Good morning, Thursday. It's cold and sunny here in the city and I'm very much in need of some time away. I'm hoping we can swing a little sun and fun time soon. I'm in need.
So tonight marks the series finale for one of my favorite shows, "Parenthood". I've been watching this show for its full run, which I believe was six season or so. And although I've taken great pride in my thick skin as I've become older and wiser, this show has the uncanny ability to make me cry at the end of every episode without fail, and throughout this final season, not just at the end but at the beginning and middle too. I'm sure to have many tissues nearby tonight as well as a freshly scrubbed face free of mascara. I'll never forget when "Six Feet Under" ended (Peter Krause who played Nate on that show plays Adam on Parenthood) and I was sitting in a hotel room in Philly on production. I watched from my bed and bawled my eyes out, and when I caught a glance of myself a few moments later, I had full on raccoon eyes. And I wondered why the room service guy looked at me like I was insane. That's so not happening tonight. Not just because my apartment does not come with room service, but because I come prepared to watch this show, this show that has torn out my heart, made me laugh, cry, shout, and everything in between.
For those that don't watch it, "Parenthood" is a show about a dysfunctional family that still somehow manages to accept and love each other as best they can, and they love each other very well. All of the characters have flaws and beauty and depth- I've loved watching this show so very much and am sad it's over, since I really look forward to my weekly cry. I'm really not much of a crying type so when I do, it feels really good. I appreciate a show that can guarantee an emotional reaction and response from its viewers- because that's what good television does. Whether it's laughing, crying, or yelling at your TV in disbelief (red wedding on GOTS, anyone?), the best shows make us feel something real. And "Parenthood" has made me feel mighty real over the years, and surely I won't be the only one stocking up on tissues for tonight's final episode. Please Lord, don't let us see Zeke die. We know he is not much longer for this world, but seeing him die would most likely kill us all. (Looks like he's going to make it down the aisle for Sarah's wedding, thank goodness).
"Parenthood" is a show of ideals (every family should love each other this freely), but it's also a show where people often fall down and have to get back up. Adam, though a full on grown up in ever way, does not know what he wants to be when he grows up. Sarah has found love with a man that has trouble expressing his feelings. Joel and Julia have a Dwell magazine worthy house and life but struggle with the challenges of married life and raising two children. Drew and Amber seem doomed to a morose, Mazzy star tinged early adulthood, while Crosby, though perpetually immature, has found happiness but realizes it all comes with a price. Kristina struggled with cancer and is now living her dream running a school for autistic and special needs kids. Don't even get me started on how great the storyline is with Max, the autistic child of Christina and Adam who we have all come to love as he grows into a young man. And that's the thing with this show- we've watched all of the characters grow into their own people, and life is very much reflected here in a truly sincere way. Zeke and Camille must face old age hand in hand, and we are right there with them. I am surely going to miss my weekly cry, and I'll always think about this show with great fondness- maybe they'll do a reunion in a few years so we all know how it all turned out? I'll be sure to have tissues on hand for that too.
Just wanted to share my life for that show- and if you need me tonight, I'll be crying in front of my television, and hopefully it will be a good cry. And that's what's up this family oriented Thursday in the 212. Yours, in season finales and wadded up Kleenex. XO