'Brothers & Sisters': Will Kitty's cancer boost the show?

Yes, they went there. Taking a cue from fellow ABC drama "Grey's Anatomy," "Brothers & Sisters" gave one of its lead characters cancer.

Last night, Kitty got the news that she has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes. It was brought on quite suddenly, and we were thankfully spared from anything overly dramatic such as hallucinations of past lovers. Like "Grey's," it seems the C-card was pulled to not only give Kitty the renewed perspective and purpose to either save or scrap her current situation, but to give the show's fourth season a much-needed boost.

Kitty and Robert's marriage is heading down the drain, and it's becoming increasingly more difficult to root for them as a couple. Nora really hasn't much to do; Tommy's gone; Sarah's still away; and frankly, Justin's and Rebecca's story just hasn't been doing it for me lately. Scotty and Kevin have baby issues that they'll continue to deal with, and Ryan is back with what looks like another shady secret, but all that is hardly enough to keep one from changing the channel.

The show needs something because unlike "Grey's," "Brothers & Sisters" doesn't have heart-pumping emergency room action to counterbalance the emotional drama. It must instead rely on the Walker family's humor and comedic timing, which once upon a time served as the show's driving force. The aggravating arguments and tense scenes were always equally balanced with one of the character's funny foibles or the siblings' quirky way of communicating. That comedic magic has been lacking for most of the third season — I don't quite remember the last time I was charmed by an episode, though I'm sure it involved Sarah —so the fourth desperately needs to lighten things up. Will Kitty getting cancer help achieve that? I'm not sure.

Something so serious as a cancer story line can come off as either heart-tugging or downright depressing, and I hope the show aims for the former. First, Rachel Griffiths needs to come back from maternity leave and inject some spirit back into the show. Then we need to see the Walkers bond again. The focus has been so on their individual dramas that it'll be nice to witness the siblings share moments together that don't involve migraine-inducing arguments (we also have a reason for Nora to revisit her marijuana habit!). Justin's and Rebecca's impending wedding also has the potential for comedy, and even Kitty's treatment can be dealt with grace and humor.

Now that the show has led Kitty down an irreversible path, it has nowhere else to go but up. Bring the humor back, "Brothers & Sisters," and make us believe in the Walkers again.

Time for your thoughts, readers. What was your reaction to Kitty's diagnosis? Do you think the show needs to bring back the funny? Feel free to discuss in the comments.

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: Calista Flockhart as Kitty McAllister. Credit: ABC

Comments

[Judy]

"Do you think the show needs to bring back the funny?" My vote is..... GOOD LORD YES!!! Where oh where is the Nora laughter, the, funny lines delivered by children threatening to divorece the meddling intrusive, much-loved mother??? I am ready to turn the channel, my finger is poised above the remote, please, please, PLEASE..... give me a reason not to do it..... PLEASE!!!

[RFootman]

You forgot Desperate Housewives in this list of ABC "drama" employing cancer as a plot device.

I'm doubtful Brothers & Sisters can elevate this above the emotionally manipulative stage which is a shame. But when TV writers use this plot its just a magical disease that comes from nowhere, leaves just as mysteriously and leaves women, since it's unerringly a disease the afflicts the feminine gender, bald.

I don't see the cancer drama bringing more heat than the potential divorce drama, or the wedding/election drama.

[MLA17]

Hi Enid,

I always enjoy reading your recaps and comments. I've been a huge fan of this show from the start and I do agree that maybe the funny isn't around as much as before. There were two things that annoyed me about last night's episode. First - Ryan, we know he's up to no good and frankly I'm tiring of his just being around. I hope someone realizes he's not the good guy he pretends to be, very soon.
Second - Justin and Rebecca. Yes they are a cute couple but I think this wedding they're planning is moving on way too fast. Didn't Justin say he wanted to focus on school just last week?

What I did love about last night's episode, which is the reason I keep watching, Sally Field. She's just great! The scene with her and Ron Rifkin at the park was very moving. Yes she had me crying too. Nora was right, she doesn't always have to have the answers and it was good to see her admit that.

I also was surprised that Robert showed up at Kitty's appointment. I honestly wasn't expecting him to be there for her, like he had said earlier. So that may be a good sign their marriage is mendable.

[rachael weiss]

Grey's Anatomy is a great show....Ya have to love the writing...No comparison my friends...Brothers and Sisters has become old and boring ...Using the Cancer Card? Manipulative.....And quite frankly? I dont give a damn......I think this show will loose it's viewers and be canceled quite frankly............Its exhausting....Mad Men is sophisticated and cutting edge...................I called that one from day one.........................If its not on the page then its not happening....................................Im done....Bored....Sorry.......See ya......I need creative......

[rachael weiss]

I would be curious to see the numbers..The viewers on this show...Im sure its slipping................Takes alot to want to come back season after season........These characters are literally flat.....................

[AEG]

I applaud the writers on this show for their endless bank of ideas. Never a dull moment. Boring, NOT for a moment. It's real, it happens, it's life. Families are complicated. It's what not said that intrigues me.

[Enid Portuguez]

Thanks for the kind words, MLA17

For those that think the show needs improvement, what (or who) would you like to see more of? Should they bring in new characters? I think it would be a good idea to bring someone new...that isn't one of William's illegitimate children, of course.

