I, for one, do not mind that we get a Walker family dinner party in just about every episode of Brothers & Sisters. Maybe it’s because with only one sibling, I never had the big family reveals that Kitty & Co. do. Bring it, Walkers. Bring it.
So last night, four story lines came to a head over Sarah’s drunken pork and bundt cake. Kevin was his usual control-freak self after Michelle, the surrogate, was implanted and put on 36 hours of bedrest and 16 weeks of celibacy. Since her apartment had a gas leak, she had to spend the evening watching a zombie movie with her 19-year-old boyfriend (and Kevin and Scotty) at Sarah’s house. Kevin finally eased up and agreed to let Michelle at least laugh. For the record, I found Scotty’s imitation of a gay owl’s “hoo” hilarious.
Saul had gotten angry that Nora corrected an oversight on the company’s taxes, which Sarah had spotted and was going to fix herself (so as not to upset Mr. Pissy) until Nora volunteered. At the dinner party, he explained why he’d snapped and told Nora she was just a housewife looking for a hobby (Ouch!). At age 70, Saul felt like all his dreams had passed him by and his work was and always would be all that he has. It scares me that I relate to Saul at age 34. Fortunately, Kitty stepped in to tell him that he wasn’t the only one who feels like he wasted time. If you’re alive, you can still go for it. Her speech ultimately inspired Saul to join Silver Studs, an online dating service for gay men of a certain age. Can we please see Saul on dates? I need more of Ron Rifkin and his expert delivery of lines like, “Nora, the last time you dated someone he went to jail, remember? So if I were you, I’d take a breath.”
Kitty’s monologue was moving. Unfortunately, it was also the first time that Robert (over)heard that she wanted to run for office. She’d had lunch with her friend/fellow college Republican Buffy (Cheryl Hines!), who thought it was a great idea for Kitty to run for Congress — and to start a rumor that Robert was asked about at his press conference announcing that he wasn’t going to seek re-election. He’s over the game and ready to leave politics entirely when his term is up. He was upset that Kitty didn’t talk to him first — as he pointed out, she almost divorced him because he decided to run for governor without speaking to her — but in the end, he totally came through. Why run for a crappy seat, when his would be open? “I would be right there with you, and we would kick ass,” he said. It was at that point that Robert and I made up. If he really can be that supportive, and find Kitty’s love of the game as sexy as he appeared to, then this will be a fun story arc.
Last, but not least, we get to Sarah, who, for some reason, thought it would be a good idea to invite Roy, the man who saved her at Paige’s science fair last week, to a family dinner on their first non-coffee date. I hope this guy is as good as he seems, because I’m falling for him about as hard as Sarah. One important aspect of an adult relationship is knowing that you can have a disagreement and it doesn’t mean that either of you are going to walk away. It’s always been an issue for me: I remember noticing that a friend used a softer voice when she disagreed with her husband, presumably because it was less threatening if he thought it was a baby questioning him. Not good. Sarah is looking for an adult, and Roy appears to be one. Not sure why she wouldn’t have spoken to Roy after the PTA meeting in which she unknowingly opposed his security committee’s recommendation that the school do random backpack and locker checks, but she just assumed he wouldn’t show up for the dinner party because she dared voice her dissenting opinion, and worse, did it in public. But he did show up, and he knew how to hold a conversation! We found out he’s a Republican (ha!) who’d read Kitty’s book, and that he likes a girl who holds her ground. He could be too good to be true, or he could be Sarah’s answer to Robert. Here’s hoping she doesn’t eff it up when Luc contacts her next week.
Your turn. What did you think of the episode?
Photo credit: Randy Holmes/ABC
Well, for one thing, I think Sarah’s French beau is named Luc, not Luke.
So? Like we didn’t all know who she was talking about. Get over it.
Great show!
I don’t think I can take a season of Michelle-as-surrogate. She’s a totally irritating flake and when Kevin goes into his extreme control-freak behavior around her, it makes me grind my teeth.
Yes, more Ron Rifkin please–although Saul has been out on dates and last season he even brought one to a Walker dinner. Remember when Julian Glover guest-starred? Uncle Saul may be the family ‘fixer’ but the writers made him sound pathetic even if it was to push Kitty along her political path.
The only thing about Michelle that I mind (if that’s the right word) is that she looks DISTURBINGLY like Holly! (Yes, I know it’s her daughter.) She has the same eyes, smile, and even line delivery at times. It’s quite a remarkable resemblance. I keep wondering if viewers who don’t know who Roxy Olin is keep thinking “Why does this random girl look so much like Holly?” (And for the record, Mandi, I too am 34 and had the same reaction as you and Saul!)
