New Episode Sunday: "Double Negative"

Sunday you can all stop hypothesizing about the meaning of Rebecca's eye-color... or can you?

Howdy.

With Season 2 continuing breathlessly toward its haunting, gorgeous and inexorable conclusion -- Sunday night, writers Liz Tigelaar and Josh Reims give us "Double Negative."  In this episode, Ojai Foods is the center of a very personal betrayal within the family, which could threaten the company's future; Robert has a momentous tete-a-tete with the Republican nominee, Boyd Taylor... oh, and Rebecca gets the results of her paternity test. 

The weather here in Burbank is worse than excruciating; it's simply apocalyptic.  I saw an elderly man melting like a popsicle on the sidewalk when I went out to pick up a birthday cake for Monica.  People just watched and did nothing.

And in case anyone cares, Season Three is shaping up to be terrific.

Your pal
Dan

Comments

[will]

Dan,

My prediction is that the future of Ojai Foods will not or could not be "threatened" in any consequential way (under the current series thinking), because, pragmatically speaking, the writers would have to invent new jobs & storylines for Holly, Tommy, Sarah & Saul - something I don't feel you'd honestly contemplate doing in a serious way. I felt similarly about Nora and Isaac last week. From my perspective, the show would not have seriously entertained Nora's relocation to D.C. That's why it felt whipped up, and that's why many of us felt the uncomfortable dread of predictablity running as an undercurrent throughout the episode.

As I see it, Ojai Foods has rarely functioned as more than a conventional plot necessity. It's become a security blanket, giving a handful of characters a place to walk through the motions, dissuading writers from thinking about Sarah, Tommy & Saul freshly. Maybe a jarring shake-up (the company actually going under) is in order, would be a blessing in disguise, if you writers took your own melodramatic contrivances seriously.

I feel the same way about Kevin's job being used perfunctorily (you're more likely to see him at the gym than in a courtroom). His background of years of law school (and practice) should be used more to inform his character. He speaks and thinks like a talented lawyer only ocasionally. The various professions and workplaces have to be used as more than obliging local color to dress up the characters' romantic lives.

[Sylviane]

You forgot my reason for watching: Kevin/Scotty :-)
THAT storyline has me more worried then the entire Justin/Rebecca thing. I'm spoilered out with that one and will see how it goes. And if I don't like it, I'll look the other way. Even the Ojai/Saul/Sarah storyline is, by now, more interesting.

[Cole]

That's horrible about the elderly man. It reminds me of yesterday's 20/20, where hidden cameras show people just ignoring stranded, crying children. Pretty depressing.

On the plus side, that cake you picked up was AMAZING. Thank you!

I hope we get a ton of comments after everyone has seen the episode tomorrow night!

[will]

JoAnne: You asked me 2 or 3 weeks ago what I thought about an incestuous Justin & Rebecca storyline (or a storyline monkeying around with Walker history, retconnning, to make this relationship happen).

Toying with character history is probably a dangerous thing, so I see no reason why Justin & Rebecca can't be sexual as is, as half-siblings. They only met last year. They each have divergent family histories. Timid viewers may claim to become "uncomfortable" with incest thrown into the mix, but THAT'S DRAMA. It's been a staple of art in movies since the inception of silent moving pictures: great italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci made "Luna" (mother/teen son incest, starring Jill Clayburgh) and "The Dreamers" (brother/sister incest). Bernardo Bertolucci is a bit like Tennessee Williams come to think of it. In "Luna", Jill Clayburgh plays an opera diva who takes her young son to Italy after the death of his stepfather. He falls in with the wrong crowd, becomes addicted to heroin, is seduced by a man in an ice cream parlor (to the tune of "Night Fever" by the Bee Gees), and while suffering heroin withdrawl, the mother masterbates her son & commences an incestuous relationship with fairly graphic scenes (and Bertolucci is no schlock artist either; he made "Last Tango in Paris", "The Conformist", "1900" and "The Last Emperor").

Incest themes run throughout great art & cinema. I think we can all deal with love between Justin and Rebecca without gimmicking their history.

[Candylink]

What actually happened with the paternity test? I missed that part! I'm trying to piece of the rest of the episode together. Thanks!

[B]

Well, it was fun while it lasted. This viewer's done with a show that wastes my time building up a storyline for 35 plus episodes to throw it away because somebody thinks two folks have some sort of chemistry with each other.

[JoAnne]

do not like where the Justin/Rebecca storyline is going!!!!

[Jim]

Let me be the first to say, this episode sucked. Tell Emily she did a great job, but the whole storyline blows. I can't believe you guys actually thought this was a good idea. Do you remember what B&S used to be in season one? Or do you just not care anymore?

[JosephR]

Rebecca isn't a Walker after all? Rumors of Justin and Rebecca as a couple?

Oh, please, PLEASE tell me SOMEbody is going to be stepping out of a shower 'ala Bobby Ewing' SOON and telling us this is all some horrible dream.

[Jake Lipson]

Let me be clear. I grew to love the show over the course of last year, and at the end of last season, if you asked me which was my favorite show that I was most looking forward to returning in the fall, I would answer Brothers & Sisters.

