From the Writers of Last Night's Episode

Today we have a double-post, courtesy of the writers of "Something Ida This Way Comes" -- Sherri Cooper and David Marshall Grant. From now on, we're going to try and have the writers weigh in on their episodes Monday morning.
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"Tales from the Blogger Virgin"
by Sherri Cooper

OK, so we writers have just been informed that we must now Blog about our episodes from here on out,  (is that even a verb and is it supposed to be capitalized?)  and of course, timing being what it is, DMG and I are up first, but because I’m the newbie here on staff, because alphabetically, it’s me before him, and mostly because David seems to have taken on Ida as his new alter ego and quickly ushered me off to take the initial stab, here I am.

Mulling over potential blog fodder (can I use it as an adjective?), struggling to figure out what exactly a blog entails (I know it’s a noun), and trying not to be paralyzed by mounting performance anxiety, but the truth is, I’ve never actually blogged before.   Yes, I am a Blogger Virgin.

I’m not completely out of the cultural loop, it’s just that I went off and procreated.  And then I was busy, doing the whole mommy thing from home, until just this past November, when Greg and Robbie dragged me in from the neighborhood sandbox.

I’m still dumping sand out of my shoes as I sit here mulling over other people’s blogs and “Something Ida This Way Comes.”  Which, incidentally, was a bottle episode.  Which, come to think of it, seems apropos, given that I spent much of the last two years dealing with bottles.  Baby bottles that is.  Granted, TV Bottles are something completely different, but I did warn you I’m new at this, right?   

Anyhow, a Bottle Show is an episode where we use only our own sets, and a very limited guest cast in order to save production money.  And so the challenge with a bottle episode is to not only come up with a story you can tell using only the show’s basic elements, but also one that won’t feel… well, bottle-y.  Generally, it’s best to do a big event in a bottle show, an event where you can hang all your stories in and around the same sets, and where it makes sense for all your characters to converge.   Enter Nora’s birthday. 

The truth is, the more we talked about it, the more it felt right that the Walker kids would do something special for Nora on this landmark birthday, her first birthday without William.  Their first birthday without their dad.  And wouldn’t it be fun to finally meet Nora’s mother?  And so we had the seeds of the episode.

Conveniently, I had just thrown my own mother’s 60 surprise party this past summer, and so I had all sorts of fodder to pull from – yes, the surprise got botched, and hours before my mom arrived, I discovered our colorful palette suddenly made the dinner table look like a scene from King Arthur’s court...  And so we had a fun “runner”.

As for Kitty and McAllister… We knew that Kitty would invite the Senator to Nora’s party because, well, he is saving the day with his chef.  But after all the family chaos, the drama with Kevin, the sex tape, and then Sarah walking in confused, she wants to escape, and bringing him into her closet for a drink seemed like the natural thing to do.   And as we thought about this scene, we realized Kitty’s closet would be filled with clothing from her past life in New York--there’d be winter sweaters, and winter clothing, and of course, fabulous shoes.  Because, let’s face it, she was living in New York.  And she’d have the footwear to go with that.  And as we talked about it, we realized her shoes could tell stories about her past.  I know mine can.  My pre-baby shoes reveal a time of dancing on tables between a tortured playwright and a club promoter, a Halloween party, an ex-boyfriend...  And so Kitty shares bits of her past and there’s a connection between her and McAllister.

As for Ida… Well, I’m gonna pass the baton to David on this one.   
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"Picking Up Where She Left Off"
by David Marshall Grant

Let me start by saying, isn’t it annoying when people claim to be ill prepared for a task, or rusty, or lacking any of the requisite experience and then turn out to be incredibly good at it? Like that kid in high school who said he didn’t have time to study and then got an A on the final.

Or the friend who says she hasn’t played tennis in years and then beats you in straight sets. All I’m trying to say is Coop has nothing to worry about.  Aside from being a natural blogger (see above) she’s a great writer (see “Something Ida This Way Comes.”)  We really had a blast with this episode. It broke (that’s TV for figuring out the story. Berlanti says it’s funny when I use TV lingo.  I only do it because this is my first time (Oh, my God, am I pulling a Cooper?) writing for TV and I just can’t get enough of the vernacular. Like “bottle episode.” Coop covered that, but isn’t that cool. “Bottle episode.” Who knew? Or “act out.” That’s, pretty obviously I guess, the last line before the end of an act. I could go on, but you get the picture.) Anyway, I was trying to say the story broke easily and it was clearly going to be a little wackier than usual. So we just let our hair down and tried to have as much fun as possible.

