Customer Reviews

Brothers and Sisters - The Complete First Season

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Somehow this show originally escaped my radar - then I was talking to a friend about a song from one of the "Ally McBeal" soundtracks and she said, "have you seen the new show with Calista? And Rachel Griffiths from 6 Feet Under? And Sally Field and Patricia Wettig?" I went home that night, set a TIVO season pass, and was relieved to find all the full-length, previously-aired episodes on ABC.com. Soapy? A bit. Addictive? Definitely!

Some actors and their stories, like the brother and his wife trying to conceive, aren't the most mesmerizing...but overall this is a show you can easily get addicted to. Just the right amount of drama and humor to keep it from being a one-note affair, and the parade of guest stars (Meredith Baxter, Marion Ross, Susan Sullivan and Rob Lowe, who's technically credited as Special Guest Star for this season) is icing on the cake. I'm anxious for the new season to begin...and I can't remember the last time I said that about a series that wasn't on HBO!

I knew I was going to like this show the minute I found out that Sally Field and Rachel Griffiths (who is nominated for an Emmy this year for her performance) were going to star in the show. I didn't really know much about the other actors except for Calista Flockhart (from Ally McBeal fame) and Tom Skirrit (who is only in the pilot and then featured in a few other episodes). They all do a fabulous job if you ask me.

The show is basically centered around the Walker family with Sally Field playing the matriarch Nora Walker. Then you have her two daughters, Kitty (Flockhart) and Sarah (Griffiths) and her three sons, Tommy (Balthazar Getty), Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and Justin (Dave Annable). Of course, each family member has his or her share of problems, just like any family. Patricia Wettig is also a part of the ensemble, portraying Holly Harper the woman who probably has the biggest secret of all...and she isn't even related to the family...not biologically anyway. Emily VanCamp joined the show later in the season, playing a mysterious character, Rebecca...all we knew from the beginning was that she was Holly's daughter. And then you have Rob Lowe who also joined mid-season playing Republican Senator Robert McCallister which is kind of ironic because when he was on The West Wing, he played a Democrat who basically despised the Republicans. Nice change of pace for him though.

All in all, this is a great new series from ABC. I like the fact that it follows my other favorite show Desperate Housewives. If you like DH, chances are you'll like Brothers & Sisters as well.

Somehow over the last couple of seasons ABC has climbs its way up the network latter from the #5 position right to # 1 thanks in part of hits such as "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Lost." Trying desperately to cash in on their success, ABC greenlite over 12 pilots last year including "Ugly Betty" and yes, "Brothers and Sisters." I initially tuned into B&S because it aired directly after "Desperate Housewives" and starred Rachel Griffiths (of "Six Feet Under" fame), but something very interesting happened. Over the course of several weeks I found myself not watching "Desperate Housewives" but never missing a single episode of B&S.

The show (kinda like "Six Feet Under" in some fashions) follows a very weathly/affluent Southern California family as they deal with the death of their patriarch. Over the last decade as the siblings in the family aged from their late teens, to early thirties (and further apart with each year) and thus are almost strangers to one another. But as fate would have it, tragedy strikes and they are forced to bond together, for the first time in decades. Sarah, the oldest, is in charge of continuing the family business despite her brother Tommy working for their father for the better part of a decade. Kitty, forshaking her family for a political career as a democrat after 9/11 (her entire family is republican) comes home in an attempt to smooth-over familial problems, despite not speaking to her mother, Nora, in over 5 years, after she convinced the youngest family member, Justin to join the army in response to the 9/11 attacks; her only alley being the middle brother, Kevin.

The entire first season basically follows the Walker family as they try to move-on with life after the death of their father/husband and the repercussions of the life he lived. Several mysteries are presented surrounding his death including millions missing from corporate accounts, old lovers coming back, and potential bankruptcy for the family. But the family powers through these dramas, and many bonding, bonding themselves back to being as tight-knit (if not more) as they were growing up.

Personally I find this series engaging because while its dramatic, it never takes itself too seriously and allows for several very hilarious episodes to be introduced into the mix of drama. Additionally it takes the series no time at all to get going. While many new shows take 13, sometimes 25 episodes to get their feet wet, `Brothers and Sisters' is off and running almost from the pilot. Included in this DVD is all 23 episodes on 6 discs with Deleted Scenes, Audio Commentary, Interviews with the Cast, Set tour, several futurities, as well as the original pilot episode featuring different actors in many key parts.

You know what they say, family is gold and home is where the heart should be. That's what you'll get in Brothers and Sisters. Firstly, there's the excellent cast (yes, even the sometimes over-acting and Ally-Mcbeal-ish Calista Flockhart). Secondly, the storyline's really tight. It begins with a boisterous family with so many issues at hand but they remain tight-knitted for many other reasons such as their demised husband and father who happened to be a two-timer with a mistress and illegitimate daughter.

The thing that will keep you riveted to this Emmy-nominated drama is that in every episode, there's plenty of laughter and you'll shed some tears, no doubt.

