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'Brother & Sisters': Mergers and divestments
What to do when the family firm is in danger? In the world of Brothers & Sisters, you rant, point fingers, lie, tell the truth, come out, confess inappropriate feelings, propose, mount a coup, get kicked out of multiple homes, or spend the entire weekend having sex. Something for everyone!
Dinner and a spoiler? Isn't that what we always do?
The post-consumer foodstuff has hit the proverbial fan -- Ojai Foods is stuck in their ancillary contracts, and they've got 48 hours to come up with $20 million or the company goes into receivership. Sarah will tell the family, and for some reason, she won't reveal Saul's part in this. I can't tell whether she's genuinely protecting him or using this as an excuse to be a martyr so she can rub his nose into the fact that she was right and he was wrong. I really wish I liked her more.
Nora is aghast, and asks how Sarah could be so irresponsible. Has she gone to Tommy for help? Sarah doesn't want to go through that particular "exercise in humiliation," but Nora insists. Tommy blows up: that's what you get for sleeping with the consultant! I don't know if we can -- or even should! -- help you. Holly seems surprisingly understanding and asks for a proposal.
Kevin is set to work combing over contracts looking for an out clause, but he finds nothing. Sarah again tries to take all the blame, but Kevin is content to blame Graham, who he sees as just a smarmy consultant. You totally fired his ass, right? Right? When Sarah says he's tying up loose ends, Kevin blows up -- it's all his fault, and you should never have started bonking him, it clouded your judgment! Sarah continues to take all the abuse.
Graham is running hot and cold: On the one hand, he's trying to see if Sarah's all right, because he cares about her. On the other, he gets very snippy when people are yelling about the death of the deal -- I'm just a consultant, and it's not my problem if your dysfunctional family drama makes you incapable of communicating! In the end, Sarah tells him their relationship won't work. Exit Graham. Damn,. I liked him.
Saul tells Nora that he was the one who made the deal, against Sarah's wishes. Nora stalks off to apologize to Sarah, and Saul starts drinking away his sorrows. He ends up crashing his car into a tree, and Kevin bails him out of the drunk tank. Saul admits that he feels completely trapped, and he doesn't want to do this anymore. Kevin is actually quite gentle and understanding -- say it, you know I'll still love you. "I'm a gay man," says Saul. "Tell me how I can be a gay man at my age." Kevin still hasn't figured out how to be a gay man at his own age, but he's there to support Saul.
Justin doesn't have time to be caught up in the family business drama -- he's too busy being weirded out by his feelings for Rebecca. After several seriously freaked-out encounters, he confesses those feelings to Rebecca. She goes home to have a snippy conversation with Holly -- you knew, you whore! How could you lie to me! Holly figures out Rebecca sent David away, and kicks Rebecca out of the house. Rebecca goes to Justin, who tells her to forget about all that inappropriate-feeling talk -- it's fine now, fine! I like you being my sister! About that... Rebecca tells him the truth, and Justin freaks -- you lied to me! You're just like your mom! Get out! Now Rebecca's lost two families in one day.
Holly comes up with a way to save Ojai -- merge with Walker Landings. Tommy and Sarah will be co-presidents, and she'll be the chairwoman and CEO, and will have the tiebreaking vote and final word if (when) Tommy and Sarah disagree. Sarah bridles, but Nora wants to go through with it. At home, she tells Justin how Holly saved the firm -- who knew I'd ever be grateful to that woman? That woman lied to us, Justin says, and tells her Rebecca wasn't William's child.
Finally, Kevin returns home to Scotty after his frenetic day of dealing with family drama, and promptly proposes to him. It's sincere this time, and actually rather romantic. Scotty says yes. Bring on another Walker family party, and the drunken confrontations that inevitably follow!
Highlights, thoughts and odds and ends
- A lot happened, but this episode still felt kind of slow to me. You?
- Oh, Saul! You could see him crumbling, a little more broken down every time he came on screen. Great work, as always, by Ron Rifkin. His last scene, where he tells Kevin how he was trying to change, maybe save, his life, and how he wants all that wasted time back, is heartbreaking.
- Great job by Matthew Rhys, too. Kevin really came through for Saul, and you could see the wheels turning in his mind when he realized how easy it would be to waste his life like Saul.
