So Many Secrets
Rebecca suspects something?s up but can she prove it?/ Emily VanCamp by Justin Stephens/ABC
Episode Recap: "States of the Union"
Let me preface this recap with a reiteration of how much I enjoy this show, which is why it pains me to have to comment on how clumsy this episode was. I have to ask, what is going on with my beloved
Brothers & Sisters? The season started off so well with those first two episodes and thenthis.
By this, I mean the current gracelessness of the story points on a show that once had it all together. The girls and Nora go away to a spa for the weekend. We suffer through their endless annoying interactions in the spa's Quiet Room, only to come to the understanding that as much as Nora's children would like her to shut up and butt out, they really do need, listen to and crave her advice. That's nice, but did we have to be subjected to the near nail-on-chalkboard aggravation of their bickering? It used to be cute endearing even but now I watch these scenes where the Walkers get loud in a public place and wonder how they can be so consistently inconsiderate of other people. Don't even get me started on their crashing the wedding reception.
Not only that, but they are so opinionated. I'm talking about Kevin now, who on the slightest whisper from "cater waiter" Scotty that Saul was spotted at a gay cocktail party dons his Perez Hilton hat and goes on a mission to out his uncle. The show has been pretty blatant about bringing Saul's sexual orientation into question, but for Kevin to repeatedly interrogate Saul even after he denied being gay didn't quite flow. It has already been established that Saul is not a shrinking violet. He has always been very solid on his positions and vocal about his opinions. I doubt that Saul would be a closeted homosexual. I do however, think that he is beginning to question some things.
Questioning is all the rage, it seems. Rebecca has been keeping a keen eye on her half-brother, his recovery and his pill-popping. Her instincts were right on in suspecting that Justin's miraculous increase in his knee's range of motion and his elevated mood were due to a misuse of his medication. His overreaction to Rebecca's questioning was a huge tip-off that something was wrong. Cut to that quick reveal of Justin popping someone else's pills. I felt cheated by that. With such an intense build-up to the story, I would have liked to see Justin struggle a bit more before falling off the wagon. Maybe that's just the way addiction is. But on the other hand, with all of Nora's hand-wringing over this very situation, does it make sense that she would bound out of town for a spa getaway, leaving a very vulnerable Justin behind to fall into exactly what he fell into?
At least Holly isn't wearing any blinders. As she said, it took her five seconds to read the Tommy-Lena situation and to call Tommy to the carpet about it. Her ire lacks a touch of credibility, given that she spent the last 20 years sleeping with the boss and hiding his love child, but at least she can admit that when it's
her future on the line she won't tolerate the hanky-panky. Again, the lead up to the Tommy affair was clunky and obvious, but jeez - the whole deed was done off-screen! Could we at least have seen somethin', or is this another Joe/Rebecca moment where things aren't exactly as they seem?
The show has hurriedly set up some potentially great storylines, but as a viewer it all reads as very elementary. I don't want to feel annoyed by these characters that have entertained me so much, nor by the simple devices used to advance the story. I want to love the show like I used to. I want my show back.
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