Parenthood: Happy Birthday, Zeek (6x02)

Awww this episode made me tear up! Let's start with the plot.

It's Zeek's birthday, but things are complicated by the fact that Zeek refuses to get an open heart surgery that could help him. Crosby goes to talk to him, but Zeek convinces him that the surgery is not necessary. Of course, this makes Adam mad.

Adam couldn't make it to talk to Zeek because he was dealing with a catastrophe at the new school - apparently, the food people have quit due to the insane requests for specific diets. Adam has to go pick up food for everyone, but they need a long term solution. Adam suggests adding a new art elective: culinary arts. He can have the kids help him make food. This angers Max, who wanted photography as an art elective. Although it's difficult to work with the kids in the kitchen, it turns out at least one of the kids had a great time. His mom calls Kristina to thank her.

Joel and Julia are called in to deal with a problem at the kids' school - Sydney has been bullying a new kid. Joel says that he and Julia should talk about their relationship, because he thinks this is why Sydney is going through something. Julia tells him no - she's been waiting for him to be ready to talk, but she's done waiting now and is trying to move on. When Julia and Joel try to talk to Sydney about the bullying, she screams at them that she hates them both. She's also rude at Zeek's birthday party. In the end, we see Joel and Julia on the phone, trying to figure out what to do about Sydney.

Amber tells Sarah she's pregnant, but Sarah doesn't know how to process the news. She messes it up by telling Amber that it's going to be really hard, and pushing her to make a plan. At Zeek's birthday party, Amber tells Zeek that she's pregnant. This prompts Zeek to decide to do the surgery, so he won't miss out on being a great-grandfather. Sarah tells Amber that she forgot to tell her about the good parts of being a parent, and the two of them agree that they can get through this.

Anything to complain about?

Well, there was this tiny little subplot I didn't even mention where Crosby has the younger grandchildren record a song at the Luncheonette for Zeek's birthday. That's a really cute idea, but they didn't really go anywhere with it. I wished we could have seen more of this. But that's a bit of a nitpick.

Mostly, I loved everything about this. I teared up when Amber told Zeek that she was pregnant. She was scared that Zeek would be disappointed in her, but Zeek just hugged her and told her it was wonderful news. That was so adorable. Yay for non-judgmental Zeek! I loved how Amber's pregnancy was what turned Zeek around on the surgery, even if it was a bit of an obvious move for the plot to take. It was emotionally satisfying to see Zeek willing to take a risk to extend his life, in order to be there for the newest member of the family.

I also liked Julia and Joel's stuff. I was so happy when Julia told Joel that he messed up, and that she was trying to move on. Joel screwed things up intensely, and he is only now starting to realize what that means for the future. And Sydney! Yeesh, that girl needs a stern talking to! What she said to the new girl at her school wasn't just impolite, it was awful! I hope we can see her start to mature before the show ends. Great acting by the girl who plays Sydney, by the way. She was convincingly bratty.

Kristina and Adam are such an idyllic couple, it's almost sickening. But in a good way, if that makes sense. I love that they're succeeding with this school, but that there are problems, too. To see them confront a problem and solve it in such a creative way was really neat. It's always satisfying to see Kristina get to the next step and reach her goals.

I think I'll leave it there. This was a solid second episode. I hope next week we can get a bit more about Crosby's family. Of the four Braverman kids, he's had the least to do this season.

8/10