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« Brothers and Sisters
So Many Secrets
Rebecca suspects something’s up but can she prove it?/ Emily VanCamp by Justin Stephens/ABC
Episode Recap: "States of the Union"
Let me preface this recap with a reiteration of how much I enjoy this show, which is why it pains me to have to comment on how clumsy this episode was. I have to ask, what is going on with my beloved Brothers & Sisters? The season started off so well with those first two episodes and then…this.
By this, I mean the current gracelessness of the story points on a show that once had it all together. The girls and Nora go away to a spa for the weekend. We suffer through their endless annoying interactions in the spa's Quiet Room, only to come to the understanding that as much as Nora’s children would like her to shut up and butt out, they really do need, listen to and crave her advice. That’s nice, but did we have to be subjected to the near nail-on-chalkboard aggravation of their bickering? It used to be cute – endearing even – but now I watch these scenes where the Walkers get loud in a public place and wonder how they can be so consistently inconsiderate of other people. Don’t even get me started on their crashing the wedding reception.
Not only that, but they are so opinionated. I’m talking about Kevin now, who on the slightest whisper from "cater waiter" Scotty that Saul was spotted at a gay cocktail party dons his Perez Hilton hat and goes on a mission to out his uncle. The show has been pretty blatant about bringing Saul’s sexual orientation into question, but for Kevin to repeatedly interrogate Saul even after he denied being gay didn’t quite flow. It has already been established that Saul is not a shrinking violet. He has always been very solid on his positions and vocal about his opinions. I doubt that Saul would be a closeted homosexual. I do however, think that he is beginning to question some things.
Questioning is all the rage, it seems. Rebecca has been keeping a keen eye on her half-brother, his recovery and his pill-popping. Her instincts were right on in suspecting that Justin’s miraculous increase in his knee’s range of motion and his elevated mood were due to a misuse of his medication. His overreaction to Rebecca’s questioning was a huge tip-off that something was wrong. Cut to that quick reveal of Justin popping someone else’s pills. I felt cheated by that. With such an intense build-up to the story, I would have liked to see Justin struggle a bit more before falling off the wagon. Maybe that’s just the way addiction is. But on the other hand, with all of Nora’s hand-wringing over this very situation, does it make sense that she would bound out of town for a spa getaway, leaving a very vulnerable Justin behind to fall into exactly what he fell into?
At least Holly isn’t wearing any blinders. As she said, it took her five seconds to read the Tommy-Lena situation and to call Tommy to the carpet about it. Her ire lacks a touch of credibility, given that she spent the last 20 years sleeping with the boss and hiding his love child, but at least she can admit that when it’s her future on the line she won’t tolerate the hanky-panky. Again, the lead up to the Tommy affair was clunky and obvious, but jeez — the whole deed was done off-screen! Could we at least have seen somethin’, or is this another Joe/Rebecca moment where things aren’t exactly as they seem?
The show has hurriedly set up some potentially great storylines, but as a viewer it all reads as very elementary. I don’t want to feel annoyed by these characters that have entertained me so much, nor by the simple devices used to advance the story. I want to love the show like I used to. I want my show back.
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Oct 22, 2007 12:10 AM
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I was really disappointed with this episode as well. One episode later and Justin is already popping pills like candy again? Here we go again..
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Oct 22, 2007 3:27 AM
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Rebecca was dead on that Justin was pooping pills.So will she tell Nora what she thinks that Justin is doing.
Nora and the girls at the spa was a wast of time.Love the spa worker who keep coming back to tell them to keep it down.
Then Kevin goes ask Saul if he is gay what do think he will say oh Kevin I been gay for the last 25 years. Kevin made a mistake in questing his uncle if he was gay are not.
Tommy go meet your wife at her parents house.Lena is gorgeous but she is not your wife she works for you.
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Oct 22, 2007 4:25 AM
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The episode was ok, but I call a personal foul on the gross under-use of Scotty, my favorite non-Walker...ok, who am I kidding, I love him best! I wish he was a Walker, if only to see more of him!!
"An American Family" is my favorite episode this season. I think it was ep 2.
