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« Brothers & Sisters
April 15, 2007: Game Night
Joe kissed Rebecca. When Rebecca first came into the picture I never thought I’d be writing that sentence. I can’t believe Joe. It just seems so, well, out of character. Although I guess we don’t really know very much about him, to be honest. He’s a musician, he stays at home with the kids, he seems frustrated and bored at times, and his marriage to Sarah seems to have its problems. But basically all his on-screen time has involved his shared marital problems with Sarah, or, a few episodes back, his reaction to Paige’s diabetes. So I guess we don’t actually know much about Joe himself. But kissing his wife’s newly discovered half sister definitely doesn’t say very much about him as a person. And it seems especially creepy that it happened right after Rebecca told him about her much older ex-boyfriend. Was Joe taking that as a sign that she’d be interested in him as well? I’m not sure how Joe and Sarah’s already troubled marriage can be OK after all this, even though as of right now only Justin knows. But this is the Walkers we’re talking about, so I’m guessing this secret, like most Walker family secrets, will be brought out into the open before long.
In some lighter news, the return of game night showcased the Walkers at their competitive, bickering-but-loving best. “Keeping up with the Joneses” (as Robert described it) proved to be more difficult than expected, as the Walkers lost the game, yet again, on the last question. I couldn’t remember Juliet’s last name either, so I totally thought that Rebecca was going to be right, triggering a great family moment. Maybe that would have been too obvious, though. And Rebecca getting the answer wrong did set the scene for a nice moment with Kitty, the Walker who’s taking the longest to warm up to Rebecca.
A lot of people, myself included, have been commenting on the fact that Kitty’s relationship with Senator McCallister is taking her away from her family. Robert’s appearance at game night actually went better than I expected, and not because it went well between him and Kitty, because obviously it didn’t. But the scene with Kitty, Kevin and Robert in the kitchen arguing about Kevin’s disastrous date with Robert’s brother Jason was very Walker-like. Robert’s comment that he was going to ignore most of Kitty’s “apology” fit in very well with the whole arguing-but-still-liking-each-other thing that the Walkers are known for.
Other highlights:
Susan Sullivan and Jenna Elfman (Susan played Jenna’s mother-in-law on Dharma & Greg) teaming up again as the mother-and-daughter team of Miranda and Lizzie Jones. (Jenna’s pregnant in real life, by the way.)
The Walkers playing charades... some of their guesses were so ridiculous! The shots of them shouting various movie titles at each other, mixed with Rebecca’s face watching them, was another good example of how hard it must be to try to fit in with this group.
All of Kevin’s guesses: backstabber, shrew, "Die, Kitty, Die"? I guess it’s safe to say he’s holding a grudge.
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Apr 16, 2007 12:03 AM
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Maybe I've watched too many TV shows, but my first reaction was that she might be lying.
Don't get me wrong. I like Rebecca, but the one thing that this show has done is show unflattering aspects of characters that you want to and continue to identify with.
Rebecca's been put through hell by the family and I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out that she was a little bitter. She's the one who drew the shortest straw in all of this.
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Apr 16, 2007 12:13 AM
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I have only recently started watching the show, but I feel like I've caught up on most of the story lines through various TV Guide columns and stories (in print and online).
I have been a fan of Emily Vancamp since her Everwood days. I am wondering if Rebecca might be lying... or stretching the truth, that she was the one to come on to Joe and not the other way around. I can't recall who in the episode (maybe Joe) said that when the chips are down, the Walker clan shows a lot of love. What better way for Becca's "chips to be down?" It certainly looked like whatever passed between them was mutual; too bad we didn't get to see who made the actual first move (Joe placing his hand on hers with the guitar could easily be written off as a music teacher doing his job).
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Apr 16, 2007 12:54 AM
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Rebecca is totally lying! I thought it was relatively obvious as I watched the scene unfold. Especially after seeing her first two encounters with Joe: her being stunned into silence after being introduced to him, and her flirting with him in the Walker backyard. Not to mention she casually mentioned that her much older last boyfriend was also a musician. I saw Joe being a nice guy, and commiserating with someone else new to the Walker clan. That's it.
