Finally! After a multi-week slump, Brothers & Sisters delivered an episode last night that justified my long-term adoration of the Walker clan and their wacky-melodramatic shenanigans. (Justin, please don’t throw a hissy fit about the way I professed my love, okay?) Of course, the opening 15 minutes had me a little worried that I’d have to write another installment of my weekly series: "What the hell is going on in the B&S writers’ room?" There was the gratuitous opening shower sequence with Rebecca. There was Saul’s exceedingly lame "I’m out of the closet now" response to Nora’s "Screw Holly!" exclamation. And there was Rebecca’s "thank you" to Justin’s "I love you," the same exact exchange we saw between Natalie Zea’s Karen Darling and Blair Underwood’s Simon Elder just a few weeks back on fellow Greg Berlanti-produced ABC drama Dirty Sexy Money. (Just because you copy from yourself doesn’t make it right!) The only positive, really, was hearing Suzanne Vega’s "As You Are Now" during the opening sequence.
But while the opening quarter of the episode lacked that patented B&S brand of humor, the writers more than made up for it with a magic-themed anniversary party for Tommy and Julia that jumped from one hilarious (Nora-centric) scenario to the next. Perhaps funniest of all was the way Nora introduced sons Tommy and Justin to her date George Lafferty (incognito as "Elton Richards"), running off a list of the former’s personal and professional accomplishments, then adding, "and this is my son Justin." I don’t know what made me howl harder, the awkward silence that followed Nora’s terse description of her recovering addict son, or Justin’s blunt declaration, "Well that about sums it up." Either way, the moment of pure comedy only primed the pump for Nora’s later attempts to lie to her kids about the true identity of her date, who just so happened to be the widower of Nora’s late husband’s second significant mistress (!). First runner-up for funniest conversation had to be Sarah’s question to her mother ("Have you guys done the dance with no pants?"), and the way she tried to squirm out of the subject matter when talk turned to her own sex life. Nora: "You’re the one who brought sex up." Sarah: "Well, I regret it." And then, of course, we had Nora completely dismissing the results of her tea-leaf reading while simultaneously urging the fortune teller to cough up more predictions. Priceless!
Sure, a lot of the plot developments at the party didn’t make a lot ofsense — would Tommy really invite Holly to a family gathering givenher history with Nora? what advantage was there to Nora sneaking Georgeinto a party under an assumed identity? — but when the writing iscrisp and funny, it makes it so much easier to forget common sense andjust enjoy the ride.
Funny business aside, a lot of dramaticadvancement occurred this week as well. Both of Robert’s story arcsmade me dislike him a little more than I already do. I understood hisoutrage that Kitty would mess up their relationship with a stellarbirth mother, but how come he feels the need to teach a lesson everytime he has a fight? His "If you’re not ready to have your heartbroken, you’re not ready to be a parent" was casually beastlyconsidering Kitty only lost the baby she was carrying a few monthsback. And his sense of righteous indignation in all his dealings withKevin this week didn’t sit right, either. Don’t hire a completeneophyte to be your communications director if you’re not expecting alittle on-the-job learning curve, dude!
Am I the only one hoping Robert eventually chooses politics over Kitty,and frees her up for more fun nights out with Kevin and Sarah andScotty? Who acted like more of a whiny baby this episode: Robert orJustin? And finally, what in the world do you think dastardly Hollysaid to George to get him to flee the party? Discuss these subjects,and the genius "YOU’RE DATING RYAN’S DAD?"/Heimlich maneuver revelationscenes in the comments section below.
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I’m confused–how can anyone’s date be someone’s “late husband”? Doesn’t that mean he’s dead?
Slezak, you’re not the only one who hopes Robert dumps Kitty. His attitude is horrible, and who is he to lecture her on parenting when we haven’t seen or heard anything about his kids since last season? Holly makes my blood boil!
I’m completely on the “willing suspsension of disbelief” train for B&S. The ride is always fun. But Robert? That boy’s gotta get with the program. What’s wrong with Kitty wanting to be sure that the baby-mama won’t come knocking on the door a few years from now? Nothing! Doesn’t he read the parts of the newspaper that don’t mention his name? And isn’t the foreshadowing with Robert getting a little heavy-handed? How long is Lowe signed up for this gig?
Loved the episode. had all the neurotic behavior we’ve come to love.
I don’t know about you, but when Sally Field started the story how how they met over a guy needing the heimlich at a restaurant, I pictured Mrs. Doubtfire “help is on the way,dear!” and smiled a bit. Good ol Sally Field association
Loved this episode but I too was like why the hell is Holly at the party? I hope Rebecca and Justin don’t break up. They are so cute.
Here’s my prediction about a future storyline. Once Sarah’s business blows up,it will come out that Oahi is an extremely ungreen company and there will be some type of dilemma about tanking them.
Marcy, “late husband’s” emphasis on the the apostraphe “s” – possesive? Ring a bell?
Good catch, Marcy! I fixed my errror!
As cute as Justin and Rebbecca are, I hope that the forshadowing with the psychic comes sooner rather than later. They’re too lovey dovey and need some drama– hopefully in the form of Ryan. Great episode though! Loved the presence of minorities as well. I hope that Kitty gets her baby but I don’t see Robert sticking around. Oh ya, and stop with the excuses for Scotty not being around! He needs more air time.
