Aspergers

Adam and Kristina Braverman's son Max has Asperger syndrome. So does "Amazing Andy" -- a bug expert played by Michael Emerson on 'Parenthood' (Tue., 10PM ET on NBC). The Bravermans hire the socially awkward man behind "Amazing Andy's Wonderful World of Bugs" for Max's birthday party. But Andy has some ground rules.

The maximum number of party guests: 25. "I have kind of a big family, and then his whole class is gonna be coming. So can you stretch that?" asks Adam. Nope. Another rule: "No clapping will be tolerated."

Kristina notes, "There's gonna be kids here -- there's going to be clapping." Andy says it is "very bad for the bugs." He then asks to use their bathroom and ends up taking a shower.

(S01E02) "I can deal with anything: disease, illness, broken bone. Give me something I can fix, but I don't know how to deal with this. This is for life." - Adam to Kristina after learning that Max has Asperger's Syndrome

Ferris Bueller once said, "Life moves by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

And while that bit of movie trivia is actually true (unlike say "Stupid is as stupid does" or "Pain don't hurt"), if actual life went at the speed that 'Parenthood' does, stopping to look at it would require some kind of anti-lock braking system.

(S03E20) Wow, what a great episode. So many standout performances, not to mention one of the most brilliant scripts I have seen in a long time.

Let's begin with the guest cast. I loved seeing Christian Clemenson again. Ever since he played Socrates Poole he has struck me as a hard working actor and I am always amazed at his ability to portray characters that are hilarious and pitiful at the same time.