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“Parenthood” returns

Television’s best kept secret makes one last hurrah for its final season

At its heart, “Parenthood” has always been about the realism of a dynamic yet everyday family. The show is a reboot of an underappreciated 1989 film starring Steve Martin about a family at an emotional climax. In 2010, NBC enlisted the help of Jason Katims — fresh off working the acclaimed “Friday Night Lights” — to propel the Braverman family into our living rooms with a skillful balance of drama and comedy.

The show is lucky to still be on air. “Parenthood” has struggled in the ratings since it aired and each year fights off cancellation — though some fans say the network cursed the show with a poor timeslot.

But despite these struggles, the show has continued to provide a strong and compelling narrative for its viewers.

The family drama is a rough genre to crack, as it can come off as melodramatic. What elevates this show is its superb acting and writing as it fearlessly tackles issues such as cancer, adoption and unemployment.

The sixth season launched last month with a promising start — and a few plot twists which indicate an exciting season lies ahead. In just the first few episodes, we've seen a surprise pregnancy and an impending surgery for the patriarch of the Braverman family.

The cast of “Parenthood” is one of the best ensembles on air. With no central star, every character gets a storyline with a distinct viewpoint. Monica Potter, who plays Kristina Braverman, has emerged as a standout in the last few seasons. Among the grandchildren, Mae Whitman has masterfully played Amber Holt, the conflicted teen, as Sarah Ramos returns as the brilliant and missed Haddie Braverman, mainly absent from last season.

“Parenthood” handles every story with extreme care. Nevertheless, some of this season's storylines are already growing stale. A rocky marriage and the opening of a charter school threaten the strength of this final season. These plot points aren't inherently bad or uninteresting, but they've dragged on and should not bog down this season's truncated 13-episode run.

With the end in sight, “Parenthood” is laying the foundation for a strong final hour. The writers have built a complex and compelling set of characters. Like any adored show, it is going to be hard to say goodbye.  

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