Finalewatch: 'Brothers & Sisters'

May 11, 09:59 PM

Brothers & Sisters closes out the season with a wedding, some confrontations, several revelations, plenty of uncomfortable moments, and one particular retconning, butt-covering doozy of a plot twist. Also, say what you want about Nora Walker's sometimes-intrusive parenting style -- there are times when she gets it exactly right.

The spoiler in that picture isn't me!

Nora calls a family meeting, for which Kevin is late. Nora hems and haws about how difficult this is to say, so Justin breaks it down: "Rebecca's not really our sister; dad wasn't her dad; DNA, gotta love it." While everyone is reacting to this, Kevin walks in, and figures they're all talking about him and Scotty getting married. Sorry, dude, but your wedding just got trumped by a Maury Povich moment.

Sarah, of course, goes bonkers. She confronts Holly -- the only reason dad left you money is you lied to him, told him Rebecca was his kid! I'm going to sue you for fraud! Holly ices off, and Tommy tells Sarah to chill. Yeah, like THAT'S going to happen.

Kevin is adamant that there will be no big fuss over the wedding -- which is why he and Scotty schedule it for that weekend. He finds out there are worse things than an over-involved parent when Scotty announces his folks won't be attending -- they do not approve. Scotty tells Kevin it's fine, it's no big deal, don't worry about it, and Kevin respects his wishes.

Bwahhahhahhah! Sorry, I couldn't keep a straight face. In reality, Kevin finds Scotty's parents' address and phone and, when the brothers' bachelor party plans fall through, he decides to meet the future in-laws himself and make the case for their attendance. It doesn't go well: Scotty's mom insists they "accept" their son, but having their noses rubbed in a "fake wedding" would be too painful. Kevin leaves, but Scotty's dad catches up outside the door. He hands over the cufflinks he wore to his wedding -- he always told Scotty he could wear them when he got married.

Back at home, Nora has somehow contrived to cover every available surface with flowers, and install a floral arch in the living room, despite Kevin's insistence that there be no fuss. Several greenhouses were denuded to achieve that level of floral saturation. Nora is unrepentant -- you deserve to have a romantic, memorable, beautiful day, dammit! Aw, Nora. You rock. Kevin and Scotty agree.

At the wedding, Sarah shows Rebecca a copy of the mysterious baby picture that started the whole saga. Cute kid, says Rebecca, but it's not me. Sarah becomes convinced that there's a completely different William Walker love child floating around out there. The family doesn't want to hear it, but Kevin eventually remembers where he saw that baby photo before -- William got it from a friend at a conference, who had just told them that a mutual acquaintance, a female lobbyist, had died. Her youngest son was named Ryan. Is that the "R" child William had on his computer password?

In other news, Nora tells Rebecca that she's still family, no matter what the test results say. Even Sarah ends up being gracious (for Sarah): "We're like the mafia, us Walkers. Once you're in, you never get out." Justin apologizes for freaking out, and Rebecca wonders if this whole thing hadn't just been a way for the universe to bring her and Justin together: "What if, in all of this insanity, it was all just a way to meet you?" They kiss.

Finally, there's Saul. He comes out to Nora, who is typically supportive. He then finds all the siblings talking about Potential Love Child 2, and assumes they're talking about his secret. Kevin obviously told you, so fine: I'm gay! At this point, the family is in revelation overload, so poor Saul doesn't get a decent response (or plotline) of his own. Sigh.

