Parenthood Episode 5.01 It Has to Be Now

Since we last saw the Bravermans, a lot has happened: Crosby and Jasmine have just been blessed with a nameless but healthy baby girl, who's driving them crazy with colicky fussing all hours of the day and night. Sarah has finally moved out of her parents' cottage, taking a job as an apartment super while starting her own pet photography business. Cancer-free, Adam and Kristina are living it up. Kristina declares it's time to get spontaneous and live life to the fullest, so Adam calls his dad to watch the kids while they take a trip to Funkytown. Ryan has re-enlisted, and his sporadic contact with Amber has left her feeling anxious and isolated.

Having moved back to Berkeley, Hank is surprised when Max shows up at this studio. Adam and Kristina have given Max a "radius" where he can walk around unsupervised after school to help build autonomy. Hank and Max get along like peas and carrots, and the bonus is that Max is a pretty good photographer, even if he only wants to take picture of bugs. Thus, an unlikely friendship is born. Across town, Joel brings his family to a dusty hilltop to show off the site of a future housing development he's bidding on, a two-year job. Julia's gearing up for the first interview after leaving her job a year ago, so things are really looking up for the Grahams.

Bob Little stops by the house to visit Kristina. He's throwing his hat in the ring for mayor of Berkeley, and he wants Kristina to sign on as campaign manager. Still burning from Bob's encounter with Amber, Adam frowns on the offer - despite Bob's promise that Kristina could run education for the city and make a lot of change. Max interrupts. Hank told him to start taking pictures of people instead of bugs, which Adam and Kristina think is good advice - they're just a little freaked out to discover Max spent two hours at Hank's. Adam sends Kristina off to talk to Bob, promising he'll talk to Hank about Max. That afternoon, the entire clan shows up at Crosby and Jasmine's to see the new baby. Crosby promises Jasmine the family will only stay for an hour, but they settle in for a good long visit, much to Jasmine's dismay.

The next day, Sarah stops by The Luncheonette to see Amber. Since Drew shipped off to Berkeley, she's been keenly feeling her empty nest. Julia's interview at a top law firm is going great... until the partner asks why she's not using her former employer as a reference. Julia obfuscates, but clearly, her goose is cooked. Across town, Crosby has fallen asleep while making toast and nearly lights the house on fire. The baby won't stop crying, so Crosby starts going on about how he needs eight hours of sleep. Fed up, Jasmine plunks the baby in his arms and shuffles off to the toilet, leaving Crosby to ask himself when he's going to start loving his daughter. Adam visits Hank, and he is surprised to find Hank genuinely likes Max and has no intention of being anything other than friends with Sarah.

Julia goes all out, making a gourmet dinner for a meeting with Peet the architect, whom she's stunned to discover is a gorgeous, intelligent and talented woman. Julia's more than a little uncomfortable to identify herself as a stay-at-home mom, and when Peet declares this a "luxury," it's clear the two women aren't going to be friends. After dinner, Julia shares vulnerable feelings with Joel: she only ever had the one job since she graduated law school, and she screwed up. That's when Peet calls to award the job to an ecstatic Joel! Julia puts her heartbreak on hold to celebrate Joel's good fortune.

Kristina returns to the chemo word to visit her old friend Gwen and tell her all about the Bob Little situation - which Adam doesn't like, and Kristina has a scan coming up... Gwen puts her foot down. If Kristina wants to do this, there's no waiting. In a panic, Crosby calls Adam, urging him to run out the door and hop into the car Crosby's driving past his house at two miles an hour to keep his nameless daughter from crying. Scared, Crosby admits he has yet to experience love for his child. Adam promises it takes time and lots of naps, but everything will be alright. Of course, Adam wakes up the baby on his way out of the car.