Talking a Little TV

It's Friday.

My brain is already in weekend mode.

So I thought I'd keep the subject a little light today.

Television.

Have any of you discovered the show "Parenthood"?

It comes on Tuesday nights on NBC - not that we ever watch it at the exact moment it comes on thanks to the wonderful invention known as a DVR.

Before I go on, I will be the first to tell you that no television show is perfect.  There are elements to almost any program that are less than desirable.  Including "Parenthood".

Having filed that disclaimer, I will tell you that "Parenthood" is an incredible show.

It's all about this large family, the Bravermans, and their day-to-day life - Dad and Mom, their four grown children along with respective spouses/girlfriends, and all of their children.

There's a whole lot of good family drama.  And amazing acting.

This is not the type of program that Ryan and I are usually drawn to watch.  We lean more towards mysteries, suspense, comedy.... that type of thing.

But this show has completely and utterly pulled us in.

I can't tell you how many times we hit the pause button and talk about what we're seeing.  We don't always agree with how certain family situations are handled.  We talk about what we might do instead.   We've even watched it with our teens a couple times and had some great, insightful discussions.

One unique aspect of the show is that one of the Braverman families has a son with Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism.

In reality, one of the executive producers of the show has a son with autism. So the portrayal of what autism can look like in a family is quite realistic.

While I don't want to give anything away, the episode "Amazing Andy and His Wonderful World of Bugs" has one particular line in it that only parents of special needs children will get.  It was breath-taking and heart-wrenching.  Ryan and I were both crying at the end.  But not manipulated crying - just great writing that touched us on an emotional level.

In case you're thinking you're not ever going to watch the show if it's going to make you cry, don't fear. The show is also very funny and you'll find yourself laughing out loud.

Now, if you're going to watch "Amazing Andy" sometime, I do want to give you one other small disclaimer.  Another one of the Braverman families is trying to get pregnant with their second child and their efforts will be referred to.  But hey - they're married so more power to 'em.

Enjoy your weekend and I'll see you Monday!