<p>Love the show also.
Must admit that I enjoy watching Christina…she makes my controlling tendencies seem much more mild than they probably are.</p>
<p>I think Monica Potter does an excellent job portraying Christina. One thing I really love about this show is that it’s an ensemble cast and the fact that they are dividing the storylines in a very fair manner. Each character has had times when their story has been featured within the mix of the overriding storylines. As some have complained, this means that you might feel that your favorite character has been overshadowed but, in reality, they haven’t. The writers have made it a true ensemble show, and that doesn’t successfully happen very often. The character development for each role has also been very good. They are all more than one dimensional characters, with all the foibles and flaws that all humans possess. None is perfect, all have characteristics that are annoying, disturbing, wonderful. The exploration of family dynamics is interesting and the fact that there are often unresolved conflicts or issues is closer to reality than in many shows, even if there are, on occasion, some too tidy resolutions.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what I would do in the same situation as a parent with the Alex/Haddie situation and I’m not sure they handled it the right way but I’m also not sure what the right way would be. I agree that forbidding something isn’t the right tactic and likely they should not have invited him over to dinner and made it seem like it would be okay…</p>
<p>BUT… I think Haddie shot herself in the foot by moving out and giving ultimatums on how she would return. No parent can give in to that without setting the stage for future wagering, and even though they do seemed to have softened, they can’t say “Okay Haddie you can come home and see Alex” without creating this scenario again and again since Haddie’s character is very head strong and stubborn. I also respect that Alex’s character won’t see Haddie until her relationship is right with her parents. He’s a great character, and a great guy, but I still don’t think I would be all that happy with the relationship with my own daughter (I have 2 Ds, 15 and 18). </p>
<p>I enjoy the show a lot and finally got the chance to watch this week’s episode!</p>
<p>I loved the taking off the door scene. I’ve never done it, but I’m sure I’ve thought of it a few times.
My H and I were discussing what we would do. He thinks he would be supportive of the relationship, but I doubt we would have been. I was very strict with my own D, I didn’t let her get pierced ears until she was 13, so I think I would have probably went ballistic over her dating someone that old and an ex alcoholic. But I think my D wouldn’t have even thought that it was a possibility. Even though she is well out of college her bff told her new boyfriend that I was tough. I guess no one is good enough for your D.</p>
<p>I like Bonnie Bedelia and love Craig Nelson. I didn’t really like the whole affair story line though. Us older people have a lot of issues you can explore that don’t revolve around affairs.</p>
<p>Love this show. I study television and it is well shot, well casted, and well done. The ensemble show works really well when they are able to focus on the main Braverman clan (ie Adam’s family) and then do minor sub-plot’s with Jasmine and Crosby or Joel and Julia.</p>
<p>On the relationship between Haddie and Alex I am really hoping for something good to come out of. They are both fantatsic actors and I hope Alex sticks around. He was great on Friday Night Lights and The Wire. Eventually I hope that Haddie will move back in with her parents and settle but it doesn’t seem like it will be happening in the future. </p>
<p>Love Lauren Graham who will be in another quality show without recognition. Her and Peter Krause have a great relationship as brother and sister but it is probably from their relationship offscreen ;)</p>
<p>Silly, but it makes me happy that so many of us love the AMber actress, that should mean we will see more of her in the future</p>
<p>Oh, I agree Monica Potter does a terrific job.
