February 2, 2015

AN ODE TO PARENTHOOD.

IMAGE VIA PARENTHOOD ON NBC.

So I normally stray away from blogging about TV and media (except as a total sidenote, when I first started blogging, I had a What I'm Watching Wednesday post series where I would talk about movies/TV shows I watched and liked), this is my blog and I'm going to spend an entire blog post chatting about a TV show series ending.

Yes, I am that girl. And yes, I DO love Parenthood and will keep on shouting it out forever and always.

If you've never watched Parenthood, I'll try and forgive you and then I'll try and force kindly encourage you to get your hands on it.  

But here's some backstory--I started watching Parenthood when I first started college and was living in a dorm. My dorm experience was not, well, the best and so I used lots of minutes (back when I had limited minutes and no texting!) and TV to help me cope with life away from home. #homebody

I remember looking at the family tree of the Braverman clan on the show website and was intrigued by the huge cast and interesting set of characters and actors. Mostly, I was intrigued that there was a TV show coming out about a family. #familygirl

And here I am 6 years later still stuck on the Bravermans. They stuck with me those six years of craziness called college and worklife and here I am learning from them still. 

I've learned that family is there for you--always. I already knew this, but I loved being able to relate to such an awesomely close-knit family who, well, valued family.

I learned that life is to be lived. I learned that I really want kids. And that I think Joel is kinda sorta attractive. And that I want to have a house like Adam and Kristina. And that crying is a-okay. That Amber's character is strong and courageous. That love is real. That I want to be a Braverman. And that I dream of the day when they do a show reunion or spinoff with the grandkids (right, Jess?).

But most of all, that time is precious. And that you need to love your family, your friends, and your loved ones and enjoy the time you've got with them.

#BravermanStrong. 

So let's chat about Parenthood, okay? Did you watch the finale? Did you predict everything that happen to happen? Did you like where they took the characters into the future? What are you going to watch on Thursday nights now? And it's okay if you join in if you've never watched it!

35 comments

  1. I haven't watched the finale yet!!! Probably tonight!

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  2. I've never seen this. I will have to check it out.

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  3. Parenthood was the only show I was dedicated to watching every week. I loved it! I've been watching since the first season, and it's one of the best. I cried almost every week. I did think it was a sad glimpse into life without Christ. Not to be downer, but as much as I appreciated the themes and the family relationships in the show, it was a real eye-opener for me in terms of how you go through life without the hope of Jesus.

    But anyway, the finale was amazing! I don't know if we're supposed to say spoilers, so SPOILER ALERT anyone reading comments.

    I was absolutely shocked they killed Zeek in the last episode. I was sure they were going to end the series with them all sitting around the table eating dinner. Obviously he was going to die soon, but I didn't think it would be part of the finale. I was very pleasantly surprised by the flash-forwards. I loved getting a glimpse of their lives down the road. It was really fun. All in all a wonderful show that I am sad is over!

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  4. I have seen almost everybody talking about Parenthood this week! I have never watched it before, but after everyone raving about it I think I am going to have to!

    http://forasweetsurrender.blogspot.com/

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  5. Ok, Kiki, you're about the millionth person who has said something to me about Parenthood and the finale. We just don't watch TV (other than the news and sports) in our house hardly at all. But I'm thinking Netflix and I need a Parenthood date. It might take me ages and ages to stay home long enough to watch 6 seasons, but it seems like it needs to happen. :)

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  6. we have been watching it since we got married! I love the series and we are on Braverman withdrawl as well. I loved the finale but was so sad that Zeek passed (although I knew it was coming). The only thing that was sort of weird was the flash forwards...am I the only one confused by them? Like, did Amber have another kid and got married? Haha they were too fast and I literally couldn't out together in my head the last few scenes.

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  7. I started watching Parenthood on Netflix and somehow stopped :(
    I'm committing to picking up where I left off and watching the rest of the show.

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  8. I'm going to miss this show! So fun to know that you've loved it all along too!

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  9. Have you watched it now? It's craaaazy to think it's over! p.s. How did I not remember that you watch(ed) Parenthood?

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  10. Please do! It's probably my all-time favorite TV show. :) I'm thinking I need to buy all the seasons at some point so I can go back and watch it someday!

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  11. I am TOTALLY with you. I cry (like how I'm still talking about it present tense?) almost every episode because the events and interactions are just SO real and relateable.


    I never really thought much about life without Christ in the Bravermans until the last few episodes when Crosby and Adam were upset. It just really hit me, and I love that you mentioned that. It's so true!


    And SPOILER ALERT....


    ...but I actually saw Zeek's passing coming. I had heard rumors online that the writers/creators were going to do something with "the circle of life" and had a feeling that someone might pass away, but I didn't think that they would actually go through with it and actually show it on the show.


    And as for the flash-forwards, I was happy and sad at the same time. Part of me really wants some sort of spin-off with the grandkids and the other part of me just really doesn't want it to end. But I loved seeing a glimpse into their lives and it really just makes me want four kids of my own, haha. :)


    Do you have any other TV shows that you're going to watch now?

