'Brothers & Sisters' season finale: Highway to destiny

The question we have all been pondering for the last five months -- exactly how Rob Lowe's character Robert McCallister was going to exit the show -- was finally answered on last night's "Brothers & Sisters" season finale. The beloved senator met his demise on a stretch of highway with Kitty by his side after a big rig lost control and collided into their SUV. My and many viewers' assumption that he would die by heart attack proved too obvious. The show acknowledged the theory by giving him an arrhythmia scare the night before the accident, but it was a sharp metal beam that crashed into his driver's side window that finally did him in.

Even though we knew Robert's moment was coming, it didn't keep those last dramatic five minutes from being any less shocking. It was the first time we'd really seen any of the Walkers in grave physical danger and the initial sight of Kevin, Scotty, Saul and Holly bleeding and hurt was pretty startling. From the moment Justin and Rebecca pulled up to the wreckage, the camera seemed to stretch their (and our) feeling of dread as they encountered each mangled car and began to heard screams from familiar voices. They came upon Saul's overturned car first. Scotty sat up dazed while Kevin pulled shattered glass from his hand. Saul stood a few feet with a gash across his forehead, a reminder of his new reality (more about that later). Sarah and Nora emerged shaken but unhurt as they rushed to get more help for Holly, who sat unconscious in her car. Then came Robert's and Kitty's SUV, nestled against the belly of a big rig.

Robert's last minutes were brief and so, so sad. The jutting beam and a giant bloody head wound kept him still as he recalled his fears on the day that Evan was born. Kitty's strength quelled his fears back then and as he sat dying, and while she pleaded for him to hold on and keep talking, the light went out from his blue eyes. If there was one thing Robert consistently stood by during his time on the show, it was his dedication to his family, so it was fitting that the comforting memory took him through his last breaths.

To dramatize the ending, most of the episode kept a relatively mellow pace except for the revelation of two big pieces of news that will inform some of the stories next season. The first was Saul's discovery that he has HIV/AIDS. While preparing the menu for his and Scotty's upcoming restaurant, the subject of getting tested came up after a man from Saul's past requested his friendship on Facebook. He learned that the man was currently an AIDS activist living with the disease, which set off alarms that he should finally get tested after all these years of being in the closet. Scared and still reeling from a lifetime of shame and hiding, Saul lied to Nora when he first got the test results. But the news sank in at the sight of his own blood after the accident -- the results were positive and he and the Walkers would be facing a whole new challenge come Season 5.

The other piece of news was the breakthrough at Narrow Lake, which after the closing of Ojai Foods now belonged to Sarah, Nora and Holly. Never one to give up on a good mystery, Nora continued to fund more digging with the hopes of finding the land's true value. Her efforts paid off. Narrow Lake contained an aquifer, a body of rock capable of yielding groundwater -- a gold mine in a state that frequently suffers from water shortage. Their financial future was secured at that moment, and as the ladies danced in the geyser, one of the season's big mysteries was finally resolved.

Since the show plans to flash forward a year during Season 5, the questions raised in the finale set the stage for the time jump. Kitty will grieve over Robert's death and we'll find out whether she won the election. Justin will volunteer in Haiti while Rebecca stays behind to take on a new job, leaving their relationship vulnerable. Kevin and Scotty will be new parents, and Saul will fight a new battle. It's yet to be seen what injuries Holly will sustain from the accident, but it'll probably affect her somehow. Sarah and Luc will explore their relationship further and Nora will continue to be the rock holding it all together. I think flashing forward is a brilliant move for the show. After a lackluster third season, "Brothers & Sisters" proved its mettle with the fourth, and this new perspective will give viewers even more incentive to watch. Rob Lowe will be sorely missed, but the Walkers will trudge through as these startling new events leave the future precariously and excitedly open with possibilities.

What are your thoughts on the season finale? Feel free to chime in below!

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: Rob Lowe in his final episode as Robert McCallister on "Brothers & Sisters." Credit: ABC

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Comments

[Rebecca]

We all know how well the Walker family is about keeping secrets. I think Saul couldn't bear to tell the awful truth of his results. How else could he handle the call with his sister sitting right there. With the massive car pile up it was inevitable that the truth would come out at the worst possible moment. Just the look on Kevin's face when he reached out to his Uncle was heartbreaking.

Sad as it is to see Rob Lowe go, I don't believe his role was as exciting this season as it was when they first brought him on the show. I loved him in West Wing and wish that that kind of energy was kept up on B&S. I look forward to seeing what roles he does post B&S.

With Narrow Lake having an aquifer I think they will open another business and leave Ojai Foods behind. I'm sure there is more trouble on the horizon involving their new discovery.

It should be interesting to see what new characters they bring into the new season.

[Sara]

I LOVE this show!! I have to say, however, that they don't give HIV results over the phone, but I get why they wrote it that way. I knew Rob was leaving to do another show - they didn't just "write him out." I also agree with the woman who said if you have a problem with the relationship between Kevin and Scotty, then don't watch! No one is holding a gun to your head! Also, to the guy who wrote such a nasty comment about the show and his girlfriend who makes him "watch it to spend quality time together" - dude, get a grip. If you're really going to break up with her for watching this show and Dancing With the Stars, then I'm fairly certain that she's waaaay better without you. Grow up and get a hobby. If you're so irate that you have to watch this awesome show and write nasty things about it, and your girlfriend, you have way too much time on your hands. The rest of us on here LOVE it. It's just entertainment, for cryin' out loud.

[Maria Sanchez]

I love this show..and will miss Robert too...

[Debbie]

WOW!!!! I love this program, the only problem is waiting for the new season to start. Rob is going to be missed, but next season there will be new people, new problems and more excitement..... LOVE IT and can't wait till it gets here.

