TVSquad

(S02E08) "Well, I'm a democrat, and I lost my virginity to "She's Got Legs."-- Sarah Walker

Did everybody lose their virginity to a song? I don't remember whether I did or not, but if you want to share yours, feel free. I loved it when Robert walked in and Nora asked him what song was playing when he lost his. And then when she revealed that her first time wasn't with their father. And that is all very well and good, but I personally have never found Chevy Chase (Stan Harris) to be particularly attractive. However, I am willing to put that aside and say that I thought he did a wonderfully understated turn as Kitty's Nora's (thanks, Jamie) first love, Stan Harris.

So, what's it like to contact your old love, your old flame, after so many years and what-ifs have gone by? I thought Stan was very perceptive that Nora likes the conflict, she likes the fight. But it was equally apparent that he was still hopelessly hung up on her, and that part of his saying that they are too different to have made it together was due to the fact that he didn't feel worthy of her, didn't think he had a chance.

I wish we could have felt a little more chemistry, a little more flirtation, between Sarah and Graham. Stephen Weber is gorgeous, and he is obviously being brought in to be her new love interest, so can we get a little bit of heat or chemistry? There is more sexual chemistry going on between Justin and Rebecca, and that's taboo. I know Sarah can be a bit of a cold fish, but Rachel Griffiths is MORE than capable of giving off heat onscreen, and I wish she would loosen the Sarah reins a little bit and have some fun. I can't believe that Sarah wouldn't have been flirting with Graham at dinner, given the flirtation we have seen her engage in at the spa she went to with Kitty and Nora. Maybe she just needed more wine. But I bet Graham will end up being her date for the wedding.

Can't they afford to hire more actresses to Lena doesn't have to sleep with all of the Walker brothers? Wow, did she and Rebecca go to the same school for how to mess with married men and drug addicts? Maybe Rebecca should introduce Lena to Joe, just to complete the circle. It seems pretty obvious to me that Lena has latched onto Justin to get revenge on Tommy, and from Tommy's reactions to her dressing for a date, it's working. Oh, no, please don't tell me you fell for her, Tommy. It's actually nice to have Julia back, even though, once more, they have given her nothing to do. Perhaps she was just more available than Jason was to come back for the big breakup.

I don't think Lena is long for the office manager position, or long for the show, but I do think she will serve as the catalyst for two events: Tommy's marriage ending, and also, Justin and Rebecca (either separately or jointly) investigating their feelings for each other. That seems like bold materials for network television to cover, but I can totally see where it would be very confusing for two, young, attractive people to meet and then suddenly have to be siblings. I *never* remember that they are siblings-- it always seems like they are dating. It could be because the actors are dating in real life, but I think it's more than that. I think the show has worked to create that vibe from the beginning.

I just hope they are finished dealing with Justin's sobriety issues-- at least for now. It makes perfect sense that this is something they will have to revisit, but it's just a little too much right now, unless we want to change the show's name to Justin Walker.

I know it's completely inconsistent of me that I don't like Tommy with Lena, but I adore Kevin with Scotty. It's more to do with the writing and just not liking Lena (I like the actress-- she does a great job. Just don't care for the character) than being a total prude (though, hey, adultery, not cool, and Kevin *was* in a committed relationship...). But Scotty is just such a sweetie, so vulnerable-- if you go back to the first season you will see that there was never anything not to like about Scotty. Kevin was a bit of an ass, but Scotty has always been great. I am really happy to see them back together, and I really want them to have a chance to make things work.

When Kitty and Robert walked onstage to find Lyle Lovett warming up, I wanted to throw popcorn at the television, but all I had was Doritoes, and it wasn't worth losing good Doritoes over. Ick. I thought that was just over the top and useless-- rather than a big romantic gesture. It was just too much, considering how much Robert has blown Kitty off and what she has gone through. (Not to mention the fact that we also had Chevy Chase guest starring! Don't make them compete!) She didn't need that-- she needs a guy who will be there with her for the small things, the day-to-day. Nobody is going to argue that Robert is good at grandiosity; he's just not very good normal. And that is what marriage is: A series of small moments, one after another.

I did, however, love the Lyle Lovett song, "No Big Deal," and the lyrics were not lost on me: "And it may be no big deal to you, but it's a very big deal to me./ She said, "Man, it may be no big deal to you, but it's a very big deal to me." Foreshadowing much? Kitty feels like everything from her wedding is recycled, (we have already established how everybody lost their virginity) including the groom. And what she doesn't know is that his feelings toward having children are recycled too. So, can her something new save them? I doubt it.

The Kitty and Robert storyline isn't working for me. This season, I have started to frost a bit toward Robert, though I still like Kitty very much. The storyline isn't working for me not because it's unbelievable-- quite the opposite. It's completely believable that Robert is too busy right now to wade through iTunes for the perfect song, or to take dance lessons when he knows how to dance. However, I just no longer care whether they get married or not, so if there is a big reveal at their wedding that cancels it, I don't think I'll really be moved by it or care, (and the same is true, actually, if they go ahead and get married) and that's too bad.