'Brothers & Sisters': Gilles Marini is a good Luc charm

 I don't remember what exactly happened in last night's "Brothers & Sisters," and Gilles Marini is to blame.

As soon as his sultry bedroom eyes, thick, dark mane and dimples hit the screen, my mind went blank, and I, too, longed to pull up a poolside lounge chair to gawk along with the Walkers. I'll stop gushing now, but you get the gist. Marini as Luc, Sarah's cooking, dancing, swimming French lover, rightfully gave the show the sizzle it needed.

Luc's presence provided lightheartedness after a trio of serious, emotional episodes. From his dance lesson with Justin to that hilarious pool scene, which happily harked back to Marini's role in the "Sex and the City" movie, we once again saw comedy come out of the Walker house.

It was a hoot to see the female and gay Walkers indulge in their hot new house guest. Their wide-eyed stares mirrored mine. It was a fun way to establish a connection with the audience. My favorite moment was the tango scene. There was movement, music and this performance aspect that we hadn't seen before on the show. Who knew Rebecca was such a good dancer!

Unfortunately, that scene was also the catalyst for Scotty and Kevin's blowup.

After some considerable back-and-forth over whether they were ready to have a child, Kevin and Scotty reached a breaking point last night. Surrogacy has been their preference (although I would have loved for them to adopt and give the "Modern Family" guys a run for their money), but the cost alone was valid reason to put the decision on hold.

Money aside, Kevin and Scotty also had a few issues they needed to hash out, including their busy work schedules and frequent power struggles. The tango scene, in which neither was willing to relinquish control and follow the other, was the perfect metaphor for their relationship. Kevin is stubborn, unwilling to consider any viewpoint but his own, and Scotty fights for his beliefs, but they eventually do compromise in a real, believable way.

With the complexity of Scotty and Kevin's relationship as well as the weighty issue of two men raising a child, I was a little surprised that they handled the decision to choose the surrogate mom in such a casual way. A uterus in exchange for some money to start a handbag line? I understand that surrogacy is essentially a business transaction, but you'd think that someone who is a personal friend of the prospective parents would put some more thought into it. Birthing a child isn't exactly house sitting. Perhaps it was also the fact that Roxy Olin, the actress who plays the surrogate, Michelle, is concurrently playing herself on MTV's reality show "The City" that made that scene hard to digest.

It's your turn to weigh in. What did you think of Gilles Marini's performance? Were you as charmed with Luc as I was? What are your thoughts on how the show handled surrogacy? Sound off in the comments!

-- Enid Portuguez

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Photo: Gilles Marini as Luc Laurent and Sally Field as Nora Walker on "Brothers & Sisters." Credit: ABC

Comments

[dcalleykat]

It's been sad watching the decline of this show. In the beginning it had all the right ingredients for an interesting modern character study, you name it and this show seemed to have a character that fit the role. No sooner had they settled in for a long run than someone started inserting a political agenda, and turned what was once edgy situations into storylines found everyday on the daytime soaps. While Gilles Marini is easy on the eyes, it's going to take a lot more than that to save this drivel. In few words, all the characters need to grow up and get out of the soap world!

[Mei Ling]

I think this was one of the best episodes...well-written and well cast with the talented Gilles Marini. He inter-acted well with everyone. The humor was refreshing.
The storyline to include Holly's dilemna was also ell interjected....timely, considering how many people have suffered at the hands of Madoff.

The writers should keep the humor going...it off-sets the heavy-handeness of the storylines. Keep Marini around for awhile!

[Julie]

Omg!
I completly feel in love with that guy" Luc".
He's simply making us dream . We want more from him , I am hooked again on this show !
Such a great Actor , I do hope they get married and that Sarah is pregnant or something .
Now , Scotty and Kevin.
Yes they should adopt , would be a better story line .
Julie

[Aura]

I never watched the show before. I just tuned in to see Gilles. He did not disappoint. Can you imagine being that good looking AND talented? It's just not fair. :)

[Hedy]

I was smiling throughout the entire show and it was because Gilles Marini was on. He is good, on the dance floor in the pool, in the kitchen and yes in the acting department. Kudos to Gilles!!!

