For many TV fans, Parenthood is the TV show starring Lauren Graham playing a mother much different from her famous role as Lorelai Gilmore. While Lorelai has it all together, living in a cozy home and working in hospitality, Sarah Braverman is experiencing a much different reality in the Parenthood pilot. She moves back in with her parents Zeek (Craig T. Nelson) and Camille (Bonnie Bedelia) with her daughter Amber (Mae Whitman) and son Drew (Miles Heizer) and isn't sure what the future has in store. Fans are introduced to the Bravermans, a huge family that can't help but get up in each other's business every day.
While many things about the TV drama remained exactly the same throughout all six seasons, some other things shifted quite a bit, and it's fun to revisit that very first episode.
Changed: Crosby Becomes A Loving Father And Husband
Of every Parenthood character, Crosby (Dax Shepard) might change the most throughout the course of the series. When Jasmine (Joy Bryant) tells him that he has a son, he can't believe it, and he can't picture himself as a family man.
In the pilot, Crosby might be a fairly lazy guy who isn't sure how his future will unfold, but that changes by the end of the show. He becomes an amazing father and husband and he and Jasmine have two more children.
Stayed The Same: The Bravermans Are A Big, Caring And Compassionate Clan
No matter what is going on in their lives, the Bravermans are a big family who cares about each other. This is something that is obvious in the pilot and it has never changed in all six seasons.
If anything, the characters only become even closer by the time that the final scene is over, as they have all grown up and learned more about one another.
Changed: Zeek Passes Away In The Series Finale, Prompting Millie's Third Act
Zeek's death on Parenthood could be considered one of the most emotional passings on a TV drama. While Zeek and Millie are married in the pilot and it feels like they'll always be at the head of the table (both literally and figuratively), that all changes by the series finale.
This storyline prompts what Millie calls her third act as she travels to Italy and thinks about what her life will look like now. This is a huge change for the whole family, and a heartbreaking one, too.
Stayed The Same: Julia Always Struggles With Her Lifestyle
Julia (Erika Christensen) is a compelling character as she's a smart lawyer who wants to be a good mother and wife, but doesn't want to give up the hard work that she loves to do.
Even as other things change on Parenthood, Julia always struggles with her lifestyle. She's never sure whether she should accept the working mother identity that she has held or if she should stay home with her kids. This only becomes a bigger issue as she starts to have problems in her marriage to Joel (Sam Jaeger).
Changed: Kristina And Adam Let Go Of Their Fears And Worries For Max
When Kristina (Monica Potter) and Adam (Peter Krause) learn that their son Max (Max Burkholder) has Asberger's in the pilot, it's tough for them to come to terms with. They want the best for their child, like any other parent, and they aren't sure how to navigate.
Unlike some other TV dramas where parents make poor choices, Kristina and Adam are amazing parents. That's why by the series finale, Max has finished his time at Chambers Academy, and his future seems bright. Instead of being scared of the situation, these characters realize that Max is going to be just fine and that they have done a wonderful job.
Stayed The Same: Haddie Is Super Independent
Adam and Kristina's daughter Haddie (Sarah Ramos) always feels like she's separating herself from the rest of the family. While she loves her parents and other relatives, she really does her own thing.
Haddie's independence is the same throughout the show, so much so that when she visits home and tells her parents something about her life, they're pretty surprised.
Changed: Amber Becomes A Mom
In the pilot, Amber is a rebellious teen girl and not someone who would ever picture herself having kids someday. She's having a tough time after her parents split up, and she's not happy.
It was hard for Amber and Ryan to make things work but Amber does have Ryan's baby, which helps her start to grow up. Amber's journey to motherhood is beautiful to watch.
Stayed The Same: Crosby And Adam's Bond
It's always sweet when brothers get along and don't fight, and that's true of Crosby and Adam. In the pilot, they're seen hanging out a lot, especially when Max is playing baseball.
Later, the siblings run a business together, so this is a connection that has always remained the same on this show.
Changed: Sarah Marries Hank And Finds Happiness
Just like Lorelai and Luke tie the knot at the end of the Gilmore Girls Netflix revival, Sarah Braverman finds love in Hank (Ray Romano).
In sharp contrast to her single self in the pilot who doesn't even have a job or a place to live, Sarah gets married in the finale and finally finds happiness.
Stayed The Same: The Family Loves Baseball
Something about Parenthood that stayed the same is how much the family loves baseball. In the pilot, Max is playing baseball, or at least that's what Adam wants to happen but Max doesn't really want to.
In the finale, the gang gathers on a baseball field to scatter Zeek's ashes and also play a game, and Max is more involved this time around as he waits a little bit before leaving with the rest of his family. It's definitely nice to see the show come full circle.