Of course in TV anything is possible and once we were done with the blue pages (more lingo: the second published draft of the script is in blue. The next draft is pink… And then get this, golden rods. I don’t know why I love that one the best, but I do), we were told that Calista was really sick and had to be taken out of two scenes. So Coop and I figured out how to give two whole scenes to Kevin that were originally hers. Can you guess which ones? And after that was all figured out we went on vacation so it was nearly three weeks before we were back shooting. The whole thing became a little disjointed in our minds, so it was such a pleasure to watch the final cut and see what a good job Michael Lange did directing and, of course, what the actors did acting. A word about our actors… I don’t think it’s possible for a show to have a better group of them. We really have the most insanely talented, funny, deep, sexy, charismatic group of performers one could ever wish for. Every week they make the scripts better than they were on the page, which is what you dream an actor will do. And being an erstwhile one myself, I can tell you it’s often the other way around.

As for Ida, all mothers are a little like her, aren’t they? Or maybe not. But what I thought was most interesting about bringing Nora’s mom one was she was also Saul’s mom. We are reminded that there are another set of brothers and sisters in this show and it’s them. And watching them do their scenes was like such a window into their childhoods. Suddenly you could see Nora and Saul as kids fighting on some other set on some other show so many years ago.

The only other thing I’d thought I’d tell you is that I have come off the famous fast (four days) only to go to the gym to do wind sprints (I know – what was I thinking?) and my back has gone out… way out. I am a pathetic sight as I hobble down the hallway. Bye from Burbank.

Comments

[will]

Sue, Usually my panties would get all in a bunch from blogs like yours (& BTW, "panties in a bunch" is meant to be a cute, humorous phrase - not trying to shove my gay agenda or gay slang down your discriminating throat) but I'm not gonna fight you. I don't believe for a second you WATCH this program & wanted to "contribute" to the dialogue. You were SENT here! Something evil & nefarious is obviously going on. But I will say this Sue, "Christians" like you are inseperable from the white supremesists. You're both on the same page (with Hitler, too, he exterminated 600,000 gays along with the 6 million jews). Thanks for doing the "Lords" work.

Stevenscollege: Listen to me. I LOVE your latest post. It's like a breath of cool clean mountain air. See SUE above? We have to contend with wackos like her on a daily basis. It's this whole nutty religious thing. Fanatical muslims want to kill the infidels, fanatical Christians want to stick it to the f*gs, all this teaching of hate. Anyway, maybe your blogging (& future posts) will inspire teens & younger gays that "Sue" isn't the predominant viewpoint. I remember seeing that "thirty-something" episode when I was a senior in high school I believe. 1989? The two guys in bed, post-intercouse. One of them mentioned Steven Sondheim's "Sweeny Todd" & I was very into Sweeny Todd at the time! I shut my bedroom door, turned DOWN the volume! (I hadn't told my parents I was gay yet) & that was the 1st thrilling positive "gay scene" I had ever witnessed. Changed my whole outlook on life. (THANK YOU Ken Olin & all B&S people associated with "thirty-something") I have a feeling last Sunday's B&S episode was "de ju vu" with Kev & Chad in bed talking (just the IMAGE said so much).....letting gay kids in the more homophobic states know there's a way out of the scary, claustraphobic "Sue" mindset.

[MP]

"Our job, as humans/Christians, is not to hate nor judge you." So it's just a hobby then?

I forgot to respond earlier to David Marshall Grant's comments about Nora and Saul. I really like how this episode fleshed out the other generation of brother and sister in this show. We saw some in Light the Lights, and more here. It was so easy to believe that these two have a 60 year history together.

The scene where Sally scrambled up the pantry shelves and then she and Ron swigged from the tiny bottles in unison was one of the best scenes on television this year.

[Spanish]

Congratulations, it`s a great show.Ilove it, I love all the characters.

[Gayle]

I just had to say how much I love this show! To the writer's and cast....keep up the great work!!!

[Jen]

I have fallen in love with your show. This past episode was the best yet! I was laughing myself silly!! My favorite scene being Kitty and the senator in the closet talking about her shoes! Fabulous writers = FABULOUS SHOW! :)

[Song from Sunday's Episode]

HELP! Anyone know the name of the song and the artist that performed the song that was playing in the background with Nora and her mother...it continued throughout the birthday cake scene and cut to commercial. It's not posted on the site and I'd LOVE to know what it is. Many thanks!

[ilovemylife]

Dear “Janice from LA | January 23, 2007 at 02:23 AM” or anyone else who knows,

Could you fill me in as to the Jinky's reference?

Maybe, I could add to my smiles and laughter – if I only understood the reference. :D

Thanks.

