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?
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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.
Overall it seemed like a filler episode The joking about fighting at dinner having too much wine was good.
Doesn’t anyone think that the most incredibly boring character in the show (Tommy) is all over the tabloids because of Sienna Miller. Isn’t she the one we all felt sorry for because Jude Law did her so dirty. I guess there are two sides to every story. About the show, the greatest line was Sally Field FINALLY getting mad about Holley sticking her nose into everything and there is no way she can have a part of this project although I’m sure she’ll try to find a way. Three episodes the daughter saw right through the mother and now she trusts her judgment? Doesn’t she know that Mommy is just using her to make the Walkers mad. She wanted that kid to belong to them so bad – it was her ACE in the hole and now she is just a hussy who messed around with someone’s husband and she can’t keep her foot in the door without the kid. Prediction – Holly and her daughter will mess up the company and saul and Tommy will bring it back – what’s up with next week – the kid might not belong to tommy
That ‘I’m not the bio father’ threw me for a sec as well. But remember how they couldn’t conceive so they asked the brothers to donate sperm… Noone knows who the father is… till next week.
you forgot that justin was also hooking up with rebecca’s friend that was having the affair w tommy…
probie123- the baby is not biologically tommy’s bc he is sterile. kevin and justin both donated sperm and it was agreed that they not know who was the actual father… at least until the baby needs a transplant, it seems.
glad Sarah (the magnificent Rachel G.) got some major air-time. Justin and Rebecca still bore the heck outta me. Justin is so whiny. Rebecca seems to be playing ‘grown-up’ but with no clue what that actually means. with Tommy now out to get man-eater Holly, perhaps his character will finally develop some sort of interest (to us fans). Kevin is still too bitchy but Scotty seems to keep him balanced. Nora needs to come back to earth ~ she might like it. all the demands she makes of her kids in the name of “what’s right” is getting tired. she plays the victim of William’s cheating and turns around and expects (demands) perfection from her children. I know, I know….picky, picky. still luv the show. just hope they don’t let Sarah hook-up with either of her new partners. they’re so cool together and luv their interaction. keep it that way. let one Walker have some sort of normality.
I am dreading next week’s episode. Why, oh why, did they need to go there? Out of all the potential future story lines, why on earth do they have to go back to the paternity of Tommy’s daughter??? Ugh – stupid. I could care less which of the 2 brothers is the father….
sarah and kyle are totally going to hook up. i’ve thought that since the beginning.
My predictions:
Kitty/Robert: Trish will change her mind about the baby at the worst possible moment – they will be crushed.
Justin/Rebecca: Same old… fighting/making up, this will go on forever or until some new love interest gets between them. They will have major problems when Holly gets taken down though, because Rebecca may lose her job.
Kevin/Scotty: After Robert/Kitty get a baby (as i’m sure they will eventually – hurry up already!) they’ll want one too. thus beginning the whole gay adoption struggle. where else is there for these two to go?
Saul/Tommy/Holly: Will be duking it out for the power of Ojai, and I have a feeling that the villainous Holly will win out, because…
Sarah: Her company is going to take off the ground and it will become a rival company for Holly’s company and Sarah and Holly will be able to duke it out once again.
Nora: She’ll be the cohesive force for all of them, as always, and will find success on her own with her renovation project.
Anyone missing?
Going the light-hearted route might be the best thing for this show because they will never be able to match the level of anticipation that Desperate Housewives creates each week. Desperate Housewives unparalleled ability to mix humor with intrigue stands alone as one of the most anticipated hours on tv each week. B&S has clearly nailed down the humor part over the last few weeks, but the dramatic parts are lacking. The Walkers have to be the nicest power family ever created. When Recbecca shows up with pizza at the center and spills the beans about her new job title (in the Walker family business) after Saul and Kevin lost their jobs, goes over way too easily. Unlesss they are totally divested from the company I would have expected more outrage and a call to action on the part of Nora.
I adore Sarah (my favorite Walker besides Nora), and she was fantastic in this ep, but the kudos really goes to Kitty in this one. That great monologue she addressed to mum and the chemistry between them was truly something to watch. You could tell by just looking in Nora’s eyes she was so desperate to believe every word, even with her dream crashing down round her ears, and it was breathtaking. Also loved Tommy and Saul’s conspiracy scene at the end, and I have to admit Holly just intrigues me. I believe she really is striving to repair her relationship to her daughter, doing everything possible, but you just know it’s going to end in disaster. I think Holly has a lot of secrets and plans of her own, and I can’t wait to see what sort of shenanigans she gets up to later. My only real complaint with the show is the seeming plethora of secret love children, so hopefully Ryan will turn out to be nothing of the sort. As for Sarah I predict she’s going to hook up with the blonde guy.
You forget to mention that Lena had a fling with Justin after Tommy dumped her.
I love this show. However, I hope that Holly gets kicked to the curb soon. I would not like to be on the bad side of Tommy and Saul. Saul survived the business for a long time and has proven himself sneeky and loyal. Holly better watch out! Poor Rebecca is going to be caught in the middle of yet another war. On another note, I wonder who it is that Saul is dating? Maybe someone that can help take down Holly?
What happened to Ryan? I thought they had cast an actor to play that part. Did they decide to get rid of the subplot?
Kevin now works for Robert, though he used to date his brother before Kitty & Robert got married
“Basic demolition is what we do to each other at dinner after we’ve had copious amounts of wine.” I hadn’t laughed so hard in weeks until that line! I have to admit that when I saw only Kevin, Scotty, Saul, Justin and Nora at the “Cancer House” at the beginning, I was crossing my fingers for the other Walkers to walk in. Sarah’s entrance and wall-breaking anger was particularly entertaining and funny, and so was Kitty’s “This is a very expensive coat.” Calista is perfect for lines like that – especially when they’re directed towards Nora. I do think that the argument Justin and Rebecca had – as well as Holly’s hiring her daughter without consulting Tommy – will build up towards Justin siding with the Walkers, and Rebecca siding with her mom when Saul puts his plan of ousting Holly into action..which will then lead to the Justin-Rebecca breakup and the Rebecca-Ryan hookup. I do hope that my prediction is wrong – Rebecca and Ryan getting together would be too, well, PREDICATABLE for B&S.