Ultimately, the show is about family relations, of letting go of the past and keeping on to things that matter now. It's nothing new but with a stellar cast and great storytelling, Brothers and Sisters is sort of like the more stylish and updated version of 7th Heaven.

I have been hoping for a family drama in the style of "Family" or "Once and Again" for a long time.

Brothers & Sisters surpasses these 2 predecessors. It is very well written with top-notch performances. The whole cast is wonderful. I just have a doubt about Ron Rifkin in the role of Uncle Saul. He is a great actor, but he was so good in Alias as the bad guy, it took me a while to get used to him in this new role.

I was also a bit disappointed with the arrival of Rob Lowe as Calista's love interest...even though I like Rob Lowe (and loved him in The West Wing); I wanted to see the relationship between Kitty and Matthew develop. They had great chemistry. I felt with the arrival of Rob Lowe, they were playing the "known-actor" card too heavily; and this show does not need that. It would have been nicer to see new faces getting their chance in this show.

Wonderful show that is not medical, criminal, or reality. Thank you ABC for daring to put out so many different types of shows out there.

Keep it up.

I didn't watch this show during its original run because there were so many other shows on my tv-addict list. During the summer slow months I decided to give it a try and started watching the episodes at ABC.com. I finished the season in a week. I was hooked from the first episode and the season just kept getting stronger.

While the show goes through some growing pains during its first year--with some awkward scenes and plot lines--overall the relationships between the five Walker siblings are smart, cuttingly funny, realistic and true to life. They're far from perfect by themselves, far less perfect with each other, and the family dynamics are by turns hilarious, heartwrenching and heartwarming to watch. The snarky sniping of the family is just pitch perfect.

I also really, really like how there are very few cliches and easy answers. The relationships and issues are ongoing all Season long; they don't just resolve overnight with easy answers. The characters themselves, including the 'bad guys' are very human and even when you don't like them, you can understand their motivations. No one on the show is a card board cut out character. Although I invested in all the characters and storylines, my two favorites in the Walker clan are probably Kevin and Justin. Kevin is the gay attorney with emotional availability issues. He is very much of the awesome and I love his snarky relationship with Kitty (played by Callista Flockheart) and his endearingly screwy ways of trying to conduct his relationships. Justin is the youngest brother (maybe I relate because I'm the youngest of four) who served a tour in Afghanistan as a medic and is now using drugs to cope with life. As the season goes on you like and sympathize with Justin more and more as he struggles to find his path.

Even though I've now seen all the episodes of Season 1, I'm still ordering the DVD because I want my own copy. And I can't wait for Season 2!

p.s. It's also a personal plus for me that the family's Uncle Saul is played by Ron Rifkin. I enjoyed his evil Arvil Sloane turn on Alias for years and its cool to see him playing an actual good guy; a caring older brother and Uncle who shows an occasionally snarky, gleeful side.

Its hard to think of a show that can take the place of "Six Feet Under" (honestly, I don't think any show could ever do that), but "Brothers and Sisters" is the closest thing to that show that's currently on TV. The magic of `Six Feet Under' was its darkness and gloom, yet its tongue in cheek and realistic portrayal of day to day life and relationships, without ever getting too campy or pretentious for its' own good. `Brothers and Sisters' is perhaps a poorer cousin to that show, as the Season Premiere itself was a flamboyant camp-fest with some over the top performances and one-liners. And still, in spirit, its very, very close to the essence of the relationships that we saw on `Six Feet Under', which is why I am so interested in this series currently.

The always good Calista Flockhart is given a very interesting role here, and for once has to rely on her acting chops rather than her pixie-like good looks. It was evident that she has aged here - upon first viewing I was shocked at the lines on her face and wondered `Has it been THAT long since Ally?', but no matter - her age, her looks, and her performance are all so apt for the role shes playing here - in fact, at times I thought that no other actress could possibly play her role - its pitch perfect. Sally Field, I'm not so crazy about. I have never been a huge fan of her, and even though I see so many glowing reviews for her performance on this show, I felt it was the most `staged' and `forced'. It was as if Sally couldn't quite get under the skin of her character, which is sad considering shes supposed to be the glue that holds the show together. For that reason, this still remains `that new Calista Flockhart show', but I'm not complaining.

Fans of the 1980s teen idol Paul Balthazar Getty ("Lord of the Flies" - he now calls himself just Balthazar Getty) are in for a treat as the 34 year old actor finds the perfect vehicle for his striking screen presence and his underutilized acting abilities. Of everyone in the star cast, I think he has the most potential. Matthew Rhys plays the token `gay brother', but in a surprising twist, they make him human and likable, and fraught with his own neuroses. His love interest, played by Wentworth Millers' real-life partner Luke McFarlane, is also exceptional and deserves special credit for stealing literally every scene he is in. This is the only actor on TV right now (other than `Ugly Betty''s Mark Indelicato) who manages to draw 100% audience attention to himself everytime he is on screen.

