In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Brothers and Sisters
The War At Home
Even wedding dress shopping can't keep their minds off Justin. Brothers & Sisters by Michael Desmond/ABC
Episode Recap: "Home Front"
As Brothers and Sisters jumps into its second season, it's nice to see that the neurotic and argumentative Walkers are still just that. The little quirks that made us love them last year are all back in full force. They talk over one another, pick at each other, hold mini-grudges against each other, get drunk together and they worry about each other. Tonight it was the worrying that was at the crux of the show.
Justin, still on active duty in Iraq, has not been in touch for 21 days. Is he okay? Is he injured . . . or worse? Starting the show off with Nora recording a video message to her son was an effective way of catching us up with the family and keeping Justin's off-screen character as much a part of the show as the rest of the family. One of my favorite moments was just after Nora signed off and her game face immediately reverted back to the mask of concern that we know she's been wearing since that tearful airport good-bye in last season's finale. There's no wondering in my book why Sally Field won the Emmy.
The whole family is concerned about their baby brother, but life goes on. It's Kitty's birthday and she has come home from campaigning with the senator to not celebrate. Of course, this means there's going to be a party thrown by none other than Rebecca, the interloper in the family as far as Kitty's concerned. That's no surprise, however, since Kitty is constantly surly. For some reason, Kitty feels it's her prerogative to be flat-out rude to Rebecca. Granted, the girl is living in Kitty's room. Can someone explain that? The Walker manse is expansive and we know, since Kitty slept on its hard mattress, that they have a guest room. And Rebecca has a mother! Sure, they had a spat about Rebecca's "tryst" with Joe, but I find it hard to believe that the strong-willed Holly would just let that situation continue for three months.
It could be that Holly is biding her time, since she has more or less absconded with Tommy. Tit for tat. I doubt it though, since she and Nora are building their own friendship. Awkward as it may be to find your husband's mistress one step and a giant flower arrangement ahead of you when visiting your dead husband's grave, it was a nice moment to see them both get their backs up as they suspected an approaching busty brunette of being yet another woman in William's life.
The question, as Tommy so appropriately raised, is this: "Are we over hating Holly yet?" It certainly seems like the writers want us to lose some of that distaste that she engendered last season, but I'm just not sure that we've seen the last of Holly's vindictive side yet. Who knows? If Holly becomes the woman scorned again now that Saul is trying not to make eyes at Milo, Holly may just bare her fangs once more. Before you hit "submit" on your comment . . . I know that these two have put their burgeoning relationship to bed, but still, I'm sure Holly would like Saul to pine for her just a mite bit longer before moving on.
Speaking of pining, we have Tommy's wife, who has been mourning the loss of their baby son, William. She doesn't want to be around her rambunctious in-laws. Understandable. But when word comes that Justin's unit was hit by a roadside bomb, she puts aside her grief to be there for the family. That's great. Maybe next week I'll remember her name.
So yes, after endless worrying about Justin's lack of communication and arguing with Kitty over not asking the senator to use his connections to get news about her son, the senator broke with his ethics and pulled some strings. He informed the family that Justin was fine and was returning from a mission and would be in touch soon. Two minutes later – just enough time for every Walker to grab a goblet of wine and start dancing to '70s music – he gets a call informing him that Justin's unit had since been bombed and there were casualties.
Is the not-knowing easier than the knowing? It seems so. Nora, having promised to be brave for Justin, busied herself with fixing his room – it's that or die herself of worry. Oddly enough, this family, which always comes together in times of despair, dispersed rather quickly to handle the news in their own way. Kitty stayed home to be with Nora. Sarah turned to her estranged husband Joe, whose earlier advances confused the issue of their separation. Kevin, still smarting from a barb from his man-of-the-cloth boyfriend about not having faith in their relationship, tried his hand at prayer. Tommy and his wife went home and Rebecca, speaking for us all, expressed the truth of the matter in her own video email. Justin is the heart of the family. We all miss him and we all hope he's O.K.
