"You’re adults! Get a filter!" With those five words, Robert McCallister (Rob Lowe) summed up exactly the life plan that the Walker 6 — Nora and her children Sarah, Kitty, Tommy, Kevin, and Justin — ought to be discussing with the therapists I’m sure each of them visit every week, but who we never get to see on screen. (Side note: All in favor of a shrink-themed episode say "Aye!")
Then again, if these nosy, noisy, wine-soaked adults ever did learn to control their tongues, and their impulses, Brothers & Sisters would immediately cease to be the predictably soapy drama that’s come to represent the perfect nightcap to my weekends. Which doesn’t mean I didn’t love Robert’s stern reprimand in last night’s ep (directed by ER vet Laura Innes), or the way he kept at it when Nora & Co. took offense to it, saying they couldn’t pretend they weren’t angry with Kitty for writing an accidental (and family-secret-spilling) book about the life of a campaign staffer/political wife. "It’s not pretending. It’s being considerate!" Robert raged, and rightfully so.
Sure, Kitty was daft for inviting her crazy clan to dinner with the adoption-agency rep (and serving vino to boot) but their borderline sabotage of her dream of having kids seemed like an exorbitant punishment for the crime committed, even among the self-centered Walker clan. Something about Lowe’s performance as the polished Senator has always struck me as a little cold, but I did like his exasperated interplay with Kitty when she dropped the bombshell about her book on him right before the home inspection. And sure, Nora might as well have fixed a giant canned ham for dinner, but her initial response upon reading the (eventually coffee- and chicken-stained) manuscript — a curious "huh?" followed by an indignant "huh!" — was pretty hilarious.
Of course, right at the point B&S looked like it was about todevolve into caricature last night, the writers went and gave us thatmagnificent reconciliation scene between Kitty and Nora. Indeed, SallyField’s monologue about the sometimes thankless role of motherhood,about her quest for respect and admiration from her children, about herstruggle to be recognized as a smart and talented person and not just ameal maker and child bearer, rang absolutely beautiful and true. Nora’sfinal remark about Kitty’s dedication — "You’re right. It doesn’t seemso bad in context." — played as a larger depiction of all the Walkers’crazy behavior during the episode.
One area where context is verynecessary is the nervous romance playing out between Justin andRebecca, who just a few episodes ago were supposed to be linked among thosetitular Brothers & Sisters. Now, suddenly, we’re having to acceptthe sight of them making out on a couch while ignoring the (lowbudget?) action movie playing a few feet away from them. I was glad tosee Justin freak out a little about the idea of having sex with theArtist Formerly Known as His Half-Sister, but enjoyed even more the waySarah casually spilled the beans to Tommy ("He’s talking massageoils!"). Saddling Rebecca with a $2 million trust fund — and watchingher turn over the "dirty money" to Nora — certainly gave Emily VanCampmore to do this episode (even if the camera crew’s sudden and obsessive interest in her heaving bosom makes me a little skittish).
I don’t begrudge Rebecca her feelings:This season, Patricia Wettig’s Holly Harper has evolved as an even moreenigmatic, and possibly more deceptive, presence than ever.She’s a wily (and fun-to-watch) manipulator, whether bringing coffeeand donuts to milk info from (suddenly off-the-radar) Saul, or usingcocktails and flirtatious body language to try and get ahead of theWalkers in the quest to find Ryan. Here’s hoping Holly continues toprove a worthy adversary: Given the Walker clan’spenchant to forgive one another before the wine glasses even hit thedishwasher, this show needs a vital villain more than ever.
What did you think of this week’s show? Were you surprised to see Kitty and Robert get agency approval by the end of the hour? Did any of you tear up during Nora’s monologue? And what’s your take on Holly: Total she-beast, misunderstood mama, or somewhere in the middle?
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I can’t be bothered with B&S anymore, I switched it off when I saw Justin and Rebecca making out, couldn’t get past the yuck factor. Plus all the characters seem grating now.
Kudos to Rob Lowe on that outburst. It was easily my favorite moment of the night and possibly my favorite McAllister moment ever. Anybody notice that the binder clip on the book kept moving everytime the packet got handed off? It could reasonably been from all the clipping and unclipping while reading, but I think I’d put it back where I found it, especially if I were snooping.
