Who else just researched prices of plane tickets to France? Wow, Sarah sure did get her groove back en Francais. She was on a work trip to visit vineyards, but got sidetracked in the best possible way.
Sarah didn’t even come home bragging about her holiday romance, instead acting like a caring, rock-like support system for Kitty. As Kitty readied for her first chemotherapy session, she had family members fighting over the chance to be her “chemo buddy” (led by Nora and Robert). But she wisely wanted to reconnect with Sarah and took her along to the first appointment. As Kitty’s treatment started to become uncomfortable, she asked Sarah to tell her a story, a good story. And boy did she deliver.
We flashback to Sarah’s time in France — sunflower fields, sunshine, and Sarah’s lost en route to a vineyard. She stops at a house, where a swarthy, handsome painter (Gilles Marini) opens the door. He cutely toys with her pretending not to understand her high-school French, but then reveals that he speaks English. He’s good at analyzing people (telling Sarah she’s slow to trust), and even better at setting the mood with the world’s most romantic picnic. No wonder Sarah stayed for weeks. How priceless were the dreamy looks on Kitty and Sarah’s faces when Robert walked in on their gab session? (I was also thrilled that this guy, Luc, seemed to be a sensitive guy worthy of Sarah, not like Marini’s role in the Sex and the City movie, as Samantha’s beefy egotistical neighbor Dante.)
Holly had Saul do a juice deal for her new cheap wine line of “$2.99 swill.” We have all tried Two Buck Chuck from Trader Joe’s, but I have a bad feeling about this whole endeavor. Maybe now that Sarah’s back she can supervise before disaster strikes.
Speaking of disaster, Robert’s gubernatorial ambitions have taken a hit. Robert and Kitty decided he would stay in the race, and he gave a press conference to continue his candidacy despite Kitty’s illness. Of course, he slipped in the polls. Kevin runs into Kitty late night in the kitchen, and she confronted him about Robert’s polling. She kept pressing until Kevin revealed that Robert seems to just be limping through the campaign, without his usual drive. Kitty, heartbreakingly, tells Kevin that she needs Robert to stay focused on his political career for many reasons. “If he quits, and I die, then what?” she asks. Kitty goes behind Robert’s back to do a press interview about her support of his campaign. It’s good to see Kitty not letting cancer change her whole personality — of course she’s a fighter who is not going to lay around watching bad TV in a back bedroom. And she’s driven to help her husband. The love between Kitty and Robert seems to be healing even through the dark days of chemo. “I know you are the most important thing to me, and I didn’t know that before,” Robert said. It seems like he on some level knows that his political aspirations serve Kitty more than sitting by her bedside.
If that “what if I die” speech opened my tear ducts, they flooded during Nora and Kitty’s heart to heart. How much do you want to hug Sally Field as Nora said, “I wish it were me.” Kitty knew that already, of course — that’s why she couldn’t take her mom as her chemo buddy. And she even gave her mom permission to cry — what a well-written, believably tender scene.
Rebecca was hoping for that mother-daughter connection when she started looking at wedding venues with Holly, who was rudely distracted by work calls. Nora told Rebecca she needs to feel the right vibe from a venue — and tells her to forget a generic bridal package with chocolate fountain — “The idea of all the Walkers in the same room with five tiers of molten chocolate is terrifying,” Norah said. Although it would have been fun to see Nora and Holly slinging chocolate at each other if wedding nerves got the best of them (you know Grandma Ida would have been in there too!). Eventually, Rebecca realized her childhood dreams were of an island paradise, so she tells Justin they should get wed in Hawaii. He seems thrilled, and not only for the surfing potential. But isn’t a destination wedding a little bit crass with a sick sibling? Wouldn’t a small, personal family affair at Chez Walker be better for everyone involved?
Professor Madsen was a reassuring influence on Justin this week. He told Justin not to rush into oncology just because his sister has cancer. And even cooler, he denied that 16-year-old-genius kid’s request to replace Justin with another lab partner. (As Rebecca said in response to that nonsense: “Doogie thinks you can’t hack it? What a tool.” Amen!) As Madsen says, Justin has more real-life experience than anyone in the class, and Carter is lucky to have him.
