet. But there are, all those little banners at the bottom that take up a fourth of the screen, telling you to watch what's coming up next or whatever. I really hate that.)

My favorite stories from this week were Max and Kristina with the yearbook photography situation and Crosby and Adam with the Ashes of Rome drama. It was a little unbelievable that the lead singer would agree so quickly after Crosby's inspirational speech, but it did sort of make me think that maybe he's just really insecure and that's why he always wants to record so many times. So hearing Crosby (who doesn't even like him) tell him he's actually good was able to calm him down and make him comply. That's believable I guess.

I also liked the Joel story. First of all, Julia is a great actress. Second, Joel is making me mad. But I did for real enjoy the drunk cake scene at the store with Crosby:

"I'm drunk."

"Oh you are?"

HA ha ha ha. I love everybody on this show, and I especially love when they're all together, which is always. (Except for Haddie. Bring Haddie back! I should start a blog called Operation: Bring Haddie Back to Parenthood. I won't though. She's busy at college, so I won't bother her. What is she studying I wonder.)

Dear Parenthood, I like you again.

I really liked Parenthood this week. I honestly think the reason I haven't been liking it is because of the night it airs and how late it's on.

It's Sunday now and I feel rested, so I decided to watch, and in a state of rest, I finally enjoyed it. And it made me cry four times (like normal).

I loved loved loved the scenes with Adam and Mr. Ray. Omigosh it's funny when two totally different people get together and try to have a conversation. I need to remember this more in my actual life and make it a point to hang out with people that are different from me.

I'm totally rooting for Kristina now, and I'm glad Adam's finally on board and taking big risks to support his wife.

The whole Victor-Sydney-Zeek situation was heart wrenching and then warming. I have such a heart for kids that are struggling especially with something that's sort of embarrassing, and then when their friends or younger siblings are passing them by and doing it right in front of them, ugh. Makes me mad and sad and like, Somebody help them! Good thing Zeek did.

Still captivated by Amber and Sarah's relationship with this whole wedding thing going on, and now I'm getting more and more curious about what is the deal with Ryan and his family situation. I mean, you should probably tell your fiancee that kind of stuff before you marry her, right?

I found out by the internet that Haddie in real life is going to Columbia University, and apparently Jason Katims (head writer) said she could be written back in but it all depends on finding the right story line mixed with her availability. Bah! Dear Haddie Braverman, college is not that great. It's better to be on Parenthood. Just kidding. It's probably good for her to explore other interests and see what lies outside the world of show business. But for real, she is such a good actress. How can someone be such a good actress but want to do something else? Probably sort of like me and cleaning. (I'm really good at cleaning, but I want to do something else.)

Hmm.. what else. Crosby and Adam are funny. That "annoying" band was funny. The guy didn't seem that bad actually, so I support Adam's decision to want to "sign them" with their label that they don't have. And maybe they will. Adam and Kristina are both getting pretty ambitious it seems.

Anddd I think that's it. I need to go check on my rice and eat some lunch! 

Someday, Parenthood.

I didn't watch Parenthood yesterday. It's just on too late, and I'm too tired. And I just got home tonight and I don't feel like watching it now either.

I will watch it, probably tomorrow.

TV Show Devotion

I did watch Parenthood this past Thursday. I guess I just forgot to write about it.

I'm sort of getting over it. I still like it. There were a lot of good moments, and I'm still mesmerized by Lauren Graham and Mae Whitman's chemistry and ability to act, but the episodes don't feel as much of a masterpiece as they used to. I'm not really crying during them anymore or being like, "That was so good," when it's over.

Also though, it is on really late at night - 10pm if you're on the west coast, and that is about the time I like to start winding down to go to bed. So I'm tired when I'm watching it, and I've been getting headaches late at night because of my back-and-forth sugar binging, and I just really have things I have to do more than stay true to a TV show I don't really care that much about anymore.

I still think it's the best show on TV (of what I know). I just don't think I like TV that much.

I really like movies. I'd rather spend money to go see a good movie in the theater than stay true to a mediocre TV show that takes up one hour of my time every week and is infused with a bunch of commercials telling me what I need in my life.

