Mistakes Were Made

I was asked to put something up today... you know just to keep the blog rolling as we slide into Thanksgiving weekend. But all I keep thinking about was last night's episode and the combined power of "Mistakes Were Made" 1 & 2. So few people actually speak their minds or express themselves courageously in a public forum, and those that do too often are motivated by self-aggrandizement, or worse, vindictiveness to get at any universal truths.

I know that working on this show for these talented people makes me biased, but I believe that Brothers & Sisters has landed, and if the last two weeks are any indication, we are looking at a television classic.

uh oh...

Greg Berlanti just read this over my shoulder and maintains that I'm campaigning hard for a script in the back nine... he may be right. But then again, he may just have no soul.

-- Ben

Comments

[Carrie]

Last night's episode was amazing. I liked part 2 much better than part 1. It was just a better mix of drama and humor. Keep up the great work.

[Karrie]

Aww, I think you may be just a little bit too hard on poor Mr. Berlanti there. If he and Guggenheim didn't have any soul, could they have written last night's beautiful episode?

A classic one, indeed.

(With a bonus of some really, really hot Rob Lowe. Which never hurts.)

[Michelle]

Who played the gay soldier who hit on Kevin at the bar?

[Daryn Simons]

Last night Tivo bounced your show off and didn't record and has also taken Brothers and Sisters off schedule for next week. Is there something we should know? If not, how can I get episode again. Am addicted to the show and upset that I won't get to see it. I watch through Direct TV.

[Mary]

Cannot believe the liberal slant of a "conservative" character... just lost another viewer (and I LOVED this show). Guess I'll be watching something (anything) else from now on... since your 'anti-America' stance on Boston Legal took that wonderful show off my watching list it looks like ABC is a dinosaur and is headed for the tar pits.

[Ellie C]

Why is Boston Legal replacing Brothers & Sisters on Sunday night??? My Tivo also did not tape this show last night. I don't understand why not.

[Kaitlyn]

I loved this episode. Kevin was hilarious! and Rob Lowe was a welcome addition...bring him back! :)

[Jennifer Doro]

Can't agree more with the above blogger about the the liberal slant of a "conservative" character... (and I LOVED this show too). I thought it started with a brilliant idea and a great cast. However, I see there is merit to all the hype of network television only being made by the left and for the left. Just lost another viewer who just wanted to watch a fair clever balance!

[Kong Chang]

Great episode as always. Love Kevin's reaction of having a one-night stand. Love Nora's breakdown and Kitty's sympathy scene in the kitchen. Rob Lowe makes for a great new addition as Kitty's love interest. Still miss Scotty though and he should be brought back soon. Thank goodness you beefed up Tommy's role a lot more and the best news at the end was wonderful.

To Michelle : the gay soldier, Rick, is played by Stephen Bishop

For anyone wondering why Boston Legal is on next week instead of B&S is because it's a two parter episode. B&S will return on Dec. 3rd for its 10th episode and then it's repeat season until late January starting with ep 11.

[Andi]

Absolutely amazing program, smart, funny, charming and the characters wow!!!!! Loved seeing Sara in the bar scene letting off steam - she deserves it.

Great writing!!!!!

What night is the show moving to?

[Terri P]

I also have Direct TV and was more than dismayed to find that TIVO did not record it despite having a season pass. I hope the episode will be reaired and that we still have more to come. A great show and love the warmth of Sally Field

[JJ]

Once again another great episode. Can this show get any better? You all outdo yourselves week after week. Amazing! I would really hate to see Justin sent off to war....find some way to keep him here please. Pretty please. Also, can't say that I like the character of Holly....vindictive witch is what I think, not innocent love. It might be best to write her off the show. She's getting on my nerves.
The very last scene last night, family all around the dinner table excited b/c Tommy & Julia are having a baby, is just the kind of family show we need. And notice that the whole family was there (please keep Justin) the whole family needs to be there (please keep Justin) to keep the great dynamic (please keep Justin). This cast couldn't seem more like a real family if they actually were. Keep it up! Oh, and what's up with it not being on next week?????

[Susan]

Really enjoyed last night episode and yes, Rob Lowe is a great addition.

Very dissapointed with the break next week and the long break after next week. What's up with that? You guys are just building momentum here, why stopping it with reruns and breaks?

[Military Wife]

I was a devoted watcher until last night. Your episode completely took everything my husband has stood for in the last four years and belittled it. He has been a United States soldier for nine years and has served two tours in Iraq. Your episode made soldiers into sexual harrasers who drink in uniform (not allowed), dress sloppily (ID tags outside of t's, sleeves rolled up are not allowed) and are openly gay. The United States Army is made to look like some horrible monster forcing it's soldiers to do something that they signed up to do! Now I know this is Hollywood's version, but this is what some people watch and actually believe is hapening out there and it couldn't be the farthest thing from the truth! I resent that this program is being used as a mass marketing tool for this garbage. My husband was sickened by the this, the first episode he has ever seen. He grew more and more angry and frustrated before he finally stormed out of the room and I have actually decided I cannot watch this program anymore. What a shame the writers had to take a good program and add a liberal slant so biased.