Highlights, thoughts and odds and ends:

Seriously? A different love child? I know Tom Skerrit ain't hard to look at, but how many secret mistresses, affairs and/or one-night stands are we supposed to believe William had? I'm starting to think that William didn't die of a heart attack -- he expired from dehydration and sexual exhaustion.
Oh, Nora, you totally nailed it with Kevin. Sally Field was, as usual, glorious -- fierce, loving, and unstoppable. "Tonight, Kevin, you don't get to be guarded or cynical. You and Scotty deserve this night to be as romantic and memorable as anyone else's." Amen.
I love how Nora was completely shocked to learn that Scotty's parents wouldn't attend. How could they not put their child first? Then, when she embraced Scotty, told him she was getting another son.... Fantastic. Nora rules.
Tommy has no sympathy for Sarah's threat to sue Holly. You're the one who started all this in the first place by seeking out Rebecca. "If you're looking for someone to blame," he says, "look in the mirror."
Kitty and Robert banter about her possible pregnancy after last week's love-in. Your boobs look bigger! You're glowing! But it's not to be. Robert is all for looking into other options (surrogacy, adoption), but Kitty says he doesn't get it -- she doesn't just want a child, she wants to be pregnant! I know that the miracle of birth is a beautiful thing, but I have to disagree with Kitty there -- the more I learn about pregnancy, the more I'm content with being the Wacky Bohemian Aunty to my nieces, nephew and friends' children.
Eventually, Kitty agrees with me -- she and Robert plan to go the adoption route.
Scotty's reaction to getting his dad's cufflinks was beautiful. I'm liking Scotty more and more each episode.
Kevin, however... who leaves a note that says "Sorry, will have to explain" on his wedding night?
Kevin and Scotty forgot to get rings, so there's a moment of panic, then a quick improvisation. Kitty, officiating: "Scotty, please place Tommy's ring on Kevin's finger... Kevin, please place my husband's ring on Scotty's finger." Hee!
Sarah announces her suspicions, and the siblings go nuts. "You all think I'm going crazy," she says. I love that Tommy shakes his head and makes comforting noises, while Justin solemnly nods yes.
Justin, after Saul comes out: "My god, this is like the gayest week of my life!"
So: The kiss. What did you think? I actually thought they handled it well. Rebecca and Justin were happy, hopeful, confused and awkward, not sure what they should be doing, or what to do next. I like that they didn't approach it as "Hey, we're not related, let's make out!" -- that would have been a bit creepy. But because we can see Justin and Rebecca have some of the same reservations that we do, it works. Well done.

in ABC , Brothers & Sisters , Finales

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I loved the kiss. It was very realistic for 2 best friends regardless of whether they once thought they were siblings.

Kayla | May 11, 2008 10:37:42 PM | #

I want more!... more, more, MORE!!!!! and what about that kid, Ryan>?... I wonder who will play him?... hopefully some really hot guy!... Like Robert McCallister's gay bro!.. sigh

me | May 11, 2008 11:20:02 PM | #

What a fantatic episode. The writing and execution on this show is just so good, even the dodgiest of plotlines plays out pretty convincingly. And I too, loved the Justi/Rebecca kiss. Just enough awkwardness and confusion and elations to make it totally realistic. Beautifully done.

Dionne | May 12, 2008 12:12:21 AM | #

I very much enjoyed the season's finale. I think the civil union was pulled together quite nicely. And Sally Field is just outstanding. I secretly wish she were my mother.

Charlie | May 12, 2008 12:41:46 AM | #

"Guess what your wedding present is? Hint-it's $3.88 a gallon..."
Classic.

Crystal | May 12, 2008 12:49:11 AM | #

If William knew about his love child Ryan, that would mean he knew all along Rebecca was NOT his - and Holly lied AFTER he died. His password was the initials of all his kids, the the "R" they all thought was Rebecca. Had he thought Rebecca was his, there would have been two "Rs" -

However, he left Rebecca several million dollars. The writers are desperately trying to cover their asses after they screwed up the entire Rebecca storyline. It's obvious they originally intended Rebecca be a Walker and changed their minds 1 1/2 seasons into the show. Bad form.

This new Ryan "twist" reeks of desperation. Been there, done that. Are we going to get a new Walker bastard child every time this show needs a plot twist? C'mon!

Jeff | May 12, 2008 4:41:56 AM | #

This wasn't the original intention, I agree, but technically speaking William only left the money for Holly (the land was left only under her legal name).

