I’m getting a little concerned about my beloved Brothers & Sisters. Last night’s episode (the sixth of season 3) was quite possibly the least funny and least emotionally engaging of the entire series run, and no single moment rang less true than the scene ABC has been teasing for several weeks: Nora leaping out of her car, running to the edge of the road, and screaming at her late husband into a bucolic valley — "I hate you William Walker! All you care about is yourself and your stupid penis!" For me, the shout-out to William’s errant member felt like a desperate attempt by the show’s writers to score the kind of laughter-through-tears moment that’s made B&S such an addictive treat, but it played more like a bit of sophomoric frat humor: "Let’s make the gray-haired lady say ‘penis.’" I’m sorry, but Brothers & Sisters fans expect more, and Sally Field certainly deserves better. (That said, as petty and preposterous as Nora looked with her accusation about Robert turning Kitty against her family, it somehow felt genuine. Whose mom hasn’t hung onto old, unresolved arguments, and dredged them up amplified at the most inopportune moments?)
Also working my nerves last night was the fist fight between Tommy andKevin. I know Kevin can be a petty jerk, and I know Tommy is the leastlikeable character on the show, but seriously? We’re supposed tobelieve these two grown men, who only a year ago locked Justin in abedroom and forced him to detox, would sully their little brother’sone-year sobriety ceremony with such a grotesque, immature display?Again, I’m a fan of the way B&S isn’t afraid to present itscharacters’ flaws, but the melee was a failure both in terms of laughgeneration and character development.
At least the writers gave Rachel Griffiths an interesting story arcthis week. I was perturbed that Sarah seemed unprepared forher interview (!), but her horrified reaction to seeing the "Greenotopiaoffices" (including top executive in a towel, drinking a beer) was theepisode’s best moment, and her comment about having "siblings who don’thave boundaries and a mother who treats me like I’m sixteen" was handsdown the night’s best line. I’m also happy to see Sarah tackling afresh career challenge and taking a little time away from the datingscene after a crumbled marriage and a disastrous workplace affair. It’s the right thing to do for this single mother of two.
Asfor Kitty’s possible upcoming adoption and theJustin-and-Rebecca-in-bed marathon, I leave it for you to discussB&S fans. In the meantime, are the rest of you concerned about what I’m perceivingas a dip in the show’s writing quality, or am I just being a PickyMcCrankypants? Who’s liking Sarah’s new career move? And "yeah" or"nay" on Justin wearing Rebecca’s silk robe?
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First thing we thought after Sarah’s interview was 1 – She’s going to sleep with the blonde guy, a Demi Moore kind of thing that will be all drama, and 2 – Is that other guy THAT much of a P to hold FDR against her? Come on, don’t go over the top Oberman on us…
Hey, Green, I agree with you. I had the same thought about Sara and the blonde guy. I am hopeful for the Ryan stuff. I’m also wondering about a possibility of Nora and Mr. Lafferty.
Yeah, a bit picky. You’re right – the show hasn’t had its usual oomph for a few episodes (but still better than most of what’s on TV), but I think last night moved things along. It’s still in transition to somewhere but I’m having fun along the way.
The fistfight was ridiculous and felt forced, but Nora screaming at a field rang true – when the arse isn’t there to be yelled at, sometimes, you have to go scream at the cows. Not that I’ve ever done that. A-hem.
p.s. yea on the robe.
Michael you’re being a McCranky pants.
The show was great last night. It’s good picture on Nora especially…she’s mad that she has to go through this after he’d dead. William doing 2 women and having such serious repercussions even after his death – it’s got to be exhausting.
I’ll take Justin without the robe.
It would have been cool to see a race between Nora and Holly – trying to get to the Laffertys. If that is the reason Nora wanted to see him (to talk to him before Holly) – Holly should have been involved.
Are the two guys that Sarah interviewed, lovers? I couldn’t figure out if the big shock was what their office was or that they were very “comfortable” together.
And Justin…well…he should wear nothing. Nada. Not-a-stitch. Ever. Ratings will go up. And have him smile. Nude and Smile. Done deal.
Bravo, Slezak! I used to look forward to all of the stories, but now I find myself tempted to fast forward on my DVR. I expect better from B&S.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, this show is too old now to not know where it’s going and to keep shifting radically in character tone and development. If the show is going to continue the same episodic formula then it needs to amp it up somehow and fast. How many shows get this long to find it’s groove. Brothers & Sisters groove, when they do hit it, is all over the place. I like the show, but it is quickly wearing my patience. Who knew Desperate Housewives would be a better and more consistent show then B&S.
“Hi, my name’s Kevin, and I’m a b*tch.” –Justin
Best line of the night, by far.