And if she was telling the truth, I'm very interested in where Robbie Baitz is going with this. I may not like it, but I'm interested.
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Apr 16, 2007 1:26 AM
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While the no-show of an actual kiss is generally a big indicator of something not being as it seems, I just don't see what Rebecca would gain by lying in this situation. Perhaps there's just something I'm not getting, but I thought she made genuine strides with the entire family tonight and would have no malicious intent toward any of them. If she indeed was the one to move on Joe, she just completely burned any bridges she built with Sarah. Sarah is not one to easily forgive, and it would suck to have to see Sarah in breakdown mode yet again (I thought tonight's Sarah was so refreshing!) since she's suffered so much already this season. I actually find myself more concerned about preserving the new sister-sister bond rather than the husband-wife bond, and the conclusion to this episode is indicative of both being shattered. At least it finally gives Joe something to do, though, even if it does turn out to be a bout of infidelity. This isn't to say that Rebecca and Joe did not have chemistry... there was definitely a moment, and it was real to the viewers.
To be honest, I thought there was more chemistry between Emily Vancamp and John Pyper-Ferguson than there has been all season between him and Rachel Griffiths. Maybe that's just because the writers set Sarah and Joe up for a troubled marriage and set Rebecca and Joe up for a flirtation and I bought into it, but I always felt there was no spark between Sarah and Joe even before we learned their marriage was troubled. Regardless of who kissed who or if a kiss even happened, there are definitely going to be severe consequences, consequences that I really don't want to have to wait 2 whole weeks to see! Great episode, so excited for the next one!
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Apr 16, 2007 2:26 AM
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I don't believe that Joe is that stupid. If he was going to cheat it wouldn't be with his new sister-in-law. I'll believe it when we SEE it.
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Apr 16, 2007 2:44 AM
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Did anyone else think that Kevin doing his dinosaur imitation was absolutely hilarious?!
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Apr 16, 2007 3:05 AM
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YES, I thought Kevins dinosaur was hilarious. I was rolling. I thought this to be one of the funniest episodes yet. Yet, it still at the right amount of Walker drama in it.
With the Rebecca and Joe 'kiss' - I totally think she kissed him. I do have to say that OMG I thought she was going to accuse him of rape (I know thats awful) with all of that dreadful lead up. Geesh.
Is next week a repeat?
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Apr 16, 2007 3:44 AM
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Ok come on give Rebecca the benefit of doubt. I don't know where the rest of you all were earlier this season when Sarah was suspect of Joe and the playdate mom. And if Rebecca wanted to get back at anyone right now it would be her mother or KITTY. Kitty is the only one that is still really throwing the ice sicles. But I will say that when Rebecca and Joe looked at each other you could see something from both parties. I however believe Rebecca because if she pursued him I don't think she would have been so fearful, she would have more guilty. I still think that it is hard to read anyway because at this point Rebecca has probably had more camera time than Joe the whole season.
Also Kevin's hating the Senator is getting a little old and he needs to get over it. Kitty is dating him and thats that. As human as his family is why can't he forgive this.
How silly was Nora and Kitty stealing the trophy back. I hope they have another game night.
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Apr 16, 2007 4:19 AM
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I just read tonight that the actor who plays Kevin is from Wales! I had no idea. So he must have some sort of accent and that never comes through at all. Interesting.
Yes, the stealing of the trophy was idiotic. Like the Jones' aren't going to discover it???
phatkhatt, I agree. IF there was a kiss, she kissed him. Not vice versa. And I do think she's now telling it to stir up trouble. We have to have our bad girl for this nighttime soap! And she must be it.
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Apr 16, 2007 5:39 AM
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The actor playing Kevin (Matthew Rhys) has an accent that doesn't come through because he's doing another accent.
