BWW Recap: The Bravermans Look Back to Look Forward on PARENTHOOD

As we approach the series finale of PARENTHOOD, we may consider taking stock of what we have, reveling in past memories, and being forced to look toward the future (of course, all the while, remembering that our past informs our future). Fortunately, that's pretty much what all our favorite characters on the show are doing this week as well. Let's move in for a closer look:

Sarah's pushing Hank to revisit "the tomato in the room," questioning his seriousness, but Hank's not budging. He was clear with with what he said and he wants what he wants. A suggestion from Julia to make a pros/cons list doesn't exactly pan out, and the always motivating Braverman heart-to-heart chat (this one's with her mother) pushes her further in the right direction, but it's not until she sees Hank helping Amber build a crib that she finally decides for herself.

Here's the thing. It really is genuinely sweet that Hank offers his help, not just with the crib, but in many instances this season. It shows, by proxy, that he's really making an effort with Sarah and wants to get to know her through getting to know her family. He's clearly different than all the other guys she's dated in the past (as he discussed last week in his conversation with Drew), and he gets along with all the kids (just go back and watch the scene with Max where they also discuss Sarah together. It's really special). Again, he genuinely cares, and that's why Sarah should give him a chance - she should see that he's trying to make everything right with the kids and the family. Which is why it's all the better when Sarah's clearly moved by his crib-building attempt and answers him: "Yes."

Adam and Crosby are flip-flopping back and forth all throughout the hour, and I feel like this is going to be a burning topic of conversation all the way up til 10:59pm on the 29th. At the start, Crosby's rummaging through photos, and Adam's clearly uneasy about telling his brother the news. After a conversation with Zeek (well, actually, Zeek pulls it out of him), he decides, off his dad's advice, to go with his gut and be straight-up with Crosby. He is - and it's a great PARENTHOOD Braverman brother moment - which ends with the decision to close up shop. Gotta admit it was pretty heartbreaking seeing them there in the empty room. (Crosby's line, "We had a good run" tugged at my heartstrings and brought me back to the unfortunate reality that this show will be ending in TWO episodes. So sad.) But then, Jasmine visits Adam and explains how devastated Crosby is, asking him to reconsider. Then, Kristina puts in her two cents. It's a lot of back-and-forth, and finally, Adam decides to continue the business, though, as they hug, it's still clear he's uneasy with the decision.

I'm glad they're (sorta) keeping this one open. It's a sad storyline to have to close up - the end of an era - but it's (albeit the tiniest bit) more uplifting at least than Zeek's story about having to risk staring death in the face. The decision, too, I feel will make for a good final point to stop with them, so I'm glad we're holding out - or at least, it looks like we are - on this plot's (final, complete) resolution until next week.

Joel and Julia made AMAZING progress this week, beginning with a meeting to talk that turned to kissing that turned to sex. Their meeting is rescheduled and the discussion at hand becomes based on how they will tell their kids this news.

Okay, let me just say this: The discussion scene is downright, 100% perfect. I'm so glad to see Joel and Julia being honest with each other and dealing with their hard-to-deal-with issues right out in the open. And being calm. And not fighting. Or leaving. It's all good. They're taking breaths and accepting what the other has to say. I feel like I'm watching a new Joel/Julia, and it's a sign that it's a HUGE step forward for the two of them. They're ready. So just do it, guys! Rip off the Band-Aid! Go for it! This cat and mouse game has gone on long enough. Just meet each other at the ice rink, and bond over watching your kids skate, and then Joel can reach out his hand, and Julia can take it and then you can shoot your whole plan to hell and just throw your arms over each other in a deep, passionate kiss as your kids look on, smiling. Oh, wait, what? That's exactly what you did? Okay, good. :-)

And in our final plot of the week, Zeek and Camille discover rolls of film (that they take to Max to get developed), while looking for Zeek's prized baseball to give to his great-grandson or great-granddaughter. The photos aren't the focus of the plot, however (they are used as a base for the Hank/Sarah plot, re: looking back to look forward); one of the most touching moments of the plot - or the episode - comes when Zeek takes Drew into a storage unit looking for the baseball. Upset, Drew apologizes for "ruining Zeek's trip to France" - something that he mentioned last week - and they have a super deep conversation about death. While his death on the series still remains up in the air, he seems at peace with the fact that he'll die eventually - and he won't be angry at anyone (though, he does admit, he may not have complete control over that). They've reestablished their friendly relationship, and they're on good terms. I'm glad of it, too. With all they've both gone through, that would have been a hard pairing to have end still uneasy or in a fight. But they're Bravermans. So they pick up and move on.

And speaking of moving on... Zeek and Camille travel back to their old house to retrieve the baseball. In a montage wherein they watch the new inhabitants, they contemplate and recognize that everything's different. Time has passed. Things have changed. And yeah, that's the point. And that's why he changes his mind. Let's let the past be in the past - leave it for someone else - and move forward with our lives.

And we fade out on the old house, ready to face new challenges - as the Bravermans are themselves - in the final two episodes and beyond. Until next time... Thanks for all the feels, PARENTHOOD.

Photo Credit: Twitter / NBC

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