Brigette Watches Parenthood, S6/Ep8: "Aaron Brownsein Must Be Stopped"

What we learned this week on Parenthood:

* Ruby is a terrible daughter
* Hank is a terrible father
* Max is a terrible son
* Kristina is a terrible mother
* Crosby is a terrible husband

Okay, I'm being a bit dramatic here, but everyone annoyed me in this episode, mainly because characters were being too nice to the characters who were being awful. One thing that repeatedly bothers me on this show is how nice the parents are to the kids, no matter how bratty they're being. We've seen this happen a million times with Sidney. She can scream at Joel and Julia, bully a kid at school, and it's all "Hey Syd" "Hey honey" "Let's talk about this." Oh my god.

So, let's begin with the Ruby situation. Ruby convinces Hank that she can stay home alone by herself, even calls him to say she's great and adds an "I love you," then Hank does a casual drive by and sees that she's having a party. This isn't just a gathering of a few friends. It looks like the whole high school is there, complete with drinks & drugs. And Hank doesn't want to break up the party because he and Ruby are finally in a good place. ??????

I tried to understand this. I did. Hank has had a horrible relationship with Ruby for most of her childhood, and the work that it took to get along will take a huge set back. I also understand having a hard time calling out family members who you love dearly, even as you are being disrespected. Been there. But I've never been there to THIS degree. I was proud of Hank when he said, "You manipulated me!" But I wish he had kept going. Yell more, Hank. Don't look so sad when Ruby says she hates you.  You deserve to be really really, really mad. Ruby sucks.

But the Ruby situation is not even half as annoying as the Max situation.  Max sees Dylan kissing another boy and is furious. Not only does he pass out flyers calling for the kid's expulsion, but he also starts physically fighting the kid, which results in him PUSHING Kristina--not just his mom--the principal. Kristina's response? She takes him in her office and it's all "Hey buddy" this and "hey buddy" that. When Max asks if he's going to get in trouble, Kristina says no. What???

But it doesn't end there. Max makes Dylan a poster expressing his love for her, and then he presents it to her at lunch. When Dylan tells him to stop repeatedly, Max won't back down. Eventually, he freaks out and runs out of the school, across traffic, Kristina in hot pursuit.

Kristina's response? "I'm so proud of you buddy" "That took so much courage, buddy" "I know it hurts, buddy." I tried to understand this too. Kristina is amazed that her son actually expressed affectionate feelings. Kristina is hurt that he is hurt. But listen. Your kid has a disorder which makes his social skills weak. If you tell him that his aggressive behavior is brave and that there's something wrong with the girl who isn't responding, guess what he will do the next time he likes a girl? Present her a poster. Fight a kid in the halls. Scream "why don't you like me" (or something to that degree) in public. Help him understand why all of that didn't work. I've never raised a child with Aspergers, so maybe I shouldn't even be allowed to have an opinion here. But regardless, the fact remains that Kristina is not just Max's mom, but his principal, and letting him get away with so much at school is irresponsible and ridiculous.

Crosby was annoying in this episode too. He's furious that Jasmine's mother knows they're having financial problems because it makes him feel emasculated. He decides to yell at Jasmine about this, who again, is being too nice back. "We're in this together. Why don't you understand that?" You're right, Jasmine. You're allowed to be a little more angry that he doesn't understand that. Then, when Crosby and Amber go to a club to find a new band to potentially sign, the bouncer stops Crosby for trying to bring in weed. Crosby's response? Throw a fit. Last I checked, weed is still illegal in CA, so, maybe just say "okay," go put it in your car, and get back in the long ass line? Ugh. So annoying. Everyone is just so annoying. At least Amber's Braxton's Hicks put an end to all of that.

What did you think of Thursday's episode and all the "brattiness" and all the "niceness"? Am I being too harsh? Not harsh enough? Anything else about this episode that struck you?