(S01E10) As obligatory holiday episodes go, can I just say Thank God for a Jewish family? For crying out loud, it's such a relief not to have a Christmas miracle on this show. I have studied Judaism in depth and observe most Jewish holidays with friends. I have seriously considered converting. So, even though I am not Jewish, having studied and talked about it so intimately, it was a pleasure to watch this episode.
If I hadn't studied Judaism, Nora's carefree attitude toward her heritage and taking up the mantle of Hanukkah to satisfy Paige would have offended me. Some of her rhetoric did make me a little crazy. My husband teaches Judaism and has his PhD in religious studies, so one of the things we have discussed, and one of the things that is accurate about this episode, is that you can pretty much celebrate Judaism however you want to, provided you are not Orthodox (if you are, then you will probably want to practice Judaism in a very traditional way). The rabbi I studied with was quick to point out that even I, as a non-Jew, can observe traditions and holidays without taking on the covenant.
So, even though Nora did not teach her children about their heritage, and they did not observe the holidays, it's perfectly okay to pick it up again, and to make modifications to their traditions. If you study the diaspora, you will find that one of the things that kept Judaism alive for centuries was strict adherence to the traditions, but in modern times, there are many ways to embrace it.
Nora can sure be a little intense. Whew! She certainly does throw herself into things full throttle. A kid expresses an interest in Judaism, and suddenly Nora throws a catered party with waiters for Hanukkah. Which is not one of the major Jewish holidays, by the way. But I have to admit that I might have done the same thing for one of my kids-- so maybe it's just a manic mother thing.
I loved the fact that Saul said the prayers in Hebrew and then sang them. And I equally loved the fact that they didn't pretend that anybody else in the family magically knew Hebrew. And that Sarah was realistic about Paige's diabetes. I used to write for our sister blog The Diabetes Blog, and I was cringing at how upset Paige was about the diabetes. No, it's no picnic, but lots of people live with it. I bet there were a bunch of people out there with diabetes who were not very happy about that. But maybe I am wrong.
I am surprised that Warren didn't find out that Kitty had been offered such a sweet deal when she was hedging. Some friend she is: If she had this great offer from the Senator, then why didn't she offer the same loyalty to Warren? To walk if he got canned? Well, the obvious reason is that she and the Senator are going to get together. I also don't buy that Ms.Uptight Kitty is the type continually to mess around with men on the job. But it's television, so hey, it's all good.
Patricia Wettig is such a fine actress. She could be a little shrill as Nancy on Thirtysomething, but just as the years have softened the lines of her still-lovely face, she has mellowed onscreen.
At least Nora has had the epiphany that William has had enough love for both him and Holly. Do you think that's crazy? I think she was right to forgive Holly. And I don't think Holly was crazy at all to want a share of William's company. She is grieving William more actively than Nora and the kids are. My sister-in-law lost her father very suddenly, and while you can't compare grief, six months later, they are still suffering so fiercely as they try to navigate their days. I'd like to see a bit more of the suddenness of grief, the tears in the kitchen for no reason, the stark reality of just missing him so much. After all, supposedly the show is built around his death.
Blah blah blah Justin and Kevin, yech. That storyline was just stupid and gross. I swear, does this show have separate writers for each character? And could the writers for Holly, Saul, and Nora get together with the writers for Kevin, Justin, and Sarah and give them some pointers? Or do the more experienced actors just pull off the writing better? The most convincing theory I heard in that courtroom was that being in the army and that discipline was what got Justin off the drugs. If I were the judge, I would have shipped him back pronto, just like she did. I cannot believe he got a six month reprieve. I know the actor has a contract, but I wanted to butt my head against my laptop during that scene. Ick, ew, bah. They better write him a damn good storyline to justify that move.
Mazel tov.
Giveaway Monday: How I Met Your Mother season three DVD
Oops! Newspapers around the world use SNL pic as official Palin one - VIDEO
The evolution of TV Squad
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-11-2006 @ 8:53AM
courtney said...
Hmmm...I actually prefer reviews about fictional programs to come with a minimum of personal background and history of the reviewers.
I like that this show took on the issue of recalling military personnel after their initial contract just because we are so depleted in our miliary - and, while it was clunky, I'm glad they highlighted the harm/impact of combat life on these young individuals.
Reply
12-11-2006 @ 10:36AM
Sam said...
Courtney, if that's the case, then this isn't the site for you.
Hanukkah episodes of family dramas are so rare that every time I see one I am happy. What made me especially happy was that they tied the holiday and its teachings into the episode. It was beautiful.
Reply
12-11-2006 @ 12:27PM
Jimmy said...