[Elaine]

Just when I thought B&S couldn't get any better, it did. "Something Ida This Way Comes" was a total pleasure to watch because it was so well written and acted. You are absolutely correct in your blog about having one of the best casts on tv. The Walkers are so normal in their interactions that it is scary sometimes. And except for the liberal ideals, Sally Field's Nora is my mother. Sunday's episode had so many great moments, but I really loved the exact moment when Sarah realized the mistake she made when picking what type of party they were throwing for Nora. "Mid-level" & "Medieval" - Sarah must have had her mind on something else that day.

Don't change anything about the content or direction of your show. The content, writing, and acting are a true gift to those of us who have discovered the show. There is hope in America for intelligent entertainment. I had been hoping to catch encores of B&S on Fridays after the GA encores, but I'm guessing the content of the show was deemed inappropriate for the 9 pm hour. Bummer.

[Chris]

I would like to know the artist and name of the song during nora and her mother's conversation and during the celebration. It is not "It begins with a song" but does sound like nicole gordon. Please post the artist and song title. It is fitting for my life at this time and I would like to share it with my mother. thank You.

[Karrie]

Thank you so much for your insights! Excellent blog, excellent writing. I absolutely loved last Sunday's episode, especially the closet-scenes and Nora's relationship with her mother, which explains so many, many things about her relationship with her own children.

[Jenny]

Fabulous, fantastic, phenomenal, brilliant, wonderful, heart-warming, interesting, exciting, I could go on and on. This show is the BEST! Actors, writers, directors, crew, etc.......you all are AWESOME!
One thing to make it better.....have it on 2 nights a week!

[anomaly]

Guys, this was a great episode and a great blog. I must say that I have just recently started watching the show but have now caught up (thanks to the online episodes!) with both the season and the hilarious blogs from the past couple of months.
I too must admit that I have a thing for Rob Lowe, and he just adds one more bit of wonderfulness to the lovely world of B&S.
At first, I was surprised at the quality of this show because of the lack of advertising...seems these days that the more a show is advertised, the worse it actually is (coughDIRTcough).
Anyway, I just wanted to thank all of you at B&S for making a great show AND a great blog, both of which I look forward to every week. As an aspiring writer myself, you're all an inspiration. Keep up the great work!

[Irene]

I love Brothers & Sisters! I love the characters and their relationships within the family and outside of the family. I love how it's addressing so many issues that many families deal with (ie. homosexuality, infertility, death, etc.).

I'm also extremely, EXTREMELY thrilled by the addition of Rob Lowe to your cast... please keep him on it FOR...EVER!!!!

One of my constructive comments is Kitty's hair... seeing how she's been a TV personality and now a Communications Director for the Senator, don't you think her hair should look... oh, a little less disheveled.

Thanks for writing such a fun show. I look forward to upcoming episodes!

Oh... Could you also add a Message Board to your site for your fans?!?!?

[concerned]

Will, I am not sure if you have ever seen a therapist, but I wish you would. It concerns me that you are this angry with the normal people in this world. I feel sorry for anyone that feels the need to be intimate with someone of the same sex, you are not normal, although I am sure you think you are. Please get help, and find out why you have these abnormal feelings. Good Luck.

[Leslie]

Love, love, love everything about this show. Best on TV right now. The writing is so 'real', the cast is perfect, don't change a thing. I look forward to the warmth of this show each week. The episodes keep getting better and your characters more loved.
Thank you for creating a show worth waiting for.

[brenda]

quick query - how many television shows -cable and network -are on every week? Hundreds? Why would anyone post to a message board about a single series that they profess to refuse to watch? Very sad that there aren't one or two shows that the anti-B&S viewers DO watch that they could post about - those here are generally huge fans, and quite excited about finally having something great to watch!

[Betsy]

Thanks to the greatest invention of this century TIVO I watched Sunday's episode last night (Wed).

Triple loved it. My siblings and I threw our mother a 75th Birthday party a few years ago with about the same results. Why are surprises never really a surprise? I too had a grandma Ida; my memories of her have not stopped flooding my brain since the episode ended.

ROB LOWE must become a permanent character. West Wing was never the same without him and I fear the same for B&S. The chemistry between the Senator and Kitty is terrific. PLEASE find a way to keep him past this season.

To the writers... you are an amazing group; I love the fact that each draws from his/her own personal lives. THANK YOU!

I look forward to new entries on the blog daily. I especially love the behind the information given on what it takes to make an episode. Very interesting.

Again, THANK YOU all for an incredible show.

