Parenthood (4 Mar. 2012)

Director:

Daisy von Scherler Mayer

Writers:

John Wells (developer), Paul Abbott (creator),

Stars:

William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, Justin Chatwin

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
William H. Macy	...	Frank Gallagher
Emmy Rossum	...	Fiona Gallagher
Justin Chatwin	...	Steve
Ethan Cutkosky	...	Carl Gallagher
Shanola Hampton	...	Veronica Fisher
Steve Howey	...	Kevin Ball
Emma Kenney	...	Debbie Gallagher
Cameron Monaghan	...	Ian Gallagher
Jeremy Allen White	...	Lip Gallagher
Laura Wiggins	...	Karen Jackson (as Laura Slade Wiggins)
Joan Cusack	...	Sheila Jackson
Zach McGowan	...	Jody Silverman
Stephanie Fantauzzi	...	Estefania
Noel Fisher	...	Mickey Milkovich
Chloe Webb	...	Monica Gallagher

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Release Date:

4 March 2012 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bonanza Productions, John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Connections

References Dead Poets Society (1989)

User Reviews

Punchless (dvd)

I was wondering if season 2 would follow season 1 characteristics:

Positive: poverty issues / hood setting / excellent cast / great winter cinematography / speedy

Negative: bad plots either ridiculous or too chunk / too much problems for too many characters

Well, the first thing to notice is that indeed summertime changes a lot the atmosphere of the show. As Aznavour, a famous French singer has sung, "poverty is less cruel under the sun". If green bushes change the hood, I must say that I prefer the wintertime, as it's a more challenging and beautiful season and less dealt on TV. In addition, the season takes also on fall as the family feast Thanksgiving.

Then, if the opening episode is cool, the next ones are really down. The boring scripts that started last year with the coming of the mother goes on: in other words, there aren't no more a big issue in each episode but actually the show is a never ending collection of personal problems that stretch boringly over a lot of episodes. The show has lost its punch, its energy and has become sluggish. In comparison, "Twin Peaks" which is also a continuing serial with a lot of characters succeeded in each episode to have a climax.

Worse, if last season, the family faced real dramatic situations (poverty, coming-out, agoraphobia, abusive fathers) , this year, the major concern is about bad relationships so it's really less challenging. Sure there is still some interesting social issues that show a shameful America (medical care, elderly people, young pregnancy, school dropout) but they seem to come and go. The bottom is really reached when Fiona's escort told her that his buddy is Potus urologist! Totally inappropriate and BS! Does Shameless UK involves the Queen ?

The last disappointment is the lack of evolution of many characters: same cause, same effects and thus, same characters, same problems: the mother, a hurricane; Steve, I love you – get out; Karen, the spoiled daughter! The arrivals are OK (Espy, Jody) but the departures are badly handled (Kash, Ethel).

My pick for this season is "Parenthood" as Louise Fletcher is totally moving trough her ordeal.

Finally, Emmy is really the anchor of this show and her work should be awarded. If her dedication and warmth have gained me over, i got also six months ahead with the future release on season 3 DVD to decide if i go on sticking with such a well-acted, well located but terribly written show !