Ep 3. The Deep End of the Pool

The Deep End of the Pool is the third episode of the first season of the hit family drama, Parenthood. In this episode, we see the Braverman family struggling to deal with their own individual problems while also trying to come together as a family unit.

The episode opens with Sarah Braverman (played by Lauren Graham) trying to deal with the fallout from a bad date with a man named Jim. She confides in her brother, Adam (Peter Krause), about how hard it is to be a single mom and how little time she has for anything else. Meanwhile, Adam is dealing with his own issues at work, where he is facing extra pressure to perform well now that his boss is retiring.

At the same time, Adam's wife, Kristina (Monica Potter), is trying to connect with her teenage daughter, Haddie (Sarah Ramos), who seems to be drifting away from her. Haddie is struggling with her own issues, including a crush on a boy at school who doesn't seem to notice her.

Elsewhere in the Braverman family, Crosby (Dax Shepard) is trying to adjust to life as a father, despite the fact that he didn't expect to have a child so soon. His son's mother, Jasmine (Joy Bryant), is also struggling to find a way to co-parent with Crosby, who is a bit of a wild card.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise within the family as they struggle to keep their individual problems from tearing them apart. However, despite all of the stress and tension, the family comes together to support each other when it counts.

One of the standout storylines in this episode involves Max (Max Burkholder), the son of Adam and Kristina, who is on the autism spectrum. Max struggles to understand social cues and often lashes out when he is upset. In this episode, we see Max struggle to connect with his peers at a pool party, leading to a heartbreaking moment where he lashes out at his cousin, Haddie. The scene is a powerful reminder of how difficult it can be for children with autism to navigate social situations.

Overall, The Deep End of the Pool is an emotional and powerful episode of Parenthood that showcases the cast's range and depth as actors. It tackles important issues like autism, single motherhood, and the struggles of adolescence with sensitivity and nuance. As the Braverman family continues to try and navigate their way through life's ups and downs, viewers will undoubtedly be rooting for them every step of the way.