Character Check-Up: William
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 pause to remember the Walker patriarch.
Origins: When we met William in the first episode of Brothers & Sisters, he was the beloved head of his family and his family business, but there were whispered phone conversations and mysterious blondes at the office to indicate that all was not as it seemed. Then, he dropped dead.
Progress: Being deceased didn’t keep the guy from driving plot, though. He turned up in flashbacks during the first season, and unraveling his embezzlement, infidelity, and illegitimate parenting moves kept his clan hopping. Even as his widow and mistress visited his grave on the first anniversary of his death, the thought entered their minds that there could be more women out there.
Current Status: Referenced occasionally this season, as Sarah runs the family business, Rebecca wonders if she’s somebody else’s illegitimate daughter, and Tommy follows in William’s unfaithful footsteps.
Concerns: The family has switched from a patriarchy to a matriarchy, and that’s as it should be. But for a guy whose presence was so heavily felt last year, even in death, he doesn’t seem to be thought of much anymore. Given the dominating force William was for this family, good and bad, I’d think it’d take more than a year to shake him off. Or maybe it’s just that I’d like to see Tom Skerritt again.
Prognosis: Aw, I’m not really proposing more flashbacks with bad Nora hair. But the legacy of duplicity and judgment William left his children with still has some dramatic juice in it. If we actually get a good strong storyline about Tommy’s marriage repair, his relationship with William should be part of that. Justin’s still got some daddy issues to resolve, and Kevin as well. If Rebecca does get confirmation that it’s really William, not David, who’s her dad, it would not be unrealistic for her to make a more thorough investigation of who and what he was than she’s done so far. And who knows — maybe the reason Saul never formed any meaningful relationships over the years is because he was secretly pining for his brother-in-law.
Second Opinions: Sylviane thinks we’re owed a scene between William and Kevin. Is there a William moment you’d like to flash back to? Share your thoughts on this character in the comments.
Photo: ABC.com
Brothers and Sisters, ABC, William, Tom Skerritt
March 2nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
I believe we are still owed a scene with William and Kevin. I would love to see some more of that, because there were hardly any scenes between Tom Skerritt and Matthew Rhys. Maybe a conversation about when Kevin was outed, and the Williams reaction to it, looking at it after a few years. There is still much hurt in Kevin. With 2 such powerful actors it should be great and with a better writing team ahead.
Mmhmm, wouldn’t Scotty have a friend who does seances?
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I think a Kevin-William flashback would provide a necessary glimpse into that relationship. I agree it couldn’t take place at the time of Kevin’s outing (way too long ago in the past for the actors to pull that off), but I think a flashback set 5-6 years in the past would be feasible and could still demonstrate any lingering faults in the Kevin/William relationship that resulted from the discovery that Kevin is gay.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:52 am
I just wanted to see it, because I don’t believe that there is really a scene in which there is any communication between William and Kevin. We saw William interact in 1-on-1 conversations with Sarah, Tommy, Justin and Kitty, but I don’t believe there are any scenes specifically William/Kevin.
Am I wrong? (Could be the case.)
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:55 am
If they add Kevin-William flashback they should slow down on the love triangle stuff, otherwise it will be way to much Kevin.
I also want to see William again. More flashbacks!!!
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Any Kevin/William scenes would be related to that relationship, not Kevin’s lovelife per se. (And I think the triangle is over, personally. Kevin’s seemingly made his decision.)
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Actually, I was thinking a Kevin-William scene could also be related to Saul’s situation, maybe a time when Saul witnessed some tension between them and didn’t stand up for Kevin. Kevin’s mentioned that he could have used Saul’s support, and it’s been an issue between them, too.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
The flashback I want to see is how William handles Kevin’s first serious boyfriend and the breakup. (I’m thinking of the guy whose picture Scotty sees in Kevin’s office. Do we ever learn his name? And I’m thinking the relationship ended because Kevin cheated. Is that right?)
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
“(I’m thinking of the guy whose picture Scotty sees in Kevin’s office. Do we ever learn his name?”
Colleen, according to the ‘unaired’ episode his name was Hank. And he had ‘exceptional biceps’ according to Sarah, but Kevin was put off by the fact that Hank’s interest was ’shopping for dish-ware’, which seems to mean that he wanted a more solid relationship with Kevin…
(Whàt then is Scotty shopping for…?:-D)
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Good call, Terri. A flashback of William/Kevin/Saul would dovetail nicely with the converations between the latter two in 2.04.