The part where they take an ad from Diet Pepsi and try to group it along with healthy foods in the vending machines is gross and manipulative. I'll take the obvious Subway commercials from Dexter and Chuck over this garbage propaganda. Even despite that this episode is one of the weaker ones of the season but it's a great season so it's still good. I found the acting in the confrontation scene with Jasmine's mother quite good and it was nice to see Max get his vending machine although I do not at all believe kids would celebrate a healthy vending machine but I suppose he needed a reward for his hard work. Overall decent episode but the propaganda was a bit enraging.
2 Reviews
Parenthood One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
dalydj-918-25517519 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Ryan's life problems: Zeek gets a call from Ryan who is just looking to meet him at a diner. Zeek goes to the diner and tells Ryan he needs to find something to do. Ryan goes back to the building site asking Joel for his job back but is not given anything. Amber is told by Camille that Zeek met with Ryan after an early morning call. Ryan visits Amber and they seem normal with her giving him some advice how to get good with Joel. Ryan goes back to the site giving Joel a donut to make them good which gets him his job back.
Crosby's mother in-law problems: Crosby makes some breakfast for Jabbar who does not eat it which Rene does not want to see because she knows everything. Rene decides to buy healthy for Jabbar because she think she knows everything which she does not. Jasmine is told to talk to her mother even though she finds it hard to really argue with Rene. Jasmine and Crosby together talk to Rene about her behavior, Rene fights back questioning their parent skills thinking she is better around for Jabbar. After helping Julia, Crosby is told by Julia to forgive Rene even though he does not want to. Rene now does not eat with the family because she does not feel respected with Crosby around.
Sarah's relationship problems: Sarah runs into Mark at Drew's school and after a talk plan to have a coffee together. Sarah tells Hank she is having coffee with Mark and while it is not anything he would do she still goes through with the plans. Mark and Sarah have their coffee just as old friends talking about their current relationships. Mark tells Hank that he will fight for Sarah instead of just giving up now. Hank tells Sarah about Mark's plans and does not want to get involved especially since the decision is Sarah's to make in the end.
Julia's Victor problem: Julia still is confused on her situation with Victor and if she should keep him. Joel thinks they should make it official but still Julia is not as certain as he is. Julia and Joel talk to the adoption agency worker and once again Julia does not make a good case by questioning nearly all her techniques. Joel calls the adoption agency apologising for Julia while Julia is out with her family just thinking of Victor. Julia runs out of the room and Crosby comes out to comfort her telling her she is a good parent and a son hating their mother is normal. Julia tells Victor the adoption will made permanent with him and for the first time he becomes nice liking the idea.
Max's Vending machine problem: Max now class president comes home mad that he cannot get the vending machine's to come back because of the parents council. Kristina try's to talk to some of the parents responsible for taking away the machines and is just told that it was for the better. Kristina decides to get involved in Max's problems by going into a parent meeting and making a case for the machines. Kristina goes to the meeting and while she does not have the help of the room after some ideas are presented to make the machine healthy everyone goes along with her ideas. The vending machines come back to the school and Max is overjoyed.
Julia's plot line has always been great for me but the way they ended this plot line seemed odd and did not match anything else done before. Sarah's relationships problems just annoy me so much even though they have the best actors in Graham, Romano and Ritter. Kristina finally was not depressing with cancer. I like Ryan and his relationship with Amber. Crosby as a character has become forgettable for me even when he is given some drama. Overall standard episode with one episode left this incredible season.
EPISODE GRADE: B (MVP: Erika Christensen)
Crosby's mother in-law problems: Crosby makes some breakfast for Jabbar who does not eat it which Rene does not want to see because she knows everything. Rene decides to buy healthy for Jabbar because she think she knows everything which she does not. Jasmine is told to talk to her mother even though she finds it hard to really argue with Rene. Jasmine and Crosby together talk to Rene about her behavior, Rene fights back questioning their parent skills thinking she is better around for Jabbar. After helping Julia, Crosby is told by Julia to forgive Rene even though he does not want to. Rene now does not eat with the family because she does not feel respected with Crosby around.
Sarah's relationship problems: Sarah runs into Mark at Drew's school and after a talk plan to have a coffee together. Sarah tells Hank she is having coffee with Mark and while it is not anything he would do she still goes through with the plans. Mark and Sarah have their coffee just as old friends talking about their current relationships. Mark tells Hank that he will fight for Sarah instead of just giving up now. Hank tells Sarah about Mark's plans and does not want to get involved especially since the decision is Sarah's to make in the end.
Julia's Victor problem: Julia still is confused on her situation with Victor and if she should keep him. Joel thinks they should make it official but still Julia is not as certain as he is. Julia and Joel talk to the adoption agency worker and once again Julia does not make a good case by questioning nearly all her techniques. Joel calls the adoption agency apologising for Julia while Julia is out with her family just thinking of Victor. Julia runs out of the room and Crosby comes out to comfort her telling her she is a good parent and a son hating their mother is normal. Julia tells Victor the adoption will made permanent with him and for the first time he becomes nice liking the idea.
Max's Vending machine problem: Max now class president comes home mad that he cannot get the vending machine's to come back because of the parents council. Kristina try's to talk to some of the parents responsible for taking away the machines and is just told that it was for the better. Kristina decides to get involved in Max's problems by going into a parent meeting and making a case for the machines. Kristina goes to the meeting and while she does not have the help of the room after some ideas are presented to make the machine healthy everyone goes along with her ideas. The vending machines come back to the school and Max is overjoyed.
Julia's plot line has always been great for me but the way they ended this plot line seemed odd and did not match anything else done before. Sarah's relationships problems just annoy me so much even though they have the best actors in Graham, Romano and Ritter. Kristina finally was not depressing with cancer. I like Ryan and his relationship with Amber. Crosby as a character has become forgettable for me even when he is given some drama. Overall standard episode with one episode left this incredible season.
EPISODE GRADE: B (MVP: Erika Christensen)
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