So, I started watching Parenthood recently. I'll admit I wasn't too keen on the premise, since the state of parenthood isn't something to which I can personally relate, but let's face it ... Lauren Graham is in this show. Even if it's terrible, I'll like it.
It turns out that I actually do like this show. It isn't for the faint of heart, though. While there are occasional moments of levity, the show is basically a sniffle-fest. Destitute mother with delinquent children? Check. Good-hearted parents with autistic child? Check. Rock-solid grandparents going through a potential divorce? Check. Immature adult musician discovers he has a 5-year old son? Check. Hilarious hijinks ... not so much.
The writing for the show is good, but without the very high-quality actors in this show it would fall apart. I would credit Ron Howard, one of the show's producers here. He is the best in the business for matching characters to actors, and I don't doubt he had a hand in the casting here. Peter Krause of Six Feet Under fame is probably the best "impatient" actor on television and frankly I'm shocked he hasn't had more success in the business after his 6-season run on one of the best scripted dramas ever produced. Lauren Graham, one of my uber-favorites, is flexing some serious acting muscle that likely takes her out of her comfort zone. I mean ... she went from world's-most-successful-progressive-mother on Gilmore Girls to world's greatest train wreck parent. Well done. Craig T. Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia need no praise from me ... they're really, really good.
Where is the confusion? Well ... I don't have children, and don't particularly want any. This show's raw portrayal of the pain of parenthood largely reassures me I've made the right decision. Yet, it also fires off bursts of joy that leave me confused. It doesn't hurt that they cast some of the cutest kids ever born in the show. If you watch an episode and don't wonder whether they built Savannah Paige Rae out of flowers and sunshine in Willy Wonka's Cute Factory, then you're a black-hearted savage.
No one should be surprised, since I love complex character dramas, I love this show. Tivo! Netflix!
P.S. -
Erica Durance, I love you.
Don't know that it will provide any reassurance, but that confusion doesn't end once you actually have kids.
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