Retcon Patrol 1-10: “Light the Lights” Part 4
Today we continue our search for inconsistent or comment-worthy moments in the Brothers & Sisters first season with a look at the fourth part of Episode 10. Read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 if you need to catch up, then dive right in here with Part 4.
21:48
There are so many people at this party. Who are all these people? They’re like the extras at the Expose-Your-Husband’s-Mistress pool party, there for the drama but never introduced.
21:54
When I saw Warren at the door, I completely thought Nora invited him, because that’s the sort of thing Nora does. I was surprised when it became apparent he was just dropping by without knowing that Hanukkah was happening.
22:04
If somebody told you they were having a Hanukkah party, would you blurt out a shocked, “Are you Jewish?” The way Nora bumbles out, “Yes, I am, we are, Jewish” sounds like she’s lying. Warren would probably be more interested in hearing about her secular humanism anyway.
22:22
So while her mother gives a party, Kitty’s sitting off in a room by herself drinking? It’s Hanukkah, girl! Go eat some fried batter!
22:32
What do we think: Is it dishonest of Kitty not to tell Warren about Whit’s plans to fire him and make the show about her? Especially when he’s being nice and saying he’ll quit if she’s fired? Or does she not owe him an explanation?
24:08
Hey, Joe’s talking back to his mother-in-law! Hanukkah makes him brave.
24:13
Last time Nora gave a party to help Paige handle something, it was the pool party to get her back in the water after William’s death. That one kind of ran off the rails, too. Nora’s a primo party planner, but maybe she should be kept away from parties for kids.
24:35
This is the second time this episode Joe’s called Paige “P.” Probably don’t want to let the kids at school hear that nickname.
24:40
Uncle Saul to the rescue. This is such a sweet scene, and an awfully nice little showcase for Ron Rifkin, who knows how to do a monologue. I love the way Saul interacts with Paige here, and steps in as elder statesman for the family. But I think it also points up the fact that early on, the writers really didn’t know what to do with Saul. Sometimes he seems oily and untrustworthy, sometimes he’s the uncomfortable keeper of secrets; sometimes he’s Mr. Family, sometimes he’s going after his brother-in-law’s mistress. And, yeah, people are contradictory, but there didn’t seem to be a coherent message of “Look at this man in all his contradictions.” It was more of a “We need someone to fill this particular plot hole. Who we got … hey, Saul’s free.” He sure steps in beautifully here, though — rather the way Tommy, another ill-defined character, was the one who got Paige into the pool.
25:29
When Saul talks about problems that are seemingly insurmountable, he looks at Sarah, and Sarah looks at Joe. The business problems were surmountable, but the marriage problems, not so much.
26:20
Saul shoots Nora a look like, “And that’s how it’s done, sister.”
26:31
There’s this anonymous guy who’s smiling and chuckling at Saul’s singing. He’s in a few other shots, one of them I think talking to Kevin. Is he a friend, a family member, a future Saul love interest? Maybe someone associated with the production who’s getting some on-camera time?
26:44
Paige is sort of looking like she’d still rather just play dreidls.
26:59
Justin sits down on a table with two lighted candles fluttering awfully close to his untucked shirttails. Is his new draft-dodging plan to set himself on fire?
28:12
Love the way the kind of peaceful music that’s playing as Holly sits at her computer stops abruptly when she opens the door to find Nora there.
28:28
Holly asks Nora, “You’re Jewish again?” It’s a funny line, but … would William have gone into that sort of detail about his wife’s religion with her? I guess maybe offhandedly, but enough that Holly would remember?
28:23
They totally should have poisoned the pavlova. How much trouble would have been avoided. Of course, somebody would probably have had to do time. One of those extras, maybe.
Photo: ABC.com
Brothers and Sisters, ABC, Light the Lights
August 16th, 2008 at 6:59 am
I flat-out LOVE Saul’s statement of faith here: it is heartfelt yet never over the top, which makes it even more powerful. Good point about Ron anchoring the scene by his interaction with Kerris. Props to the writers, too: I’d guess that it’s Cliff, writing about his family’s blend of traditions. The words are so carefully chosen to say a lot in a simple and concise manner.
As I’ve said before, I was disappointed that Jason never got the chance to make a similar profession, bearing witness to how his faith got him through his very public outing, the loss of his parents, the estrangement from his brother, etc. Eric would have done a fine job with such a speech, and it would have made a nice companion piece to this one (and some CONTINUITY).
August 16th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I don’t know. I feel Jason was too minor a character to devote such a huge scene to. With Saul, it was an essential scene since he is the uncle of the family and has (in many ways) assumed William’s role.
August 16th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Well, I’ve gotta disagree, because Kevin is a major character and he never understood the role religion played in Jason’s life. I saw the Methodist Church as Jason’s “family of choice,” just as friends become the family of choice for LGBT people rejected by their relatives.
And I liked this storyline, about the role of spiritual growth and development in a multicultural family. Saul’s heartfelt remarks about Judaism represent one side of the Walker clan. The Methodist perspective and the struggle to balance love of God with love for a man was another chapter in the story. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of spiritual life Robert and Kitty choose for their adopted children.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I don’t disagree there are potentially interesting aspects to such a spiritual struggle, but my point was that on an ensemble show such as this, I think it would be misplaced to give a love interest such a huge storyline. It made sense for Saul because he is a member of the Walker family. Jason? Not so much. None of the spouses get their own storylines, save for Robert — but that’s only because he’s played by Rob Lowe.
August 17th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this: I’m more interested in the topic than in who does it. I think a minor character can advance the story just as well as a major character, because his performance is a catalyst for the main characters. For example, Travis does this so well.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
But see, Travis never got his own storyline.
He was there simply as support for Robert and Kitty.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I prefer the storylines that involve the whole family. Especially when they extend over several episodes and change as different characters take part. It makes for continuity and complexity.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Well, yeah. So do I. That’s why giving a non-family character (Jason) a major storyline wouldn’t have felt appropriate.