Speaking of lucky — how much did you LOVE this ending? Kitty had asked Sarah how things ended with Mr. Frenchy. Sarah made up a story about catching him with another woman and storming out, so Kitty thinks the whole thing is a fiction just to cheer her up. But the truth is that Sarah had to leave France abruptly when Norah called to tell her about Kitty’s cancer. So that made this episode’s final shot all the more thrilling — Luc shows up at Sarah’s front door and (how cute!) asks for directions. That kiss looked like more love than just vacation lust. I’m thrilled for someone to add that spark to Sarah’s life, especially when the Walkers have Kitty’s struggle ahead of them. I’m counting the minutes until Frenchy is invited to his first Walker dinner. Seat him next to Scotty and we can have a hotness explosion.
What did you think of this episode? How much are you loving Sarah’s French import? Do you agree with Kitty that Robert should continue his campaign for governor?
Photo Credit: Ron Tom/ABC
Comments (1-30) of 48 Add your comment
FYI, it’s Nora – not Norah.
FYI, the writer used both “Nora” (5 times) and “Norah” (2 times). Inconsistent, yes…but not worthy of being called out. I’m sure you’re perfect 100% of the time, aren’t you?
It’s ok, people spell my name with an h all the time and I don’t say anything, sheesh
This show is horrible. They have cancelled some really good shows and have left this dog continue.
so? does your ‘off’ button not work?
I need you to clarify that statement about the show’s horrible-ness. Just saying doesn’t make it so.
I hate to state the obvious, but how weird that you hate the show, and yet took the time to read the recap and comment on it. Hmmm… how troll-like.
Brothers & Sisters is one of the best-scripted, best-acted shows on TV but if you don’t like it, don’t watch. America is all about choices!
First of all Nora is spelled without the H. Secondly, it’s Marini not Marino. I can understand getting it wrong once but throughout, bad editing.
Again, I say it, I cannot stand Holly and wish she would go away. Maybe she’ll drown in a vat of her cheap wine. Everytime she comes on screen I groan and search the TV listings until her part is over. She is BORING!
Good episode though. Glad to see Sarah finally getting her mojo back.
Since Patricia Wettig is married to the producer, Holly isn’t going anywhere, unfortunately. She seems a bit better than when she was always scheming against the Walkers, but I agree I still don’t like the character.
Alynda Wheat reads all of the comments for her re-caps and I hope you do too. I was trying to give you a break with the Glee re-cap this week because I know it was the first full TV Watch re-cap. But now this one and getting the actor’s names wrong and misspelling the character’s names…..come on.
“Seat him next to Scotty and we can have a hotness explosion.”
I had to miss it last night – so thanks for the comprehensive recap and mental picture to get me through the day!
OMG…that preview shot of all the Walkers looking at Frenchy as he enters the room, with Scotty’s tongue hanging out…PRICELESS! Can’t wait until next week’s episode!
The best moment of the evening came right after the opening expository sequence, when they began the credits for the show, and the words “freres et soeurs” appeared. What a great sense of humor! Producers, merci beaucoup!
I loved that as well. I almost didn’t notice it, which is okay for a viewer, but not a recapper.
the points you talked about that made you cry made me cry too. i also cried at the end when they showed why sarah actually left france. it was so perfect that she would keep that secret from kitty because kitty would have guilt for being the reason her sister had to come home. this story line is bringing this show back to where it started after what i feel was a lackluster last season.
I agree. Sarah’s face when she say the French hunk was a reflection of the face Kitty gave her when Sarah was at the door. When Nora asked for permission to cry, I was distraught with empathy.
As people have mentioned above, can we get an edit on this piece? Spelling an actor’s name and a character’s name incorrectly throughout looks pretty shoddy.
Wonderful writing! Wonderful variations of filming Sarah’s “story” …brilliant! Perfect actor for Prof.Madsen … like his sensibility. Like the idea of a distination wedding, BUT was shocked about GOING clear to Hawiia when an area desination wedding might be somewhat better regarding Kitty. Can not wait to see Luc experience the Walkers for the 1st time. Scottie will have to guide him along. Hope, Luc becomes more than just a few episodes.
Don’t forget that the Walkers live in California – going “clear” to Hawaii isn’t that far. Do you live in New York? If you live in the Midwest, Hawaii is half the distance from LA than say, Chicago.
Absolutely not true.I’ve flown to Hawaii about 20 times from California (had a second home there). Hawaii is a 5 hour flight from LA or San Francisco. NY is a 4 hour flight from LA or San Fran. People think that Hawaii is due west of California; it is not. It is quite a bit further south, and the southern tip of the Big Island is the southernmost point of the United States (further south than Florida). Sorry for the geography lesson, but I had the same reaction as MoBec. It is a trek to take the whole family over there for a wedding (not to mention very pricey).