[ADAM]

They've already lost me. Last night I simply tuned-out after "Housewives". There was a time when it was a two hour must watch but the over abundance of Rebecca-Justin Tean Beat dramas of last season shorted me right out. Where the show used to be touching, it now just seems hokey. The sugar cookie and juvenile rocker music overlays also became cloying. As far as the production and cast goes, I think it was a case of too much confidence too soon.

[K McDermott]

I have watched brothers & sisters from day one. I have cried, laughed, winced and felt true contempt during the past 2 1/2 seasons. Now though it is not any of those. It is true boredom. Could it be that they are trying too hard? Are they trying to stuff too much, too fast through the show? Yes the show has to have Sarah come back, yet the case has to be able to carry it with out making one or two have the big names carry the whole thing for all. It is very wrong, very sad that the producers, writers and to some extent the actual actors allowed the "cancer" script to be played out. There are so many other ways, other subjects that could have been covered to get the ratings going upwards. Hopefully all will not be lost and the other half of season 4 will be saved all else before we all say good-bye for the final and last time to the Walkers.

[mimi]

i used to love this show too, but it has gotten contrived and unrealistic. the fact that the mistress and her illegitimate daughter now have complete control and run ojai foods (never having any work experience of any kind) is just silly. i say the walkers need to stage a hostile takeover and put those tarts back in their places. they need to go from riches back to rags...

[espi]

I've been hooked on the show from the beginning (has it been 4 years ALREADY) and I agree that it has lost it's mojo. Kevin & his hubby are the most boring couple on the show. The baby adoption story line?? zzzzzz-so cliche & boring! Send them to WEHO gay pride or something-there's tons of potential for humor with their storyline! Oh and Holly needs to be run over by a bus!

[sylvie]

I've seen every episode from the first night Brothers & Sisters aired but stopped watching near the end of last season. It wasn't enjoyable anymore. There were some bright spots but on whole, it seemed a tiring and overwrought season with too much fighting and negativity and limited heartwarming and funny moments. I missed that Walker "glue".

BTW, I'm glad that I am not the only one who can't stand the Ryan story line. Total drain for the most part.

[Mei Ling]

Robert should give up his political run and start a think tank or join a law firm so that he can concentrate on Kitty and the baby....show some sacrifice for the right reasons; Ryan should be found out and kicked out; Nora can give Kitty support via her cancer support center and give positive storylines; Rachel definitely needs to come back and spar with Rebecca's scheming mother and bring the Sunday dinners back where everyone has something to say---with humor. Get Justin to stop being whiney although I honestly didn't believe that Rebecca would make so much noice in the kitchen knowing that Justin is trying to cram for his tests...her character is too considerate for that to have happend. Give Ron Rifkin more interaction---he's a bonus.

[Bill]

Did I miss something at the end of episode 1 or the beginning of episode 2? Was there a resolution to Justin and Rebecca's car accident from episode 1? All of a sudden there in their kitchen bickering......

[cecilia]

love this show last night was so sad great acting from calista and sally i hope kittys cancer is not to serious cause i want her and robert to work things out these two are meant to be together keep up the good work to all actors

[Amy Cohen Banker]

I have had a daughter who died of Hodgkins Disease in 2001 after a 2 and a
half year battle with this. Allie was age 19. I wish that she had the chance
to share her journey with the rest of the world however most of her friends
and family were affected by her graceful,valiant behavior. I just
hope that this show treats the subject carefully. They already used this
subject on Desperate Housewives a few years ago. The thing is, it can be
a lesson to people if done correctly but if it is made light of people do
not realize that people really can and do die from these diseases and
it totally influences the lives of others.

[mike84]

I agree with MLA17, seeing nora talking to saul was truly heart wrenching. This show was always about family, and in my opinion it never failed on doing that. Lately we have seen a lot of drama, and that's what's been troubling many viewers, I guess. Is the show getting worst? Of course not. Do we need more comedic storylines? Absolutely.

[ileandromp]

I agree. It doesn't have the magic anymore. I do remember, almost in every episode from season 1 & 2, the "omgg!", "i can't believe this just happened", or "wow", "i love this family", and all the get together they used to have. Now, is like, blah!.

I wish they come back to the real Brothers & Sisters they used to be. They tried to hard on being funny on season 3 and it just ruined the show and the perspective/love i had for the show. I'm still watching it tho, hoping for an improvement.

I'm not really tired of the "Ryan story line" tho but it could be better..., and Justin and Rebecca are getting me tired. They need to do something with this two! I can't believe they took off Tommy and his wife for this two.

Great potential but poor decisions.

[Anne]

I never watched this show, until two weeks ago, about 2 weeks after I was diagnosed with Non hodgkins Lymphoma, I saw the clip where she went to the doctor, and was about to have tests. Then last sunday, ( the day before I was about to have a bone marrow biopsy, I turned it on and Kitty was also having a bone marrow bioposy the next day.
She gave me courage, and for the most part all they have been saying is true to life.And NHL does come out of nowhere... So, for truly personal reasons, I am going to START watching this show.

[Yolanda]

I've watched Brothers and Sisters since it started and yes there were plenty of funny times and this show is also supposed to be a life even when there is a change which affects the entire family. I can related to this season as my sister was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lympoma in May. I was very emotional after seeing the episode. Our family had plenty of fun times and when news of this nature come about it's life changing for the entire family. My sister was in Stage 1 and is currently NED (No Evidence of Disease) and I am thankful for that. The show is about family being together no matter what the cirmcumstances are and so far the show is being true to that.