[TBMeow]

Great question Brenda. I've wondered about that for years on other sites. With the zillions of forums who has the time or some weird effort to go into those forums just to speak so awful about it. And even moreso go into character/actor threads and sites to post horrible things about them - and criticize their looks even! I don't get that.
I'm a glass half full person with not as much time as I might like or a lot of shows I even watch to do that. When I post about entertainment which is a choice it's going to be about something I like and care about. And if it's tv I'm wanting it to stay on the air. That's such a battle these days I would rather be proactive for a character or show I want to see stay around.
That all said Rob Lowe fans like me are so glad to have him back on tv with a great cast and fun part.

[Susan Vigilante, PA]

We look forward to Sunday evenings to watch Brothers and Sisters with our friends. It is the best show on TV today touching on the right the left and in between. Last Sunday evening though Jan 21 was the best episode so far, and the rest have been great too. We couldnt stop laughing and enjoying. We miss 6 feet under...but sisters and brothers has been an excellent replacement!! Keep on doing everything you are doing including have a fantastic honest gay character. And MAJOR Kudos to Sally Field- she really holds everything together and makes us all think it is not so bad getting older!

[Fiordiligi]

I'm very late in commenting, I know, but as I am in the UK I have only just been able to watch this episode. Thank you so much for a really wonderful, entertaining and funny episode - it was terrific.

Rob Lowe was the reason I started to watch and his character is turning out to be a fantastic addition to the cast - he is playing it beautifully and is an absolute joy to watch.

Thank you for these regular blogs. They make fascinating reading and you are indeed generous to share your thoughts, feelings and processes with us.

[MrsDomino]

Someone mentioned here that they watched it online at abc.com. I can't find it. Where is it?

[ilovemylife]

Dear Mrs. Domino (of post January 31, 2007 at 09:20 AM),

"Someone mentioned here that they watched it online at abc.com. I can't find it. Where is it?"

I know how it feels when no one answers your question, so I am taking on your question. One way I know of to get to the page to view all of the episodes aired so far is the following:

go to
http://abc.go.com/
then on the right side of my screen I go down three categories to "Watch Full Episodes online"
Keep clicking on "BROTHERS AND SISTERS" until all of the aired episodes are listed on your screen for you to select the episode that you want to see.

My best to you,

ilovemylife

http://ilovemylifebrothersandsisters.blogspot.com

[Georgie]

I adore this show but I keep finding writing errors.
I e-mailed ABC about a couple earlier and decided to quit, however, It is so disappointing to pick out flaws that should have been caught by script researchers.
Generally, the writing on this show is superb.
I actually missed the first two espisodes, and watching episode #2 this evening, I can't resist.
Mom was too late in buying a grass skirt for daughter. My kids have been in a zillion dance recitals. The dance school always buys the costumes and distributes them to the kids.
A grass skirt the mom had to go buy herself? Would not happen.

Now for the line I let pass by quite a few weeks ago, I have to mention it since I'm here.
Field's character was on a date set up by a dating agency.
She suggested they split an order of edamame.
Do you know what edaname is for heaven's sake?
It is a soybean.
My gradkids have it as a snack once in a while or as their veggie with a healthy dinner.
No matter the date was gay....I doubt anyone would think half an order of edamame would be a meal.

[Chitownprincess]

I found it!!! The song from Nora's Birthday Cake Scene...is called Lucky by Red Letter. You can buy it here and it's worth the buck! What a great song!

http://www.indieclectic.com/albuminfo.aspx?a=1500000395

[ilovemylife]

Dear Georgie with respect due to you and your observations,

I may be wrong about this but when Paige was "doing Hawaii" I believe it was for an assignment in her school's classroom. I was a teacher for 30 years and many times these kinds of assignments were given by classroom teachers. And in this kind of assignment, the parent or parents were responsible for supplying any costume. Golly gee, I sewed up - with my own fabric - a judge's "costume" a couple years ago for my son his Junior year in upper school at Moses Brown School, a private school, so he could act out being a judge in his American history class. (Forgive the winding sentence structure.) And having been both a public school and private school teacher, I can attest to the fact that public schools have no money in their budgets for costumes these days. I spoke up yearly at the local School Committee meetings to keep music in the elementary schools where I taught throughout my teaching career. Sometimes, at the risk of losing my job. Presently, my elected local school committee is suing the town for lack of adequate funds to run the schools. It's a real mess. The high school drama class did an entirely student-run play about "the mess" last fall. It was actually witty and astute. Many private schools have rich people (alumni) making donations, big donations - it's truly amazing, I found out.

I could be wrong. But maybe, BROTHERS AND SISTERS wasn’t wrong on this one.

I genuinely hope you won’t let any foibles keep you from what, otherwise might be something, you enjoy.

Peace.