- Scotty's reaction when Kevin proposes: "Because I changed the light bulbs?" That's right, folks -- compact fluorescent bulbs not only save they planet, they find you a mate!
- The Kitty/Robert storyline was a bizarre little bookend -- basically, Kitty's ovulating, the doctor advises them not to try hormone treatments this time around, and Robert and Kitty spend all 2.5 minutes of their screentime getting it on. I'd rather they'd just ignored the characters this week.
- Justin and Rebecca... Sigh. Well, Justin was convincingly flustered and uncomfortable with Rebecca at the beginning of the episode, but I'm still unconvinced on this storyline. And now that Rebecca isn't a Walker, what is she going to do?
- Justin confessed to Kevin about his feelings for Rebecca. Kevin counsels him to say nothing to Rebecca, and just stay away from her for a while: "You just need some time out to stop thinking about ... in-breeding."
- I kind of like Holly when she's eeeeeevil. That was a great move, taking control of her former lover's company and making his wife thank her for it. "I think it's what William would have wanted," she purrs. Who knows what will happen now that Nora knows Holly lied about Rebecca...
- When Nora came to Sarah after Saul confessed about his responsibility for the deal, Sarah admits that she's partly culpable: "I asked Saul to pass on a message like some 16-year-old with a crush." True, and she acted snotty about it. But Nora has other things on her mind -- your dad always saw something in you, and I let him have you. If the company goes under, maybe then you could be your own person. Sarah claims she doesn't know what Nora's talking about -- I always wanted this! I wonder...
Maybe it's because my family has never owned a business, but I just don't see what the big deal is about letting Ojai go under. Anything is better than a merger with Holly as CEO. Here's hoping Nora puts a stop to it.
Kitty and Robert's storyline has gotten stale, they need something new to happen. I'm glad Saul came out, maybe now his character can have an actual storyline. Steven Weber was wasted on this show, and now he's gone- too bad.
Finally Justin and Rebecca- unlike most people, I do like this turn of events, and the things that happened in this episode were consistent with the characters and really improved the quality of drama.
Kevin and Scotty- don't know if they'll last, but good performances by both.
AC | May 4, 2008 10:02:17 PM | #Im all fo rht Justin and Rebecca storyline. They play of each other well and would be better as a couple then as Brothers & Sister's. I like the way its going and now add in the Holly merger drama.
What I dont like is Kevin and Scotty. I have just never took to him and they don't seem like a match. I liked Roberts brother much better!!!
Tony | May 5, 2008 5:49:19 AM | #Wow! That was a full episode! I think we could have done without Robert and Kitty all together, but whatever.
I don't like the Justin/Rebecca storyline. I cringed everytime they came on screen. Plus, it seems like it is all happening too fast. I mean, couldn't she keep her mouth shut a few more episodes? That would have made the betrayl Justin is feeling actually make more sense.
I love Kevin. LOVE. From his yelling at Sarah, to his reaction to Justin, to his supporting Saul, to the proposal that made me cry, he was perfect this episode.
I think I may be one of the only ones who does like where the Justin/Rebecca storyline is going... she won't be a Walker in name but she will either end up with Justin OR, better yet, they will remain close and Nora will insist she still is a Walker because the family has adopted her... all of this to spite Holly.
Ryan | May 5, 2008 7:42:53 AM | #how about that amazing scene between holly and rebecca? patricia wettig is probably the second best actress in this great ensemble cast (behind the incomparable sally field of course.) i for one am glad to see her getting some great, powerful scenes and the mother/daughter dynamic between the two is spot on.
jme | May 5, 2008 7:47:07 AM | #Matthew Rhys was absolutely brilliant this episode and Kevin/Scotty totally made my night. I'm just worried that next week is going to be typically focused very little on them despite the fact that it's their "wedding" and it should be the big deal center of the episode.
Reg | May 5, 2008 8:11:57 AM | #I'm all for Justin and Rebecca. Full steam ahead! And I agree with you, Tony. Robert's brother was much better for Kevin than Scotty. Oh well, I'll just have to deal.
kayla | May 5, 2008 8:50:51 AM | #If de-Walkering Rebecca is going to give us more intense drama between Holly/Sarah, Holly/Nora, Holly/the rest of the Walkers...bring it on. Can you imagine the reactions when the rest of the family finds out about Rebecca? We didn't even get to see Nora's reaction last night. Next week's episode looks awesome! Can't wait. Brothers & Sisters & Lost...two of the best shows on TV.