This episode was entertaining, but a bit off, as you mentioned. Tommy doing the deed....off screen! What the heck? Then the predictable Justin/pill popping..there he goes off the wagon...and there goes Kitty the commitment-phobe...it was all a bit too much. Nora was annoying, more so than usual.
I like the dynamic of Kevin and his sisters, the bantering and hilarity that ensues is unbeatable. The Kevin/uncle Saul dynamic..not so much. I really don't get this whole Saul storyline; if someone was gay, wouldn't they just be gay (I had to ignore all the Oprah show episodes, with real-life examples that contradict this concept, to write that...lol)?
Anywhoo...see ya next week.
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Oct 22, 2007 4:52 AM
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[quote]The show has been pretty blatant about bringing Saul’s sexual orientation into question but for Kevin to repeatedly interrogate Saul even after he denied being gay didn’t quite flow.[/quote]
I don't think that's an entirely accurate assessment of what happened, though.
Kevin broached the subject of Saul's attendance at the party, and immediately Saul became defensive. Kevin picked upon it and gently asked the question if he were gay (to which Saul, of course, vigorously denied).
In the second scene between the two, Kevin let his uncle know he was there for him for whatever he needed. It was then that Saul, on his own, volunteered he wasn't gay. And note that Kevin kept quiet here--I think he realizes that there is something going on, but feels it is best to now let Saul make the first move.
Saul is of an older generation where being gay was shameful and something to repress and deny. It's certainly the case that something is going on regarding his conception of his sexual identity, and that could include a realization that he is primarily attracted to men. I look forward to seeing how this storyline plays out.
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Oct 22, 2007 7:29 AM
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Ok, did I miss something with Tommy & Lena? I know I had seen them about to drink the wine, then Nora came in. Then Nora left & Lena came back in saying she had drank all her wine too because Tommy was pouring him some more, saying that his mom would do that. Then I don't remember anything else happening with them til it showed the previews, yet when I read the blog & the comments it sounds like they did, only they didn't show it. I didn't even remember seeing anything even remotely sounding like that. I mean I have been thinking since she came on to work there that something was going to happen, but I thought Tommy was the smart one in the bunch. Guess I was wrong on that account.
I never really have cared for Tommy's wife Julia that much she seems more dead than their dad. & this was before she had had the babies.
I kinda figured that ol Scotty would "out" Uncle Saul. I don't get why he's being so defensive about it neither, I mean helloooo his nephew is so gay. & Can speaking of Kevin, can the makeup artist lay off the heavy makeup on him? I mean he's starting to look like an elf in a suit. I love Kevin, he's the sanest Walker there is, but the rosy red cheeks make me picture him in an elf costume, & if at Christmas he comes dressed up like one, I'm going to die...
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Oct 22, 2007 8:21 AM
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The show tonight was BORING. I was anxious for the episode to start, only to have trouble staying awake. Way too predictable. (Also, PLEASE ABC stop with the Samantha Who commercials!!!! I enjoyed the show last week but I don't know if I can even stand to watch it this week after seeing the endless commercials.)
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Oct 22, 2007 9:32 AM
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This is my favorite show, I just love it. But 2 things that I don't like... I can't stand Kitty calling Robert "honey", it just sounds fake and forced and not her at all. Also, why oh why did Rebecca cut her hair in bangs, it looks awful, do you all agree?
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Oct 22, 2007 9:40 AM
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I didn't have a problem with this episode. I think the girls in the spa was predictable but still as amusing as ever although at the very end when they begged Nora for her opinion it did seem silly.
I agree with optimist. I don't think Kevin badgered Saul about being gay. At least not initially. Saul got defensive about being at the party and it turned ugly. But even if Kevin did badger him, that seems very true to his nature as well. We all know how obnoxious he is, although I love him no matter what.
I think that ultimately Saul keeps protesting being gay because he's bisexual. I wonder how long it'll take for him to come out.
I thought it was interesting that Saul didn't come to Kevin's defense when William was being cold toward him coming out. That seems like the behavior of politicians protesting gay rights vehemently, all the while propositioning men in bathrooms for sex...
