What I’m Watching: Parenthood

Parenthood: Season 2, Episode 2 “No Good Deed” (B)

I’m having a bit of a problem adjusting to the relatively comical, unserious tone of this show this season. It makes it especially jarring when a dramatic scene like the explosion of emotions between Sarah and Adam at the end of the episode occurs. I think a big part of the problem I’m having is the presence and screen time devoted to Adam Baldwin’s character. It’s not necessary to see Sarah giving a steady job a try, especially since it takes her away from her very entertaining daughter, who only gets a few memorable lines in this episode as a result after having been nearly invisible last week. Now it’s Sarah’s turn to be invisible at home, and Adam seems to have a similar problem. When he opens his door, things have become so chaotic that he can’t even will himself to enter his house, a powerful moment. Though it seems more than a bit unbelievable, not to mention inconsiderate, of Jasmine to once again jet off to some faraway place without thinking of how it might affect Crosby and his relationship with Jabar, Dax Shepard does continue to do a terrific job of playing this character, and it creates some interesting scenes between Crosby and Jasmine. I also loved Crosby’s quip unifying the two major plotlines of the episode: “It’s convenient that you two are working together, because it saves me a lot of time.” The least compelling sibling plotline of the week: Julia struggling to navigate elementary school politics.