It was better than last week but I’m still not pleased with the overall tone and direction. I’m missing late season 1 B&S when the show mixed drama and comedy with more grace.
EVERY week they give an excuse as to why Scotty isn’t there. It is really odd. They never say why Sara’s kids are not there – or Tommy’s kids are not there. It is just really REALLY odd.
Watch for it in every episode. Then take a shot. It’s the new B&S game.
Rebecca’s future “lover of her life” could be the child she will one day have. Love comes in all forms.
I thought this week continued the downward trend this season. What was with the magic-themed party? It was just odd. But Slezak, I have to say I was mostly disappointed by the references to Proposition 8, which proved to be an all-too-painful reminder of the defeat of marriage equality at the polls last week. I suspect when the episode was written, everyone assumed that Prop 8 would fail and that they could make Robert look progressive. Sadly, they were wrong. Sigh.
New drinking game. A glass of Ohai wine for every time someone asks, “Where’s Scotty?”
Let’s really shake the family up and have Rebecca be the surrogate mother for Robert and Kitty’s baby!
Robert is up to something. Ever since he dropped out of the election for Pres, he just acts like his s**t don’t stink or the Almighty. Time for him to go off somewhere. He practically begged Kevin to come work for him and he treats him like crap at every turn. I’m not sure what Holly said to George but I know in the end Nora will get her.
I have to agree with Slezak on this episode. It was so well paced, so interesting, well written,and quick witted. For a second there I thought maybe they were allowed to borrow a writer or two from Desperate Housewives(which was stellar for the umpteen consecutive week) to put some punch into the storyline. It will be interesting to see if this continues, or if it recedes back to blandville. It appears as if some new characters may enter the fracas for a few weeks to shake up things.
flockhart was perfection tonight.
I absolutely love Rob Lowe and always have…he can stay forever. They can kill Holly off though. I the chemistry between Nora and George is fantastic. Cannot get enough of this show!
I loved this episode. Mr. Slezak – I also cracked up at Justin’s, “Well that about sums it up.” Hahahaha.
I was completely incredulous at Holly being at the party. Why?
2Cents – The kids aren’t that interesting so it doesn’t bother me that they’re rarely around, but I would like more Scotty!!
Is it me or do Patricia Wettig and Sally Field look like they are smiling when they get to face off against each other? There scenes are most the most entertaining of them all! I think we need to be indulged and have the two of them have a roll in the mud ala Alexis/Crystal! And um why is Scotty always sent off to work at these grand events… grrr I still say they spouses – Scotty, Robert, and Julia – need to have a revolt and tell them all to shut up in a comedic turn of events.
There was a time (the first season) when most of the scenes had a logic and you didn’t have to suspend belief to enjoy them. What happened and what came out of the charactes’ mouths were believable. This is the difference between the first season and now. Kitty behaved like Ally McBeal and you’re dogging Robert?
There was a time (the first season) when most of the scenes had a logic and you didn’t have to suspend belief to enjoy them. What happened and what came out of the charactes’ mouths were believable. This is the difference between the first season and now. Kitty behaved like Ally McBeal and you’re dogging Robert?
Add me to those who immediately thought of Mrs. Doubtfire and fell out laughing!!!
definitely one of the best episodes of the season. Brothers & Sisters is back in fine form. still my favorite show on the air. really hoping justin and rebecca work out and that sarah’s company gets off the ground…UGH..HATE HOLLY!!!!
This show falls into the ridiculous more and more each week. Nora would race out of the room rather than pull Kitty aside and explain to her what she’s doing with “Elton?” And Kitty would just dump the beans when she sees him and says, “George?” And Sarah says, “No, this is Elton.” She’s not smart enough to get that something’s going on? The Rebecca-Justin (does he have a job?) thing is still creepy and totally boring. And no, neither Robert nor Justin is the whiniest. KEVIN is ALWAYS the whiniest. He’s so damn self-righteous and annoying. And Holly keeps getting painted as the “b*tch,” but she’s really not at all. Nora just can’t get past anything with her.
Not really that funny – the magic was cute and charming but lack of logic — still mucho annoying (ditto why Holly at the party? like Sarah didn’t know and brought her boy toys/co-founders? Kevin is that stupid even though he was a big corporate lawyer? Ditto Kitty that stupid about George/Elton @ party or that Nora wouldn’t pull Kitty over? Kids can write better stuff than this, I mean really! It’s an insult to fans, which is why the audience keeps dropping.
still have a BIG problem with Justin and Rebecca. their characters are creepy. no chemistry and no sparks. don’t think it’s just the writing ~ it’s the actors. they’re boring. and blah. and boring some more. Justin is such a wuss. Rebeccas is so ‘poor lost soul’ that now it’s gotten really old. just wanna slap her. liked George and Norah together. was kinda hoping they would click and maybe have a reason to bring the ‘new’ son into the fold. just get rid of Robert. don’t like him. never did. probably never will. and geez! stop making Kevin such a whiny, weasel of a guy. there’s nothing likeable about him. he’s just a gay version of Robert. and nobody wants THAT! Sarah still rocks my world. she’s just the best reason to watch ‘B&S’.
I agree with Sweet.
You can see it a mile away, Sarah’s new company is going to find out that Ojai foods is the WORSE offender in the US.
And hence, another round of brother and sister and Holly fighting. BORING!!