‘Parenthood’ Recap - ‘In Dreams Begin Responsibilities’

Amber and Ryan show Sarah the spot where they want to have the wedding; in front of a lake that Ryan took Amber to on one of their first dates. Sarah is less than pleased with the location, and questions why none of Ryan’s family is coming.

Drew and Natalie sit in his dorm room sharing musical tastes. She plays a Joni Mitchell song telling Drew if he knows it they are officially soul mates. He does recognize it but then Natalie plays the “friend” card, telling Drew he’s her best college-friend, and shakes his hand.

Sydney and Victor are heard arguing as Joel leaves for work. Sighing, Julia says not to worry about it and she’s got it.

Heather speaks to Kristina and Adam about donors for the campaign, stating that they really need to get large donations to keep the campaign going. Heather grills Adam about hitting up his former client Mr. Ray, putting Adam in an awkward position because he doesn’t want to ask him for money.

While Crosby is recording a band, Ashes To Rum, in the studio, the band’s label executive isn’t pleased with the way it sounds, asking the band to record the song again. Fed up, the lead singer (Tyson Ritter) throws a tantrum and walks out.

Joel calls Julia to check in on the argument the kids had. She tries to make them clean, but Julia has so much time on her hands, there’s nothing to be cleaned. Joel offers to think of something for them to do, but the kids start arguing again, and Julia wrangles the kids, and forgets Joel is on the phone.

Julia brings the kids over to her Dad’s house, and Zeek is happy to put them to work.

Adam offers help to Drew in Joni-Mitchell-song-choice to put Natalie in a romantic mood. Crosby walks in fed up with the singer of the band. Adam tells Drew to play song number 9 on the album and he’ll go from “friend zone to fun zone”. Crosby tells Drew that he can’t just know 1 or 2 songs that he needs to commit to learning all of them.

Sarah and Amber drink wine while discussing plans for the wedding. Sarah questions Ryan’s family not attending but Amber states that he doesn’t have a good relationship with them, and that she tries not to ask him about it.

The next morning, Amber states that even though she doesn’t like her Dad, she is inviting him to the wedding. Getting the hint, Ryan says that it’s supposed to be the happiest day of their life and with his step-father there, it won’t be. Amber asks about Ryan’s real Dad but Ryan admits that he died, something Amber didn’t know. Ryan tries to smooth it over, asking them to move forward rather than worry about the past.
Walking in their dorm, Drew makes reference to a Joni Mitchell song to Natalie, but she admits that she only really knows the one song she played for Drew. She says she’ll come by his room later and he can play her some more songs.

Zeek has the Sydney and Victor washing engine parts, and he explains a few of them to Victor.

Adam practices a speech he wrote to ask Mr. Ray for a donation to Kristina’s campaign with Crosby. Crosby doesn’t like the idea and even though Adam admits he doesn’t like it either, he promised Kristina he would ask. The label executive comes up to the office and notifies them that the label is dropping the Ashes to Rum. Crosby is happy not to deal with the singer anymore but Adam quickly reminds Crosby that it means they also lose business.

Adam goes to Mr. Ray’s mansion. Trying to get a word in, Adam tries to talk to Mr. Ray but before he can they start talking about the music industry and how Adam just lost a client because of the label. Mr. Ray states that he isn’t with a label anymore and just puts out music directly from his home studio. He tells Adam “you’ve got to BE the man, not WORK for the man”.

At home, Adam talks to Kristina and admits he was never able to ask Mr. Ray about a donation, feeling like he let her down. Heather walks in stating she scheduled a meeting for a possible donor, a real estate developer. Kristina is hesitant because the developer’s endeavors are not ones she supports.

Sitting down with the potential donor the conversation quickly goes to the development that Kristina is not in support of. Heather talks about how they hope his development goes well, while Kristina tries to interject that her focus is on education.

Julia comes to pick up the kids. Victor excited says that they might be able to assemble the water pump. Zeek asks Victor to read the instructions. Victor struggles, revealing his weakness in reading, and Sydney grabs the instructions and easily reads it aloud. Victor walks off.

Adam comes to Crosby and pitches the idea of starting their own label. He suggests against Crosby’s wishes that they sign Ashes To Rum.
Drew plays Natalie more Joni Mitchell songs, but finally admits he only starting listening to her to impress her because he likes her more than a friend. She states that now she knows, not giving any sort of answer back to Drew.

Zeek walks Julia out to the car and comments about Victor’s reading. Zeek states that he’s there if she needs any help with it.
Adam comes home and Kristina talks to him about the meeting. She got a $20,000 check but doesn’t feel right about taking it. She know if she doesn’t accept it, her campaign is over.

Sarah decorates her parent’s back yard suggesting Amber and Ryan get married there. Amber tells her Mom about the talk she had with Ryan and that his family is definitely not coming. Sarah argues that there are a lot of warning signs she sees with Ryan. Amber says that she’s not like her and won’t make the same mistakes. Amber walks out stating their wedding will be at the lake.

Adam goes back to Mr. Ray’s mansion and asks for a $20,000 donation, stating that his wife’s campaign centers around education, and that he believes she’ll do a great job. Being a father himself, Mr. Ray hands over a check.

Amber tells Ryan that she wants to get married at the lake.
Zeek asks Victor to help him repair the car, but states his eyes are bad and needs Victor to read the manual. Victor agrees to help.
Max goes to his Mom and tells her that she shouldn’t drop out of the race, giving her $20 toward her campaign.

Adam places a “Kristina Braverman for Mayor” sign outside Mr. Ray’s mansion gates.