'Parenthood' Season Finale Concludes With More Family Drama

The season finale of NBC’s Parenthood chronicled a lot of happy changes for the Braverman family. Most of the characters were left with promising future plans and the underlying sense of optimism that carries the series.

As the episode begins, Jasmine’s (Joy Bryant) mother Renee (Tina Lifford), who’s been living with Jasmine and Crosby (Dax Shepard), feels so unwelcome that she moves out of the house. Hank (Ray Romano) leaves on a trip to Minnesota to visit his daughter, leaving Sarah (Lauren Graham) to ponder what Hank means to her and what she wants her future to look like.

Meanwhile, the Grahams prepare for Victor’s (Xolo Mariduena) adoption ceremony. Julia (Erika Christensen) has finally come to realize that she wants Victor in her family for the long term. One of the episode’s warmest moments emerges when Victor breaks a vase in the house and asks whether this means Julia will change her mind about going through with the adoption. “I’m never gonna change my mind,” she assures him. When she goes on to tell Victor she wants him to stick around, his face lights up into a big smile. With his newfound confidence, he convinces his new sister Sydney (Savannah Paige Rae) to come to the ceremony despite her earlier display in which she refused to participate.

Drew gets into Berkeley. Ryan (Matt Lauria) sets out to prove to Amber (Mae Whitman) that he’s getting his life on track. Kristina (Monica Potter) finishes her last chemotherapy treatment, but fears relapsing. Mark (Jason Ritter) shows up at Sarah’s house and declares his love for her, hoping to win her back. Drew (Miles Heizer) catches up with Amy (Skyler Day) and they reveal to one another that he’ll be going to Berkeley in the fall and she’ll be going to school in Boston. Amber and Ryan reunite in a raw and tearful confrontation.

Jasmine reveals she’s pregnant and Crosby makes amends with Renee. Sarah chooses Hank over Mark, only to be blindsided when Hank tells her he’s decided to move to Minnesota to be near his daughter. He tells Sarah he loves her and invites her join him in the Midwest. The whole Braverman clan gathers for Victor’s adoption ceremony and create an enthusiastic display. Kristina at last allows herself to celebrate being cancer-free and heads off to Hawaii with Adam (Peter Krause). The episode brought about the Bravermans’ characteristic warmth and left plenty of excitement to look forward to in the next season.