Where was Scotty?
And when did they all become so incredibly selfish and self-absorbed? The whole episode really turned me off.
Love Patricia Wetting’s Holly, but like the show, it’s all become so predictible.
aye aye aye to a therapy-centered episode. i absolutely loved it when they added sweets on bones and it would be interesting to see something akin to that on b&s.
first of all- please address why no more TV Watch. And secondly, holly needs to be shot.
Thanks for bringing back the TV Watch. I love Brother & Sisters. The Walker’s are a mess but that’s why they are so fun to watch. The make my large dysfunctional family looks normal in comparison. I love that Robert stood up for Kitty. I was surprised that no one got upset at him for yelling at Nora. But he was right and they all knew it. Rebecca and Justin don’t bother me as much as I thought they would. I think that someone needs to shoot Holly. But then again she does make a good villain.
In answer to QuestLove’s question of when the Walker’s became so self-absorbed? The answer to that is with the very first episode! It’s just that the bickering was very over the top this epi.
Does Patricia Wettig really think no one noticed the face lift? She lost 15 years in one summer – it’s like invasion of the wrinkle snatchers.
Holly is verging on becoming to Brothers & Sisters what Abey was to Knotts Landing.
Loved Kevin getting all snarky and petulent (pretty much how he was described in the book, and by other siblings in previous eps)
I didn’t tear up with Nor’a monolgue but I understand how eay it is to think your only percieved one way be your family when in fact their opinion is much higher. Flockheart & Field continue to knock any scenes their together in right out of the park.
I’m wondering how Kitty’s book is so good if all she gave up were some notes. If someone else put it together, like she said at the beginning, shouldn’t that person get more credit or just as much?
I loved the reconciliation scene with Nora and Kitty last night. Sally Field continues to show what a fine actress she is on this show. I thought Robert’s lecture to the Walkers was smug and unnecessary. He’s a prig and not very interesting. Holly is just pure evil–she’s lost her soul.
I think Robert had every right to defend Kitty but I LOVED that Nora did not back down, either! They each had their own cause and they each had a valid point. I just wish someone would have stuck up for Nora, as well since Robert was insulting the whole Walker clan….I also think in-laws are family but extended family and should never shout like that at their spouses’s parent, deserved or not. It’s disrespectful. Still, I love that it kept going because Nora defended herself staunchly – that is real life, to me.
This show is so awesome! I laugh and cry right along with the family members! Holly is just such a wicked person, I feel sorry for Rebecca. That trust fund should have gone to Nora..I am glad Rebecca did that. I am real anxious to see who this Ryan guy is..and what it will do to the family. And Somehow I missed that the McCallister’s were approved by the agency. When did that happen?
I’m with Sheila – I loved this show until Justin and Rebecca became a couple – gag! Too bad, b/c I think that Sally Fields is genius in her role, but I can’t believe that someone who thought they were sibs can just turn that off so fast. yuck
Actually, one of the best bits was when Holly pressed Saul on William’s other lover and Saul got in the KILLER burn that Holly now knew how Nora felt finding out about her. Nice job from Rifkin there.
And liked when Robert’s giving the speech and everyone reacts to the overly spicy food and trying not to be too obvious about it.
Easily one of the best episodes this show has ever done. They finally put Flockhart and Field in scenes together again (when those 2 go toe-to-toe, that’s when this show really soars) and even Rob Lowe was great.
I am from a family with 5 kids, 3 boys 2 girls…I love this show…it is my family! I have a brother that is an attorney, one that is a very successful business man and one that marches to a different drummer. I am a business owner and my sister, the baby is always trying to prove she isn’t as spoiled as we all think she is. B&S rings true to life for me! I love Robert sticking up for Kitty. Have on problem with Rebecca and Justin – last season when they still thought they were sibs, the attraction was already building, as soon as it came out she was not a Walker, I knew where it was heading. I want Holly to be devasted when Ryan’s identity is discovered. It’s too bad they don’t have William Walker doing voice overs like Mary Alice, the insight would be awesome.
what’s so evil about Holly wanting to find Ryan? i think i’d want to know if the ‘love of my life’ had not only NOT fathered my child but had another lover somewhere else who’s child he had fathered. is that really so bad?
