Pick of the week
Parenthood Friday, 8.30pm Vibe
There are times when we turn on the television in search of a little escapism.
For an hour or so, you can put your own life on hold and follow in the footsteps of cops investigating a crime or doctors healing a patient.
Personally speaking, I like to slip into the shoes of Mad Men’s Don Draper occasionally. But that’s my problem, not yours.
Then there are times when we turn on the television with a little recognition in mind. And because not of all of us are idealistic lawyers or emergency-room medicos, the family drama tends to be the logical destination.
After all, pretty much all of us have parents, children or siblings who can give our lives meaning or drive us to distraction (Or, let’s face it, both).
As such, the family dynamic – especially one that’s kind of dysfunctional – can provide rich material for a series. You just need to look at the success of popular viewing such as House Husbands or Offspring for an example.
One series that’s been criminally overlooked here (two seasons played on Four a couple of years ago) but is back for a second round from the beginning is Parenthood, an adaptation of Ron Howard’s 1989 movie.
It’s not the first time the film, which followed the ups and downs of a multi-generational, middle-class American family, has moved from the big screen to the small.
A television version was launched a year after the release of the movie but, despite the presence of a young Leonardo DiCaprio, it lasted only a handful of episodes before being cancelled.
With Howard’s production company backing him up, writer-producer Jason Katims (the terrific Friday Night Lights) gave the ensemble comedy-drama another shot.
The results have been much more successful. This Parenthood is a solid, involving series (about to enter its sixth and final season in the US) with strong performances from fine actors.
It revolves around the four Braverman siblings, all of whom are wrestling with life’s dilemmas . . . with varying degrees of success.
Eldest son Adam ( Six Feet Under’s Peter Krause) is regarded as the family’s rock, and he’s generally a stable and capable guy, but he’s also easily frustrated and a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome for his young son Max throws both he and his wife Kristina (Monica Potter) for a loop.
Sarah (Lauren Graham from Gilmore Girls) is a single mother of two, who’s struggling to make ends meet, so she’s forced to move back to the family home with father Zeek (Craig T Nelson) and mother Camille (Bonnie Bedelia).
Julia (Erika Christensen), a highpowered lawyer, seemingly has it much more together than her big sister. But her drive to succeed in her career is starting to cause a rift between her and her young daughter, who feels more attached to her stayat-home dad Joel (Sam Jaeger).
Youngest sibling Crosby (Dax Shepard) is the only one without kids, mainly because he has a severe commitment phobia.
But he may have to overcome that sooner than he thinks.
As with many such family-centred shows, Parenthood works because it offers a bit of something for everyone. Can’t relate to the tightly wound Julia? Wait a little while and the scene shifts to the easy-going Crosby.
But given the overall calibre of the performances (Graham is a standout, for one) and the writing, it may not be long before you feel like spending time with the Braverman clan.