I don't know. Maybe next week I'll watch it on the internet the next day like I used to and see if that makes a difference. So we'll see.

Eh.

I think I'm just not as into TV anymore.

I liked it. I especially liked the Ray Romano / Lauren Graham scene. I thought it was cute and realistic and funny.

But the only time I almost cried was at the end when Sarah visits Amber and talks to her about her wedding. Those girls have such good chemistry, you almost feel like they really are in real life talking like that with each other. And it made me think of my mom because if she watched it last night, she was probably watching that scene and crying.

I feel like my mom would be pretty excited to help me plan a wedding, but I hope when that happens she will feel really glad and confident about the man I choose to be with.

Oh and where was Joel last night? I feel like they are too overtly setting up the jealousy drama of Joel and Julia with this new guy Julia's becoming friends with. It reminds me of the first season or whenever it was when Joel was volunteering for kid stuff with that one woman, and Julia got jealous. That plot line made more sense though because they worked that character in slowly and Julia was always in the episodes as well. So to all of a sudden have Joel not even be in an episode (especially when he just got a new job we want to hear about), and this random guy Julia meets before school just instantaneously gets to take up the whole episode with her, it makes me a little annoyed, like, Excuse me you can't just bring in characters out of nowhere and make them leads, they need to earn it a little more, you know?

Also there were a couple things that felt a little over the top and not as realistic as a normal Parenthood episode. First with Julia and that guy being crazy nazis about "green lunches," and then spending all that time with the recycling after? I just really didn't believe any of that was actually happening, or the way the guy talked to that one kid, or the way Victor got mad at his mom for being embarrassing. It all just felt a little contrived.

Then with the new campaign manager for Kristina. I like Jurnee Smollett, and I think she carries the part well, but the way she just gives herself the job in two seconds and acts incredibly, overly confident about it, I don't know. It sort of works if she really is that much of a political hotshot, but I wasn't completely buying that it would have happened exactly like that.

I liked the scene in the restaurant with the Crosby's. It was a little over-the-top too with the way everyone was complaining and the manager asking them to leave, but it was sort of believable, and the way Crosby responded was believable to me because it reminds me of my brother and how he would have acted in that situation if people were complaining about his baby.

I'm still wondering where Haddie is, especially since they show Drew back from school all the time. I know Haddie's further away, but STILL. Are they ever going to have her back? It's making me really sad.

And I miss Mark a little, but I'm over that triangle, and I'm glad Sarah is not a whoring adolescent these days. I'm starting to like her character again.

Scattered Thoughts on the Premiere

I sort of wish I had re-watched the last few episodes of last season before watching tonight. The premiere was good, but I didn't feel as emotionally attached as usual, and I'm sure it's just because it's been a while.

I'm glad Everybody Loves Raymond is still on, and I always liked his and Max's relationship, so I'm glad they're going to develop it. 

Everything that happened tonight was pretty amazing now that I'm remembering. I'm just really tired and have a lot on my mind, so it makes it harder to get into TV.

I am really excited about next week's episode. I think my emotions were most stirred during the preview for that, as well as the last scene between Amber and Ryan, which is weird because normally they're the storyline I care least about.

I don't know what else to say. I'm excited about Kristina running for mayor.

WHERE the heck is Haddie? Is she done now? I just looked her up on IMDB. Looks like she's a guest star on Private Practice. What else is she doing? Is she bored? I will totally hang out with her.

in case you're wondering..

Parenthood Season 5 starts September 26th on Thursdays now (new night) at 10/9 central!

(Just wanted to inform the masses.)

Good job, NBC.

Good news, Parenthood-lovers! This just in - Parenthood has been renewed by NBC for a fifth season and not just a fifth season but a FULL fifth season - 22 episodes, and I guess it hasn't had that many since Season 2.

This is perfect timing as I have saved and saved and now have enough money to go back to LA, which is what I plan to do in August, after working one more summer at camp.

I CAN'T WAIT!

