BWW Recap: Trouble Ahead (or Not) on Final Season of PARENTHOOD

Though many viewers were teased that the final season of PARENTHOOD was said to tie up loose ends (and while it may still indeed do that), you wouldn't know it from watching the first episode back from the summer hiatus.

Straight from the get-go, we're in the hospital and the "cliffhanger" (ruined by a particularly spoiling promo aired this summer) confirmed what we all were thinking: Amber's pregnant with Ryan's baby. I'm a little upset they didn't keep this cliffhanger going a little longer, but considering it's their final season, they've got much more to do than keep us wondering if the baby is Amber's (now we can focus on: will she keep it? With whom else will she share the news?).

Cut to Julia, who's seen with her arms wrapped around a beau. What does this mean for she and Joel? I had heard tell of this "other guy" over the summer, but I really hope it doesn't put too much of a dent in them getting back together (does it seem like I'm pushing too much for them. PLEASE just not another Sydney cry - it's too darn hard to watch!).

Sarah & Hank are at his apartment, and Hank reveals that he hasn't told Sandy (his ex-wife) about the two of them.

Construction of Chambers Academy is well underway. Sarah arrives at Zeek and Camille's and announces she's taking Zeek to Vegas for his birthday. It's a pretty fast-paced opening, but it introduces all of the family members, lets us know what they've been up to since we've seen them last; while still allowing them to start their new stories - pretty much the same as PARENTHOOD has always done. Sets it up very well and easy to follow along.

While Sarah and Zeek party it up in Vegas, Max reveals to Christina and Adam that he doesn't plan on attending Chambers Academy. Uh oh.

Ruby arrives at Hank's, and inadvertently helps Sandy discover Hank's been sleeping with Sarah, when Ruby goes snooping through the drawers (Sidenote: Sandy is played by Betsy Brandt, who I loved on THE MICHAEL J. FOX SHOW and, yes, I know, BREAKING BAD as well... I hope she sticks around, considering the new arrangement she and Hank have made re: Ruby!).

In one of the episode's most poignant moments, Joel visits the extended family at the school, and while Christina is a bit hesitant to ask for his help, considering what he's been through with Julia, Joel happily agrees to help out. So happy re: how this was handled in the writing. It's nice to have Joel open up and not be bitter, and it's the first spark of light that shows he's ready to make up with Julia, and possibly rekindle what they had.

Before we cut to commercial, we're back at the casino, where Zeek stands up, and then collapses. Bigger uh oh.

It's time for Joel & Julia Rekindling Round 2 when we return from commercial, as Julia gets the call regarding Zeek, and Joel gladly agrees to stay with the kids for the night. Furthermore, Julia goes to her mom's to comfort her, and Camille asks her about her relationship with Joel, stating he's a good guy and that when you love someone as much as they do/did, you never give up (Julia, reasonably, is a bit hesitant though).

Hank's trying to re-connect with Ruby, and Sandy enters, stating she wants to give Hank 50% custody of his daughter, so that he/they may try to steer Ruby on the right path. Sounds great, but I'm not completely convinced that this new "partnership" might not get in the way of Hank's thing with Sarah. We'll have to wait and see....

Haddie visits Amber (and yes, can we say kudos on bringing Sarah Ramos back again, even if she is only a guest star here), and Amber reveals to her that she's pregnant. It was nice to have them share this moment together, as it brought back some of the old memories from the earlier seasons, which they elaborated on later. A nice moment between the two older female cousins that has been missing with Haddie's absence.

Back in Vegas, Zeek's escaped from his room and hit the blackjack tables; when Adam, Sarah & Crosby find him, they give in and let him stay and play. That's all well and good, guys, for now, but something gives me the feeling this ain't gonna end too well.

When Julia returns home, she receives a photo from Sarah of she, Zeek, and the boys partying in Vegas and cries happily, relieved, into Joel's arms. Joel attempts to kiss her (a clear sign he's ready to get back with her), but they ultimately decide it's not the best idea. In case I haven't said it already, God, do I hope they get together! They've got 12 episodes left!

We're getting ready to tie the loose ends up here. Zeek returns home to Camille, who says she's scheduled him for a doctor's appointment to check up on him. Foreshadowing??? We then shift to Julia's office, where her mystery man (whom she calls Mr. Jeffries) returns, and the two agree to begin dating, sealed with a kiss. Adam tries to convince Max to attend Chambers Academy. Zeek's in the doctor's office, and he, Doc, and Camille mull over what to do next. A waiting line at Chambers Academy shows that Max has decide to accept his position as a member of Chambers Academy, much to Christina's glee and delight.

And, in a chilling final moment, Sarah and Amber meet up, and while Sarah's still reeling from the Vegas incident, Amber's keeping surprisingly and secretly mum. "I'm pregnant," she finally says to a visibly stunned Sarah who stares back at her (say that three times fast). Cut to black.

While I wholeheartedly recognize this episode was obviously to set up and introduce the final plot lines of the season/series and didn't do much in the way of progressing the actual storyline, I was still left wondering and it got me thinking: Perhaps this is it. The collapse (and its aftermath) are the big life-changing issues. Zeek doesn't have to die - the incident could just be his failing heart, and it gets the entire family involved and "shakes them up"; they could ponder life without Zeek, of course, but Zeek wouldn't necessarily have to die. Do they have to kill off a character when they're THIS close to the end? THIS close to being all together happy, healthy and (yes, I'll say it) reconciled?! I think it's too late to be killing people off. But then again, it is only the first episode of the season. :-)

Stray Observation:

- Where was Drew? Just a little nod that he was present and breathing in the earlier scenes, but his arc was so good and fulfilling last season, I do hope we get back to that!

Photo Credit: Paul Drinkwater/NBC