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  12. Yeah, I think it's pretty much everywhere, haha. It makes it even harder for me to accept that it's over! :) And when you start it, you'll have to let me know. It's such a great show!

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  13. Haha, well I'll tell you for the millionth time that you should watch it! It's such a good show and totally worth a Netflix date (or two, or three, haha). :) Let me know if/when that happens!!

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  14. I kinda saw it coming, too. And the flash forwards were really weird but kind of good, too (at least for me). I actually looked it up online (I started reading Parenthood things after watching the finale to help feed/relieve my withdrawals, haha). From what I read, I think Amber was supposed to have met a single dad and they got together, or something like that? I'm thinking they really just need a spin-off to better explain it! :)

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  15. You should! It's a crazy show, but so good. :)

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  16. Oh, I knew Zeek would die too. I had read that thing about the circle of life as well. I just was certain they wouldn't have him actually die IN the episode. But I thought they did a good job with it. Other shows I like are Castle (although we're not current with the season on air right now), Parks & Rec, and New Girl. Although there isn't another show I'm dedicated to watching every week.

    *Amanda* | The Lady Okie Blog

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  17. Wahhhhhhhhh. I cried through the entire final episode. Haha. It was uber emotional and i'm going to miss it so much!

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  18. I started it two days ago and I am HOOKED. I have been binging on it any chance I get. Ugh I can't get enough of it!

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  19. NO!!! I haven't watched it yet... lately during nap time I've been sucked into looking into homeschooling stuff (we're trying to decide if we're going to homeschool next year.. YIKES!!!)

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  20. YESSSS. So glad you're hooked! Honestly, you have no idea how excited I was to hear that you're hooked. :) I'm thinking I need to buy all the seasons so I can binge-watch it again sometime!

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  21. Yeah, I had no idea he would die IN the episode as well, and I really didn't think that they'd show it! But I agree, they did do a good job with it!


    I've heard a lot about Parks and Rec lately! I have never really gotten into it, but Amy Poehler has some great quotes out there so I might have to look into it now! And I started watching Castle a few years ago (but didn't have time to keep up with it) and New Girl, too. :)

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  22. Me, too! The only good thing that's come out of it ending is hearing from all my fellow bloggers who shared my love for the Bravermans!

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  23. And I have a feeling that crying won't end anytime soon for me! :)

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  24. Definitely emotional. I never thought I would/could get so attached and invested in a fictional scripted TV series family. But the Bravermans are THE BEST and I'm going to miss them! :)

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  25. Oh my gosh, I did and semi-live tweeted the last 10 minutes when I couldn't stop crying haha. One of my favorite shows!! I loved the little flash-forwards at the end, and I usually find that stuff completely cheesy. I especially liked seeing that Joel and Julia had another baby, and that Ryan was in Zeke's life. :) What were your favorite flash-forwards??

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  26. Well it's wonderful to hear from you :)! Let me know if you happen to have any lunch hours free, it'd still be fun to catch up!

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  27. Parenthood is definitely my favorite show! :) Do you have any other faves you'd recommend I start watching?


    And I loved all the flash-forwards, but the one with Amber was by far my fave. I didn't really like Amber in the beginning, but I really grew to love her character and her strength and growth in this last season. I'm so glad it looks like Ryan turned his life around! :) And I also loved Joel and Julia's, too. My patience was starting to wane mid-season because I just wanted them to get back together already! :)

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  28. Haha yes, I was so annoyed when they first separated!! I'm assuming if Parenthood is your favorite show, you've also watched Friday Night Lights, but if not, I definitely recommend it. :) Other than that, I mostly watch crime shows (SVU, Criminal Minds, Stalker, etc.); Parenthood was the lone drama for me!

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  29. YESSS!!! I've been thinking of you and would love to catch up with you sometime! I'll have to check my planner and get back to you! :)

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  30. I was annoyed that they separated, too. But so glad they got back together AND adopt/have more kids later on. And I actually haven't seen FNL! I've heard lots about it but never actually watched the show myself. I DO watch Criminal Minds, though! :)

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  31. Um, you need to watch FNL RIGHT NOW!!! The entire series is on Netflix. :) I cried even more during the FNL finale a few years ago than I did during Parenthood's, so there's that....

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  32. Best. Post. Ever. We have talked extensively on our love of Parenthood, so you obviously know I'm okay with this post. And any other Parenthood post you (or I) choose to do in the future. haha


    I think (I know) I'm going to start re-watching it again soon. It was so good. I need the Bravermans. Thankful for Netflix! :)

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  33. Haha, you know it! From the moment I heard that Parenthood was ending I knew that a post dedicated to the Bravermans was a must. And I'm thinking you should totally write a post of your own! Can't have enough of them, right?


    And I was thinking about re-starting it, too! I don't have Netflix, but was thinking that it might be one of those shows that I buy because I love it so much (which says a lot because I have never bought an entire series of a TV show before!). :)


    p.s. Have you seen Friday Night Lights? Another blogger recommended I start it and it was created by the same creators of Parenthood!

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© IN ITS TIMEMaira Gall