Character Check-Up: Elizabeth
Continuing on in a series of posts on the characters of Brothers & Sisters — where they’ve been, where they’re at, and where we’d like them to go — let’s continue with Tommy’s family and Daddy’s little girl.
Origins: Of the twins born to Tommy and Julia at the end of Season 1, Elizabeth’s the one who survived. Though Tommy’s her dad, her sperm donor was either Uncle Kevin or Uncle Justin.
Progress: We haven’t seen much of little Lizzie, what with her being in the hospital for quite some time, then in Arizona with her depressed mom and maternal grandparents. Grandma Ridge must have been a good babysitter, because Mommy, who was run ragged dealing with Lizzie’s fussing at home, had time to go out and have an affair with some old boyfriend.
Current Status: Elizabeth’s back home with both parents now, and they’ve decided to stay together for her sake. Apparently whatever baby sedatives she was given in AZ are still working, because Mommy was able to go out and have lunch with Daddy and glare at his mistress.
Concerns: It’s been suggested in the comments on Tommy and Julia’s check-ups that we ought to find out who Elizabeth’s biological father is, and more specifically, that it should be Kevin. And the very idea of that plotline makes me want to cry like a, well, baby. I found the whole sperm donor thing to be fraught with soap suds at the time; let’s please don’t bring it up again now. Season 15 or 16, when Lizzie’s an obnoxious teenager with daddy issues, then the writers can have Aunt Rebecca take her for some secret DNA tests. For now? No, no, please no.
Prognosis: I’ve wished ill on this poor defenseless babe by suggesting a special-needs storyline. Sorry, Lizzie. It’s the only way you’re going to get any significant screen time, babe. Short of that, maybe Mom and Dad can take a second honeymoon to Hawaii, and leave you with Aunt Kitty for a while. Do your best to make her rethink this baby thing, ’cause if she goes ahead and has an infant of her own? You’re getting upstaged but good.
Second Opinion: Colleen suggests that Elizabeth and Julia should hang out at the park with Sarah and her kids, and I’d sure love to see these sisters-in-law face down those obnoxious moms. What are your thoughts about Elizabeth? Share them in the comments.
Photo: ABC.com
Brothers and Sisters, ABC, Elizabeth
March 20th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Well, as I said in my last Julia post, I like the idea of a family spiritual growth odyssey as a way for all 3 characters to get some action. Having children makes parents rethink many things, including what kind of religious/spiritual life you want. And this is especially true when you’ve been through all the upheaval that these Walkers have had. And Greg Berlanti is interested in exploring questions of faith.
Or Julia and Sarah and the kids can hang out at the park and gossip.
March 20th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I don’t WANT to bring the father issue up. I would prefer it stay a secret as long as the Walkers can handle it…
I offered it as a suggestion of what the bleep we can do to get some Tommy/Julia on the air and I have a preference for Kevin, because I don’t like Justin that much.
But it won’t make a difference, if/when Kitty’s child is born that kid will, as said, upstage Lizzie, like Lizzie’s parents are upstaged by her uncles and aunts. So, the answer to the question if there is room for a baby story in all this family drama? is Yes, but I doubt it will Lizzie’s story.
I would however not mind to see less Kitty/Robert and a bit more Tommy/Julia/Lizzie, provided they come with a story that’s more believable then the Lena-thing.
And provided they don’t cut back on Kevin/Scotty and Sarah and Nora.:-) Alright, I admit, I have my favs…
March 21st, 2008 at 8:06 am
Lizzie shot a scene on 3/14, according to the twins’ proud “other grandma,” who posted that on Bloggers & Sisters. I know they shoot out of sequence, and I’m sure it’s especially true for the youngest actors. I’m guessing it’s a first birthday scene, which has got to be a bittersweet occasion (since it’s also the anniversary of Baby William’s death).
March 21st, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I hadn’t realised that he died the same day he was born. I thought he died one or two days later…. Have to re-watch the episode, I guess. Any excuse…..
March 21st, 2008 at 5:53 pm
You’re right, of course, Sylviane, it’s a few days later, but they’re so close in time that inevitably the two are closely connected, at least for Julia and probably Tommy.