Holly took some of the money and put it in a trust for Rebecca. But that was her decision, not William's.

Scott | May 12, 2008 5:05:57 AM | #

I loved the show last night. Everything was great. The Union was perfect, and Nora might be the best mother ever. The scene with Scotty was wonderful. This is one of those shows that has the BEST cast. They better get a SAG award!

Ray | May 12, 2008 5:33:35 AM | #

Yes, it seems Willam knew Rebecca wasn't his. But to leave all that $ to Holly was like another slap in the face to his wife. At least if Rebecca was a Walker then he had some financial obligation to them, but to basically invite his mistress into his families lives like that. Selfish and dumb.
I agree there are some definate holes in this story line...
Did anyone else get a little creeped out when Justin and Rebecca kissed? I get that it was the season finale, but this romance is much too soon. I mean just last week Justin thought she was his sister!!!

Mandy | May 12, 2008 7:09:58 AM | #

I think William thought Rebecca was his, and she actually was the "R" in the password. I don't think the writers would put us through another love child storyline, right? I think (at least, I hope) that William's relationship to Ryan is completely different then the Walkers expect. If they do go the retread route, it would likely kill my interest in the show.

I think it was too soon for the kiss - it was completely out of character for the characters to jump right into that. I would have rather seen a slow transition over the course of next season.

Shell | May 12, 2008 7:49:31 AM | #

I was skeptical about the obvious evolving Justin/Rebecca storyline but think they pulled it off as well as they could. The stripped back the related aspect and you saw them again... as friends sitting up there. It seemed right.

R | May 12, 2008 7:57:00 AM | #

William's question "How is Ryan taking [the news that his mother had died]?" may be readying us for the possibility that Ryan is emotionally unstable or disabled in some way that meant that his mother's death would be especially hard for Ryan, a teenager at the time of his mother's death.

Yes, William cared about Ryan's mother and Ryan. He cared enough to shoot a picture of baby Ryan on the hood of his car and keep a copy of the photo. I'm still open to the possibility that William never thought that Ryan was his child, but, instead, the writers through Sarah and Kevin, enjoy jerking our chain.

Elizabeth | May 12, 2008 9:04:13 AM | #

I want to be the Walker's neighbor, or "troubled" cousin (relative of any sort) who has to move in with them. Nora is the best. I think there is a lot of Sally Field in that character as well. And how could you not want siblings like that....good and bad.

everwood | May 12, 2008 9:56:29 AM | #

I don't care how they handled Justin and Rebecca last night it is still way too EWWWW!!!
Last week she was stil his sister as far as he knew and this week they kiss. Warped.
And now yet another secret Walker child!
What was once a great show has fallen so far so fast.
It can continue it's downward spiral without this viewer.

Chuck | May 12, 2008 11:37:59 AM | #

I LOVED the finale and thought the ending was really tender and sweet. I was a little concerne as to just how they were going to handle the Justin/Rebecca storyline and I liked what I saw last night. I like that there's some acknowledgement that this is indeed a bit strange and will take some getting used to but these are two characters that obviously have a very deep connection and it makes sense that now there's no blood tie, an attraction is explored. Looking forward to seeing how it plays out in the fall.

Ned | May 12, 2008 11:59:50 AM | #

Does ANYONE know when the new Fall season begins..... I absolutely adore this show....don't really care about the story lines... I just love watching intelligent people and good acting!!!!

Barbara | May 12, 2008 12:50:52 PM | #

BARBARA, THEY USUALLY COME BACK IN SEPTEMBER. SOMETIMES EARLY SEPTEMBER. SOMETIMES LATE SEPTEMBER. BUT WHAT WITH THE STRIKE AND ALL, I THINK THEY'LL WANT TO COME BACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT UP TO VIEWERS. ANYWAY, I THOUGHT LAST NIGHT'S EPISODE WAS ONE OF ITS BEST.

Francine Fishpaw | May 12, 2008 1:41:25 PM | #

I LOVE this show!!!! Words cannot describe how unbelievably awesome & wonderful it is. Can't wait unti September. It's going to be a long summer.

