Can the McCallister campaign be stopped?
So as of the end of the last new episode shown, “The Feast of the Epiphany,” Robert McCallister is now the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination. And, yay for him! But boo for us, because we know that the likelihood of Robert actually becoming president is small, and that makes it kinda hard to commit to the campaign.
Is it really a lost cause? Well, electoral likelihood aside, you can’t really have a small family drama when two of the family members just happen to be the President of the United States and the First Lady. It would be a different show — a fun one, maybe, with Walker siblings snarking all over the White House — but a different one. And carp as some will about the changes in the show here in its sophomore season, I don’t see them making that big a change … until, say, season 10 or 12, at least.
So one way or another, I think we can accept that Robert’s campaign is going to land him short of the Oval Office. The only question is … what’s going to happen to keep him outta there? I can imagine three scenarios:
1. Robert loses the primary, and goes back to being senator. Which would, presumably, involve him being in Washington quite a lot … but the show has already demonstrated a willingness to have him be home in California way more than might ordinarily be the case, and certainly Kitty wouldn’t need to be by his side as much as if she were First Lady.
2. Robert wins the primary, but loses the election. That’s an awful lot of campaigning storyline between here and there, and we’re all pretty tired of it already, aren’t we? Bah.
3. Robert quits the race for personal reasons. Health crisis for Kitty, his kids, his brother? Somebody attacking one of them? Maybe Robert did leak Adamson’s secret, and realizes he’s become someone he never wanted to be? Something, whatever it is, breaks through and convinces The Most Ambitious Man You Will Ever Meet that being president is no longer the most important thing to him.
I’m kind of leaning toward #3, just for character development’s sake. I’ve never felt that Robert was as much of a goodie-two-shoes as some have; I think he’s shown an ample dark side, and it would be a nice little story arc to have him finally confront that. Given the way story arcs have been going these days, it could be all finished up in a couple of episodes, but it could certainly deepen his and Kitty’s relationship, which would be a good thing. And hey, if he screws up somehow, that would make him more of a Walker than ever.
What do you think will happen to the senator’s campaign? Or do you think this time next season, Rob Lowe’ll be back in the West Wing? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Brothers & Sisters, ABC, Rob Lowe, Robert McCallister
January 25th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Frankly, I’d prefer to see this storyline end sooner rather than later. I know it’s only a TV show, but I can only take my suspension of disbelief so far, and I find it absurd that an ultra-moderate, wishy-washy Republican like McCallister could be a serious contender in today’s political climate.
Also, I’ve always felt the campaign storyline was an awkward fit for a show which is fundamentally about family dynamics. This is Brothers & Sisters, not The Adventures of Robert McCallister.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I prefer option #3, too. I think it would be a more interesting option and better for the character of Robert. IA- on a show like this it can happen quickly.
I haven’t minded the campaign story too much thus far because it has led to some interesting issues–like when to have children. It’s also led to some funny moments- like Kitty calling into the talk show or her getting caught arguing with Nora.
However, I have missed seeing Robert interact more with the Walkers; he works really well with them, and I’d like to see more of that. I’d also like to see more of his and Kitty’s personal relationship. So, I’d prefer them end the campaign story sooner rather than later…and keep him as a Senator because I do think the political aspect is important to both his and Kitty’s characters. It’s a shared passion.
January 26th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I like the campaign storyline. Set against the real campaign it is fun to compare. But then I’m a recovering West Wing fan and love politics and an RL fan. So there you go.
I don’t get the “wishy washy” comment about the Senator. I don’t see that. I may not agree with his politics - he is a Republican afterall and I’ve had to deal with that. But not “wishy washy.” Watch him with the veterans and watch him argue with his staff. And my favorite him talking to the talkshow host defending his new family.
You could argue we actually don’t know a lot about his politics. That might be on purpose. We do know he supports the war. I’m not sure about the other major issues.
This most recent ep we have finally learned where he stands in the race. That was my question - how’s he doing? Does he have a chance?
Probably and unfortunately the writers don’t know?