Diann | May 5, 2008 9:02:12 AM | #I love Matthew Rhys. He was so brilliant in this episode. I want to marry Kevin too!
GoMaria | May 5, 2008 10:29:49 AM | #I thought Justin overreacted when Rebecca told him the truth. Seriously, put yourself in her shoes for a second. Her mother never told her who her father was, then she finds out after the guy dies. Her mother is this cold woman and now she's got brothers and sisters and a whole family only to find out after loving them for over a year that they aren't related. I think she needed some time. And he's upset b/c he has romantic feelings for her and feels stupid. That does not trump what she's gone through and she's not a liar, she told the truth eventually. That really bothered me. The Holly thing is nuts. I do not like her. I feel sorry for the company. It's just going to get more ugly. Yeah Kittie and Robert weren't in much of that ep but maybe that's b/c Mr. Lowe is having some legal issues. Wouldn't be surprised if they were written out some due to that. All and all it was pretty fullfilling, we are blogging about it aren't we?
jen | May 5, 2008 10:48:30 AM | #I dont like Kevin with Scotty. Bring back Roberts brother..have him run in and stop the wedding!
also, I like the fact the Rebecca is not related now and her and Justin can get together!
Baby B | May 5, 2008 11:12:09 AM | #I love Kevin and Scotty. Jason is gone from Kevin's love life for good. Matthew Rhys said so himself.
Lee | May 5, 2008 11:31:38 AM | #This show has the best acting on TV right now. Last night, a lot did happen but I really only wanna focus on Rebecca. Now that she isn't a Walker, what is there for her to do? Are they gonna fix her relationship with Justin and they get together and that's how she becomes family. For me, that will have too much of an "Ick" factor. I really feel bad for her in these 2 past episodes because she found out who her dad is and he leaves and in turn loses her family and then loses her cool and takes it out on her mom who throws her out. I hope they don't get rid of her as Emily VanCamp is really shining bright enough to merit an Emmy nomination.
Ritchie | May 5, 2008 11:47:29 AM | #Seems like a strong legal argument to get out of the contracts was that Saul did not have the authority to enter into them. Maybe the consultant had some apparent authority, but, as far as I know, consultants DONT SIGN CONTRACTS! The deal could likely not have been inked w/o Sara signing off. Maybe they will find a formality to get them out of the deal.
Also, the Walker family should drag their butts to court and challenge slut Holly's receipt of proceeds from William's estate ($$ that he arguably left her b/c he had a love child with her). Its time for the slutty mistress to crash and burn!!
BS FaN | May 5, 2008 12:44:48 PM | #"Also, the Walker family should drag their butts to court and challenge slut Holly's receipt of proceeds from William's estate ($$ that he arguably left her b/c he had a love child with her). Its time for the slutty mistress to crash and burn!!"
Well duh, that's what Holly was afraid of, which is why she made the move with the "merger" so even if she loses her estate money, she's still in control of the business.
graeme | May 5, 2008 1:17:54 PM | #You guys, Holly was NOT left in the will.
She got the $10 million from the land deal. That wasn't part of William's probate estate.
The Walkers can't touch that money. It's legally hers.
Scott | May 5, 2008 1:20:42 PM | #I was wondering how they were going to keep Holly in the storylines if Rebecca turned out not to be a Walker. Making her the CEO of the Walker family business certainly takes care of that.
The proposal scene between Kevin and Scotty was cute. I like the scenes they share together.
| May 5, 2008 2:25:44 PM | #yea, not gonna lie...loved tonights episode and i like where the rebecca justin thing is going although he did piss me off by being such a friggin jerk to her! i dont care to much for back and forth ya know. I really was expecting her to plant one on him....ah well. Yea, the kitty thing was not needed but hey...we know that they are trying to old fashion way and i like that they were mentioned...i hate when i dont know what the siblings are up to. Um and finally, "because i changed the light bulbs" AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
MEEKS | May 5, 2008 7:56:52 PM | #
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