One of the biggest reasons I love this show is that it comes on after Desperate Housewives. It is like black and white, the actors on B&S are so much more talented, and the drama is more realistic. This was the best episode of this season, loved every minute of it! Can’t wait to see what evil little Holly does next!
I loved this episode. It was B&S at it’s finest. I adore Calista Flockhart in her role of Kitty and I don’t understand why she hasn’t yet had an Emmy nom. Rob Lowe, however, stole the show with his speech. The Walker family needed to hear it! Norah can be so mean sometimes, but it was good to see her and Kitty reconcile at the end.
I cried during Nora’s speech because my mom has given a similar one to me before. It just felt so real and invoked some real emotion about my own life. Yay Sally Field! And yes, I can’t stand Holly. I was sympathetic to her character before because she felt so human with pros and cons but lately … she just seems vindictive and evil. I wondered all along if this was lurking inside her. She’s a formidable adversary so I’m excited to see what happens next.
Loved the ep. Kitty was CRAZYYY to invite her whole family and she’s kidding herself if she thinks being married to a senator/former presidential candidate isn’t going to HELP her in the adoption process. Also, not sure why everyone in the family always listens quietly to Robert. Why doesn’t anyone tell him to SHUTUP!!! He’s only been in the fam for 2 months. I’m a little sick of his speeches 2 weeks in a row. He’s at a fam dinner, not on the campaign trail.
loved the show and esp. loved the episode. i liked that justin was nervous about having sex with rebecca, giving the writers a way to acknowledge that it is a little creepy. they DID think they were brothers and sisters. the dinner scenes are always the best part of the episode. holly is a biatch!! Love it. where is the emmy nomination for best drama???
I LOVE this show…especially the interplay among Sally Field (not “Fields” — look it up, people!) and Calista Flockhart. I didn’t know if having Rob Lowe on the show would detract from the overall story of the Walker family, but he’s sort of like the audience’s window into the craziness. Holly Harper is evil and I love that she’s the villainess, even though she just thinks she’s misunderstood (aren’t they always). The show really seems to use the family dinners as great periods of snappy, caustic and witty dialogue and it’s something I’m always looking forward to! I’m sure this season will continue to be excellent!
I cried during Nora’s speech (and I’m a grown up, straight man!) because I always wonder how “homemakers” must feel in this modern world. My mom is a very successful career woman who, with my dad, himself a successful career guy, raised four PhD wielding children, normal and well-adjusted, so I respect and admire my parents and always hope all children can grow up to admire theirs, no matter what careers or roles they play in life (homemaker, or whatever).
People seem to forget that the dinner was in Robert’s house. That gives him some rights.
Am I the only one that watches Brothers&Sisters who actually likes the idea of Justin & Rebecca? Just putting it out there…
I LOVED LOVED LOVED Robert’s speech! It was the perfect culmination of that episode. As far as I was concerned, it could’ve ended right there and Kitty and Nora could’ve made up in the next episode.
Justin and Rebecca, I’m OK with it – I never thought they seemed comfortable in the brother-sister roles, so that felt more weird than them suddenly being boyfriend-girlfriend instead.
Holly – can’t stand her character, and can’t stand Patricia Wettig. If she’s had a face-lift, I sure as hell can’t tell.
One last thought – has Tommy’s wife Julia(?) been a tad beyotchy so far this season? She was kind of nothing last season, and now she’s a little bit She-zilla.
i love this show. I crack right up watching it. If you have never been around big families you will not be able to relate. It’s insanity in real life and on tv.
No no and no. Robert really annoyed me last night ! Who the heck does he think he is ? He hadn’t even read what his wife had written about the others and he was yelling at Nora for being (rightly) upset ! Even if we learned later that she hadn’t read everything completely, I would have reacted just like her ! Telling the whole world that your mother went to prison ? that’s a big NO ! I fully understand Nora’s reaction !
I wouldn’t even show up to that dinner. That was not nice coming from Kitty (and also all the things she said about the others).
And by the way, if they were only supposed to be notes and not pages from a book, how come she had written something at the beginning dedicating the book to her mom ?
Pfff, I really have enough of Robert and Kitty (yeah yeah they’re so perfect) ! Gimme more Sarah and Holly and Nora !! These are real and interesting characters (with FLAWS) !