'Brothers and Sisters': The issues at hand

One thing that I love about "Brothers and Sisters" is how rooted it is in the present day. Whether the show touches on issues such as gay marriage, the war in Iraq or national politics, you always feel the Walkers exist in the same world, and for Angelenos, in the same city.

Last night's episode revisited some of those key issues as well as briefly acknowledged our country's current economic troubles. It's certainly not the escapism most people would prefer to indulge in during these tough times, but I think there's some comfort in seeing how a family, albeit a fictional one, copes in today's landscape.

The first issue touched on last night was ...

... gay marriage. Kevin is invited to a business dinner with a potential client, whom if he lands, can pretty much guarantee him partnership at his law firm. The catch, however, is that his boss doesn't think it would be a good idea to bring Scotty, even though spouses are invited. Kevin agrees but can't help but feel as though he's been shoved "back in the closet." How much of himself will he have to compromise to get ahead in his career?

I applaud "Brothers and Sisters" for being one of the few network shows to introduce gay characters that move beyond the stereotypes and explore gay relationships in a real way. Scotty is one of my faves: his confidence in himself and in his relationship keeps an otherwise uptight, neurotic Kevin grounded. He presents Kevin with choices and provides the cute and funny support anyone, gay or straight, would want. I'm also interested in watching Saul, who quit Ojai Foods after 40 years, finally come out and live life for himself. It's important to acknowledge that coming out isn't just a process exclusive to young people: many go through it well into adulthood.

Another issue that has been integral to the show since the beginning is the war. In the first season, we witnessed how 9/11 motivated Justin to enlist in the Army and the havoc that it wreaked throughout the family. In the second season, we saw him shipped back to the Middle East and subsequently injured in an attack. This season, Justin must come to terms with his experiences in light of his sobriety and his new relationship with Rebecca. While volunteering at a local Army recruitment center, he's reunited with a soldier he saved during an attack that killed his best friend. Justin was visibly uncomfortable at being praised a hero, and I assumed it would be all a lie. Later we learn his uneasiness was due to the guilt he felt for wishing his best friend's life had been saved instead of that soldier's. I'm glad we were spared the dramatic plot twist: addressing guilt and grief are definitely more real.

Also real is today's struggling economy and the tumult at Ojai Foods reflects some of that. With the company heavily in debt from bad business deals, Tommy and Holly spearhead some bold, risky changes that strongly conflict with Sarah's and Saul's objectives. Saul quits and Sarah follows but not before supporting Tommy's proposal at the board meeting. Ojai's troubles weren't a direct result of the nation's economic downturn, but Sarah's fears of unemployment during a shaky job market were valid and definitely relatable. 

What do you think? How do you feel about shows that acknowledge today's current events and issues?

— Enid Portuguez

Comments

[Alan H]

Brothers & Sisters is definitely one of the very few shows on network television worth watching and I'm pleased to see that the writers are addressing the marriage equality issue with such fervor. I'm happy to see that Kevin didn't lose it with his boss and quit. A few seasons ago that would have been par for the course for him.

The episode did, however, leave me a bit perplexed when Sarah suddenly reversed course on the Ojai foods issue without any clear motivation. Did I miss something?

As for Holly, when are they going to kill her off? Her demise seems inevitable and I'd welcome her departure.

Justin and Rebecca and the "ick factor: Does anyone else find their relationship weird? I can't imagine having an intimate relationship with someone I once thought was my sister. They just seem to be crossing the line, and unless I missed something, none of the Walkers seem to care. I must admit I've not seen all of the episodes this season, so perhaps I missed something. Regardless, it just seems WRONG--so much so that I can't even watch them together anymore.

[suze]

I think this year's show is weak in story and characters. I enjoyed the program last year and looked forward to it returning but I was very disappointed. In reality, no family would be out hunting down an illegitimate child so that he can benefit from his father's inheritance. This is ludicrous and they wouldn't have shown Holly's daughter the kindness that they did. They would have seen her as an usurper and shunned her. Now they're all in business together, Holly, and she's throwing the walkers out. Please......with all the money they are supposed to have, they could have hired the best attys., no including their own son and taken Holly to court. Now her daughter who isn't even the child of walker gets $2million. Ludicrous storyline and they should either go back to the drawing board or cancel the show.

[Jenna]

The whole gay associate in a law firm issue is ridiculous. I get that gay people have to make all types of concessions that straight couples don't. However, the made up issue about his persona at work is annoying. As an attorney at a big law firm, I know that no one really cares about your personal life. You are there to make money, period. Dinner with a client is not the time or place to push your opinion or lifestyle. Instead, the show went out of it's way to paint the dinner thing as a moral issue, when it didn't have to be. I'm sure there are lot of places where a courageous stand is called for and appropriate, but the issue the show is presenting isn't one of them.

[medit]

The near to real situation in this soap is the strong relationship between siblings and a mother whose life is focused in keeping the family together. The different lives and characters surrounding them are just too idealistic....i suggest that the writers need to sit down and review to make the whole story more realistic.

[Bedell]

Well, okay, Brothers and Sisters does deal with current issues,,,sort of. And it sure as an obvious agenda. It seems the writers can barely get through an episode without commending the "courage" of those who come out of the closet. Looks like the other issues are all secondary to this. Having spent years promoting the sexual confusion of a gay lifestyle, TV writers continue their great push forward ridiculing and pounding away at the supposed bias and small-mindedness of those who don't buy their blatant attempts at social engineering.