[Kong Chang]

Hmm, correction, episode 10 "Light the Lights" will air on December 10th. A repeat of "Affairs of State" (episode 3) will air on December 3rd.

At least we'll get a repeat fix of Scotty on Dec. 3rd.

[andrea rountree]

Well you just lost this viewer and I am a big fan. You condoned dessertion and then your 82nd AIRBORNE soldier who "had" a one night stand with a man. I am the most liberal person you could ever meet...however. I am the very proud wife of an active duty soldier currently serving his 3rd tour in Iraq, has been in the ARMY for 19 years and when you condone such acts as dessertion I am angry. This is not a subject to be taken lightly and I feel that your writers did just that. As far as the insinuated one night stand...another subject that should not be taken lightly, whether it is heterosexual or homosexual. The direct reference to the 82nd AIRBORNE? Why them? Why would you refer to any division at all? Why couldn't he have just been an ARMY guy? My husband is with the 3rd BRIGADE STRYKER BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM...but I know a handful of 82 AIRBORNE soldiers and once knew a 3 star General who "ran" that division...please don't refer to specific divisions when you are portraying one night stands...show these men some respect! They are dying every day in Iraq and Afghanistan and you are taking these two issues so lightly? I want to understand your intentions last night...I just don't think that I can.

[Lynn H]

This is one of my favorite shows. It is great to have a show with great acting and writing. It was nice to see someone act like an adult and take responsibility for their actions and apologizing, in last nights episode. It's great to see this family acting like most large families (I am the eldest of one). Keep up the great work, you have a loyal watcher spreading the word about this great show.

[Former Viewer]

Loved the show because of its intelligent portrayal of both liberals and conservatives. Both parties want the same thing: Peace, health and happiness for themselves, family and communities. Last night, you betrayed that intelligence by giving Kitty the liberal POV. Most Conservatives do not question the necessity of the war. And we recognize, and respect, the sacrifice of those who serve and their families.

[will]

Listen, about these comments - people getting frustrated and angry because, amongst other things, Kevin picked up (or was picked up by) a gay soldier. That gay soldier was SERVING HIS COUNTRY in the first place. He was obviously in the States on his OWN TIME. Saying you're frustrated and angry because a soldier picks up another guy ON HIS OWN TIME is homophobia in disguise. What you mean is you don't like gayness nor gay soldiers. My guess is if he tried to pick up Sara, you and your husband would have had no problem...You sound like a decent woman "military wife", but give those two a break. We're all in this country together.

[gpa59]

I'm glad to hear we were not the only ones to have TIVO issues, we have Verizon's FIOS service and our episode got lost, too. I am piecing together what happened last night from other bloggers. AND, Before anyone jumps off and says they will write off this show because of a story line that seems to support desertion, let's let the story line play out. Maybe you'll like the resolution. And, like it or not, there are closeted gay and lesbian citizens serving quietly in the trenches because that is the only way they can serve their country in the military. It's pretty naive to think that the people living with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" are leading celibate lives. If there was a one nighter in last night's episode, sounds pretty realistic to me. I am thankful for your service to our country, m'am! I hope the ABC execs read these blogs, it's really frustrating to get involved with a show only to have it disappear for weeks. (Lost, Commander in Chier, and Invasion to name a few!)

[cathy]

my dvr didn't record last nights episode either.... anywhere we can get a copy of it? online???

[Military Wife]

His "own time" shouldn't be in a United States soldier's uniform.

[Alexandra Jones]

Has that Calista Flockhart character taken even ONE conservative position since the show started? She has taken liberal ones...

1. For fetal stem cell research even though most conservatives know that embryonic stem cell research has panned out not at all, while adult stem cell research is red hot.

2. Now she is against the Iraq war?

I guess she will next come out in favor gay marriages, abortion rights, higher taxes, and against ANWR drilling...

Writers...I know you probably haven't met a conservative in your life and have trouble figuring how how to write a conservative character sympathetically...but you COULD try researching us a little. Rush Limbaugh is on three hours a day, Townhall.com and NewsMax.com are just a click away...

[Kim]

LOVED Rob Lowe!!! LOVE this character. Please sign him for mor ethan 6 episodes. Rob Lowe is awesome.

[Curt Collins]

People are diverse in their issues, my parents are conservative, but my mom agrees with Gay Marrige, she has a gay son and my sister is a lesbian-my dad also agrees with stem cell research, federally funded, but they wouldn't vote democrat ever-people who are conservative arean't strickly conservative, same with people who are liberal, I thought it was a great episoad, America is made up of lots of different types of people and thats what makes us so great, I think this show does a great job showing us that, soilders party my friend is a gay guy in the military, hes as gay as the come but hes serving our country-and i couldn't be more proud of him although i'd rather have him home!