You know this is a not a great show, but I really enjoy watching it; however, this show really got on my nerves. First, the whole Justic story line was just way to unreal, even for TV. There is no way in hell he would have gotten a 6-month reprieve -- no matter how much we might be glad he did. Moreover, could they figure out a way to write Justin? Almost over night he's gone from being the shiftless druggie to the brave soldier who just wants to get cleaned up to jump back into the loving arms of the military! Second, could they make Nora any more of left-wing radical? Her rants about religion are a tired and untrue stereotype of Liberals. Then there's Kitty; I'm fine if they want to writer her as Republican, but the writers show their weakness in the scenes where she has to defend her Conservative beliefs against either Warren or her family -- another tired sterotype. I just wish show could be a little more realistic and a little less contrived.
Reply
12-11-2006 @ 8:57PM
MrsEldubya said...
I'm sure they would grieve differently if they didn't also have alot of anger at their father for the double life he was living. It's easier to be mad at him than to miss him.
I was waiting for Nora or Holly to say they only got half of the man. Nora said he loved them both but neither one of them got all of his love or all of his attention. That's the sad part for me.
Sure the show isn't perfect but I still enjoy it and look forward to it more than Desperate Housewives.
Reply
12-12-2006 @ 9:35AM
Scott H said...
Number 1, I have to give the show credit for not celebrating Chanukah at the same time as Christmas. They're 1-2 weeks apart this year! The gathering at the end of the show, on the second night of Chanukah, was for decorating and putting up the tree, not Christmas Eve or something. SOOOO many TV shows get this wrong!
I thought Nora's over-the-top reaction was well in character--a character I find grating some of the time. Did anyone else catch a line of dialogue somewhere where she said an echo of her famous Oscar line, "You like me; you really like me!" I can't remember the words--maybe it was "He loved her; he really loved her."
As far as the Kevin/Justin story: unrealistic, yes. "Christmas miracle" territory, yes. Gross? Huh? Kevin's my favorite character on the show. He was clearly tilting at windmills, and he properly lost the case. The brigadier general making nice at the end was fantasyland, though.
As far as the diabetes storyline, am I the only one who thinks they're seriously overdramatizing it? It's not a fatal illness. They're treating it like the kid's been tragically maimed for life.
Saul, my second favorite character, did a great job with that line "No one's more Jewish than me", or "I'm as Jewish as they come"...something like that. But I cannot buy that he had real feelings for Holly yet went along with trying to cheat her at the beginning. He would NOT have been in the room, even if he didn't have the power to stop it.
Reply
12-12-2006 @ 10:48AM
TomB said...
"But I cannot buy that he [Saul] had real feelings for Holly yet went along with trying to cheat her at the beginning."
I agree with you, Scott H. I expected him to say SOMETHING. But he just sat there and let it fly.
I agree with the comments about Justin. His character is all over the place. He's in active addiction then he isn't; he's freaked about going to Iraq; then he isn't. Getting a six month reprieve is outrageous. How much do you wanna bet that he doesn't end up going at all?
Reply
12-13-2006 @ 8:40AM
Katie said...
Great to see your review for this show, Jen. You always contribute more than just a summary of the plot, which I find enjoyable...
I continue to really enjoy this show. The skill of the actors seems to overcome every plot contrivance and unrealistic scenario. I was touched by the flashbacks to 9/11 a couple episodes ago - they did a great job conveying the feelings and conversations that every family had during that difficult time... Good to see that they didn't win the court case for Justin. That would have been ridiculous... Sarah may seem shrill, but she is trying the grieve the loss of her father while also having the most pressure on her to fix the crap he left behind.
Reply
12-15-2006 @ 2:46PM
Jeremy said...
So everyone keeps telling me about this show, and how it's so underrated. I really need to catch an episode for myself and let me be the judge of it. I agree it's rare to see a show with a Jewish family, and having an episode that centers around Hanukkah and not Christmas. I know it's that time of the year where everything is all about Christmas, but there are so many other religions that celebrate holidays in December so it's nice to have shows that center around the other religions. I might not know much about Hanukkah but seeing it on TV gives me some light on it. "Brothers & Sisters" is nominated for a People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Drama. I work with the People's Choice Community and I got to vote already. You can still vote for Brothers & Sisters at http://www.pcavote.com and make sure to tune in Jan 9th On CBS at 9pm to see who wins
Reply
2-26-2007 @ 8:35PM
Kate said...
I think Paige's characters to diabetes is right on the money. It may be a disease you can live with, and live well with (and I do), but I don't think anyone feels that positively about it about it at first, especially if you are a little kid. The diagnosis is scary. Most of use, like Paige's character, don't catch it very early and end up being diagnosed when we are rush to the ER in a diabetic coma. Then, once the diagnosis is made comes the injection trainings, nutritionist visits and doctors consults. The needles stink, the regiment of insulin stinks, the finger sticks for glucose testing stinks, all of diabetes stinks. I doubt there is anyone with this disease that doesn't want to be cured, no matter how well they are living with it. I now use an insulin pump, which improved my quality of life enormously and I still pray to be cured. The writers of the show have it exactly right, I think. I bet one of them has juvenile diabetes or a child with it.
Reply