I’m hooked. I’m completely hooked.
Let me just start by saying that I don’t usually like dramas very much. They’re heavy, and gets under your skin, and makes me cry and mess up my makeup way more often that it should. But for some reason, maybe because I’m pulled in by seeing Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) as yet another single mom to teenage kids, I decided to put NBC’s Parenthood on my list.
Well, let me start by saying that I am glad I didn’t stick to my usual lighthearted comedies. Parenthood is a fantastic deep dive through the dynamics of a large family, with every unconventional combinations within. Bi-racial couple? Check. Single parent? Check. Parents with special needs kid? Check. Power woman with stay-at-home dad? Check.
Seriously. There are so many things to explore that I’m surprised this only lasted 6 seasons. I mean, How I Met Your Mother had 9, so why this can’t go longer I don’t understand.
Widely known as Richie Cunningham’s (Ron Howard) Parenthood, this series really gives you the feels. The script is loosely written, with lots of space for the cast to actually create characters and improvise very moving scenes.
Mae Whitman is my absolute favourite actress on the show, and there is a very tangible logic to every decision that her character makes. From rebellious teenager to struggling young woman, Mae Whitman really makes your heart wrench every time she’s hurting.
And there is a lot of hurting.
If you like witty dialogue and very real scenes, AMAZING music and maybe even watching the actors’ brains work overtime as they’re improvising through the hard stuff, then Parenthood is a fantastic journey through the ups and downs of being, well, a human being. Even if the characters annoy the shit out of me sometimes.
Oh, and don’t forget the waterproof eye makeup. You’re going to need it.
Have you seen Parenthood? What do you think? Let me know in the comments down below!