<p>I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with Natalie not wanting a serious relationship. It’s that when Amy came around that Natalie started acting all possessive of him. She can’t have her cake and, ahem, eat it, too. And then when he asked if she wanted to go to the party, she went all ballistic on him. I’m not saying he subconsciously wasn’t hoping more came of it, but she jumped on him for just seeing if she wanted to go to a party with him.</p>
<p>The fact that Drew couldn’t bring himself to kick Amy out sooner doesn’t, to me, have a lot of do with the dysfunction in the relationship with Natalie. Natalie and Drew wanted different things from the relationship. But it wasn’t until Amy showed up that Natalie started acting more vested in him. He was always clear about what he wanted from Natalie; she’s the one who flip-flopped.</p>
<p>Just to be clear where I stand on the critical question of how we judge fictional 18-year-old co-ed Natalie: I think she doesn’t know her own mind/heart exactly – not so unusual for a young woman in her position. As with many of her peers that the media and pop psychologists have been profiling, she likes the idea that sex gives her power, and she is suspicious of commitment and the emotional burden it represents. On the other hand, she was jealous when Amy swooped in and got Drew, she clearly enjoyed Drew’s emotional commitment to her, at least when he wasn’t trying to control her, and she obviously reciprocates to a considerable extent. She seems self-aware enough to have noticed those things, and to have understood maybe she hadn’t been completely honest with Drew (or herself) about not wanting a relationship.</p>
<p>I could see some of my children’s friends doing that. I could maybe see my daughter doing that. I want them all to have a second chance to get it right. I want Drew to have a second chance, too. Natalie seems ready to give it to him, but he hasn’t been ready to give it to himself.</p>
<p>JHS, you crack me up! And I’m cracking myself up! I have no idea why I care so much about Drew and Natalie. I do agree that if Drew wanted a committed relationship with Natalie, now’s the time! And I also want all our children to be successful in love. :)</p>
<p>Back to the issue of the house–anyone else surprised by the lack of apparent privacy in that home, as beautiful as it is? I somehow see Camille and Zeke as people who would immediately note this shortcoming and be wondering about it. Maybe I missed something in previous episodes when she/they discussed what they’d be looking for…</p>
<p>The Berkeley house couldn’t really exist in Berkeley…There are no huge lots like that in the flats and that place doesn’t appear to be in the hills. And while Berkeley real estate is certainly pricey, the SF place wouldn’t be any cheaper given the apparent size and location. Plus, I agree with others…It wasn’t remotely the condo that Camille talked about…It was another older, although perhaps updated house with all the attendant issues. </p>
<p>Well, they suddenly have more money to play with since someone swooped in, without their even having to put their house in the market, and offered them above the asking price. So maybe that changes what they can afford. But the whole thing is pretty silly in many ways. She lives in Berkeley. Hop on the BART and go see a museum exhibit or play whenever you want. It’s not like they are living in the middle of nowhere and she feels cut-off from civilization. But if what she wants is s condo so they can travel, then that SF house is not the ticket. </p>
<p>I am going to have to go back and re-watch. I thought they were looking at the Campanile (Sather Tower) at Berkeley. So I thought they were downsizing but staying in the same town. </p>
<p>No, it was definitely Coit Tower, but unclear to me where that house was supposed to be. I think the front was supposed to evoke the Vicorians on Alamo Square, but that would not have the same view. Fun with Bay Area geography! And the idea that they would sell their Berkeley house (which as was pointed out does not exist in any possible real world Berkeley geography) and turn around and buy a house like the one shown with a spectacular view and have a dime left over is pretty ridiculous. Since property tax resets to fair market value in CA after a sale, the increase in that alone would bankrupt them.</p>
<p>Yes Golden West to all of the above! I couldn’t figure out that view either… Maybe the house is supposed to be way up on Russian Hill, but I think they are playing with us. And good catch on the property tax…They couldn’t take their one time Prop 60/90 over 55 exemption from reappraisal from Berkeley to SF so another huge expensive house would be a financial killer. </p>