That said, it wasn't all serious. Here are some notable moments that lightened the mood:
- Nora and Kitty, the future First Fiancée, had a tiff while shopping for wedding dresses, which was recorded by a passer-by (who to my eyes resembled Ashton Kutcher) and uploaded to YouTube.
- Kevin, doing his best to involve himself in Jason’s life at church and trying to hide the fact that he was taking a classic Walker phone call mid-service.
- Kevin denying he was narcissistic to Jason while throwing a fit over Jason’s new work assignment.
-A drunk Kevin blaming his relationship woes on Kitty for having made him watch The Thorn Birds years ago.
- (I wasn't too crazy about) Nora flipping out at the Mexican restaurant. We get it. She's a little stressed.
- The Walkers leaping into dance mode like characters from the Peanuts once the music starts.
Now that we've had our reunion with the Walkers, you tell me: Do you want Joe and Sarah back together as much as I do? Has Nora and Holly’s "friendship" progressed too quickly? And can somebody please tell me what Tommy's wife's name is?
Find video of Brothers & Sisters with our Online Video Guide.
To get up close and personal with the Walker clan, tune into TV Guide Network for "Brothers & Sisters: Family Album"; Oct. 3, 11pm/ET.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Sep 30, 2007 11:00 PM
|
Okay, so last Sunday night I had nothing to do so I watched the recap show and instantly got hooked. So in the last week, I watched every episode sans The Other Walker because it was nowhere to be found online, but needless to say I dot hooked. Anyways, I absolutely loved the show and the premiere was just wonderful.
I was so happy when Sarah and Joe got back together, but then so mad when he basically said he wanted a divorce at the end of the episode. Why, why, why?
Anyways, I loved the show and I am looking forward to seeing what commits y'all have.
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 12:05 AM
|
Tommy's wife's name is Julia
WTH was the preview with the Military funeral? Are they killing Justin off already?? If they do...I STOP watching!
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 12:22 AM
|
Like Rhonda mentioned before last nights episode reminded me as to why I love the Walkers. I have a feeling that this season will be good on many levels. Bringing issues that are normally not discussed on TV (the war in Iraq, relationships, motherhood, divorce, and just dealing with life day to day stuff). I am a fan of the whole Joe and Sarah relationship. I hope things work out for them and they get back together, but I have a feeling it won't happen:o(.
I have a feeling that Julia and Tommy are headed down the same road as Joe and Sarah (ie divorce). Julia seems to be too selfish and not recognizing her husband is also having a hard time with everything despite his happy demeanor. I do agree with Rebbecca in that Tommy is taking care of everyone (Elizabeth and Julia) while no one is taking care of him. I am hoping there will have a scene where he breaks down due to stress and grief just to show he is not modern day Superman (and Balthazar Getty acting skills).
I liked Kevin's relationship with Jason, but I miss Scotty. I get the feeling Kevin did not love Jason but was really happy with the stability he gave him in his life. I heard Scotty will be making an appearance this season, so I am hoping for a new love interest for him. I am still unsure what to make of about Uncle Saul and him being possibly gay. His scenes with Milo are interesting, but I can't get pass the fact that I know Milo as Summer's Dad from The O.C. Sally Field is amazing by the way in case no one noticed the way she does these emotional scenes makes me want grab the nearest tissue box and cry along with her. Emmy well deserved !!!
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 1:43 AM
|
|
it's was a great way to start the new season and a poweful episode loved it
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 3:16 AM
|
I love the Walker's squabling. They remind me of the Quatermaines from General Hospital.
Sally Field is always amazing, and I knew last year that she was going to get that Emmy.
Kevin blaming Kitt for his relationship problems because of watching The Thorn Birds...hysterical. He cracks me up all the time.
I use to like Tommy's wife Julia, but Im not anymore. I know she is still grieving over her sons death, but to mentioned when Kevin dies....is hitting below the belt.
