Everybody Loves "Parenthood"

NBC's one-hour drama "Parenthood" returned Tuesday following a nearly seven-month hiatus.  Although the 2011-12 season finale was scripted as if producer Jason Katims and executive producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer expected the show to be canceled by making it a happy ending, it's back, and the start of the new season showed that happiness is relative.

First, to the obvious change: Ray Romano as a curmudgeonly photographer? As soon as I saw promotional clips for "Parenthood" a few weeks ago and noticed Ray Romano in there, I knew it was going to be interesting.  He hires Sarah (Lauren Graham) as his assistant after he's hired by the Bravermans to take their family portrait, and at first he wants to fire Sarah when he realizes that she knows nothing about photography, but then he wants to keep her when he sees that she has the "people skills" with clients that he lacks.  He immediately takes an interest in the family when he arrives to photograph them . . . especially Adam's son Max, whom he recognizes as having a quirk that he finds out later is Asperger's syndrome. Previews of next Tuesday's (September 18) episode shows him consoling Sara's son Drew after his girlfriend breaks up with him.

You read right. Drew and Amy break up after having consummated their relationship, and that's one of the many plot twists in the Braverman saga.  Julia and Joel's seven-year-old adopted son Victor has trouble being accepted into his new family.  Max has trouble accepting Victor and still battles with his own inability to handle disappointment.  Crosby and Jasmine feel uneasy about Jasmine's mom giving their son religious instruction without their consent.  Haddie resents the fuss made over her impending departure to upstate New York to attend Cornell University . . . but soon she has second thoughts about her parents' attention and intention.  (Spoiler alert for those who taped or TiVo'ed it and haven't seen it yet - she overcomes her resentments and gives parents Adam and Kristina one last hug at the airport before leaving.)  

Happily ever after, it seems, is no picnic either.  (I think I can discard my earlier prediction about Drew getting Amy pregnant, though there may be a poison pill in their sexual encounter that pops up later.)  And so the trials and tribulations of the Braverman family will go on., at least for as long as NBC allows it.  And, with his own blend of comedy and pathos, Ray Romano, while not a full-fledged cast member, is a perfect addition to this show.  I'm already looking forward to next Tuesday. :-)