One of the best exchanges on yesterday’s Brothers & Sisters occurred when Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) tried explaining to Ethan that "Business is like dating." To which the goofy Internet geek declared, "Oh NO!" But oh YES, in the B&S universe, love and commerce go together like a chorus and verse. And not having an MBA of my own, I needed to sit down this morning and chart the way the Walkers have commingled their romantic and financial interests over the past three seasons, as follows:
Last Night, Sarah took a business meeting/cocktail break with Graham (Steven Weber), with whom she had previously had an affair; last season, Graham’s consultancy work led to a deal that financially crippled the Walker family’s Ojai Foods business, leading to the exit of Sarah (and her uncle Saul), and to the rise of Sarah’s dull brother Tommy and his business partner Holly, who just so happens to be the former mistress of Sarah and Tommy’s father William, and the former romantic interest of the now gay Saul. (Whew!) Holly then proceeded to promote (from temp to ad exec) her daughter Rebecca, once thought to be the half-sister (via the affair with William) of Walker siblings Tommy, Sarah, Kevin, Kitty, and Justin, but who after taking a paternity test went from being Justin’s lost sibling to Justin’s sexytimes partner/girlfriend. Did I mention that Tommy once had an affair with Rebecca’s best friend while that chick briefly worked at Ojai? And that he and Saul are now plotting to topple Holly from atop the Ojai tree? Or that Ethan semi-jokingly offered to take care of Sarah’s sexual needs after she gave Graham the old heave-ho at episode’s end? Am I forgetting anyone in the flow chart, B&S fans?
On paper, it all sounds a little ridiculous and very much incestuous,but somehow the blurred lines between the personal and the professionalwork on this show. For instance, while I applauded Sarah’s ability tonegotiate a huge deal for Kyle and Ethan — "I made a necessary andfinancially lucrative business compromise. They’ll be thanking me whenthey’re 40." — I was secretly a little thrilled when she ditched thedeal in an effort to ensure their creative control over the companythey founded. Quick prediction time:
Sarah will eventually have adalliance with:
A) Kyle
B) Ehtan
C) Neither
D) Both
Still, as much as I love the Walkers’ inappropriate business dealings,the renovations at Nora’s "Cancer House" provided a nice change of pace– and plenty of comic relief. I loved seeing the well-dressed clan getdust all over their duds (particularly Kitty’s trenchcoat, which I’dnoted earlier in the episode was particularly fetching). I loved thegleeful fist bump between Robert and Kevin. I loved Saul’s shout-out topinot grigio. And I also loved his quip about home-refurbishingterminology: "Basic demolition is what we do to each other at dinnerafter we’ve had copious amounts of wine." That said, I have to admit Iwas looking down to take some notes when the final bit of wall crumbled(and crushed Nora’s spirit) and was momentarily worried that Scotty hadtumbled to an untimely death. Or maybe MIA Julia, because she has a wayof popping up and disappearing at the oddest moments. Thankfully bothof the Walker-in-laws will live to see another episode. (Though onlyone at a time, of course!)
As for the rest of the episode, I leave it to you to discuss: WHY didJustin respond to his girlfriend’s huge promotion by immediatelydubbing her unqualified for the job? How’s everyone feeling about thewhiplash-inducing back-and-forth over Kitty and Robert’s efforts tobecome parents? (The "it’s running for president!" line at theultrasound was a classic.) And what exactly is Holly’s endgame? Is shereally bad to the bone, or simply looking out of her own interests in ashow that invariably favors Team Walker?
I love this show, but thought that last night’s episode was a trifle boring. (Admittedly I was multi-tasking at the time.) No one’s storyline really seemed to move forward except for Rebecca, who I’m afraid might become a pawn in the Tommy/Saul vs Holly war. (How about that stare the Walkers gave her, when they found out Tommy didn’t know about her promotion!) I’ll tell you, though, I just love Patty Wettig. Whatever happens to Holly viv-a-vis Ojai, I hope she never leaves the show.
I have slowly but surely moved away from this boring, always fighting family. I still record the show but am in no rush to watch, thats for sure. Now, like a fool, I am back into Deperate Housewives (after not watching since season 2). But heck, at least there is some excitement!
I’m still afraid of this writing. It’s lifeless, it doesn’t go into any emotion, and is dull. Come back “B&S”!
This is the show that I always look forward to..And last night was great! I loved the house demolishing scenes, especially Scotty! It’s so nice to see him in any scenes! I just hope that Kitty and Robert don’t get their baby wishes dashed again. And any scenes with Rachel Griffiths are awesome! Next week looks like a good one too! can’t wait!
The other family/business link is Kevin working for Robert. I hope they get Holly & Rebecca off the show and can take the wimpy brother Justin with them.
“copious” was used twice in a two-minute span, must have been the word of the day on the calendar.
Anyway, the whole fawning over Rebecca’s mad marketing skills (which I think just about every human with any observation skills has) seemed a bit much, but I didn’t think Justin’s reaction was so bad. I am looking forward to how Tommy & Saul bring Holly down, though.
And, I love Scotty – every week he does something else that I absolutely enjoy – even if its just a squinty smile at the right time.
You forgot Robert and Kitty worked together and are now married.
You forgot Robert and Kitty worked together and are now married.
Sarah is still my fav character on the show, any scene with her is interesting. I am getting a little bored with the whole child thing with Kitty and Robert, but am excited to see what Tommy and Saul have planned for Holly!
Field and the boys were just alright, but once Flockhart showed up, the construction stuff absolutely soared. The “I’m wearing a very expensive coat” line, Kitty and Nora side by side pulling down the wall, and Sarah taking a sledgehammer to the wall, and then Kitty’s comforting speech to her Mom that this was a “mess” and Nora’s response of “I just said that, Kitty”…all pure gold.
Field and Flockhart are always fantastic, but this was one of Griffiths’ best episodes. She was completely charming in this episode.
I’m just waiting for Holly to be killed off the show. The Walkers can mourn her death and then get on with better things.
Can’t the Walker children ever say no to their Mother? Nora was being unrealistic about her children becoming contractors for her latest whim
I adore “Brothers and Sisters”. I look forward to it as I did with “30 Something” , Once and Again”-Cozy and so well acted!! I would like to compliment Michael Slezak for his wonderful reviews, and all of his hard work with this show and of course–”American Idol” I look forward to anything that you write, and I appreciate all of your time and effort–even though it is your job–you make the reviews interesting, funny and informative!!-THANKS!!!
I heart Scottie! Will the B&S Gods please give him more scenes?
Kevin and Robert’s subtle knuckle bump was Outstanding! I like that those two are getting along.
Also, loved me some Scotty and Saul playing demolition men. They really made the house scenes more enjoyable. Well, that and Kitty’s speech of how everyone’s lives are complicated. That was the other highlight.