<p>Funny how we are all way more concerned about this than anyone on the show! since it is one of the few shows that is supposed to take place in the Bay Area, I would love to see a little more authenticity. I do watch all the way through the beginning every week, however, not only for the cute cast photos but for the final shot of the Campanile on the Cal campus at the very end!</p>
<p>GoldenWest, I think that Looking is the only show current that is actually filmed in San Francisco. Some great views of the city and surrounding area on that.</p>
<p>Parenthood is such a frustrating show. There are things that bug me about it every single week but I have never missed an episode. It’s like it has a magic hold on me that won’t let me escape until the show is finally gone. I love so much about it but inattention to the storyline, like with the house, drives me bonkers.</p>
<p>I read a good review that was talking about the last few episodes and the author’s comment was that it was like Jason Katims recently came back into the writers room and said, “OK guys, let’s write a scene so we can explain just why Joel would leave Julia over one kiss, and maybe have Drew and Amber bond with their cousins over being from a divorced family, and oh yeah, let’s explain what happened to Mark too, and maybe mention Haddie once in a while?” Since I am not supposed to link to a blog, if anyone is interested it is the AV Club review of the “Fraud Alert” episode.</p>
<p>I watched the first few episodes of Looking and yes, loved the Bay Area scenes. Now that some of my other HBO stuff is ended, I will have to finish up the season.</p>
<p>When they first showed the prospective new house, I thought maybe it had been divided into condos and they might consider one condo in the building.</p>
<p>Well, the comments section re the most recent episode on the othre site has people who seem to know what they are talking about identifying the street the Millie/Zeek house is on.</p>
<p>I feel like an idiot because until I read the other reviews and comments, I didn’t recognize “Berto” as the kid from “The Descendants.” </p>
<p>Did anyone else see the crossover of Crosby and baby Aida on About a Boy last night? I’m really enjoying About a Boy. Hope it gets renewed for fall and, of course, hope Parenthood will be back.</p>
<p>I missed the episode last night because I was at a baseball game, but I really like that show. I love the way Jason Katims does crossovers on his shows.</p>
<p>When I first saw Dax Shepard on About A Boy, I wondered if he was playing his character from Parenthood. Then I realized he must be since… he had a baby, he lives in the same area (making About A Boy another Bay area show) and Will is also in the music industry. Was happy when they called him Crosby. I am a fan of both shows.</p>
<p>Sooooo . . . . anyone want to comment on last night? The predictable, clean-up-the-messes episode, or the ridiculous spoilers in the tease for the season finale? I had been wondering when (and how) we were going to get a gay Braverman.</p>
<p>1) Cried when Cristina cried with Gwen.
2) Am happy with Hank’s development and am glad Sarah is considering giving him another shot. Still wish she hadn’t blown it with the doctor and not sure I want her to get back with Hank, but I like seeing some growth from both of them.
3) Loved the scene with Julia and the teacher at his house. And Joel and Crosby at Crosby’s house.
4) Am thrilled that Joel is continuing to rebuff Pete.
5) Glad Ryan is OK.
6) So much for the Braverman homestead being the new school.
7) Liked seeing smarmy Bob Little again.</p>
<p>AND</p>
<p>6) Of course, am dee-lighted that Natalie admitted she behaved badly, doing a 180 on Drew and then purposefully sleeping with Berto. And then I was happy Drew quit being mad about it and gave her another chance. Natalie is an interesting character, and I hope they keep her around awhile.</p>
<p>So glad to see Haddie return. I’ll be curious to see whether they paint this as a permanent thing or college experimentation. Just so happy to have her home.</p>
since it is one of the few shows that is supposed to take place in the Bay Area, I would love to see a little more authenticity. I do watch all the way through the beginning every week, however, not only for the cute cast photos but for the final shot of the Campanile on the Cal campus at the very end!</p>