(S01E13) This is the best episode the show has had yet. It had sex, drama, multi-generational relationships, alcohol, mishaps, and really bad puns. It was great.The premise of the show is simple enough. It's the premise of every show, only this time with a Birthday Theme: Murphy's Law. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong, but we'll all end up having a great time.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I read romance novels, and I adore mystery novels and procedural programs such as Law and Order and CSI. Yes, I was an English major. And yes, all of these things are completely formulaic and a slap in my education's face. But I don't care. Because the formula works for me. I can predict everything that will happen from the opening moments, but I still enjoy myself anyway. Because I am in it for the ride. I know how everything is going to go on the roller coaster, too, but I still strap myself into the car every single time.
I think this is the first episode in which I have truly enjoyed Sarah, and in which Rachel Griffiths has finally removed the bug from her glutious maximus. But I have to say that I realized during this episode what family closeness is. And I am not close enough to my family to be able to endure a party with them after they have all seen a video of me having sex on the couch.
One of my favorite conceits of this episode was the fact that they couldn't have wine at the party because of Justin's rehab rules. I love bad puns, they didn't even use as many as I would have, but that is why I don't get to write for that show. But Kitty gets a priceless shot at Kevin: "Is your little boyfriend in there?" as well as Senator McCallister's weaker, "Have you always been a closet drinker?'
The episode's teasers promised a surprising episode, so I suppose it was surprising that Kitty and Robert didn't kiss in the closet. And I really wanted them to! They teased me and then they didn't do it. Smart, smart television! I even think it's believable, but I can't talk about that in a public forum.
It was great to see Mrs. C as a passive/aggressive old mother to Sally Field's earnest child! I was trying to explain to my son who she was and why I was so happy to see her in that role. She was pretty spry for someone who had to be in her eighties: Saul is older than Nora, Nora just turned sixty, so how old does that make Ida? I think one of the reasons why I enjoy this show is that I am a thirty-something woman with as complicated a relationship with my own mother as I see portrayed here week after week. But never as compellingly as between Sally Field and Marion Ross. I am always blown away by Sally Field and what she does with the material on this show, but for Marion Ross to walk on the set and be able to absolutely nail the passive/aggressive mother role with such compassion and pathos, well, I hope she gets an Emmy nomination.
But I almost forgot the single-most priceless moment of the whole episode, and maybe the entire season (and this was a little harder to explain to my thirteen-year-old son): Having Nora try to cover Senator McCallister's (Rob Lowe's) eyes during the sex tape. And Lowe's incomparable line: "I'm in politics. I've pretty much seen everything." Which he delivered completely deadpan. I totally want to make out with the writers of this show for taking advantage of great casting for that storyline. And if you are too young to know what I am talking about, you can read about it here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-22-2007 @ 11:51AM
Honey said...
I've been a fan of this show from the very beginning, and even though it is formulaic, it is great fun. I don't think I've been disappointed by an episode yet. The cast members have wonderful chemistry with each other - you feel like you're watching a cool but dysfunctional family. At the heart of it all is the spectacular Sally Field who lights up the screen with her humor, humility, and passion. This show's hour literally speeds by, and I'm always left wishing that there was another hour to watch.
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1-22-2007 @ 11:45AM
MrsEldubya said...
I totally agree with you, this was the best show of the whole season. My husband said no one's family is like this but I had to disagree with him. Even my family isn't that close but when we are all together we somewhat revert to our old roles in the family and pick on each other, make jokes and laugh. We can see each other once a year or once a month and still get to acting similar to this family especially if alcohol is involved. Sure some of the circumstances can be over the top but the love and relationships between family members is there and it shows. These actors must really enjoy working together because it comes through.
Now Marion Ross had already shown her acting chops on Gilmore Girls. She played the passive aggressive mother in law, Loralei the first. She also played either a great aunt or something that was more fun loving and life of the party. So she was a natural to play the grandmother on this show too.
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1-22-2007 @ 2:35PM
La-di-dah said...
I have to say the relationship I find juiciest is Kevin and the two-timing, no-I-am-not-gay bozo because I love the sneaking around (only on TV of course; I would never!) and the one-sided secrecy (When Bozo said "you told your sister about us? I retorted "Dude, his whole family knows about you and him"). As people have said, this show's actors have wonderful chemistry together and I really do believe the way they poke at and support each other. I just started watching it last episode though, so I have got to get cracking and catch up online. Thank God for streaming!
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1-22-2007 @ 7:32PM
Lisa said...
Wow, something is really going "write" with the writers at ABC! I really have enjoyed this show from the start and I can't wait for Sunday nights! I think the producers were very smart with placing Rob Lowe into the line up! The story lines are wonderful!
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1-24-2007 @ 10:17PM
justelise said...
Rob Lowe is painfully handsome and he steals a lot of the scenes he's in because he's also matured into a very good actor. To have him and Sally Field in the same cast is really a wonderful thing. I have watched this show from the beginning and I am very pleased with the writing and the character developments thus far. Hopefully ABC can keep it up.
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1-27-2007 @ 12:40AM
Kristy said...
This show is the ONLY show I watch that is not Reality TV. I got tired of the same stories over and over but when I caught the premier of Brothers and Sisters I was hooked. I record it and watch every one twice. The only thing that concerns me is that the last two episodes have lacked drama and solely focused on the comedy aspect. It had a nice blend before that and I hope this is just writers block. Otherwise I cant think of another show with such a great cast. I wish they were my family!
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3-03-2007 @ 10:10PM
julie leeman said...
TO THE PEOPLE HOW DO BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
HI.MY NAME IS JULIE.I'AM A FAN OF THE SHOW AND I'AM GLAD THAT ROB LOWE IS NOW ON THE SHOW.I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS AN EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ROB LOWE.I HAVE TO GO NOW.HERE IS MY EMAIL ADDRESS,[JULESCAT9000@YAHOO.COM].I HAVE TO GO NOW.
SINCERLY
JULIE A.LEEMAN
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