“Going” anywhere is a bad idea for any but the most wealthy families. Long flight for a honeymoon, maybe, but flying a whole wedding party is ridiculous. Besides, anything that puts the cost of a wedding over the price of, say, a small car is a mistake. And anyone who insists on it is someone you probably don’t want to be marrying anyway.
Did anyone else notice that the place where Sarah and Frnechy went for their picnic was called “Cliche-Sur-Mer” – the cliche by the sea? Great tongue in cheek aside to the audience there…thakns, writers.
I was going to comment on that too – I loved that little joke! Loved the whole ep actually, despite the lack of Scotty. I, like some others, was losing interest last season, but the show I loved seems to be back. The heart to heart between Nora and Kitty was just so heart-wrenching; I could completely imagine my mom saying those things to me if I were in that situation. Tears…streaming.
As a mother watching with her teenage daughter, I cried through that whole scene, as I understood so completely! This season has been very good so far, but more Scotty, please!
I loved Sarah’s storyline – especially the ending. Calista is doing such a good job in her storyline as well. I really felt for her as she went through chemo and in her conversation with her mom. I am so glad they’re doing the wedding in Hawaii. I’m so sick of everything revolving around the Walker home. Think of all of those family dinner disasters. Of course Rebecca would want a different location!
i LOVED this show when it first started. this is not the same show. i’m at the point where i think i can miss it and it wouldn’t matter.
I melted into a puddle of goo over Gilles! Sunday can’t come fast enough now! : D
I have to say I wasn’t really looking forward to this episode because I wanted more of the Kitty storyline but this ep. totally delivered. I love how Sarah held back how things ended in France, I loved the talk between Justin and his professor, loved everything really. I can’t wait for next week.
Today would have been my #9 chemo session if my treatment went beyond the prescribed eight. ANY distraction at ANY time is VERY welcome. Too bad my oncologist couldn’t prescribe a hot Frenchman.
Thought it was a great episode. I wasn’t sure I’d like it, based on the previews, but heck if they didn’t put together another fantastic episode. Loving all the storylines right now. We just need that fink Ryan to get what he deserves.
This episode was fine–but I can’t wait for next week. Looks like it will be a riot.
This show is fast becoming one of my very favorite shows on TV again after me losing interest a season and a half ago. Last nights episode was fantastic and the actors are just out of this world!
Anybody think they may be using the John Edwards storyline here? If you remember, he was running a political campaign while his wife was fighting cancer…Do we see a mistress in Robert’s future?
I sure hope not Suzanne. I like Robert & Kitty together and I’m glad they are getting back to a good place.
I’m not a regular B&S watcher, the teasers with Gilles Marini in them made it a must look. I was not disappointed, he was great and I love his story line. Can’t wait for next week for another look.
I couldn’t wait all week to see Sarah and Gilles do there stuff. It made me pull out Sex and the City and see Gilles’ stuff
Love, love, love Gilles. Stopped watching it last season but if future episodes are anything like this… Between Gilles and Rob, I’m a happy camper.
I hate Kitty and Robert, she’s such a martyr and wtf if I told my husband I had cancer and he waited a day to tell me he loved me I’d dumped him right there. They’re such a dysfunctional couple I wish Kitty was with that hot daddy from the playground
I thought it was a good recap and I don’t understand what makes picking on an EW writer such a grand sport! They have a great forum here for discussing the show, no matter how the recapper replays… or spells.
Just imo.
I’m a long-time watcher who gave up the show last year. Gilles Marini brought me back and it certainly was worth it. That scene at the end had me in tears. Good writing in this episode but even better casting!
Another wonderful moment: When Kitty, after hearing Sarah’s story, tells Robert “When I get better we’re going to France” with a little pout on her face! Loved it!
Next week’s episode is going to be hysterical, with everyone gushing over the hot Frenchman minus Nora who I’m sure will adjust
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t Gilles Marini the hot guy that Sarah had sex with in the office in one of the last shows last season? He was a delivery guy or something….
Nah, that was “Cal from Accounting”, and he was some random temp.
Thank you ABC for the eye candy! Gilles is so hot! Damn. Please keep him!
I thought this episode was outstanding and the acting was phenomenal between Sally Field and Calista Flockhart.
with gilles marini episode on brothers and sisters juicy sexy and hot i cannot take my eyes off of him