T.Hood

Um.. I thought this was just the season finale, but the way they were wrapping things up, seems like it might be the finale finale, and I'm like, Uh.. Was this the plan? I didn't hear anything about this show being canceled. So I googled it, and looks like NBC is still deciding. What?
Okay so here's what makes me mad:

1. Haddie wasn't on the show. 
2. Sarah.. chooses Hank? (My mom was happy when it looked like she wasn't going to get either of them, but now it looks like she moved to Minnesota with Hank? I'm not sure if that was her in the snow with him or his daughter.)

Anyways, if it's really over, this kind of cancels my hopes and dreams, and this blog. My mom says, "Well, you'll just have to create another show like it."

Hmm.. Coming soon.. Tracyhood. Singlehood. "My Parents"-hood.

I don't know. Goodnight everyone! See you next season (maybe).

The vending machines are back.

My favorite scenes from last night's Parenthood:

1. when Crosby tells Julia she's a good mom
2. when Mark goes up to Ray Romano and tells him his "plan." HA ha ha. I love Hank's line, "He just basically challenged me to a duel or something."

I love that both these guys are fighting over Sarah. Sarah's character is driving me (and my mom) crazy with her crazy whore-ish ways, but for real, how awesome is it when a guy can truly go after a girl, even in face of obstacles. AND when he can do it in a straightforward way, not keeping anything a secret. 

Mark's always been a great character, even in his young-ness. I like his hair better now too, or his beard or whatever he's doing different. (I think that was the only thing I wasn't liking about him before when it seemed like they were going to phase him out.)

Oh, but here's my only annoyance with Parenthood lately: Where the heck is Haddie Braverman. She's at school? Can we see her at school ever? Can she come home ever? Is she allowed to talk on the phone when she's away? She hasn't been on the show in a billion episodes, and it's highly disappointing because she was starting to become my new favorite character.* What is she doing? Like, in real life what is she doing, is she busy or something? I hope she comes back for the finale.

THE FINALE. Omigosh. I can't believe next week is the season finale.




*Amber (Mae Whitman) used to be my favorite character, and I do still like her a lot, but she's kind of getting super sappy all the time, and I kind of want her to have another rebellious / angsty phase, you know?

Mmm.. Truth.

Okay so P.Hood was way better last week than it was this week, or maybe it was just better because this week I was confused since I hadn't watched last week's.

But anyways, I caught up on Hulu tonight, and oh my gracious, between Kristina's hair, and Crosby dealing with his mother-in-law, and Victor throwing the bat through the glass, ah! I just love this show so much.

This is what I love the most about Parenthood: They take normal, everyday problems, and they keep them normal (without adding aliens or crazy sex scandals), and hey guess what, the show is still interesting and funny. Actually it's even more interesting and funny because you can relate to it and/or you can learn from it about how to be in better relationships with people.

Even when the actors screw up in their relationships, they never seem to glorify the mistake or try to make it crazier and crazier. They simply let you see the truth of what might actually play out.

That is what I love best: truth. Mmm.. I wish I could mix it into my mocha and drink it up.

"What can I get for you today?"

"A Decaf Short Soy No Whip Extra Hot Truth Mocha, please."

#notatrueparenthoodfan

I just realized tonight that I missed last week's episode. I thought the first new one of the year was tonight, and then all of a sudden I'm like, Wait, why is Jasmine's mom living with them? When did Victor start hating Julia? And when did Kristina go bald?

UGGgghhhhhhhhhhh.

I am not a true fan. But also, there's more important things in life than watching TV, people.

Beer inspires blog.

So I was browsing through my Entertainment Weekly the other day and came across this beer ad (I think it was beer, Miller Lite or something?), and it was giving ideas for ways to spend your time, which is weird, but one of them was, "Start a blog about your favorite TV show," and I was like, "Huh. That's a good idea."

I don't drink beer, and I don't do blogs normally, but I love to write, and I love Parenthood.

There are no real posts yet because Parenthood has not officially started for the new year, but for those of you that are wondering, a new episode will air THIS TUESDAY, January 8th, 2013 at 9pm (Central Time) on NBC.