Everyone seemed to get a happy ending in "My Brother's Wedding," but anything is better than the emotional tornado "Parenthood" left us with last week.
The episode begins with a little bit of heartbreak. Jasmine and Crosby must have forgotten in all their kisses in the rain, that they had two relationships on the outskirts of the campgrounds. Dr. Dreamboat stays classy with: "I don't hate you," while Lily, the Cello Girl, flees out of the Luncheonette in a rage. I don't blame her. Although we don't have time to sympathize because Adam opens the can of million-dollar worms and tells Crosby he met with Gilcrist behind his back. Is there going to be a brawl in this here Luncheonette? Crosby sure wants to hit something with that look on his face, but he walks away with the words, "I'm getting married this week." Way to pop his happy bubble, Adam.
All of the Bravermans are over the moon at the thought of Jasmine and Crosby finally tying the knot and start planning for a backyard wedding in less than a week. Cake, rose petals, Jewish rolls?; everyone has their assignments. All except Adam, who has been stripped of his "Best Man" title by Crosby -- in front of everyone. Whoa there, Cros. I have two sisters so I know all about the unwritten rule about sibling "Best Man/Maid of Honor" roles. Don't mess with the system. But he does and, to no surprise, Adam is hurt. It's as if Crosby kicked him the shin, so Adam gives Crosby a wedgie, then Crosby gives him a wet willy. Okay, so their fight didn't actually go down like that but it sure did look like a playground fistfight to me. After a spanking (talk) from Papa Zeek, Adam and Crosby set things right. Crosby tells Adam he can sell, but doesn't tell him he can be his Best Man. Good news for Adam?
As heat rises amongst the Braverman brothers, Sarah and Julia deal with their own emotions. Post-Almost-Adopted-Baby, Julia wishes to stay busy with wedding details to keep her mind off of cleaning out the nursery, but it doesn't exactly help that Zoe stops by. After exchanging some "I'm sorrys" and "Good, your mom is helping," Julia almost can't stand to hear that Zoe's boy is beautiful. "You changed my life," Zoe proclaims. I'm sure you changed hers too, Z.
Mark almost suffers from a Freudian slip when he mentions that having a shotgun wedding in Ireland would be "romantic." Sarah didn't look smitten when she refutes saying that she might not even get pregnant and an unpredictable wedding in another country seems impractical. Uh oh. It looks like Sarah is having second thoughts, and by the next scene I can pat myself on the back for being right. Sarah goes to Mark's apartment and chokes back tears as she admits that she isn't sure she wants to have children. Crushed, Mark can do nothing but cry and claim that he "doesn't need kids." Bless you, professor, for loving your woman enough to say that. But stick to your guns ... you want those kids.
The whole wedding ceremony plays out to a Gospel version of the classic "To Make You Feel My Love." And, as a viewer, I totally felt the love. Jasmine and Crosby really are two peas in a pod ... with a little, Jabbar-shaped pea next to them.
The backyard turns from small ceremony to a dance rave for 100. How big is this backyard exactly? Everyone's on the dance floor, shaking their hips to the "Party Rock Anthem" -- all but Amy and Drew who sneak up to his room and have a "party" of their own. It was everything it should've been: sweet but awkward, especially when Drew kept his socks on.
Amber, on the other hand, breaks the cardinal rule of the broken-hearted: never text your ex-flame at a wedding. She meets with Bob Little in his office anyway, and confesses that she wants to be with him, too. However: "My whole life I've been making decisions based on emotions and not really paying attention to what is good for me." I felt like a proud mama watching her child all grown up. Bob Little offers her the position as his assistant, if she still wants it.
Back at the reception, Billy the faux Best Man passes out before his speech, so Adam swoops in to save his brother from a no-toast embarrassment. He shares some comical tidbits but then delves into more personal stories, like his financial troubles and the recent Luncheonette deal. During the speech, Adam realizes he doesn't want his life changed because every day he gets to go to work with his brother. Aw, that's nice. (Although, if I were an attendee, I'd be wondering why I'm watching a man rip up an old bar napkin in half.) The brothers hug, the music plays, and all is well with the Brothers Braverman again.
Sarah, still upset about breaking a man's heart -- and still trying to dodge the drunk faux Best Man -- is surprised when Mark shows up at the reception. He tells her that whatever the future brings will be better when they're together and ... "will you marry me?" Whoa. What's with all the surprise proposals?
As the entire wedding party watches Jasmine and Crosby drive away in his hot, red car, Julia and Joel are back at their house, meeting with their adoption agent. Julia and Joel agreed earlier for a "sky baby" adoption, which is an adoption of a child whose mother had not made previous adoption plans. After a verbal "yes" from both, the agent introduces seven-year-old Victor. Is it just me or does he look like Zoe's baby fast-forwarded seven years? It wasn't what they expected, but Joel and Julia finally got another baby.
Just like at the end of Season 2, "Parenthood" managed to end a season without really ending it. Plans for renewal are still up in the air, so, really, what more could the writers do but kind of close the gaps on these stories. Will we see the growing Luncheonette succeed even more? Did Sarah say "yes"? How's Victor going to fit into the family? Will Kristina be able to handle Haddie going off to college? Can Amber handle love in the workplace? What about Zeek's health? Is he okay?
So many questions, and not knowing if these questions will be answered is almost a punishment. But, alas, we can only cross our fingers that NBC brings back our favorite family. Until then, thank you "Parenthood" for another great season.