The sixth and final season of the American television series Parenthood premiered on September 25, 2014, and concluded on January 29, 2015. The season order consists of 13 episodes. As part of the budget cuts made by NBC so that the series would have a sixth season, none of the main cast members appears in every episode. The season five budget was reportedly $3.5 million per episode, but the season six budget was only $3 million per episode.[1][2]
Amidst deep concern for Zeek's health, sparks fly when the Bravermans come together to celebrate the patriarch's 72nd birthday. Joel and Julia learn about Sydney's bullying; Sydney has an angry, snarky attitude. Amber shares big news with Zeek, who then decides to undergo heart surgery.
While the family sits vigil through Zeek's surgery, Drew helps Amber give Ryan her big news, Adam and Crosby get bad news about Oliver Rome, and Crosby gets in a motorcycle spill.
Three months later, both Amber and The Luncheonette are feeling financial pressure. Dylan stays over with Max a lot, but Kristina thinks it's to hang out with her. Jabbar is disappointed that they can't go to Harry Potter World. Drew wants to major in Economics to make money. Amber helps Ruby after Ruby gets drunk.
Amber and Sarah watch Max and Nora. While Joel and Julia evaluate their love story, chat with Zeek just might give Joel the confidence he needs to save his marriage. Drew bonds with Zeek. Hank has a heart-to-heart talk with Sandy.
Max has to face romantic rejection, which he has difficulty comprehending due to his Asperger's Syndrome. Crosby feels inadequate when Jasmine returns to corporate work with her mother as business at The Luncheonette slows, creating financial hardship. Crosby's presence reassures Amber who goes into false labor. Ruby abuses Hank's trust; Hank must deal with this and faces difficulty due to his likely-Asperger's Syndrome.
After Hank proposed to her, Sarah asks Julia for advice. Adam and Crosby discuss the Luncheonette's future, with a little help from Jasmine. Also, Max develops old rolls of film with Hank. Joel and Julia spend a familial day at the ice rink, and Zeek and Camille gain a sense of closure and peace about their old house.
Chambers Academy holds Career Week. Joel moves back in with the family; he and Julia work out some issues. Both Zeek and Sarah make decisions about their future. Amber delivers her baby, naming him after his great-grandfather. Adam and Crosby consider reopening the Luncheonette, but it is revealed that Jasmine spoke to Adam without telling Crosby; Adam and Crosby overhear this and they argue, and then decide not to renew their partnership and to close The Luncheonette.
Sarah and Hank are married; Haddie returns for the wedding. Amber adapts to her new life as a mother and agrees to move in with Zeek and Camille. Adam and Kristina talk about the future of Chambers Academy; Adam becomes headmaster. Crosby reopens the Luncheonette and makes Amber his new partner. Joel and Julia adopt another child, Victor's half-sister. Millie finds Zeek, who has died, at peace in his sleep. A musical montage begins with his ashes being spread on a baseball field, exactly as Zeek had requested. A baseball game between the family ensues to celebrate the life of Zeek. The montage continues as the final scene featuring the fate of many of the characters extending an indeterminate amount of time into the future. Millie visits the Café in France where Zeek had planned to take her. Ryan visits his son, Amber is married with a young daughter, and Julia and Joel are seen with four children. Max graduates from Chambers Academy. The entire Braverman family is then seen finishing a baseball game and exiting the field together.
