Parenthood's Most Emotional Episodes

Throughout its six-season run on NBC, Parenthood established itself as one of TV's most tear-jerking series of all time.

In honor of the show's 10th anniversary — the pilot episode aired March 2, 2010 — we're looking back on Parenthood's 10 most emotional episodes of all time. Which sentimental outings made our list? Scroll down to see our picks!

"How Did We Get Here?" (Season 6, Episode 10)

In the series' 100th episode, the entire family hunkers down at the hospital after Zeek suffers a heart attack. ("I don't know if he's going to make it through this," Camille tearfully admits to Adam.) On a happier note, the Braverman mamas improvise and throw Amber a lovely baby shower in the hospital cafeteria.

Grab an extra tissue... when Sarah presents Amber with a book of parenting advice that all the moms had written for her. Even Lauren Graham is overcome with emotion during this scene, barely getting through some of Sarah's dialogue. So there's no hope for the rest of us!

"Remember Me, I'm the One Who Loves You" (Season 3, Episode 17)

In one of the series' most devastating plot twists, Julia and Joel learn they will not be adopting a baby boy, after all, when the child's biological mother suddenly changes her mind after giving birth. Elsewhere in the episode, Sarah considers a big step in her relationship with Mark, and Jasmine and Crosby take a game-changing camping trip with Jabbar. 

Grab an extra tissue... when Julia, who has just discovered that Zoe plans to keep her baby, finds an empty hospital room and privately sobs over the news.

"What to My Wondering Eyes" (Season 4, Episode 11)

Season 4 was a doozy for Parenthood fans everywhere, as Kristina's battle with breast cancer delivered one of the show's most harrowing arcs. In this Christmas-themed episode, the family endures a chaotic and worrying holiday when Kristina is hospitalized with septic shock.

Grab an extra tissue... when Adam watches the emotional goodbye message that Kristina recorded for her kids, in the event she loses her cancer battle. Maybe grab several extras, actually.

"Because You're My Sister" (Season 4, Episode 15)

You may want to open a fresh box of Kleenex before attempting the Season 4 finale, which is jam-packed with emotional plots. Kristina's cancer is in remission! Victor is officially adopted! Sarah chooses between Hank and Mark! You'll mostly be crying happy tears with this one... but there will be a lot of them.

Grab an extra tissue... when Victor's adoption ceremony takes place, at which point every Braverman welcomes him into the family in their own way. (Even Sydney!)

"May God Bless and Keep You Always" (Season 6, Episode 13)

As if you expected anything less, Parenthood concluded its run with one of its most sentimental episodes ever — and it's so well-executed, it landed on our list of the decade's 15 best series finales. And though the finale is a bittersweet affair, the episode deftly balances the joy of Sarah and Hank's wedding with the heartbreak of Zeek's death, giving viewers just the right amount of closure after six seasons.

Grab an extra tissue... for the show's final montage, in which the Bravermans scatter Zeek's ashes, then play a joyous baseball game as flash-forwards reveal each family member's future. We're a little teary just writing about it.

"Pilot" (Season 1, Episode 1)

Parenthood doesn't waste any time giving our heartstrings a firm yank. In the eventful, emotional series premiere, Adam and Kristina learn that son Max has Asperger syndrome, while Sarah adjusts to her new normal after moving back in with her parents. "For what it's worth, you have me," Sarah later tells teenage son Drew, who craves a relationship with his unreliable dad. "I'm not going anywhere. And I'm really sorry, but that's going to have to be enough." Sob!

Grab an extra tissue... when Adam confesses to Zeek that "there's something wrong with my son" after learning of Max's Asperger's diagnosis.

"Hard Times Come Again No More" (Season 2, Episode 22)

The Season 2 finale picks up shortly after Amber was injured in a grisly car accident; it's hard to even get through the opening scene — a dialogue-free sequence in which all the Bravermans gather at the hospital — without tearing up a bit. Fortunately, Amber survives the wreck, and Mae Whitman shines throughout the episode as Amber grapples with lingering guilt from the incident.

Grab an extra tissue... when Zeek (lovingly!) reprimands Amber for the reckless behavior that led to her near-fatal accident. "You do not have my permission to mess with my dreams," Zeek tells her, after revealing that his time in the Vietnam War was only made easier by dreams of raising grandchildren one day. A remorseful Amber bawls her way through Zeek's speech — and you probably will, too.

"Road Trip" (Season 3, Episode 12)

Although this hour might not bring on relentless waterworks like some other Parenthood episodes do, the Season 3 installment — which finds the Bravermans road-tripping to visit Zeek's mother for her birthday — is full of quiet, warm moments that are bound to leave you misty-eyed, like Max's sweet attempt to cook dinner for Kristina. (But there are some laughs, too, including Sarah and Drew's awkward tension after Drew catches his mom having sex.)

Grab an extra tissue... when the typically stoic Zeek has a heart-to-heart with his mother, seeking the love and approval she'd failed to give him for years.

"Small Victories" (Season 4, Episode 13)

Miles Heizer is the MVP of this Season 4 installment, in which Drew and his girlfriend, Amy, are shocked by her unexpected pregnancy. Meanwhile, Joel and Julia struggle to connect with their adopted son, Victor, while Max learns about the wonders of puberty.

Grab an extra tissue... when Drew shows up at his mom's door, sobbing over Amy's decision to get an abortion he didn't support.

"The Offer" (Season 5, Episode 18)

Despite Kristina and Adam's concerns, Max goes on an overnight field trip with his class... and it doesn't go well. Elsewhere in the episode, freshly separated Joel and Julia try to manage Victor's abandonment issues, and Zeek and Camille consider selling their house.

Grab an extra tissue... when Max reveals to his parents that a cruel classmate peed in his canteen on that camping trip. "I think I am a freak," Max admits, prompting Kristina to climb in the backseat and comfort her son.