She’s also Whitney’s ‘BF’ on ‘The City’…and she’s INCREDIBLY annoying when she’s herself. I can’t stand her on B&S either
As stupid as Michelle is, I am getting so sick of Kevin as the Fussy Mother Hen. It’s ridiculous. He’s screaming at her that she’s not allowed to laugh? I mean, come on! What guy seriously believes that a pregnant woman can’t laugh or stand up for fear of losing the baby? I’ve always hated Kevin the most and I find him absolutely intolerable this season.
I liked that we didn’t see much of Justin and Rebecca this week. I hope he’s getting his academic/learning disability testing and is just on his way to success–for once! Their whining/bickering was not missed. Saul’s rotten attitude seemed to come out of nowhere. We got no significant build-up to this kind of explosion in previous episodes, so it seemed contrived. I also can’t stand the surrogate and/or Kevin in this storyline, and it’s going to be nerve-grating. And where was Holly??
Justin and Rebecca are another fault with the show this season. Every episode is the same….Rebecca whines about not getting attention and Justin freaks out and threatens to quit school every time she so much as breathes near him while he’s studying. They are so annoying. And I agree about Kevin too.
I, too, hope Roy out lasts Luc – never thought I would say that BUT I like Roy’s solidness and oh, the political discussion there will be!
I’m team Luc. It will be interesting!
I liked the image of Nora having to pick Sarah up at school after she spoke out at the meeting – like she got herself into trouble and her mommy had to come pick her up. Sure it was just car trouble, but she still had to sit in the hall and dwell on her behavior until Nora got there.
I still like Luc better.
They really need to find better storylines for Kevin. Every week he becomes a control freak or hyper-competitive and by the end of the episode he realizes he has to loosen up. This week he was trying to control the surrogate, last week the science fair, his competition with Scotty over who would conceive, another earlier blowup over the choice of surrogate. Why do they have to do the same thing with his character every week.
Yeah, Kevin is the same guy every week. Controlling. Annoying. Selfish. He’s so tiresome.
Oops. I seem to be lacking a question mark.
agreed. Kevin and sarah are my favorite characters but Kevin is becoming a nag. I missed holly this episode but was THANKFULL for the break from rebecca and justin. I usually mute their parts lol
Don’t get Saul. Last week, Holly figures out that Ryan destroyed the low-end reserves, but Saul bullies her into not pursuing it even though the insurance won’t cover the losses if there’s no investigation, costing Ojai millions. I think Saul’s losing it.
They didn’t even remotely build up Saul’s storyline enough to make his outburst at Nora believable. I thought Luc and Sarah had a ton more chemistry together. Roy is pretty boring.
Sarah and Roy are much more realistic. Do you really think Sara the Sensible, Quiet, Suburban Mother of Two would find lasting love with Mr Pouty Super Hot Male Model French Artist like Luc? Roy is the type of nice stable guy a real Sara would go for.
I agree with the Saul comments but I love Ron. I didn’t miss Holly at all this week and am not liking the surrogate part. I basically muted the Kitty lunch – that woman she was with – her voice was annoying. I don’t like this guy with Sarah he’s too straight-laced and she’s more free-spirited.
Thought the storyline about Kitty running for office — after struggling with serious cancer, adopting a baby, and being so ambivalent about the political pressures on Robert — was utterly ridiculous.
I agree. 5 minutes ago the family wouldn’t let Kitty lift a finger and now they are encouring her to run for office? She goes from deathbed to politician that quick? And does anyone really think that Robert would just give up his political career like this?
I’m glad Kitty is going to start up politics again. Kevin was hilarious. My fav line was when Nora was going to say hi to Michelle and Kevin was like “Don’t rile her up!” haha, like she’s a dog or something. Saul was super mean, but it was really funny how Nora and him were acting like children bickering back and forth together. I like the new guy for Sarah, he may not be as hot as Luc, but at least he’s more put together, plus I see Luc with a young supermodel, not a single mom with kids of a certain age…
Oh please, please ditch Michelle character! She is so annoying I literally can’t watch B&S when she is on the show.
Michelle sure seems like the least fleshed-out character on the show. You’d think a show with a cast this stellar would have gone a little further with such a significant role as this!
I love the show – won’t miss an episode. Love the Walker family, but not crazy about Michelle — and..I think her 19 yr old boyfriend already got her pregnant.
Joan: Exactly what I was thinking about the Michelle situation! Although will we really have to suffer through two pregnancies on the show (Rebecca’s and Michelle’s). I figure somebody is going to miscarry or Michelle won’t be pregnant after all.
I predict Rebecca will lose her baby, and that will get Justin’s attention (finally).
I don’t think anyone would choose Michelle as the actual surrogate. Also, it’s a ridiculous plotline that a politician’s wife would turn around after he quit (and he is, by not running) and take his seat. I don’t know any state that would elect her. Maybe Alaska… And yes, I know it’s fiction- but it still needs to be reasonable.