Now to answer some of your questions Rhoda, yeah I would like to see Joe and Sara back together. Yeah Nora and Holly's friendship or whatever you want to call it has progressed to soon.
Plus I knew Nora was going to give Kitty her wedding dress. It was so obvious that she was going to do that.
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 3:57 AM
|
I want Joe and Sara back together.
I want Rebecca to go home to Holly.
After a year, seeing the forgiving nature Nora has, I guess I can see hers and Holly's relationship improving this quickly. I personally wouldn't, but Nora is a goody-goody type!
SPOILER:
I doubt that's Jason's funeral we see next week.....and I wouldn't bring that up except that someone else already has.
END OF SPOILER
I thought the show was very funny and good. Still not a fan of Kevin's and his kissing his boyfriends every episode. He gets more action than anyone!
My favorite part was the sexy gal walking toward the gravesite while Nora and Holly got all indignant about it. Hilarious.
And....I think there's more going on with Julia than the death of her son. And who's to judge how she should grieve? To each his own. But if she has post partum depression on top of that, then she should be excused some major faux pas and bad moods.
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 6:25 AM
|
But when word comes that Justin's unit was hit by a roadside bomb she puts aside her grief to be there for the family.
Not to nit-pick, but Julia showed up at the party before they heard Justin's unit had been hit. She came because she got Tommy's message that he was okay. I agree that was her attempt to reach out to the family again, but it was to share happy times, not grief. It was after she showed up that Robert got the phone call about the IED.
Totally didn't see the Saul & Milo thing coming. I thought Milo would have a crush and Saul would struggle to find a way to let him down and still maintain a friendship. Hmm, wonder is Saul watched The Thornbirds with Kevin and Kitty?
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 8:51 AM
|
I too was one of the late converts to this show, watching all of the episodes online the last week or two of summer. I had been patiently awaiting this premeire and it did not disappoint!
First, Joe and Sarah- I would absolutely love to see them work this stuff out, but I agree that it may not work as easily as it may seem. Clearly Joe is still attracted to Sarah, but whatever it was that was not ok for him in the marriage really hasn't changed that much because he apparently does want to go ahead with the divorce.
As for Julia and Tommy- I agree that Julia was a much more likable character when things were going just fine for her and Tommy. To be fair I find that they don't really give them very much screen time. We only see Julia upset with Tommy. She clearly is dealing with some sort of depression as well as baby William's death. I really wish that Nora and Sarah would reach out to her more. I saw it at the very end of the episode, Sarah went over and started talking to her...but seriously? They continue to say over and over how the Walkers are there for each other, but no one seems to have noticed that Julia is not ok! (and really, neither is Tommy!)
I do think it is a little weird that Rebecca took over Kitty's room and also a bit of her place in Nora's home, however, when she said in the bathroom that its just because she was there, I could totally relate. Nora just needs someone, and she has a huge family who used to all live with her and who she had to take care of. It is much easier for her to be taking care of everyone else than it is for her to just sit and wait to hear from Justin.
And yeah, I really hope Justin comes back too.
Saul? I don't know about him. And I don't really know about Milo either. Apparently a man cannot just be a batchelor these days, he has to be gay if he isn't married by the age of thirty. I liked the chemistry betweent Saul and Holly, but I can also understand that was weird for Saul having to constantly choose sides.
Oh and Kitty, well, I just think she is funny. She is always going to give Rebecca a hard time because she is, in a way, taking her place in the family. Kitty hates not being the center of attention, especially when it comes to Justin and Nora, so there are going to continue to be issues between Kitty and Rebecca.
My favorite part about this show is that a lot of the things that happen are real. Though I wouldn't say I have ever fought quite as much or as loudly as the Walker clan, my own family does squabble like that over family meals, and it just is funny and hits very close to home.
