Entertainment

'Parenthood' Season 5 Premiere Moments Ranked From Least Tear-Inducing to Most

The Bravermans are back, and all is right with the world. Thursday saw the fifth season premiere of Parenthood , and if it seems like it's been forever since we last saw Sarah, Adam, and co., that's because it has been — Season 4 ended way back in January. In the Parenthood world, it's also been a long 8 months, and, as expected, much has happened. Not all the change was good, but alas, it wouldn't be an episode of Parenthood if you didn't end up feeling elated, heartbroken, and a million other things all at once.

Luckily, the premiere was Parenthood at its emotionally manipulative best, and I mean that in the happiest way possible. Let's look back at the moments that made us cry, from least tears to most (because a tear-less night was never going to be an option). Image: NBC

by Rachel Simon

The Bravermans are back, and all is right with the world. Thursday saw the fifth season premiere of Parenthood , and if it seems like it's been forever since we last saw Sarah, Adam, and co., that's because it has been — Season 4 ended way back in January. In the Parenthood world, it's also been a long 8 months, and, as expected, much has happened. Not all the change was good, but alas, it wouldn't be an episode of Parenthood if you didn't end up feeling elated, heartbroken, and a million other things all at once.

Luckily, the premiere was Parenthood at its emotionally manipulative best, and I mean that in the happiest way possible. Let's look back at the moments that made us cry, from least tears to most (because a tear-less night was never going to be an option). Image: NBC

LEAST TEARS: Sarah, Superintendent?

Sarah's broken up with Hank and Mark's nowhere to be seen. Sarah's a great character, but I was getting tired of all the constant back-and-forth relationship drama. Thankfully, her storyline this season seems like it'll be more focused on other things, like her new job as a building superintendent. Her days are spent dealing with spare keys, fire alarms, and obnoxious tenants. We met one guy, Carl, who was particularly unappealing; he brought home drunk women half his age and flirted with/annoyed Sarah. Not to worry, though: as he said, "I don't date woman over 30." Strangely enough, she didn't look too bummed. Image: NBC

2. Max's Visit With Hank

Max, thanks to the half-hearted guidance of Hank, developed an interest in photography. Hank's studio was "in his radius," and so he spent the afternoon with Sarah's moody ex. They bonded over their hatred for people and their love for flat soda. Their friendship is weird, but kind of great. Sadness came, though, when it became clear that Hank was still not over Sarah. He told anyone who would listen that their breakup was mutual and that he came back from Minnesota because the weather was cold. Right. We're rooting for you, Hank. Image: NBC

3. Julia's Job Search

A year after abruptly quitting her job to focus on her family, Julia was ready to get back in the game, but no one wanted to hire her. She was more than qualified, but her sudden departure from her firm raised more than a few eyebrows. This was exasperating for the usually capable Julia, and we could see how badly she wanted to go back to work. When a potential client of Joel's (a woman named Pete, whose introduction is worrisome for fans of the couple) unintentionally called her "just a housewife," Julia visibly flinched. She loved her kids, but she never meant the break from work to be permanent. Joel, though, was back in the contracting business, managing to secure a huge, two-year deal building an expensive development complex. It was painful to watch her pretend to be thrilled for him. Image: NBC

4. Welcome to the World, Aida Braverman

Thankfully, the birth of Crosby and Jasmine's daughter was complication-free, save for her three-week early delivery. The baby, later named Aida, was beautiful and "very white," as Crosby noted with amusing surprise. Still, any major life event on Parenthood, especially one that involves Crosby growing up, is bound to bring on the tears. Image: NBC

5. Crosby: 'Right Now, I Just Really Hate You.'

In a moment of perfect Parenthood honesty, Crosby told the constantly-crying infant that "I'm sure you're going to be the best thing that ever happened to me someday, but right now, I just really hate you." It's lines like those that make you realize how special this show truly is; other series have dealt with similar dad-can't-bond-with-baby plot lines, but only Parenthood manages to make even the most overused cliches feel new. Image: NBC

6. Drew Comes Home

Drew was away at college, and Sarah felt lonely. He answered her page-long emails with two-word texts (the scene where Amber taught Sarah "how to emoji" was great), oblivious to his mother's empty-nest anxiety. Soon, though, his sister knocked some sense into him, and he made a surprise, pizza-filled visit home to see a delighted Sarah. All of this was sweet and teary, but I hope Drew gets some better plotlines soon so he doesn't pull a Haddie and go M.I.A. Image: NBC

7. Kristina Decides To Get Back in the Game

Last season, Kristina's cancer battle made for the best plotline on the show, thanks in large part to Monica Potter's performance (we're still smarting over her Emmy snub.) Now, she's cancer-free and celebrating her second chance at life. When politican Bob Little visited Kristina and Adam at their home, he asked Kristina to run his new campaign for mayor. It was a tempting offer, but Kristina was divided over whether to take on such a demanding job when the chance of relapse still loomed. Thankfully, a visit to her friend, Gwen, helped put things in perspective. A relapsed Gwen had touching words: "Don't wait," she said. "This isn't the dress rehearsal... this it it." The powerful moment led to Kristina making a huge decision - she was going to go back to work, but not for Bob Little. Kristina Braverman was running for mayor. Image: NBC

8. Crosby and Adam's Car Ride

Jasmine was head-over-heels in love with the baby, but Crosby was struggling to connect with his daughter. Of course, instead of talking to his wife about his ambivalence towards their child, Crosby chose the mature route and kidnapped his brother. They drove around with the sleeping baby in the backseat, Adam trying not to laugh as Crosby vented about how the sleep deprivation was taking its toll. Things grew more serious when the younger brother admitted that he didn't feel a connection with his baby, but Adam calmed him down and told him to give it time. Oh, rational, hiding-a-smirk Adam, how I missed you so. Image: NBC

MOST TEARS: Long live Ryber!

Ryber (I didn't make that up, I swear - Mae Whitman did!), the cutest couple on Earth, began the episode unfortunately long-distance, with Ryan stationed somewhere super-secret for work. They Skyped, but it wasn't enough; Ryan couldn't divulge much info on his life, and Amber was worried that he was becoming too distant. However, before long, Ryan came home, the couple reunited, and HE PROPOSED! It was beautiful and adorable and tears-inducing. Long live Ryber! Image: NBC

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