Parenthood: Aaron Brownstein Must Be Stopped (6x08)

You know, this whole last season of Parenthood has been sort of truncated for budget reasons, so that every episode we inevitably don't see several of our core characters. This week there was no Sarah, Zeek, Camille, Julia, Joel, or Adam. But actually, I think it's working in the show's favor. I was a big fan of what this episode did, and by focusing on only some of the story lines, we had enough time to delve a bit deeper. Let's go plot by plot.

Max asks Kristina how to ask out a girl. Kristina tries to make Max wait before taking this big step with Dylan, but Max insists that he is going to ask her out. However, when he tries to find her at school to ask her, he finds her kissing Aaron Brownstein. Max then asks his mother to expel Aaron. When Kristina won't, Max then turns to the students, handing out flyers with a list of all Aaron's punishable offenses. The two boys get into a fight, and Max blurts out that he saw Aaron and Dylan kissing. Kristina explains to Max that what he did was not okay, but that it's okay to feel hurt. Dylan comes over to the house later that night and says she's sorry to Kristina. She doesn't know why she likes Aaron, but she just does. She also says she's never going to feel that way about Max.

The next day, Max makes Dylan a collage to express his love for her. Dylan's friends mock him for it, but Dylan is just confused and upset. She finally blurts out that she will never love Max. Max runs out of the school. Kristina follows and tells Max he was very brave for making the collage and telling Dylan how he feels. She gives him a hug and tells him that someday he'll meet the right girl.

You know my favorite thing about this plot thread? Nobody was mad at Dylan for not liking Max. Nobody accused her of leading him on or of being a bad person for not just giving in and saying yes. It's okay that she doesn't like him in that way. Kristina, even while hurting for Max, also understands how hard this must be for Dylan. I loved the complexities here, as Kristina has been afraid of this very thing since the beginning, and yet she sympathizes with Dylan's situation. Great performance from Max Burkholder this week, as I really felt all of his sadness and anger shine through. It was nice that Kristina and Max shared a hug, too.

Jasmine decides to take a part-time filing job with her mother, to help financially while Crosby continues with the Luncheonette. Jasmine's mother of course figures out that the family is having financial troubles, and suggests that Crosby gets a part-time job. Crosby feels totally humiliated about not being able to provide for his family, but Jasmine tells him it's okay - she can help provide for them too, and Crosby should be following his dreams.

At the Luncheonette, Crosby and Amber have been suffering through recording sessions for commercial jingles. Amber has an idea - what if they go to a concert and try to get a new up and coming band to sign with them? Crosby rebels at the idea of going out so late (the concert doesn't even start until 11!) but Amber convinces him to come. However, she can't convince Drew, who has to study for a remake econ test. In line to get into the club, Crosby gets busted for having pot with him, but before it can make a difference, Amber feels a sharp pain and the two of them rush to the hospital. Fortunately, it was just braxton-hicks contractions. Amber goes to tell Drew about it, and she tells him that he shouldn't be making decisions about his major based on Amber's situation. Drew promises not to give up on his own dreams for Amber.

Another very solid plot, which weaved together several characters on the show. We haven't seen much from Jasmine this season, so I was happy to see her making a proactive decision to help the family. I like how this episode dealt with Crosby's feelings of inadequacy. I never felt like they were doing the whole sexist man-must-provide-for-wife-and-kids thing. He felt bad because Jasmine was having to postpone her own career-oriented dreams in order to make some money, while he kept on working at his own dream.

Also, I loved the stuff with Drew and Amber. They're one of the best sibling relationships I've ever seen on TV. I hope I remain as close to my sisters as Drew and Amber are to one another. I also hope that Drew gives up on this stupid econ major thing, and goes for what he truly wants. It's sweet of him to worry about Amber, but it can't be his priority.

Lastly, we've got Hank, Ruby, and Sandy. Sandy is going out of town for one night, and she doesn't want Ruby to stay on her own. Since Hank has a client he's working with, he actually can't watch her anyway. He says he trusts Ruby, though, and since he'll only be five minutes away, he thinks it'll be okay for her to stay by herself. She promises over and over again that she won't have people over, and so reluctantly Sandy concedes. Ruby totally lies to her parents - she has a huge party. Hank finds out because he drives over there. He calls Sandy and seems totally lost on what to do. At first he says he can't go in there, because he doesn't want Ruby to know that he didn't trust her, and he's afraid it will ruin the good place they've been in lately. Sandy angrily says she's on her way home. However, Hank then steps up and goes in to the party, kicking everybody out. When Ruby learns that Hank has called Sandy, she tells Hank that she hates him. Sandy and Hank bond over their troubled child, and they decide to ground Ruby. When Ruby comes over to stay with her dad, Hank teaches her how to play poker, and Ruby acts pleasantly, seemingly ready to make up for what she's done.

Another excellent plot. I do have one concern, though... are they trying to put Hank and Sandy back together? Is Sarah going to be cut out of this relationship again? I would hate to see that. Also, Ruby's party was a tad too cliche for my taste. It came straight out of every movie I have ever seen where the kids throw a party while the parents were away. A bit silly. However, the stuff with Hank and Ruby was great. I loved how at first, Hank wasn't able to step up and do the right thing, but eventually he did. I loved that Ruby said "I hate you," like a snobby teenager, but was willing to admit she was wrong and make amends (even if she didn't come out and say it).

One other thing to praise over-all - as I mentioned, not all of the characters have been in all the episodes this season. However, they're doing a really good job of keeping their presence felt. Adam was mentioned several times in this episode, both by Kristina and Max, and also Crosby and Amber. It actually didn't occur to me that we never saw him until I started writing this review. Sarah's absence was a bit more noticeable, because I feel like they should have called her when Amber was in the hospital, but she was mentioned as well. I love this constant inclusion. (If only they could drop a line about Haddie every once in a while!)

Okay, so that's that! A great week. Next week we get Julia and Joel. Can't wait!

8/10