One thing that bothered me the entire ep. I understand this is a show, but should we really believe that Nora would willingly ruin another family’s life by telling them the dirty secret about Ryan? How can her and Kitty be so dumb that they would actually try and sully a dead woman’s legacy just for their own personal satisfaction. That REALLY bothered me.
I agree with Jon on the best line. That was great!!! However, I don’t think Nora was thinking so much about personal gain, as she was, Holly’s threat. I think, Nora felt like if this family was going to have to hear the ugly truth she’d rather it come from her as William’s wife (and the other victim of his affairs) than another mistress looking to do as much damage as possible. No there’s no easy way to hear such news, but I think were it me, I’d rather hear it Nora’s way.
I’m just glad someone else thought his was the worst “B&S” episode ever, even worse than last week’s which I then considered to be the worst ever. I know their busy but can someone call Jon Robin Baitz and Greg Berlanti and tell him to hammer a few scripts out over the weekend. Anything would be better than this focus-less drivel they have now…
Fix the show? Huh? There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s been very strong this season.
I really like this show and it is great that they show the characters flaws, but I have never seen such self centered bunch of people in my life, that Kevin and Tommy couldn’t hold their tongues for an hour to be there for Justin… Same with the dinner party for Kitty a few weeks ago.
I’m with you. This show needs to be fixed ASAP. I used to love it now I find myself struggling to stay awake. (which I didn’t last night)
Your right. I thought the show started to decline after the beginning of season two.
I could not disagree with you more about this show — i think this has been one of the best seasons and I think the best drama currently on the air — were you not moved by the last scene when Ryan’s Father who was told by Sally field that his dead wife had an affair was especially moving? This show does not need to be fixed — in fact from the very first show this year, it set up really great conflicts and storylines. If I were Tommy, I’d be mad too and brothers do fight — if people don’t have conflicts on this show, there is no show.
You need fixing. Brothers and sisters is the best show on TV right now. Best moment for me was a few weeks ago when Kitty wrote that tell all and the scene that Nora and kitty had — that mother and daughter moment — you don’t get any better television than that.
You know, I’m getting a little bothered by EW’s writers campaigning to “fix” every show that is not up to par with previous episodes. I really think it does more harm than good. Why can’t you let the makers of these shows make the show that they want?
I second Jon’s nomination for line of the night from Justin. Yeah, I’m starting to wonder why I should stay up too. I mean, getting to look at Justin for a few minutes is nice, but what is there after that? They’re all just a little, I don’t know if superficial is the best way to put it, but there isn’t the smart depth there used to be with the characters. You know, lets see Sarah in her new job, or Kevin in his, or Kitty in her new role, but dumbing down characters to stupid one-liners (except Justin’s gem last night) isn’t going to keep me going.
There’s been a definite dip in the quality of the show, no one can dispute that. I still enjoy watching B&S, but I do find some of the plot lines annoying. The real loser this season has been Calista Flockhart. Her character was so great in the first season and for most of the second season, but now Kitty’s just boring. Liberal as I am, I really enjoyed her fiery conservatism. Now, she’s just a pouty housewife — very boring.
You are right, Michael. The quality of the show has been slipping since the end of the first season. It’s lost it’s creative edge: several key writers and it’s creator.
As for the writers of EW, they need fixing. They have been off the mark all year long.
season 1 was amazing. I’ve lost interest now. I love Greg Berlanti, but it’s lost it’s charm since they fired the creator of the show.
I’m with you Slezak – and Nora has become bar none the most irritating character on prime time television today.
I love the Sarah storyline, but I think there is something romantic brewing with the blond. He is hot and funny and seems to love her and seeing Sarah with a younger guy would be interesting, no?
its a show people…. its a freaking good show….. everytime you guys on ew criticize something you make me sick…. kath and kim you guys said was awful and it just got picked up…. you guys said the changeling was boring and so so and it turned out to be a great damn movie…. quit being so freakin picky and enjoy the show… oh you guys can’t because your too busy criticizing the show!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you’re (not your, btw, to the poster above — a pet peeve that drives me nuts!) being a bit picky. Life is messy and oftentimes disjointed. Brothers fight. Loved the Ryan’s dad scene. I think the race to the dad thing would have been over the top (but funny!). Sarah storyline looks promising. Still a bit skeeved-out by Justin / Rebecca thing. Still one of the best shows on tv.
I don’t know about “fixing” the show, except for less lovemaking scenes between Kevin and his new “Spouse”. Also, was I in a semi-sleep state when the Senator (Rob Lowe) was talking with Kitty on the telephone and he said the “F” word? Please tell me I was dreaming!
I agree that last nights episode didn’t have its usual magic but I thought it was still good. Definitely looking forward to the drama with Mr. Lafferty. Justin’s one year was ruined by Kevin and Tommy. I just hate Balthazar – get him off the show ASAP. Hopefully with sweeps next month, we’ll get better episodes. And Justin with no robe is an excellent idea!