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 9:49 AM
|
I LOVE this show...SO glad its back!!! So I thought the whole Kitty/Rebecca vibe wasn't too cool. When is Kitty just gonna give in and accept her? If Sara can accept Rebecca why can't kitty?
I thought Kevin praying at the end for Justin was really sweet...something you wouldn't expect to come from any child raised by Nora Walker lol.
I don't think that funeral is Justin's, there's NO WAY that they would kill him off. Also i'm worried that there's more than meets the eye w/ Tommy's wife. She's on her way to a breakdown I think. Sara and Joe...why would he want a divorce? Unless he's seeing someone else on the side now.
I cant wait for next weeks epi!!!
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 10:07 AM
|
The Walkers are back and for entertainment value I can't complain. As an expose on real life I say get real. Scene by scene you might be able to make a case for realism, but in toto you need a city of 50,000 to put it all together.
I cannot disagree that Sally Fields can act, but I would suppose that part of the reason she won the Emmy was the voters knew she would rail against Bush and the war that is featured so nicely on her show.
I wonder if the actor playing Justin was in a play or another show that required a beard, because if the producers had any respect whatsoever for the sacrifices military families are making the last image [I am assuming they will kill him off because Kitty can go bonkers]of him was in a uniform men and women have died wearing riding up with a five day beard. Disgusting!!!
Next thing I wonder, if Kevin's boyfriend will stay and leave the church because gay love is stronger then someone's faith .
Next reality - How many national presidential significant others can go out and drink shots without 10,000 camera crews following them around? I am sure it is bad enough if you are a spouse, but the live-in fiance` surely would be worse. If she is this political savvy person who is upset about puff questions wouldn't she at least look around for a cell phone camera before she and her mother got into it?
Sarah must be disappointed and confused but her issues are only compounded because she has to run to her brother and give the details of her 'Whirlpool whoppie'. I don't think I've lived a sheltered life but I would really love to hear how many bloggers have the kinds of conversations the Walkers have and if you do, do you talk to the same sibling after they have blabbed when you talk? I can understand Sarah talking to someone afterwards because in her mind she had hope, but wouldn't a tamer snippet that they had gotten together makes sense, but this is the Walkers and before you rip me for my complaints The show is good [especially since there isn't anything better 8-)]. It's like waiting and watching for a train wreck.
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 10:07 AM
|
Loved the episode but the thing about the house bothered me the whole time. Isn't that the house they grew up in? If so wouldn't it have enough bedrooms so that Rebecca didn't have to take Kitty's room? That just seemed off to me.
The other thing is how fast Julia got over her problems and just showed up. I agree they aren't giving her and Tommy enough screen time and I am not saying that as a fan of either actor I just don't think we know that part of the family enough.
I really like the relationship between Holly and Nora and I can see it happening that quickly just because of the kind of people they are.
I was a late comer to the show, just watching it this summer and I am glad to see the new episodes are as good as the ones I have been watching.
Oh and btw- showing my age, I think of Milo as the "hunk" from the movie "Flashdance".
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 10:07 AM
|
|
I love B&S, but this season I hope we see Kevin being much less of a whiner..dude, lighten up..as Sal said, you don't see how lucky you are (or something to that effect). And I'm so mad at Joe for basically telling Sarah he didn't want to be married anymore...i wanted them back together...and really, how does this big family NOT know that tommy and...JULIA...are in conflict after the loss of baby william...doesnt' seem like a tight family kind of thing to me..can't wait for next week!
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 10:13 AM
|
|
It's funny I just want to add that I too am a late comer to this show and I only just started watching it on dvd the last 3 weeks and I'm instantly hooked!
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 10:19 AM
|
Hahaha! The Walkers did look exactly like a Peanuts episode when they started dancing. Totally made me laugh out loud.
And thanks, PeggyK, it was killing me trying to figure out where I'd seen Milo. 
|
|
Oct 1, 2007 10:48 AM
|
|
|