Diann | May 12, 2008 1:58:51 PM | #

does anyone have the clip of them kissing because i missed it please

saron | May 12, 2008 2:11:38 PM | #

My problem with this is, why wouldn't William think that Rebecca was his child? Did he know Holly cheated? Did Holly cheat a lot? She seemed pretty hopeful that Rebecca was truly a Walker. She knew there was a chance she wasn't, but if she didn't know for sure, how could William?

CJ | May 12, 2008 2:18:30 PM | #

I think the thing that stunned me more than anything last night was that Kevin and Scotty didn't have a honeymoon. Why on earth didn't they go to a nice hotel for the night?

I'm not ewuuuuu at all about Justin and Rebecca. They're a cute couple but I'll bet something happens to keep them apart for at least a couple of years.

Not crazy about the additional child storyline unless it's REALLY unusual. Been there, done that.

I wish the season weren't over already - seems like it only came back a week and a half ago!

Jan | May 12, 2008 2:27:10 PM | #

I agree with Chuck. This show has fallen hard with the stupid Ryan twist, which goes against the first Season where Holly confirmed that the photo was indeed Rebecca. It makes no sense for William to include Holly in his will and not his other son, Ryan. I'm not interested in watching this show sink further next season.

Steve | May 13, 2008 3:10:02 AM | #

God I so want to be a Walker! I love that the brothers are incapable of keeping secrets from each other and are so supportive of each other. In one of my many pseudo fights with my boyfriend I said that men don't have feelings like women do to which he replied of course they do they just don't reveal them when they should. TV men at the moment are doing a fantastic job of showing men with feelings and I'm loving it. They are much more human and feelings are sexy!
I love that Nora went totally over the top with the flowers - I couldn't stop laughing when I saw them but the best part was that even though she's often interferring she has her finger on the pulse on who her children really are. And Kevin got a romantic wedding richly deserved!
I do feel ancient cos I remember Scotty's mum Jayne Brook, when she was playing young hotties and now she's old enough to have a son Scotty's age (and still a hottie. I'm glad Scotty's parents weren't portrayed as bad people just trapped in their beliefs and his father trapped in support of his wife you could tell he really wanted to be at the wedding and he kept those cufflinks - men with feelings again.
Although I love Patti Wettig, the actress I do not like Holly at all - she's up to something. If this was the late great Dynasty Nora would have socked her one by now! And why the hate for Sarah - I think she's fantastic. She's honest and says what she thinks. I'd want to sue Holly for fraud too. I can't help remembering that Kevin pulled a piece of Holly's hair out at dinner when she first appeared on the scene for DNA testing and everyone thought he was evil when DNA should have been the first thought on everyone's mind.
Where is or who is Rebecca staying with by the way? She hasn't any money to just be out has she? I thought she was a student or is she working now?
I'm in two minds about her hooking up with Justin it seems too forced and now the writers are trying to cover their tracks. I hope they come up with a better story than another love child William Walker wasn't that attractive and he couldn't possibly keep that many secrets from Nora!
I was really wishing Isaac would show up to hold Nora's hand at the end there - she could use some grown up support from someone who's into her right about now. I hope Isaac's back next season.

Sirius | May 13, 2008 3:47:58 AM | #

Gosh - though this show has some wonderful performers, it has sadly morphed into the idiotic, classic soap opera genre. Too bad they cut loose the creator of the show and original writer - I enjoyed it while they had some edgy political content and everyone was simply whining about everything and getting involved in absurd plotlines.
Hope the creator of the show is given an opportunity to bring his talent to a new show that doesn't defang him in the name of ratings.

Lee | May 13, 2008 5:51:15 AM | #

With all the complaints and outrage people had over the possibility of a Justin and Rebecca pairing, the show handled it well--sweet, awkward, and even both of them admitted it was strange.

Elaina | May 13, 2008 12:14:34 PM | #