[Lois]

Wow.....great finale!! Of course we knew that Rob Lowe was leaving and to do it so dramaticly was really good. Just as in this show, I, too, come from a very disfunctional, functional family. We love each other, as they do, and when we lose one of us, we ban together like nobodies business. And I love your show for making me laugh and cry every week. Good television; not that reality crap!! Can't wait 'till next year.!!

[Too Much]

Sorry fans,
But this show seems to have "JUMPED the SHARK" with this one...
and to add injury without Lowe.. this is going to be more & more like an afternoon SOAP typical storylines & acting.....

but likely the ratings will hold enough for a couple or more seasons..

But didn't they leave Saul's status up in the air ( i.e. he didn't call just faked out Nora after telling her to MIND HER OWN BUSINESS.... and he's just concerned that he is and could infect the family with his blood...)
the writer's will need to decide if the viewers really want to deal with AIDS drama in prime time for years.. or is the actor in negotiations after next season?????

[kelly]

I only watched it for Rob Lowe....where the heck is he going?

Everryone on that show is totally annoying and the gay kissing is getting out of hand. My kids are grossing out and they love the show....I just tell them not to look. Do they actually have to lay on top of each other and make out. I think you can depict gay couples in shows without the tonsil hockey!!!

Rob Lowe is so stinkin hot.....they need to get someone VERY HANDSOME on the show that is normal like he is.

[stanley Warmbrodt]

did rob lowe choose to leave the show or was he written out?

[Merie]

Very sad that Robert is gone. I wonder if "Stanton" had a hand in the accident. Remember, the last thing Kitty and Robert talked about was releasing the tapes.

[Maria Guzman]

I love this show last nights ending left me in tears i didnt see that coming i really thought Holly would be the one to go cant wait to see what SEASON 5 BRINGS US.

[jennifer]

I thought it was a great finale to a great season. Was somewhat surprised to see Robert killed off. But don't think it was the show's decision because I saw a preview that suggests he may be joining the cast of "Parks & Rec" (or maybe just doing a few guest appearances). Anyway, he's a phenomenal actor and I'm sure we'll see him back soon in something else. Since The West Wing went off air, this is one of my all time favorite shows so I can't wait until September to see what happens next!

[Sean Bevan]

My partner and I are big fans of Brothers & Sisters and Rob Lowe will be greatly missed. We're really hoping they'll find some way to keep him on and perhaps make it look like he just slipped off into a coma.

Now for Saul, Kevin and Scotty, the writers made a mistake in my book. If your in a committed gay relationship, why are you being tested for HIV/AIDS every year "Like Spring Cleaning?" Oh Brother What? If that's true then they must not really be in a committed relationship. Why wasn't the topic of HIV testing mentioned when Rebecca and Justin had sex before they were married? What about Sarah and her new French Lover Luc? Were they tested before having sex? Noting the recent episode when Sarah thought she might be pregnant, what no protection?

It seems the writers want to make people think that HIV is still a Gay-Only disease.

We live in Utah were it's common for straight people to have unprotected sex at swinger clubs, because they seem to believe that only gay people get AIDS. That's simply not true.

Don't get me wrong, I still absolutely love the show. But not all gay people in committed relationships get HIV tested each year just as not all straight people in committed relationships get tested. Perhaps that needs to change.

[Ms. Edwards]

OMG is all I could say...I agree with the fact that thought we knew Robert would leave, I wasnt any less shocked. WOW I was still thinking about the show last night, I am in awe. I have watched the show since day 1 and I absolutely love them as if they were somehow my real family. I cant wait until Season 5 begins!

[S. Dietrich]

I watched to see Rob Lowe - now that he is gone, I am not interested in the gay couple or the nutty overly nervous women that are in this family. Also, it seems to promote "MORE WINE" much too often. Can't these people deal with life without alcohol?

[Lisa]

Bravo to the writers of this show.

[Judy Dotson]

I liked the finale but there could have been a little more excitment in the story line. We all knew Robert would die so that wasn't a surprise. I guess the story line could get a little more mileage from Saul but his character is rather boring. I will be waiting to see what develops with Holly now that her character isn't Miss __itch.

The story line with Sarah and her hunky guy is totally boring. Can't his character have a little more depth? Couldn't you develop the story line by having her be taken in again by this guy? Yes, they all swear they are telling the truth and this one does too but in real life many, many guys tell a woman exactly what she wants to hear. Give us some realism!

[Gail D'Amico]

I have watched this program from the very first day it started. I is my favorite show and I never miss it. I think the cast is wonderful and the story line is excellent. Although I snuggle into my bed and get real comfortable because I have to go to work the next, I try so hard to stay awake to watch. I was worried that is was going off the air because of the second to last episode as were some people at work. Too bad Robert had to die but at least it is not the end. Keep up the good work and continue to do such a wonderful job.

[Pam Retterath]

I am devasted!! No more handsome, hunky Rob Lowe?!! Thank God for Luc. Still going to miss Rob Lowe though..........

[Diana]

I love the show and will miss Rob Lowe's character. I hope he comes back down the road in a different role. Good Luck to him and I will be looking for him on the big sceen or another series. Great actor. He will be missed. Nice finale and jump forward is a great idea. Thanks for the great entertainment each week.

[samantha knisley]

I really don't like the idea of them skipping a year into the future. I would feel cheated if we didn't get to see Robert's funeral, or Kitty dealing with his death. Or Kevin and Scotty having their baby..... or Saul dealing with his HIV status. Or Kitty being upset with Justin for helping Holly, and not Robert...... There are sooooo many things that would be missed if the skipped ahead a year. I just think that's a bad idea!!!