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« Brothers & Sisters
October 1, 2006: "Road Trip"
Kitty and her mother are living under one roof, and each thinks the other needs her there. Something tells me the scene has been set for plenty of conflict. Based on the premiere episode of Brothers & Sisters alone, I might have thought it would be hostile conflict, but after tonight I’m not so sure. The Walker family just seemed so fragile in the wake of their father’s death, Kitty and her mother included. And even when she was mad at her mother, Kitty seemed protective of her and aware of her vulnerability. It occurred to me while watching them interact tonight that the two are actually a lot alike. Not in their political beliefs, obviously. But in their stubbornness, their closeness to Justin and their commitment to the things that are important to them, mother and daughter actually have a lot in common.
Speaking of Justin (who I think kind of looks like Matthew Fox), it says a lot about his character that his life is a mess right now and yet he still comes across as likeable. Every now and then we get a flash of how the old Justin must have been (i.e. teaching his dad to surf, the fact that he’s the kind of guy who keeps a cute a picture of him and his mom in his apartment), and I find myself rooting for him to get himself together.
Obviously the “road trip” to get Justin was under less than ideal circumstances, and the seriousness of the Walker family’s drive from Los Angeles was evident throughout. But all that togetherness was also a good opportunity to see the dynamics of the family: Kitty and Kevin, both adults, arguing over the remote, the four deciding the best way to go home, and Kevin stepping up and handling a situation that their newly widowed mother couldn’t have handled on her own. I guess it’s testament to the show’s writing and acting that the four seemed so much like, well, a real family.
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Oct 2, 2006 2:19 AM
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I think people will disagree with me, but when Kitty (Calista Flockhart) and her mom (Sally Fields) were on together, the show came to a grinding halt for me. I am interested in the rest of the Bothers and Sisters and whatever the uncle is up to with the money because I think he's lying (although that just may be a hangover from his previous roles on Alias and ER), but those two just got on my nerves tonight. I agree that both of them are very much alike and I'm just not interested in watching two Rock of Gibraltars crashing into each other.
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Oct 2, 2006 2:50 AM
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I liked the episode and the family dynamics in general. However, as much as I like Sally Fields, her big scene with Justin, reminded me of every other work she has done in the past.
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Oct 2, 2006 9:07 AM
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What I don't understand is how Saul would allow his brother-in-law to cheat on his sister?
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Oct 2, 2006 9:29 AM
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I missed the first ten minutes (I tuned in when the lawyer brother was interviewing some guy in his office). Can anyone recap the (apparently) pivotal minutes I missed?
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Oct 2, 2006 10:52 AM
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I thought the show was a good one... I'm enjoying the whole ensemble and there seem to be so many stories to unfold in the future. I too wonder how Saul could sit back and watch someone cheat on his sister. There must be a lot more to this storyline. And, I've thought since the beginning that Saul was the one stealing the family funds so I'm still waiting to see how this plays out. By the way - who is the former co-worker of Rachel Griffith's character? I know him from somewhere but can't remember...
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Oct 2, 2006 11:15 AM
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Her co-worker was on Third Watch, loved that show. I also missed that part where they said what the father did with the money. If someone could tell us I would appreciate it. Thanx
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Oct 2, 2006 11:28 AM
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For the person who asked, Dad embezelled the retirement fund of his employees.
I actually like Calista and Sally's chemistry. Sally does tend to get a little "drink your juice, Shelby" when she has those dramatic mother scenes but she's still a hell of an actress. Her comedeic work in this episode (i.e. with Fawn in Justin's apartment) was fantastic.
All in all, this show is compelling and I agree it mainly has to do with the actors. BTW, Rachel Griffiths was amazing at the party supply store!
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Oct 2, 2006 1:18 PM
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For the person who asked, Dad embezelled the retirement fund of his employees.
I actually like Calista and Sally's chemistry. Sally does tend to get a little "drink your juice, Shelby" when she has those dramatic mother scenes but she's still a hell of an actress. Her comedeic work in this episode (i.e. with Fawn in Justin's apartment) was fantastic.
All in all, this show is compelling and I agree it mainly has to do with the actors. BTW, Rachel Griffiths was amazing at the party supply store!
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Oct 2, 2006 1:18 PM
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I like the show, though not as much as I was hoping to. It's a bit more cliched than I was expecting it to be. And I just cannot stand the music/songs they play under so many scenes. Let the words help us feel, not the lyricss to some song playing behind them. And enought with the heavy handed political banter between Kitty and her mom. It just seems kind of forced.
My theory about Saul sitting back while his sister is cheated on is that he is behind the embezzelemnet and that Bill found out about it. Saul and Bill agreed to keep each others secrets.
More Baltahzar Getty please! Yum-my!!!
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Oct 2, 2006 4:47 PM
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I like the show, though not as much as I was hoping to. It's a bit more cliched than I was expecting it to be. And I just cannot stand the music/songs they play under so many scenes. Let the words help us feel, not the lyricss to some song playing behind them. And enought with the heavy handed political banter between Kitty and her mom. It just seems kind of forced.
My theory about Saul sitting back while his sister is cheated on is that he is behind the embezzelemnet and that Bill found out about it. Saul and Bill agreed to keep each others secrets.
More Baltahzar Getty please! Yum-my!!!
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Oct 2, 2006 4:48 PM
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I'm surprised no one mentioned how beautiful the scene was when Sarah got home and her husband had bought the grass skirt (the last one) for their daughter. I don't know the name of the little actress who sang the Hawaiian tune Daddy had taught her, but what a doll!
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Oct 2, 2006 6:57 PM
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