Random but fun related fact – the Counting Crows song “Hey Mrs. Potter” is dedicated to her. The lead singer of the band saw her in a movie, (I think?) and then wrote the song.</p>
<p>For those of you arguing that her behavior is explained by her own upbringing – was that EVER mentioned before? Seems like quite the sudden reveal by the show – sloppy writing, I thought.</p>
<p>Also, I would hope I would never have let the Haddie situation go that far. Once the child moves out, I agree with the above poster that the whole struggle becomes about a lot more than just the boyfriend. Family counseling, anyone?</p>
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<p>I don’t think there’s any question that we’ll see more of her! She’s been acting professionally since she was 5 or 6 years old when she was in When a Man Loves a Woman, One Fine Day, Independence Day. She’s made dozens of films and TV movies since then, in addition to appearances on Friends, Law & Order, Cold Case, Judging Amy, JAG, CSI, to name just a few. She also was a regular character on Arrested Development and In Treatment (as was Max Burkholder who is also on Parenthood). Mae is quite well-known for her voice work for cartoons, too. She is very talented and has an amazing resume for a 22 year old.</p>
<p>i love this show and have been watching from the start … I have a son named Max who was diagnosed with asperger’s at the same age as the boy Max on the show… My son is very similar in many respects so I relate on that level. I also have a similar relationship with my daughter as Amber and her mom so have fun with that one as well.</p>
<p>I’m confused about the Haddie situation because I don’t understand how she allowed to live w/the grandparents and grandad has had nothing to say on the matter and I don’t see any discussion with the parents and grandparents on it at all… I understand that mom is high strung on the matter but where is dad? They don’t even know that Haddie is not seeing Alex … It seems to me that someone dropped the ball on this storyline.</p>
<p>As someone who will, hopefully someday…in the future…not now…be a grandmother I really question the grandparents’ actions here. I totally understand a grandparent opening their home in case of family crisis (as opposed to having a child run away). But to not engage the grandchild/your own children in dialogue says that this a fight on a different level. </p>
<p>I don’t believe the Christina’s character’s background was discussed before. This is the first crack in the veneer of her super Mom persona. What was discussed last year is how she used to work in politics, how she no longer does because of her family…</p>
<p>Julia is seen as massively controlling while showing chinks in her personality. (Sorry, preparing a list for activities for a family engagement party…party games on schedule?). But Christina has shown the ability to try and be the perfect mother. And with the exception of many of us here…this doesn’t exist in the real world. And people rarely show the layers of their personality upfront, in life or in a well written television show.</p>
<p>Well, Alex-Haddie situation resolved for now. Loved the pre-wedding throwdown last night. That’s not looking good.</p>
<p>I have been watching this show off and on since it started because I also like Detroit 187, which is on opposite Parenthood. Last night I chose Parenthood and actually had to mute it about three times during the multiple arguments/screaming matches. The kids are really, really good in this show.</p>
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<p>Kathie, time for a DVR. Tuesdays at 10 is the best hour of tv at the moment. Not only Parenthood and Detroit 187 (which is a terrific show!) but also The Good Wife. I watch one and record the other two because I don’t want to miss any of them. :)</p>
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<p>ellebud, I agree. I don’t understand why anyone would consider the recent revelation about Christina’s childhood to be poor writing. It’s appropriate character development in an ensemble show.</p>
<p>The show is wonderful and so well written. The way the handled the whole “Alex” situation was great. It is my favorite show!</p>
<p>I am happy with how they resolved the Hattie and Alex situation – if her parents had set those ground rules from the start, the problem would never have happened. But then there wouldn’t have been a conflict to revolve a TV show around. </p>
<p>Although you would think that by now, Hattie would know that her brother cannot keep a secret. Or maybe that was on purpose (her bringing her brother with her to meet Alex)?</p>
<p>As for the appearance of Seth – I was surprised to see that actor, since a different actor played him in a prior episode. I’ve always liked John Corbett, going back to his days on Northern Exposure.</p>
<p>Just got to watch this week’s episode! So good! Yay Christina and Alex for bending a little. And I really think Lauren Graham and John Corbett were amazing and brought some real depth to their scenes.</p>
<p>Yes, the first Seth was very marginal looking. John Corbett cleans up well.</p>
<p>Spoiler alert:</p>
<p>As for Crosby, I have it on good authority that he’s going to have an affair with the…</p>
<p>The previews made that seem like a distinct possibility.</p>
<p>I wish they wouldn’t do the affair story line, it is so pleasing to see Crosby man up and be a Dad.</p>
<p>Glad to see Hattie come back to the nest with happy compromises to the Alex situation.
If it plays out like it would in a real life situation, I suspect there will be more conflicts down the road. Seems too pat for them to all come to a compromise and the whole issue to be resolved with a big family hug.<br>
This is my first season watching the show…always watched The Good Wife…I’m really enjoying Parenthood.</p>