[Laura]

Gilles' Luc is just what the doctor ordered. Gilles can act and is so incredibly sexy, an impossible combo to resist! I am very happy with Gilles' performance and he is definitely a welcome addition to Brothers and Sisters. In a perfect world he'll stay with the show this season, becomming a contract player and then stay with the show the rest of it's run! Congratulations Gille and welcome!

[Lilly]

OMG they must keep Luc/Gilles on that show. I was so excited, all week counting the days for last night's episode. It's true, he is like a big shot of B-12. Exactly what they needed! Love ABC!!!

[LINDA]

HE WAS FANTASTIC. CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT WEEK. HE IS A BSOLUTELY THE WHOLE PACKAGE. IS THERE ANYTHING HE CAN'T DO. GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS!

[LINDAp]

Whomever came up with Gilles on the show deserves a big fat raise. I hope Gilles is getting paid well. The storyline is great also. Just wonderful! This should really boost ratings.

[Lisa Wilson]

Absolutely loved him on the show, so scrumptious to look at! Between him and Rob Lowe, great eye candy on the show!

[Tina]

The arc they've created for Gilles Marini is one of the most charming, entertaining and, ok I'll admit it, mouth wateringly well done storylines I've seen on primetime TV in a VERY long time. Any other actor in that role would have been in danger of coming off as a caricature, but the sensitivity and good nature Gilles brings to the character is truly endearing. Seeing how these arcs tend to work, I fear we may only see him for a few more episodes... UNLESS the show's producers are smart enough to understand what their audience of women really want... and THAT is Gilles Marini!

[Rnady Thomas]

Knowing that Gilles was great as a model and a nice human being to boot I turned in to the show not really expecting much in the acting department. I was nicely surprised. He came across as natural and believable as his character. Good for you Gilles, now your a triple threat! :)

Randy T.

[Edi Yang]

Kevin and Scotty should learn a lesson in coming episodes, a valuable one, that surrogate mom is not a thing. It's a human! They have feelings for the baby. You can't just choose or get to pick them like a baby machine or something. :-)

Anyway, does anybody know what the song in the end of this episode ? something about "it's a beautiful world" ? Thanks ...

[Nic]

I'd only seen a handful of episodes of this show before they added the Luc character. I think it's because the Walker clan seemed to take itself too seriously. With the addition of Mr. Marini, I am hooked!

His character brings a much-needed shot in the arm, and seems to have revitalized the other great actors on the show. I am tuning in every week for as long as Luc is there!

[Beatrice Nore]

Sure Gilles is a very handsome man, but that alone would not be enough. He has a very skillful way of projecting a gentle, empathetic personality to the character is completely irresistible. There are many good looking men in Hollywood but they don't have that meltingly softness in their eyes like Gilles.

I was about ready to give up on B&S because it was getting so depressing with heavy duty emotional plot lines every week. What a change Gilles has brought to the show. I am back to watching again. If indeed he is only going to be on for 4 or 5 weeks there is going to be a huge hole in the show when he leaves.

[Arllys]

Yes, charmed is one way to put it, totally blown away by Luc is another way to put it. He is a really great addition to the B&S show, hope his story line continues on and on and on.

[Douglas Meny]

I absolutely loved this episode, and I love Gilles on the show. He is wonderful, and I so hope they can find a way for him to go beyond the few episodes they originally mentioned. This is a great show, and he is just what the Doctor ordered to spice things up. PLEASE< Don't turn him into a bad man.

[Marie Bailey]

I really love the character of Luc played so believably by Gilles Marini. Hope he is here to stay. I had never seen Brothers and Sisters and was watching just for the Luc arc but may decide to stay - definitely will stay if the multi-talented Marini stays. Long Live Luc!

[Rhonda Hayward]

So overall the very little time I watch TV it is to shut off from the real world.Can't think of a better way to spend that hour in the company of a beautiful french man named LUC.I will definatley tune in regardless of the content just for the lovely scenery.

[Nancy]

Gilles is wonderful as Luc! I'd never watched the show before I heard he would be guest starring and have discovered I like the characters and storylines as well as Gilles-watching.
I hope the show keeps him for its entire run. I think Gilles is bringing in a lot of new viewers such as me.