Parenthood: Season 2 by Universal Studios

Actors

• Lauren Graham
• Craig T. Nelson
• Peter Krause
• Dax Shepherd

Format

• AC-3
• Box set
• Color
• Dolby
• Subtitled

Editorial Review

NBC's Parenthood encompasses such a sprawling cast that the action can get a little hectic at times, but the show always delivers in the more dramatic moments. In the second season, the Bravermans are all jockeying for position. Patriarch Zeek (Craig T. Nelson) has come to an understanding with his wife, Camille (Bonnie Bedelia), but still tries to control situations with his kids when cooperation would make things easier. His oldest son, Adam (Peter Krause), on the other hand, gives up some of his turf when he offers his sister, Sarah (Lauren Graham), a job at his shoe-manufacturing firm, where she enters into a relationship with his boss, Gordon (guest star William Baldwin). Adam's 16-year-old daughter, Haddie (Sarah Ramos), meanwhile, struggles to assert her independence, but her father and mother, Kristina (Monica Potter), make it difficult when it comes to a school election and a potential love interest (Michael B. Jordan, from creator Jason Katims's Friday Night Lights). Her younger brother, Max (Max Burkholder), who has Asperger's syndrome, also contributes to their rapidly escalating stress levels. As for the other siblings: Julia (Erika Christensen) considers having a second child with Joel (Sam Jaeger, who really shines this season), while Crosby (Dax Shepard) decides to make things official with Jasmine (Joy Bryant), but an unexpected development brings out the judgmental side of the clan. It might not seem fair to single out one cast member, but Graham continues to do some of the best work, largely because her character, a single mother, has the most to lose. Other second-season guests include Minka Kelly as Max's tutor and John Corbett as Sarah's unreliable ex-husband, who returns to reconnect with their kids (Miles Heizer and Mae Whitman). Extra features include deleted scenes and four commentary tracks. –Kathleen C. Fennessy