And that worries me in answering Teri’s question. I hope for the sake of the character that TPTB have mapped out what will happen with this race or it does become silly. I’m a bit worried about that considering several factors. Rob Lowe was originally a guest star. Then extended to the end of the season. Now fulltime. All of which I’m thrilled about. But with the writers’ strike and now some public behind-the-scenes problems with Baitz, I have to wonder if they know where they’re going with this storyline. (And that can be said about other storylines as well I guess. Might be why they rushed some along in these final eps before the strike.)
I agree with Erin that it Robert’s campaign has led to some good moments with and without the rest of the family. The radio phoning in by Kitty, Nora, and Kevin was priceless.
I too would like to see Robert interact with the family more. The most recent new ep with him and his new siblings/in-laws in the kitchen is now one of my favorites. More of that please for the Senator!
They seem aloof that he’s running for President which strikes me funny or ironic or something. Maybe that will change as the campaign moves along? Sarah does mention it when Kitty and Robert arrive for Nora’s date/dinner. “He’s running for President” Sarah states or reminds.
And Nora telling him to get off the phone - he’s clearly a Walker now.
And of course his ongoing squabble with Kevin. (Anxious to see how that goes when Jason returns.)
That all said I would like to see some of the family members on the campaign trail for him. Justin and Rebecca are likely family members to do that - as I’m not sure what either do. I don’t think either of them have a job. Kitty could get them a job on the campaign - kindle her relationship with her new sister and sudden bridesmaid. I would love to see more of Nora defending Robert. We saw some of that at dinner the last time.
Tommy, Sarah, and Kevin wouldn’t make much sense as they are busy with their demading careers - running companies.
To answer the question which of the 3 scenarios makes sense for the campaign storyline I guess #3 in some form. An assassination attempt is one widely held by a couple of my friends and fellow RL fans. Kidnap threats or the actual thing for his kids is a little bit too something for me.
Losing might be the most expected.
I want him to remain a Senator also. In fact having just that be the storyline - a rising star in his party for the race - would have been fine for me for the character originally. (Kitty said on her talkshow that the Senator was being talked about for VP.)
So I don’t want a big scandal that knocks him out of not only the presidential race but his Senate seat either.
I don’t see him winning completely off the table. But another post another time to go into how that might work! Not impossible anyway.
Kitty and Robert breaking up loses me as a viewer. The obvious being no RL I would be gone. But more to the point another Walker break up? Yuck. Over the soap opera cliff.
Some of it might be determined off the set. As some have stated the longer the strike goes on could hurt the show in general - continuing dramas and all - but the campaign storyline would have to move along very quickly when the show does return. I don’t know if actors can get other offers/commitments in the mean time? And of course producers and directors having differing opinions on how these storylines go - especially on this show as we have sadly learned.
Sorry for the lengthy post. I see lots of ways they can go with the Senator’s storyline - even beyond the campaign. Yes storylines move along fast with this show. But then my last favorite show - the West Wing before no Sam - Sorkin would leave a storyline to never come back to it. That was so frustrating as much as I loved the WW. So the fact that they at least finish a storyline is refreshing. Somewhere inbetween might work too.
Thanks for the question!
January 26th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I really have nothing of substance to say — except your description of the show should Robert win was hilarious. Literally laughing out loud.
And. I’m starting to find this storyline more plausible than before; some of the notes it hit in the last episode with leaking information, etc. seems pretty relevant. It’s still not hugely believable, but I don’t care. I’m enjoying it.
I’ll be really interested in seeing what they do with Robert once, presumably, he loses. What direction would the character go in? It seems to me that this storyline will pretty much exhaust the politics angle and something fresher afterwards would benefit both his character and Kitty.
You mention that ‘most ambitious man’ quote and it does make me wonder if that’s at odds with the ‘I must be squeaky clean!’ line that he tends to take. I know a criticism of the character is that he’s a little bit too perfect. I think someone that ambitious would be willing to exploit a personal situation.
January 26th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I agree with Andrew to the extent that some of the notes they hit are relevant (e.g., leaking scandalous info), but I’m still finding the storyline increasingly distracting. A man running for President could just drop in on a family dinner? Not bloodly likely.
And also, it’s reduced Kitty’s interaction with her family quite a bit this season. I’m fine when Robert interacts with the whole family, but when we’re exclusively on the campaign trail, I can’t help but wonder, “How is this relevant to the Walkers?”