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« Brothers & Sisters
January 21, 2007: Something Ida This Way Comes
"Medieval" and "mid-level" might sound similar, but unfortunately their meanings are very different. And a coat of arms and people in costume at Nora’s 60th birthday party were the least of the Walker family’s problems. Between drinking in closets and Sarah’s sex tape and grandmothers who don’t know when to refrain from commenting, it’s a wonder they even had time for cake.
Nora’s mother (guest star Marion Ross) came as a surprise. I wouldn’t have pictured her as such an unpleasant person, based on what we’ve seen of the rest of the Walkers. I guess it takes all kinds to make up a family, though. I think what I liked most about this story line was the realistic approach to the tension between Nora and her mother. They came to an understanding and parted on good terms, but at the same time viewers got the sense that mother and daughter would continue to disagree from time to time. The situation wasn’t magically resolved, but if it had been it would have taken away some of the authenticity that makes the Walker family so special. Real families don’t fix their problems in an hour.
Kevin’s relationship with Chad the TV star doesn’t look like it has a quick fix in sight, either. Again, it feels strange to watch Kevin be the one wanting more. Kevin himself admitted this, but I don’t think his vulnerability is going to change Chad’s mind. The outlook for this relationship doesn’t seem good, as Chad’s concern with protecting his "image" seems to go against everything Kevin believes in.
As for the rest of the Walker family's relationships, Kitty is continuing to take it slow this time. And the senator seems OK with that. Can it work? If the senator’s actions (which included providing his personal chef and dropping off soup) are any indication, it looks like it’s a possibility.
It was good to see Justin back this week, and I hope he’s able to work things out with Tyler. She said she has a boyfriend, but from the way their conversation ended it seemed like a reunion with Justin could be a possibility. Aside from a brief mention, it was another Holly-free episode. It probably would have been too much of a stretch to have Holly appear at Nora’s 60th birthday celebration. She was William’s mistress, after all. But since Holly is a part of Ojai now, she’s sure to be back soon, whether the Walkers like it or not.
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Jan 22, 2007 12:25 AM
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i agree with everything you said this episode was a gret one and so funny
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Jan 22, 2007 3:45 AM
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I liked this episode as well. I think that Chad is the Senator's brother. How would this guy know about the Senator's brother being gay otherwise?
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Jan 22, 2007 8:34 AM
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I do love this show, but seriously, does the good Senator ever go to Washington? Doesn't he have committee meetings and votes that he's missing? I hope that's addressed soon, because it's a glaring weakness at this point. It's not like it's supposed to be August or December when the Senate is in recess. It's supposed to be winter, and the Senate would be in session. This guy has to be missing a ton of votes by hanging out with Kitty in her closet. Also, the average U.S. Senator does not have a security detail! The only ones that do are those in leadership (majority/minority leaders) and the high profile ones (Sen. Lieberman comes to mind) who have been on a national stage (Lieberman was on a presidential ticket) and have received some type of threat. Even still, the "security detail" would not be made of state troopers, but of U.S. Capitol Police. They would be plain-clothed, too. They look like Secret Service agents. I'm sure the average person who hasn't worked on Capitol Hill wouldn't be bothered by these details, though! I guess it makes for better TV when a bunch of California State Troopers in their trooper hats show up before the party.
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Jan 22, 2007 9:12 AM
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By the way, I'd be shocked if Chad was McCallister's brother. For one thing, the press would be all over that. There are no such thing as secrets in politics, not like that. If McCallister had a famous brother who was gay, it would have been uncovered by some enterprising reporter or opponent.
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Jan 22, 2007 9:15 AM
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Chad is definitely not McAllister's brother. He is only on for a certain amount of episodes, then SPOILER ALERT, Kevin will meet McAllister's brother, who is supposed to be his love interest for the remainder of the season, according to Ausiello (I think). Anyway, there was a lot going on in this episode, so if you are interested in reading more about it, please check out my TV Guide.com blog, TV's Silver Linings. I would love to know what you think.
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Jan 22, 2007 9:48 AM
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This is becoming one of my favorite shows. I love Sally Field; she can equally handle the drama and the comedy of this show. I's loved when she and Saul were desparately looking for some alcohol. I'd like to see them bring Treat Williams back; I thought the two of them had some chemistry.
The Justin character is my favorite; I hope he stays on the straight and narrow. I was afraid that after Tyler left he was going to tie one on and I was glad he didn't.
