Parenthood turns 10: 10 episodes to watch to celebrate the Bravermans

8. Season 2, Episode 10, “Happy Thanksgiving

Parenthood writers nailed this thanksgiving episode to show how dysfunctional the Bravermans are when celebrating holidays. It is such a relatable storyline as most viewers can relate to this family storyline. The eldest Braverman son Adam fears his future after losing his job when he finds out surprising news from his boss Gordon who sells the business.

In this episode, there is a grandmother and granddaughter special moment shared between Camille and Amber while preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

Crosby (youngest of the Braverman children) is trying to impress his future mother-in-law by asking his dad if he could take over the turkey carving duties this year. Also, Drew feels uncomfortable when he finds out that his mom is bringing Gordon as a date to dinner as he feels that his dad is being replaced.

Then at Julia and Joel’s house, Julia is trying to be more domesticated in the kitchen by baking perfect pies for the thanksgiving dinner. Julia puts herself under pressure, and she snaps at her daughter Sydney while doing so.

It shows how the Bravermans cope with everyday life’s typical struggles and the pressures associated with planning for a holiday occasion like thanksgiving.

This episode is written to perfection. After the family’s Thanksgiving meal to play, a game of American football showed the closeness and love the Bravermans share. It shows that even though they had imperfections in the lead up to and during the Thanksgiving meal that they will always come together as a family.

(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

7. Season 6, Episode 12, “We made it through the night”

With the Parenthood series drawing to an end, this episode was a tear-jerker. Zeek avoids heart surgery, and we as the viewer realize that he will die soon with only the finale episode left and Sarah and Hank’s wedding.

If you did not cry when Sarah discusses the wedding with her father, Zeek, I am surprised, as this is the moment I was a total wreck. It is a special moment between father and daughter as Sarah tells her dad she’s getting married; he becomes happy but sad as he realizes that he may not live long enough to see it. He says, “I can’t wait to walk you down the aisle,” and Sarah responds with, “Me, too. I can hardly wait.”

As the viewer, we gather from this moment that both Sarah and Zeek have realized that there’s a possibility that Zeek might not be present at his daughter’s wedding. Parenthood well and truly broke my heart here because thinking what if there is a chance that my dad may not be at my wedding. It is probably an episode many daughters and sons would resonate with, am I right?

Later on, in the episode, Lauren Graham nailed her acting again when she tells Hank that she wants to get married next week. She says, “I just want to make sure that my dad is there.” Graham’s acting at this moment is powerful, and I cried once again, and I am sure that most Parenthood fans would have as well.

I also cried again when Amber introduced her little boy to her grandfather Zeek and tells him he is named Zeek. Zeek shows his appreciation with tears of happiness. Graham made me cry once again with her emotional body language and lips. Sarah is truly remarkable in this episode.

This episode shows that even though Zeek Braverman might not have long to live, Zeek Holt, his grandson, or Zeek 2.0 will start the circle game and that the Bravermans will be around for a long time to come. Credit to Jason Katims again for tearing at my heartstrings, haha!