Question: I love your column. It is refreshing to hear the way you dissect television art, and I'd like to discuss Brothers & Sisters. I'm so glad I tuned in, despite the early problems. Not only was my perception of Calista Flockhart as annoying totally shattered, especially in the Sept. 11 episode, but the players I had no preconceived notions about, like Matthew Rhys and Dave Annable, showed me how strong the show really is. And last week's episode with Justin's return was pure brilliance, from the beginning with Kevin and Sarah talking on their respective cell phones all the way to the beautiful scene where Justin clings to his mother Nora, played brilliantly by Sally Field. I immediately thought of my mother through the tears this scene brought to my eyes, and remembered trying times in my life when a long hug made me feel better. This show has opened my eyes to the power of storytelling and reinvigorated my desire to crack into this business as a writer. I think this hour of ...
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Episode Recap Home FrontAs Brothers and Sisters jumps into its second season its nice to see that the neurotic and argumentative Walkers are still just that The little quirks that made us love them last year are all back in full force They talk over one another pick at each other hold mini-grudges against each other get drunk together and they worry about each other Tonight it was the worrying that was at the crux of the show Justin still on active duty in Iraq has not been in touch for 21 days Is he okay Is he injured or worse Starting the show off with Nora recording a video message to her son was an effective way of catching us up with the family and keeping Justins off-screen character as much a part of the show as the rest of the family One of my favorite moments was just after Nora signed off and her game face immediately reverted back to the mask of concern that we know shes been wearing since that tearful airport good-bye in last seasons finale T
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Rob Lowe is deftly placing a producer's hat atop his perfect head of hair, teaming with writer Alison Cross (Commander in Chief) to create a procedural pilot for ABC. The project, says Variety, concerns the Los Angeles Police Department's anti-stalking unit, and represents the first offering out of Lowe's new production shingle. Lowe tells the trade he originally conceived the idea more than a year ago and as a starring vehicle for himself. Now it will be fronted by someone else (Andrew McCarthy? Emilio Estevez?), seeing how his dance card is full as a Brothers & Sisters series regular.
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1. I learned how to type "Isaiah" correctly on the first try. (Yeah, that lesson became kind of imperative.)2. I learned that creating a keyboard shortcut for "from O.C. creator Josh Schwartz" would have saved me loads of time come pilot season.3. I learned that no matter how you ask, no matter which one you are talking to, you will never get an American Idol castoff to pick their favorite to win. Good manners, you say? Top-secret contract clause, I theorize.4. I learned that unless a new series holds onto about 10 million viewers, it's a goner. (Unless it's a kickass comedy starring Tina Fey or the stellar Friday Night Lights.)5. I learned that Rob Lowe simply doesn't age.6. I learned how to spell Dannielynn. Boy, did I.7. I (or rather my e-mail box) learned that Supernatural fans really, really, really want to see Sam and Dean hug.8. I learned that the show you could never imagine cutting from your play list, you actually can, and with little pain. Case in point: Desperate Housewi...
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After it was resolved that Justin's deployment to Iraq would be delayed to allow him to work on his recovery, much of his story line has centered on his struggle to shake his addiction. But Justin's fears about going back to war were always there in the background. And tonight those fears became a reality in the worst way, as Justin found out at the last minute that his departure date was earlier than planned. At first I liked the way Justin handled his goodbyes individually — until, like Nora, I realized that he was saying goodbye for real, in case he wouldn’t be coming back. Even though I can see, rationally, how it doesn’t matter whether or not the word “goodbye” is actually said, I can understand how Nora felt that avoiding a formal goodbye would bring Justin back to her, as if not saying goodbye would make it impossible for him to die. Justin’s early departure coincided, unfortunately, with Kitty’s engagement party. He’d already said his ...
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