Retcon Patrol: 1-08 “Mistakes Were Made 1″ Part 1
Today continues our summer-long journey through the first season of Brothers & Sisters, from our perspective here at the end of Season Two. As with our re-view of Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, I’ll be looking for contradictions between where the Walkers were then and where they’re at now, and also commenting on how the episodes look in retrospect. I’ll time my observations to the playback of the DVD, for those who want to view along. Share your own reflections in the comments.
And now, Part 1 of Episode 8, “Mistakes Were Made Part 1.”
0:33
The “previouslies” feature that shouting match outside the jail from “An Act of Will” that is so very far from Sally Field’s and Dave Annable’s finest work. I would have been very happy never to see that scene again.
0:41
“See Through You” by Flunk accompanies the Justin-Tyler “lick-word” scene. Speaking of scenes we never want to see, please please please tell me we won’t have to see stuff like this with Justin and Rebecca. It will be so painful to have to scrub my eyeballs after.
1:55
Whoever gave Cooper a drum set clearly hates Sarah and Joe.
2:15
Joe’s out of town? What, is there a Guitar Teacher’s Convention or something? Actually, though, looking back from the point at which they’ve gotten back together, perhaps there’s something significant about both of Gabe’s parents being out of town at the same time.
2:26
Gabe makes a big point of saying that Paige and Cooper are his half brother and half sister, and that he is their half brother. I thought it was kind of clumsy expositioning, but … is it also a little anvil tossing about Rebecca?
2:32
I don’t believe frittata is the only thing Cooper will eat in the mornings. I believe Super Sugar Bombs cereal and frosted donuts are the only things Cooper will eat in the mornings.
2:48
Do Paige and Cooper eat on the special personalized plates every morning? If so, these folks keep way more on top of their dishwashing than I do.
2:56
Kitty and Kevin are in the show’s all-purpose outdoor restaurant-y space. Looks like coffee’s the primary menu item, so I assume they’re supposed to be at Kevin’s standard coffee spot. But I think it’s not the same table area that Scotty and Kevin got coffee at. It looks more like the spot where Kevin and Chad had dinner, and maybe Nora and David.
3:05
At any rate, judging by the logo on the cups, the place is called North Light.
3:34
“You’re the lying whore of the family!” “You’re the stuck-up bitch!” Ah, more of that gentle Kitty-Kevin rapport we saw at the end of “Northern Exposure.”
3:22
Kitty says Kevin talked to Scotty the whole weekend like he was the help, and … did he really? Don’t remember too many conversations between them, other than the two fights, which hardly represented the whole weekend (or seemed like addressing the help, unless you regularly argue with the help over how you should live your life).
5:21
Sarah shows Holly the picture of the mystery baby and gets confirmation that it’s Rebecca. But when asked if “Rebecca is dad’s daughter,” Holly says “No, no,” and “Truly, Sarah, she’s not,” and “but she’s not” again. Would that they had left it at that. … Edited to add: Whoa, reading this over the next morning, I realize what the big retcon moment is here: Holly said that the photo was Rebecca. The same photo that Rebecca later says is not her, and Kevin remembers is Ryan. Why would Holly either 1) mistake an anonymous baby in a very clear photo for her own kid, or 2) lie that the kid is hers when she then firmly says the child is not a Walker? Big whoops here.
5:50
Sarah asks Holly to give the forensic accountant lots of details about Rebecca, like Social Security Number and pet names. Some DNA might have been a good idea, too.
6:16
Sarah hands Holly an envelope — with the photo in it? Can’t remember if they get it back, but they sure have it later.
6:55
David asks Nora out on a date. Either Treat Williams got a lot of sun or they’re overdoing the rouge, because his complexion is somewhat lobster-like.
7:04
And now Justin is eating cantaloupe off Tyler’s stomach, and … I guess these scenes are supposed to be fun and sexy, but I mostly just feel sorry for the actors.
7:18
So they’re at Justin’s place. He’s straightened it up some since his mom and sister were there in “An Act of Will.” But not a lot.
7:37
Don’t you generally sign for a letter, then go read it? Does the postal service actually require that you read the whole thing right there in your underwear before you acknowledge receipt?
7:48
The Troubled Look’s back. The days of cantaloupe and lick-word are over.
8:24
Uncle Sam still wants Justin. Doesn’t the army know he can’t handle these super-serious storylines?
Brothers and Sisters, ABC, Mistakes Were Made
July 20th, 2008 at 10:12 am
“Would that they had left it at that.” Preach it, hon! Too many cooks and all that.
July 21st, 2008 at 1:19 am
Big whoops indeed. The biggest gaff ever made, in my view. And they thought we viewers would just forget that this scene ever happened and go with their new dumba** ill-formed plot? I don’t think so. Mistakes were made alright.