Parenthood: Too Big to Fail (6x06)

There were several really, really heartwarming moments in this episode. I'm trying to figure out which one wins. Oddly, we dropped Julia and Joel's plot for this episode, as well as Zeek and Camille's, but I think that worked to the episode's advantage. We only had a few threads to focus on. Let's take them one at a time.

Dylan, the girl that Max likes, is hanging out a lot at the Braverman house. Adam is convinced that Dylan likes Max, but Kristina is worried that Dylan is just hanging out there because she misses her family and wants to be around people. Dylan is constantly playing with Nora, and even stays up to watch To Kill a Mockingbird with Kristina one night. Turns out, Dylan's parents are away from home a lot. Kristina has a talk with Dylan, wanting to make sure that she wants to hang out with Max, not with Max's family. Dylan says she understands, and that she likes hanging out with all of them. Kristina invites Dylan to stay the night again.

Okay, this was so sweet. I wasn't sure what to make of Dylan before, since she seemed kind of annoying, and I wasn't looking forward to some sort of petty dislike between Kristina and Dylan. But now we have something quite different. The scene with the movie watching was really adorable, as you could tell that Dylan was just looking for an adult to look after her, and Kristina was touched by this. When Dylan said that her parents were obsessed with spending time with her, you could tell something wasn't quite right, and then later when you realize that the opposite is true, and they're never really around, it's just so sad. I'm starting to really like this Dylan character. Also, I love the way Max is meticulously trying to win Dylan's affections, but he's not trying to force it, or expect anything from her that she's not ready to give. Will Dylan's 2.5 turn into a 5? We'll see!

Then we've got Crosby, Jasmine, and Jabbar. Jabbar's birthday is coming up, and he really wants to go to Harry Potter World. Jasmine says it might be possible, but Crosby has to tell her the truth: they can't afford it, because the Luncheonette is not doing well at all. They might be going under. Jasmine is upset that Crosby didn't tell her sooner, but she tells him that it's okay if they lose the business, the house, etc. As long as Crosby is around, their family will be alright. In the end, they tell Jabbar they can't take him to Harry Potter World. Jabbar offers to do odd jobs and help make up the money, but it still won't be enough. Although he is disappointed, Jabbar ends up getting a fun birthday anyway - his parents plan him a Harry Potter themed birthday! Jabbar is ecstatic.

This was also adorable. Jabbar was so cute when he offered to pay for his own plane ticket and help out. It was really sad to see his hope crushed, but I loved the way that Jasmine and Crosby were honest with him about the money, and promised to eventually get him to Harry Potter World when they were able. And that party at the end was such an amazing idea! Crosby with the Sorting Hat! Jabbar is in Gryffindor! It's been a while since Jabbar has had anything to do, so I was glad to see him get a little story line.

At the Luncheonette, things aren't going well. Adam is stressed, Crosby is obviously stressed, and a very pregnant Amber, who has just tried to shop for baby stuff with Drew and discovered how expensive it is, asks for a raise. Crosby and Adam don't know what to do, because they aren't making enough money. Amber overhears them discussing how they considered firing her due to lack of money, and she is hurt that they weren't upfront with her about the situation. Adam comes clean - they're really struggling right now, but he's going to do everything he can to get them back on track, and get Amber the raise she deserves. Drew, meanwhile, is trying to pick a major. Natalie is confused to see that he's considering economics. Drew reasons that he needs to do something practical that's going to get him a good job, because his sister is pregnant and he needs to help out. He's the only person in his family to go to college, so he needs to be responsible about it. Natalie tries to convince him to do what he wants, not what he thinks is most practical. But Drew says that his life is different from hers - he can't depend on his parents to bail him out if he can't make money after college.

This plot thread dealt with some really interesting issues, and felt particularly relevant to my life right now. Amber asks for a raise not just because she needs money for her and the baby, but because she feels like she really deserves it. There's a tension here between her role as employee, and her role as niece to the two owners. Also, in Drew's case, I feel really torn about what he should do. On the one hand, being an econ major is no guarantee of a good future. On the other hand, thinking ahead is a good idea, especially in this economy. I'm not really sure what's the best move for him to make! Drew was in the right, Natalie was in the right... I just don't know! Good dilemma. (Also, watching this made me feel really stressed out, since I'm an English Major).

Finally, we have the Sarah, Hank, and Ruby plot. Ruby is mad at her mom for not letting her have any fun, and she runs off to stay with Hank and Sarah instead. She asks to go to a party, but Sarah sees right away that it's going to be a big party with lots of drinking, so she encourages Hank to say no. He does say no - instead, Sarah suggests that they have a game night. Amber comes over to help with the games, but things don't go so well. Ruby is moody and gets mad when her dad sucks at using her clues to guess the names of celebrities. She storms off. She sneaks out and goes to the party, and comes back later that night very drunk. Amber, who was sleeping on the couch, wakes up and takes care of Ruby as she throws up. Amber agrees not to tell Hank about what happened. However, the next morning, Amber has a talk with Ruby. She tells her that she should cut her dad a little slack - at least he's trying to be there for her. Amber's dad didn't even bother to show up as a dad whatsoever. Ruby takes this into consideration, and she apologizes to Hank and Sarah for her behavior at game night. She thanks Sarah for trying to do something nice with her, and hugs Hank, telling him that she loves him. Hank and Sarah wonder where this came from, but are happy just to let it happen.

I kept complaining about Ruby, about how I didn't like her... and then this happened! I really, really enjoyed this plot thread. Ruby went from coming to her dad as simply away to escape from her mom and trick her way into a party, to reluctantly joining in on game night, to getting actually excited about game night, to being disappointed with how it turned out... and finally, with a little push from Amber, to the realization that Hank is trying his best. Ruby's apology and thank you to Sarah and Hank was a really wonderful moment in the script - the dialogue felt especially real, and the actress playing Ruby did a great job with it. Also, we've got Amber in the nurturing role as she takes care of Ruby. She uses her own experience as a troubled teen to form a connection to Ruby and give some advice. I think Amber is going to be a great mom.

I guess that's all! I really enjoyed everything this episode had to offer. Next week we've got a focus on Julia and Joel! I'm going to cry!

9/10