Mention should also be made of the luminous and exceptional Rachel Griffith (ironically a SFU alumnus), who has perfected an American accent to such a degree that its impossible to tell that the actor isn't actually American or Canadian. Apart from South Africa's Charlize Theron, I can't think of anyone who does such a good job with a regional American accent.

Think of this as a Danielle Steel novel come to life, and you won't be much off the mark. In this case, this is a good thing. Its at times a little too overwrought for its' own good, but I can't say that this works against it. In fact, the more melodramatic scenes and the more contrived plot lines are carried out with so much conviction that you can't help but buy into it. Make no mistake though - even though this is advertised as a serious family drama, the main storyline focuses on the troubled relationship between mother and daughter. This is NOT the `Gilmore Girls', so right off the bat we are in darker, and more murky territory.

Special attention should be paid to the stellar script. The biting one liners only got better as the show progressed. Again, not as witty or pointed as the dialog on `Ugly Betty', but the show does have its `bitchy' moments. Yes, it has a lot in common with many other shows of the same genre over the years (`Everwood', `Family', `Once and Again'), but because of the powerhouse star cast and good writing, this show rises from ordinary and becomes something special. Relive the magical first season on DVD - in fact, you'll probably start playing episode after episode and get totally hooked once you start it!

Four Stars, because as always, this could have been better.

This new series was first viewed as Calista Flockart's show but that quickly changed as they expanded the family matriarch's part--the great Sally Field. And it's good to see her working steady again. She won the Emmy this year and this 2 time Oscar winner is a joy to watch as Nora Walker the head of a complex clan dealing with the family business and the death of Field's husband. Each show examines all the varied problems in the Walker family and has more subplots than an Agatha Christy book.

The basically young cast are all very good in their roles but it is the mother that not only holds the family together--but the entire series. And Ms. Field is more than up to the challenge. Although the series started out slowly in the ratings, it is has become a regular Sunday night staple at 10 PM EST.

It's complex and engrossing thanks to the excellent scripts, directing and competent performers. And again, Field is worth the watch anytime.

Welcome back Sally!

Brothers and Sisters is to me one of the best shows I have ever had the pleasure of watching on Television. It is also one of the most well cast shows I have ever seen. It has been wonderful listening to people raving about the show, and its been years and years since I've seen a show that has caused such emotional input. I so look forward to Sunday Night, and I also love watching the reruns. If anyone interested in good television, has missed this show, I urge them to catch up with the first year by going to the ABC web site, where you can watch all of the episodes, or rent or buy the DVD set when it comes out. When Season 2 begins join all of us who adore this brilliant series.

Every couple of years, a TV show comes along that really stands out. Once a decade or so, you get a show that literally takes your breath away with its brilliance. BROTHERS AND SISTERS is one such show.

Let's start with the cast -- this is the most perfectly-cast show to come along in years. Every single character is played intelligently, realistically, and with great depth, and the actors and the chemistry between them are a large part of that. Sally Field is immensely deserving of her Emmy, but Rachel Griffiths and Calista Flockhart are also equally as deserving of recognition.

Then there's the production of the show. This show is beautiful to watch, especially in high-definition (where's the Blu-Ray version??). Dirction, lighting, cinematography and set design are simply the best there is on TV these days. The visual richness of the show only makes it that much more fun to watch.

And of course, there's the writing. None of this would be possible without excellent stories and good dialogue. The blend of comedy and drama, done so well by shows like BOSTON LEGAL and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, is taken to a new level, with more laugh-out-loud moments than most sitcoms, and more genuine tears (of both joy and sadness) than many "Best Picture"-winning movies. There aren't many shows that I can count on to make me cry every week, but BROTHERS AND SISTERS manages to bring tears to my eyes at least once every week.

What pushes BROTHERS AND SISTERS into the category of truly brilliant television is the way it is pushing the envelope of what we see on network television. I sometimes find myself checking to make sure I'm not watching HBO or Showtime, where ground-breaking television has become the norm. We have the first totally real gay character on network television -- one who has a real love life and will actually passionately kiss guys in prime time. We have married couples with extremely realistic relationships. We have non-stereotypical takes on drug addiction, infidelity, grief.

I could go on, but I suspect if you've read this far you get the point -- if you were to only watch one show on TV (or buy one TV-on-DVD set), this should be the one.

A note on the DVD: It's rare that a DVD season set includes an extra as good as the one contained here -- a complete, previously-unaired episode. It was meant to be the second episode of the season, but apparently the producers felt it didn't move the story in the direction they wanted to go. While it isn't the best episode of the series, it is certainly fantastic to watch, especially for someone like me who has seen every episode at least twice already. Many DVD sets have "special" episodes included, but they're usually either recaps of the the season, or just short episodes (like the "extra" episodes they've been including on the 24 season sets the past few years). This extra episode of BROTHERS AND SISTERS is a complete, finished, full-length episode.

For the die-hard fans: If you buy the set at Target, you get a bonus DVD containing a Museum of Radio and Television interview with the cast. It's not particularly exciting, but the hardcore fans will want to see it.