I know the writers are going for realism, but they're pushing it too much. There's one large extended family and everyone has so many problems, it's inconceivable how many over-the-top things happen. But with the extreme abundance of problems also comes the easiest resolutions to all the problems. At the end of the episode, everyone is happy, and without going deeply into any one storyline because it is an ensemble cast, featuring all the characters each week, Parenthood seems very unrealistic.
I groaned at least 5 times during the episode from the sheer unbelievability of what's going on. There's like 50 ongoing plots and I don't care much for any of them. Lauren Graham is great, but that's about it. I think this will be my last review for the show.
Score: 8.3/10
Showing posts with label Parenthood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenthood. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Review - Parenthood Season 1 Episode 4 Whassup
There were many things that annoyed me about the episode, so I'll just start with Crosby. Jabbar sleeps over with him and right off bat Crosby makes a huge mistake. It's good that he's trying, but his immaturity shines through each time. He orders pizza and as we know, Jabbar is lactose intolerant which is why he vomited from the chocolate and he couldn't drink the milt. I'm not sure why the writers didn't follow up on this. Jabbar gets this thumb stuck in a soda can which causes him to freak out. Julia saves the day and shows how great of a mother she could be if she had time. She also asks Crosby if Jabbar is really his. It's been five years, a long
Julia and Joel go out on date night and have Amber babysit Sydney after Sarah tells them Amber got upset after she couldn't babysit Sydney earlier. Sarah had to get back at Julia somehow and chose to use Amber as a weapon. She is partially redeemed by the scenes with her and Amber. They bond over past experiences and I still like them a lot.
Adam and Kristina find out about Haddie's boyfriend, Steve, and worry so much they lock her up. It falls into the grey are of parenting where the line is for electronic intrusion. Crosby helps them access her Facebook account and the result was both parties becoming upset.
Drew and Adam masturbation talk? Awkward...
The ending was very sappy as usual with a big family get-together. It's the same thing every week. I've been liking the series thus far, but if this episode will be the majority, I don't think I'll keep watching. The ratings have been dropping each week, so we'll see if the show will come back for another season.
Score: 8.4/10
Julia and Joel go out on date night and have Amber babysit Sydney after Sarah tells them Amber got upset after she couldn't babysit Sydney earlier. Sarah had to get back at Julia somehow and chose to use Amber as a weapon. She is partially redeemed by the scenes with her and Amber. They bond over past experiences and I still like them a lot.
Adam and Kristina find out about Haddie's boyfriend, Steve, and worry so much they lock her up. It falls into the grey are of parenting where the line is for electronic intrusion. Crosby helps them access her Facebook account and the result was both parties becoming upset.
Drew and Adam masturbation talk? Awkward...
The ending was very sappy as usual with a big family get-together. It's the same thing every week. I've been liking the series thus far, but if this episode will be the majority, I don't think I'll keep watching. The ratings have been dropping each week, so we'll see if the show will come back for another season.
Score: 8.4/10
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Review - Parethood Season 1 Episode 1 Pilot
I have seven shows to watch on Tuesday, and I still haven't watched NCIS: Los Angeles yet. I'll probably be switching off between reviewing Southland and Parenthood.
There's no time for me to do into plot detail, but it's much like the original movie with the kid with Asperger Syndrome. There's a large extended family and a little black kid that arrives. The ensemble cast allows for lots of stories and lots of dysfunction.
I was hoping for more comedy, but it never really came. There were moments when the smart writing and acting made the episode funny, but for the most part, the episode was mired in excessive melodrama between all the characters. For a pilot episode, I would have liked to see the lighter side of the show before delving into deeper issues. It's a dramedy, and the pilot clearly took the side of drama, so that's probably how the show will advance. Melodrama, heartwarming scenes, and a bit of humor. Is that enough?
I pointed out in the Preview of the Week that Parenthood would probably be like Modern Family with real issues. It goes further, showing the real issues and having the pathos Modern Family lacks.
Score: 8.7/10
There's no time for me to do into plot detail, but it's much like the original movie with the kid with Asperger Syndrome. There's a large extended family and a little black kid that arrives. The ensemble cast allows for lots of stories and lots of dysfunction.
I was hoping for more comedy, but it never really came. There were moments when the smart writing and acting made the episode funny, but for the most part, the episode was mired in excessive melodrama between all the characters. For a pilot episode, I would have liked to see the lighter side of the show before delving into deeper issues. It's a dramedy, and the pilot clearly took the side of drama, so that's probably how the show will advance. Melodrama, heartwarming scenes, and a bit of humor. Is that enough?
I pointed out in the Preview of the Week that Parenthood would probably be like Modern Family with real issues. It goes further, showing the real issues and having the pathos Modern Family lacks.
Score: 8.7/10
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Preview of Week 02/28/10 - 03/06/10
Chuck - NBC, Monday, March 1, 8:00pm ET
Last time it aired, it caused outrage among some fans. So will shippers be happy? From what I've read, they'll be angrier than ever. Let's hope the ratings hold up.
Southland - TNT, Tuesday, March 2, 10:00pm ET
In the vein of Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue, Southland was given a quick renewal by NBC. Ratings continued to plunge, and after pushing back the season premiere, NBC decided to cancel the show altogether. That can be blamed on Leno who took the 10 PM slot, which was perfectly suited for Southland. TNT bought all episodes, and will air the six episodes made. If--and I highly doubt this will happen--the ratings are high enough, the show will get picked up.
Parenthood, NBC, Tuesday, March 2, 10:00pm ET
If the show is anything like the movie, Parenthood is like Modern Family with real issues. There's no Steve Martin, but there's also no Keanu Reeves (who actually wasn't that terrible).
The Office, NBC, Thursday, March 4, 9:00pm ET
The baby is finally here. The season has been pretty boring, and Jim and Pam have been part of the problem. Will a baby help improve the season?
Burn Notice, USA, Thursday, March 4, 10:00pm ET
The third season finale is finally here. Who will the mysterious and deadly Simon be? Not that I care much, but the spy business subplot is always heavily pushed near the end of seasons, so it's worth watching. I'm expecting the third go-around to be similar to the first two, so I have a hard time anticipating anything.
Last time it aired, it caused outrage among some fans. So will shippers be happy? From what I've read, they'll be angrier than ever. Let's hope the ratings hold up.
Southland - TNT, Tuesday, March 2, 10:00pm ET
In the vein of Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue, Southland was given a quick renewal by NBC. Ratings continued to plunge, and after pushing back the season premiere, NBC decided to cancel the show altogether. That can be blamed on Leno who took the 10 PM slot, which was perfectly suited for Southland. TNT bought all episodes, and will air the six episodes made. If--and I highly doubt this will happen--the ratings are high enough, the show will get picked up.
Parenthood, NBC, Tuesday, March 2, 10:00pm ET
If the show is anything like the movie, Parenthood is like Modern Family with real issues. There's no Steve Martin, but there's also no Keanu Reeves (who actually wasn't that terrible).
The Office, NBC, Thursday, March 4, 9:00pm ET
The baby is finally here. The season has been pretty boring, and Jim and Pam have been part of the problem. Will a baby help improve the season?
Burn Notice, USA, Thursday, March 4, 10:00pm ET
The third season finale is finally here. Who will the mysterious and deadly Simon be? Not that I care much, but the spy business subplot is always heavily pushed near the end of seasons, so it's worth watching. I'm expecting the third go-around to be similar to the first two, so I have a hard time anticipating anything.
