Breeders

As smart, wistful and funny as ever, the first handful of episodes of Breeders’ final season bode well for what looks to be a well-earned send-off for arguably one of the best series about the joys and pitfalls of trying to be a good (enough) parent.

The screaming and cursing from season one, however grating, are still present in season two, but the show has found a way to deftly balance it with more heartfelt storytelling and some interesting curveballs for this family. Breeders finally anchors Paul and Ally, who seem more comfortable in their shoes, just as Freeman and Haggard do while playing them.

It’s intriguing, without being compelling. The writing is sharp and witty, sardonic and ironic, but amid the perfectly formed wisecracks and zingers, the dialogue falls short of being believable.

Each episode feels like a slice of life, complete with laughs, tears, sarcasm, and life’s mundane chores and routines. In the hands of Freeman, Haggard, Blackwell and Addison, it makes for wry, amusing and relatable television.

While Freeman and Haggard give strong performances, the show often plays out like a comedian who has gone too far in trying to figure out what’s funny without seeing what actually works.

When writers Addison and Blackwell let “Breeders” wander away from its thesis, and especially when they allow Freeman and Haggard to play messy and complicated, it shows tremendous promise. It’s the kind of show a second-grade teacher might say is “bright, but not living up to its potential.”

The comedy misses the mark too often.