I generally like the character of Kevin, but I also like how they portray his inflexible, knee-jerk liberalism as a counterpoint to Kitty. I'm fairly liberal myself, but often get in arguments with people (like Kevin) who are as mindless in their philosophy as the conservatives they hate are in theirs.
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Apr 16, 2007 7:43 AM
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Mary Kate does a great job, but I had to think did I blink and miss the smooch? No because we never saw it. We just heard Becca's side of things. I too thought maybe she was going to say rape, but you have to wonder if there ever was a kiss. Is she that Machiavellian to play Red Rover through the whole Walker family. If some dirt about Kitty and the Senator get leaked to scandal sheet I will know for sure. Until I see Joe's explanation I am inclined to think [hope] Joe did the right thing. Since he's not a Walker he could conceivable do the right thing.
Rest of the show was fun. Kitty was the mean-spirited RINO, showing how a good right-winger acts when family issues arise.
I thought it was a hoot they put Jenni and Susan together again. I am surprised they were not some gags about the old show.
Don't play charades with the Joneses. That brainiac kid guessing before a real clue was given must have telepathy or they cheat.
All in all a good fun ep until the phantom kiss. I hope Emily isn't a weasel but if not her then Joe.
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Apr 16, 2007 8:44 AM
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I, too, immediately thought Rebecca was lying and using what Joe had said about the Walkers coming through for you in a crisis to her advantage. I've really liked Rebecca up til now but maybe she really is her mother's daughter... Guess we have a few weeks to wait and see.
I thought Game Night was hilarious. I laughed so much! I love when the whole family is together.
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Apr 16, 2007 8:50 AM
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While I like this show, a couple things about last night's eppy drove me a little nuts. First: the absolutely abrupt turnaround of Sarah's ambivalence towards Becca. Now, I'm happy Sarah is giving her a chance, but it was way too fast. Next thing you know, Kitty will be doing cartwheels with Becca in the backyard. With how rude Sarah has been to her, to ask her to meet for tea and then one short family meeting later, she's changed her mind completely? I guess it can happen, but where is the drama in that?
Second: Nobody forced Kevin to go on that blind date with Robert's brother. And, he was the one who completely ruined it and was the rude one, not the other way around. I didn't like how he was badgering Kitty so much. I don't necessarily like the character of Kitty, but Kevin was really laying it on thick.
Third: I totally think Becca is embellishing what happened with Joe, and if she isn't, that's another character flaw (for Joe) that came way out of left field. Doesn't Joe have a son who isn't much younger than Becca? I just don't buy it.
Finally, fourth: Why would Justin immediately take Becca's side on the whole "Joe kissed me" thing? We've never seen any disconnect between Justin and Joe, and he has known Joe for YEARS whereas he's known Becca for merely days. It's just not believable.
BUT ... those reasons are also why I'll tune in next week, in addition to the good, to find out if I'm right or wrong and to see what happens next. I like the show for the most part, I like the creative forces behind the show, and the lovestruck girl inside (I'm 32) *loves* Rob Lowe and Balthazar Getty (even though he's kinda stiff).
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Apr 16, 2007 9:16 AM
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I also thought Rebecca was lying, simply because we didn't see what happened on screen.
I thought the "Game Night" scenes were hilarious with the "Bizarro Walkers". They even had a gay sibling. Very funny stuff. I also like the scenes with Sally Field and Calista Flockhart interacting the best. They really play well off each other.
I know I nitpick a lot about the realism associated with the Senator storyline, but it's completely ridiculous that he is conducting his presidential campaign out of his Senate office with Senate staff! It's illegal to do that, plain and simple. You cannot conduct any kind of campaign on the government dime. If Kitty is going to work on the campaign, then she needs to quit the Senate office and McCallister needs to pay her out of campaign funds. He also needs a headquarters. It wouldn't be that hard to just write a line or two to explain that.
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Apr 16, 2007 9:42 AM
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