I was irritated by Justin so easily giving in to the temptation although I guess that's how addiction works.
I didn't think it odd that Nora left him to go to the girls as she surely felt unneeded since Rebecca was doing everything for him. Of course Nora's probably going to see it as all Rebecca's fault when she finds out he's using again.
I was however irritated by Holly's holier than thou attitude with Tommy. And specifically her tone of voice. She's not his mother, she's his business partner. And while it's never the smartest thing in the world to get involved with one's employee, she's hardly in the position to be imposing morals and standards. And I thought it was extremely unprofessional and down right rude to keep invoking his dead father every third minute to make a point. "Your father would never have done that, your father and I were involved", shut up already about his father!
And I wonder if Tommy was an older business partner if she would feel so comfortable yelling at him and telling him it has to stop now. And all I could think of when she said she put everything she had into the business was nobody asked her to. Going into business with Tommy was her idea.
Of course I've never been fond of Holly so that could explain my defense of Tommy's behavior. 
And I agree with llamb, I've never cared for Julia anyway and figured something would jump off between Tommy and Lena when she got hired. He could use a friend. Maybe they didn't really do it but stayed up all night talking?
Either way, doesn't look like they're ending it judging from next week's preview. But I think Tommy has always done the honorable thing and always been the good guy so he could use some leeway here. Plus Julia has left him and he could use some fun, young compassion right now and it looks like Lena's up for the job.
But I'm not crazy, I know Tommy shouldn't be doing this, but it's not like he's the first or the last man who's gotten involved with his secretary or in this case office manager.
Either way it'll be nice to have Tommy have a real storyline and some airtime for a change.
All in all, I enjoyed the episode as usual.
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Oct 22, 2007 10:24 AM
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I also love this show but I was mostly annoyed with Nora. Why can't she find something to do and back off her kids a little? What happened to her writing or dating? She was shrill and annoying.
Very disappointing episode, it was the first time I considered watching something else instead.
I felt as if I was watching another family trying to be the Walkers. Very little of the writing was staying true to the characters that we have grown to love.
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Oct 22, 2007 11:32 AM
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...speaking of Kevin, can the makeup artist lay off the heavy makeup on him?
llamb: I agree. The make-up on all the guys was really bad this week. Too much bronzer on the forehead. Way too much.
Also, why oh why did Rebecca cut her hair in bangs, it looks awful, do you all agree?
trish: It looked terrible on her! Although it was a great haircut (perhaps from Jonathan "Blow Out" Antin?), it just didn't flatter her at all. So glad i'm not the only one who notices minutiae.
Overall, this epi was predictable. Oh, so predictable. And that makes for boring TV. Here's the elephant in the room: Balthazar Getty is a big giant snoozefest. You all know it's true! Just admit it. Julie and Lena are both boring because Tommy MAKES them that way.
I never thought I'd ever say this, but I wish every episode was only about Rob Lowe and Rachel Griffiths. That's the show I want to watch! (Sally, I love ya, but you gotta turn it off a bit!)
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Oct 22, 2007 11:38 AM
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trish - I agree. Bangs? Rebecca looks like she is 11 years old with that hair cut. Awful.
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Oct 22, 2007 11:39 AM
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The spa bickering scenes came off as very fake to me. Kitty, with all her political saavy and her position, wouldn't be bitching about her private life in a public place. I found it ridiculous. And then to crash a wedding because the restaurant was closed? They have cars. I hated that part of the show.
I would very much like to see Holly fall into a vat of wine and drown.
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Oct 22, 2007 11:49 AM
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JennieO drowning Holly is a good image. Thanks.
I didn't mind Rebecca's bangs although I just got bangs a few weeks ago so maybe that's why. 
Kevin's cheekblush reminded me of one of those old fashioned dolls. It was weird.
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Oct 22, 2007 11:57 AM
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I haven't been happy with the show this season at all. I realized last night that if they're all of this "caliber", I'm through watching. I think I may give it one more chance, but so far it's just one big disappointment.
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Oct 22, 2007 1:25 PM
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