Even though last night's episode was a little over the top with all the mishaps it was still quite enjoyable, especially all the closet drinking. Nice to see Marion Ross too, even though her character was far removed from Mrs. Cunningham.
The one character I do not like is Kevin. Seems like his whole life is his gayness; that's all that defines him in my opinion. He seems intolerant of others as in the previous episode he made a remark about bi-sexuals. And he's very whiny. And you'd think he'd be a little quieter about his affair with the actor but then it seems like everybody in this family tells everybody everything.
Didn't know how I'd feel about Rob Lowe and I like him though his senator character seems a little too good to be true. Don't know many politicians that are that nice except when they are smoozing.
I haven't made up my mind about the Holly character. I really like Patricia Wettig as an actress; she was great on Thirtysomething. But there just seems to be something missing in her character.
After hearing about all the tormoil on the set before the season began I wasn't sure if I wanted to give this show a try or not, in fact I missed the first episode due to DVR error and at that time B & S wasn't one of the shows online, but then I got to watch the second and it was interesting enough to bring me back and I'm glad I stuck around.
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Jan 22, 2007 10:21 AM
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I thought it was really interesting to see Nora in the role of daughter, when we've gotten so used to seeing her in the role of mother. Watching her and Saul discuss their mother, sometimes disagreeing but supporting eachother, completely reminded me of the Walker siblings and their conversations about Nora. Especially in the beginning of the season, when Kitty and Nora had such a strained relationship, similar to the one Nora and her mother have.
I liked how seeing how their grandmother treated their mother caused the Walkers to appreciate Nora. (And I liked that I got to appreciate another Holly-free episode!)
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Jan 22, 2007 10:47 AM
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I do like the show, but I agree with Great8 about some of the unlikely situations. Not to nitpick, but Joe could not figure out how to stop the tape from playing at the party? I know, it is for comic relief.
I also agree with the poster that said it was cool to see Nora in the daughter role as opposed to the mother role. It makes you wonder how she turned out to be such a great mother.
I missed something. How did the three of them get so sick so quickly?
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Jan 22, 2007 12:30 PM
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jayhawk: The flu was going around in the family, starting with the grandchildren. Don't think the closet drinking helped, either. 
Glad to see another poster agree with me about Kevin. I stated last week that his gayness is ALL he's about, and wow, that gets boring. I especially didn't like him last night.
Good to see "Mrs. Cunningham". She's a super actress and I enjoy seeing her in varied roles. She was also on THAT 70'S SHOW, playing Red's mother, and she was great.
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Getting off track here....but does anyone know what happened to the Men In Trees blog?? There was no review for last week, and it's been removed from the list of blogs.
I ask here because I figure if you like Brothers and Sisters, you'd probably like Men In Trees also.
Anyone?
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Jan 22, 2007 1:29 PM
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Oh, and I also meant to ask......could the Senator be a state senator who would stay in his home state, rather than a Senator who then goes to Washington after he's elected?
Would explain why he's always in California and maybe why he had State Troopers (I have no idea), but it still doesn't explain where his family is.
That is a confusing part of this story.
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Jan 22, 2007 1:35 PM
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No, he's a U.S. Senator. He talks about his ex-wife and kids living in D.C.
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Jan 22, 2007 1:58 PM
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This was a great first episode for my husband to watch. I think he'll be joining me for B & S every week now. The pace was fast, lots of humor, and a charming Rob Lowe. I didn't like his character at first, but he's really growing on me. Keep it up, B & S!
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Jan 22, 2007 2:10 PM
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I could not stand how whiny and childish Kevin's character was last night - all he did was complain about what he had to do to help with the party. God, you'd think that he did all the cooking, all the setting up (and would be doing all the breaking down) and EVERYthing else - all he was doing was supervising!!! He is my least favorite Walker - followed by Sarah's annoying diabetic kid.
I am actually not loving this series - I watch it 'cause it comes on after Desperate Housewives and there's not much else on but I don't get why some people rave about it...it's just okay but I don't think the family is all that likeable.
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Jan 22, 2007 2:13 PM
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Loved seeing Nora dealing with her mother, and seeing how she is like her in some ways. Kevin is getting reallly annoying! So glad to have a Holly-free episode! The closet drinking had me rolling. I just love watching this family, cause it makes my crazy family seem sane!
pinky- can't help you, cause I was frantically searching for a MIT blog on Friday, with no luck!
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Jan 22, 2007 2:40 PM
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