Say hello to my make-belive family
Parenthood, the NBC series rocked my utopian hour of television-Valium last night: Adam, as in the stable brother with the beautiful wife and three kids, kissed the young woman working for him. Earlier this week, Hayley watched Housewives of Beverly Hills and was prompted to write about domestic violence. Her piece spurred me to share my own television experience. Big difference though –my television experience wasn’t socially relevant or important.
Here it is: Once a week, I dip into a family drama where the matriarch and patriarch of a big sprawling family are still married. Their adult children look great; straight teeth and big smiles despite all variety of mayhem in their lives. And through all the tidy and good looking tumult, they love each other. They love each other enough to play extended family games of charades and plan meals together just because. It doesn’t have to be Thanksgiving. How do I sign up?
They’re my fantasy family. But don’t worry, I know they’re just acting. I mimic the way deliver their lines week after week; in an affected stilted monotone. They pause, as if the depth of what they are communicating to each other requires additional processing time. But that’s my only complaint. It’s a gussied up soap opera. And I can’t wait to suspend my disbelief week after week.
Or, I had.
Until last night. Adam, Peter Krause of, Six Feet Under Fame, fell for a young woman who WORKS f0r him. So, so tacky. His T.V. wife, Kristina (Monica Potter), is funny and smart. She’s had a little postpartum thing going on. She’s also been talking about how fat she feels. Oh, and they have an autistic son and a daughter about to graduate from high school. Their plate is way full. Whatever Kristina is coping with, she surely doesn’t need Adam floating down lover’s lane with a twenty-year old. But, after the latest episode, that’s where things looked headed.
If Adam and Kristina can’t stay married than things are worse than I thought… that, and my pretend family is about to get messy, messy, messy. I wonder where we’ll all go for Christmas.
(Image: GoogleImages)
Hayley Krischer
November 20, 2011
Why haven’t I ever watched this show? Need to do so immediately I do thinks.
Jocelyn
November 20, 2011
I LOVE this show, and the path the writers took with Adam last week made me very disappointed! I hope this character is going to redeem himself on the next show.
Miriam Novogrodsky
November 20, 2011
i know, i know…here’s hoping…miri
Larisse Goldstein
November 21, 2011
I think that I’ll stick to Dr. Who and Buffy the Vampire Slayer . The good thing about being so -not with the times- is that I can be a “rerun virgin” and feel like I’m on the cutting edge of retro.
Elizabeth
November 21, 2011
I love this show too but to clarify, the girl kissed Adam and he pulled away. It was inappropriate and he told her so the next day and added “I love my wife” The question is whether he will tell his wife about the kiss. The kiss was not intentional on Adam’s part and not the stuff that breaks up a marriage. The deceit on the other hand…. Yes, i have thought way too much about this.
Miriam Novogrodsky
November 21, 2011
she did kiss him. you’re right. but, was he not lingering? has his ‘fatherly’ advice and appreciation of her intellect all been to remind himself that she is a young, young woman? kind of like aversion therapy? ahhhh, i have work to do. yet, i am still writing about the upsetting kiss.
Suzanne Hegland
November 21, 2011
But come on, how long can you stay mad at the adorable Peter Krause?
Emily Reed
November 22, 2011
oh. my. god. Miri, this is my favorite show! I love these families and get sucked right in every episode. I was not shocked with Adam’s behavior toward the woman, I mean come on! what else did you expect? a young big breasted woman, and Crosby’s obvious attraction? somethings gotta give! but do these families seem a little to dreamy and speak in chopped, hushed voices, yes, and yes. BUT who down’t love to watch other people live how we would like to?
-Emily