What I’m Watching: Parenthood

Parenthood: Season 2, Episode 7 “Seven Names” (B)

This was one of the messier episodes of this show at the start, and while it did manage to pull itself together by the end, I’m inclined to dock it a few points for feeling rather all over the place for most of its run time. The destination of many of the plotlines is obvious right off the bat, like Julia valuing her time over Joel’s and Haddie developing a crush on her boss at the soup kitchen. Gordon has quickly turned back into an unstable and generally useless character, forcing Adam to do his dirty work and contributing nothing else to the show. I was most interested in this episode in Crosby’s disappointed reaction to the lack of enthusiasm expressed by Jabar when Crosby told him they were getting married. Fortunately, an episode full of worrying and doubt on his part culminated in a joyous celebration and Jabar realizing that he gets to wear a tux at the wedding. For the moment, it seems like everyone is in a holding pattern. Amber and Sarah are back in each other’s good graces, Adam and Kristina aren’t focused on Max, Joel and Julia are trying to develop an understanding, and Crosby and Jasmine are getting married. I’m genuinely not sure where things are headed next for this bunch, and I’m hopeful that this show can surprise and entertain me, because it’s hard to get too excited about it with superb seasons of “Sons of Anarchy” and “The Good Wife” airing in the same time slot.