BWW Recap: Zeek Heads into Surgery on PARENTHOOD

The episode begins with Zeek and Camille talking about the surgery - "The room's got a view" says Camille; "We can watch the squirrels fornicate" mutters Zeek - before the family stops by to wish him luck and offer hugs and words of strength and support. Zeek reassures them there's a 96% success rate, before spilling the beans to the whole family about Amber's pregnancy (before, only he and Sarah knew). Oops. Well, there goes that storyline too. Funny how these big buildups compare to the actual reveal.

Amber and Zeek then have a(nother) touching moment on the porch. She shows him the sonogram, Amber confides in Zeek that she hasn't told Ryan yet and he tells her she should. Amber also meets "She's scared." Oh, and Zeek also assures her no matter what: "I'm gonna be there for that baby." It's nice that these two have this beautiful bonding moment because they're both going through "scary" (albeit much, much different) events. The oldest Braverman is going into a potentially fatal surgery, while Amber is on the verge of bringing the youngest Braverman into the world. It's a fantastic way to showcase this dichotomy, and again, great for the writers to show us that. However, I can't help but think (and believe me, I don't want to)... I hope they're not showing us this because it's their last. With words exchanged like, "We all get our strength from you, [Zeek]" and "You're an amazing girl, sweetheart" (said wrapping each other in an embrace), it isn't looking too good. Dear God, I hope seriously hope this isn't foreshadowing. It would SUCK if Zeek didn't make it. Oh, well. Nothing I can do about it now. Just gotta continue watching the episode and see it unfold.

Amber then visits Drew. Holy crap! There he is! I was wondering where he'd been. Honestly, I had to chuckle when Amber tells her brother, "You're the closest person to me." Really? Then how come you haven't talked to him or mentioned him or showed him to viewers in the last two episodes?!She tells Drew she's driving to Wyoming to tell the news to Ryan. Drew agrees, but he's going with her. Awww... yay for sibling bonding! :-) #BravermanSiblingsForever

Ruby's stuck at Hank's studio, and wanting to get out, so Sarah agrees to take her to the drug store to pick up some lip gloss/lipstick. A distracted Hank waves at them as they leave, but we all know he hasn't a clue what they discussed - he was too caught up in work. Which is all well and good, but it's his daughter... who he hasn't seen... who's been getting into trouble... and she's someone of whom he's supposed to be taking care. So, I know where this is going. Tsk tsk tsk.

Julia's at the office... with her mystery man. And we finally get to know a little more about him. Turns out he and Julia have known each other for a while - he had a crush on her when they were in her freshman study group at (an undisclosed???) college. So, we know he didn't just come out of nowhere. (But honestly, how'd he get BACK into her life?) Also, they're talking about Zeek. Foreshadowing???

Sarah attempts to bond with Ruby, but she's painfully unsuccessful. The Ruby/Sarah bonding doesn't look like it's gonna get any better either, as Ruby slips a lipstick tube into her purse (!!!), and we see Sarah try to comprehend what she saw. Whoops.

At the hospital, Zeek is instructed to leave his belongings (including his wedding ring) in a bag that will be placed in the closet. Not surprisingly, he refuses to part with anything. He tells the doctor he's not a hospital room, but rather "a crappy little room with a view of dead people" and declares "This is my last night with my wife, so if you don't mind, I'm gonna keep my wedding ring." He grabs her hand and squeezes it tight. Fade to black. Awww.

Back from commercial, we find Drew and Amber on the road to Wyoming. Amber asks Drew how he thinks she should go about talking to Ryan, and confirms she wants to do this on her own. Not much development here, but it's a nice bonding moment for the sibs.

Back at Hank & Sarah's, Sarah struggles to tell Hank about Ruby. But she does. Hank's in denial re: Ruby's shoplifting, but confirms one thing he knows to be true: "I suck at being a parent."

Crosby's feeling nervous for his dad's surgery. Jasmine (of whom we also haven't seen much lately) reassures him it's all going to be okay. Crosby says he won't think negatively.

