'Red Widow' Gets The Axe
'Grey's' Isn't Going Anywhere
Brothers and Sisters: Domestic Issues
(S02E05) "That shrimp smells rancid."-- Kitty WalkerOooh, this was a painful episode to watch. In a good way. The writing was absolutely spot on for this episode, and it was just beautifully played. Some things happened that I expected and some things that I didn't, which I will get into after the jump. It was the obligatory Halloween episode, but nicely downplayed also. I loved the fact that the minute Nora's back was turned, Justin and Rebecca dove into the candy bowl like a couple of little kids. It was a good juxtaposition to pair Robert's debate with Halloween instead of focusing on the Walkers engaging in a big costume party, as might have happened with this crazy bunch.
It's nice to see Tommy being given a stronger storyline, even if it's predictable and the very thing that I dreaded is actually happening. I see now that my wishful thinking from last week about the explanation for Tommy and Lena's outfits The Day After was completely futile: They are indeed having an affair.
It's pretty funny that Holly insists she wrote this book, when she keeps telling them to end it. She of all people should know that expecting that to happen is pretty unrealistic. It's harsh, but also interesting, to watch Tommy, who went into business with Holly, following in his father's footsteps, and I hope they bring that out more.
The right thing for Tommy and Holly to do would have been to fire Lena with a really really nice severance package, though that could have probably led to a sexual harassment lawsuit. The decent thing for Lena to do would be to quit. It's unconscionable for Tommy to continue working with her if he intends to save his marriage, but that seems to be up in the air right now. But who really believes that she called everyone to pick her up before she called Tommy? Ever heard of a cab? She's holding on tight with both arms. Kissing him and then apologizing: has she been taking passive/aggressive lessons from Nora, Holly and Rebecca?
At least Tommy knows he's being a cliche, right? 
Raise your hands if you knew Kitty was pregnant as soon as she said the shrimp smelled bad? As for what I was surprised about, I was actually surprised that Kitty told anyone she was pregnant. I wondered if she might have an abortion and not tell anyone, in order to protect Robert's campaign. I know Kitty is a Republican, but Robert's debate opponent brought up the fact that she is pro-choice.
However, if Robert had ever found out about it, being pro-life and the father, he probably would have never forgiven her. They are engaged, but I still thought, even after Robert found out, that they might consider abortion. That would have been a very risky plot to pursue, because if anyone had ever found out, Robert's campaign would have been tanked. As for their decision to have the baby, yay them. It makes more sense for the characters to have the baby, given their politics and the fact that they are engaged. I don't have strong feelings about it one way or another. I was speculating because of potential plot lines. Abortions have already happened on television, so that wouldn't necessarily have been a pioneering area to explore.
What didn't surprise me, but broke my heart, was the fact that Sarah temporarily lost primary custody of the kids to Joe. I didn't necessarily expect him to go for primary custody, but in retrospect, it doesn't surprise me. He was a stay-at-home dad. And yes, I think in some ways Sarah was within her rights to feel that she was being punished for decisions they made mutually, decisions they made in the best interests of their children. It was a turnabout of the traditional roles, and of the idea that mother should have custody no matter what. Joe was also correct, I think, when he told her that this wasn't about her, but it was about what was best for the children. It was incredibly lame for him to use the forgotten permission slip and the ride to school against her, but obviously that wasn't the only card up his sleeve. As Kevin said, it's not over yet. This was a temporary order.
I think you can make arguments for both cases: Is it more disruptive to the children to leave their familiar home? Or is it more comforting to the children to be with their father, with whom they have spent so much time? What do you think? Should Joe be awarded full custody permanently?
The scene in which Sarah packed Paige and Cooper's things and then cheerfully told them goodbye was heartbreaking, and exactly perfect. She handled it beautifully, and then sat heavily down on the floor and quietly collapsed into tears with Nora there to support her. Nora, for once, was quietly angry with Joe, but not melodramatic or over the top. She was exactly everything Sarah and the kids needed her to be at that moment. It was a beautiful scene.
Honestly, this was a lovely, elegant episode. There wasn't a wrong turn in it. I may not be thrilled with Tommy's storyline, but this episode hit all the high notes.
| Joe | |
|---|---|
| Sarah | |
| They should have joint custody. |
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