Parenthood Episode 5.05 Let's Be Mad Together

The Luncheonette officially launches its label by signing Ashes of Rome. Adam wrangles a deal with the group's previous label that gives The Luncheonette full ownership of Ashes of Rome's recordings. Oliver Rome wants to rerecord all the songs and add multiple layers to the tracks, an expensive musical choice Crosby doesn't agree with.

Max snaps photos of "real" high school moments for the yearbook, but steps outside social boundaries by taking photos of a crying girl, continuing to snap away even after the girl and her friends ask him to stop. The girl's parents are furious, leading the yearbook teacher Mr. Carlson to demote Max to layout. Kristina goes to bat for her son after Hank extolls Max's natural photography talent, but Mr. Carlson and Principal Radford stand firm in their decision. Life isn't fair sometimes, so let's sit and be mad together, Kristina tells Max.

When an inept Sarah plays plumber for her tenant Carl, she winds up breaking a pipe and flooding his bathroom. She calls Joel for help, interrupting a massive fight between him and Julia regarding boundaries with Joel's business partner, architect Peet. Julia argues Joel needs professional boundaries because Peet's taking advantage of him, and in the long run, her frequent changes will erode his profit.

Joel sends Ryan to help Sarah, but she didn't get the memo and assumes her soon-to-be son-in-law has come to discuss her qualms with the upcoming marriage. A confused Ryan hasn't heard any of this information and later confronts Amber about withholding secrets. Amber reluctantly relays her fight with Sarah and assures Ryan it's not a big deal.

Back at the building site, Joel tries to talk boundaries with Peet when she changes her mind yet again. They make plans to talk about boundaries over dinner and drinks the following night. Multiple martinis loosen Joel's resolve, resolve mostly projected onto him by Julia, and he and Peet agree their current situation is a win-win.

Fresh off a fight with Adam and Ashes of Rome, Crosby stumbles upon a drunken Joel at the grocery store. While driving Joel home, Crosby has an epiphany: Ashes of Rome needs musical simplicity like the rock-n-roll greats. Hurrying to The Luncheonette, he delivers his proposal to the band and Adam - their vision is officially focused on clean musical sounds.

The next morning, a hung-over Joel tells Julia all about the meeting with Peet, and the outcome is not good. She says that not only did he set a poor precedent for protecting his bottom line on future projects, but he was drunk late at night with another woman. Rather than shoulder responsibility for his actions, Joel loses his temper, yelling at Julia to "Step off!"

Meanwhile, Camille finds Zeek denying her a say in their "Act Three." Refusing to discuss selling the house, Zeek instead buys a dilapidated vintage car for a yearlong restoration project. Her parents' ongoing argument hits Julia's raw nerves and she confronts her father. Don't quell Mom's opinion, Julia warns. Camille is Zeek's wife and her voice deserves to be heard in this important discussion.

Ryan unexpectedly shows up at Sarah's to answer her burning questions about his rough upbringing. Not everyone has a family like the Bravermans... Regardless, Ryan wants Sarah to know that he's working hard to be worthy of Amber and her family. Oh - and Carl's toilet is fixed. Sarah tears up, moved by Ryan's vulnerability and deep love for her daughter.