Joel comes to see Zeek. How sweet! But it's a bittersweet moment, and of course, he leaves crushed yet again, as another attempt to get back together with Julia is thwarted; she's made it clear she's not interested. :-(

It's time for the operation and the family's all here. The words "96% success rate" are repeated - PLEASE DON'T DIE, ZEEK! Just before he's wheeled in, he whispers, "I'm scared" to his wife. In a tear-inducing moment, he gives his ring to Camille, who looks on as he's wheeled in for real and the doors close behind him. The camera pans on Camille, who cries for quite a while before gaining composure.

Back in the waiting room for a hot minute, and Adam can tell Camille's not okay. Cut to Drew and Amber, who walk up to Ryan's door. Ryan answers it, and he and Amber stare at each other. Back in the waiting room, Adam reveals the truth about hospitals: "I spent enough times in hospitals last year. They tell you the good news out here; if it's bad news, they take you to the bad news room so you can break down in private." I really like the continuity here (where is Kristina anyway?). It shows that this is real life and they can draw on past events and build from that. As we countdown the final episodes of the show, it's nice to know with moments like this, we can still deepen the storyline. Good work!

Chris (the name of Julia's mystery man is finally revealed!) sends a signal to her, with a "waiting room survival kit" filled to the brim with Twizzlers, which she revealed earlier was her favorite study snack. Not too bizarre, but what comes next might be: Julia then decides she truly likes him. Really? From Twizzlers?

Amber finally comes clean to Ryan, and surprisingly (to me as much as Amber) he's on board, and says he'll be involved as he can be with the baby. Uh, ok.... but we can see from Amber's face, that she was clearly expecting (and has most likely arranged for) something else (like a different reaction). Um, so.... yeah.

Camille plays with Zeek's wedding ring in her hand and admits she's scared, too. Adam and Crosby have a heated feud over business issues, though we all clearly know the emotions from Dad's surgery are also affecting them.

Quickly back to Ryan & Amber, before we cut to Hank & Sandy (Yay for the return of Betsy Brandt!), who discuss what went down with Ruby. Sandy lays down the law here: Ruby "needs a father!" And when Ruby's with Hank, Sarah can't be around. Uh oh.

Amber talks with Drew about how things went with Ryan. Drew comes clean as well: he doesn't think Ryan's ready to be a father because "he's a mess." Amber protests in a heated fight - kudos to Mae Whitman & Miles Heizer - that ends with Drew driving off, upset at his sister. But as Amber watches her brother drive away, we can tell she's thinking (and we can't help but thinking too): Is he right? It seems like the big deal is in fact, not so much Amber telling Ryan, but Amber telling Drew! Yikes!

Crosby's back at the hospital, yelling at Oliver Rome (the client). Again, clearly, this emotional reaction stems in part from what he's feeling re: his father. He throws his phone to the ground and leaves angrily on his motorcycle. After cruising for a while, he gains speed and turns a corner... and the motorcycle comes crashing to the ground. As the dust cloud clears, we see Crosby clutching his leg, moaning in pain. I'll admit it: my mouth fell open.

Back from commercial, Joel talks with Julia, who admits his questioning about how she's doing and how can help to be confusing. Yeah, I thought so, too. So, she fires back: "I'm seeing someone." Wow. Did not think that was coming at that moment. :-( Joel is permanently crushed and unsuccessfully tries to not sound as such. This is sad. I seriously do hope they get back together before show's end. I mean, I get that, like, life moves on, and it's not all rainbows, bunnies, and tied-up-in-a-bow lifestyles, but seriously. This is Joel & Julia!

Back with Amber & Ryan, it's Amber's turn to lay down the law: "You're just not ready yet [to be part of this family and raise a child]." She removes her hand from his and they sit in silence. Heartbreaking.

Crosby limps back to the hospital and asks about Zeek, of whom the family's still heard no word. (But why is he so mum on his injury? What's going on and why's he hiding it? Hmmm... that doesn't look good).

The doctor arrives and.... the surgery went well! Aaaaaaaahhh!!! Yessss!!! Zeek lives! I mean, sure, the final image of him wrapped up in surgical tubes in the ICU, is still Kleenex-inducing for sure, but he's gonna be all right. :-) Camille slips the ring back on his finger as he (slightly) opens his eyes and the kids look on. Beautiful.

As always, I'll be back next week. In the meantime, let me know what you thought of tonight's PARENTHOOD in the comments below.

Photo Credit: NBC

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