Then this season happened. And there's been a lot of crap going on (Lena, David, the presidential campign, repetative storylines, etc.), but I weathered that storm because I trusted that you were taking us in a good place. I can forgive a few missteps as long as the show rebounds later, and the rare show that uses its missteps for something good in the end is even better.

But I draw the line at completely contradicting the series to date.

I had a feeling as soon as David showed up after Kitty's wedding that you were heading in this direction, but I weathered that too until I was sure. With tonight I am, and now you lost me as a viewer.

That you would turn your back on an entire season and a half worth of storytelling for the sake of a cheap plot twists insults me. It is obvious from a million miles away that Rebecca and Justin are now going to be hooking up. WHY IN THE WORLD DID ANY OF YOU THINK THAT WE WANT TO SEE THAT? If I found out that my sister wasn't my sister, it would still be gross. I am happy for Emily and Dave that they have (supposedly) started dating in real life, however that does NOT mean I need to see that on the show. They have -- had, now, I guess -- a special thing going as brother and sister and I'm going to miss that. I feel totally betrayed that you did this to me, a trusting viewer who's championed your show to so many of my friends in the past, even those who don't watch a lot of TV, as one to pay attention to. This is a show with SALLY FIELD and ROB LOWE and so many other SUPERTALENTED, WONDERFUL actors and actresses lighting up the screen every week with powerhouse performances. This twist is cheap and way too daytime-soapy -- yes, I know that B&S has always been somewhat of a soap, but it has to this point been an extremely sophistocated soap for adults and even when you've hit rough patches I've appriciated that. This just lost all of that sophistocation. I think that even questionng her parentage afterwards was a collosal mistake, but I could have lived with it as a way to bring her closer to the Walkers, in that she kind of wanted a living dad because she could have a relationship with him that she never could with William, and then to be brought back to reality by the paternity test and find comfort in the warmth & love of her sibilings. But you didn't go that route, did you, you went the other way. And it insults me and depresses me.

Some of my other shows have bounced back from trashiness, but none of them went as far as to blatently contradict significant previous canon. Good luck coming back from this one. It can't be done unless you contradict yourselves again. And even if you manage to realize what a redicliously stupid mistake this is and do attempt to fix it, recontradicting yourselves will feel cheap too.

It was a great show last year. The ride was fun while it lasted. It's a shame to see so much acting talent from the whole cast being wasted on such utter bottom of the barrel trash writing. Particular congratulations to Emily VanCamp who rose to the occasion over such shoddy material and gave a powerful performance in spite of it.

I'm done with the show until you prove yourselves worthy again, which, as I said, is probably impossible at this point. I'll keep my eye on the comments of friends who still watch and such just in case, but you've gone farther past the shark than anything ever has before. You didn't just jump the shark here, you jumped the whole ocean.

Bye.

[Matt the Bruins fan]

Honestly Dan, after tonight I don't think I care anymore. If you end up losing the whole audience over this sickening quasi-incest storyline that it's rumored the show is being retooled around, I hope all the talented actors are able to find good new roles quickly. They deserve so much better.

[Jess]

I can't imagine how season three could possibly be terrific with the idiotic, disgusting, and insulting (to the viewers) development that took place this evening. This turn of events has completely ruined the show for me. You have lost this previously ardent viewer for good.

[lisa]

ug.

[Scott]

I'll post more later...

But you have grievously insulted long terms fans by de-Walkering Rebecca. I am SHOCKED you guys would do something so shortshighted and so cheap.

I have never witnesses such an egregious retcon, especially in a series so young. Season 1 is systematically ruined in large part.

And for what purpose? So Justin and Rebecca can pursue a disgusting, pseudo-incestuous romance? The minute they do anything sexual, I am DONE.

I'm honestly curious: Do you guys even know the audience you are writing for? After tonight's episode, I really don't think you do.

[Phil]

We'll always have season one, I guess. Remember when Robbie Baitz was involved with this show...good times.

Berlanti - you have officially lost your mind. Maybe stick to writing generic comic book movies now, 'k thanks.

[will]

"Double Negative"

For the record, I feel extremely mellow tonight and come with an open mind. I feel completely responsive to good comedy & drama and make no stringent demands.

---------------------------

I really adore Emily. She is, beautifully, without affectation. I see Nora's kitchen looks more than ever like a gleaming Williams-Sonoma showroom. This kitchen looks practically fetishized with its kettles and carafes and assorted stainless steel accoutrement.

Good vibes. Scotty sounds individual. Independent. No whiny noises or co-dependency in the first scene (like the hair growing out, too).

Kevin, Justin and Tommy talking on the beach is badly dubbed. Feels like I'm watching a foreign film. Also, didactic dialogue designed to instruct me on domestic partnerships and the inadequacy of America's treatment of gay couples as the Walkers boys smalltalk on the beach is not working to draw me into the plot. Papa don't preach.

This presidential campaign is a stinker. It sounds like a story cooked up & shaped & fried in a writer's room. A compleat television contrivance, No passion, no art, no life.

EMILY HAS ART to freaking spare! I f--king love this girl! This girl puts the bad storylines to shame. She is the real thing. Why are there no false moves? What a beauty. My eyes glaze over with the presidential storyline or (last week) the Isaac storyline, but Emily has the power to redeem tepid material. She is a real actress in a classic sense (a JoAnne Woodward sense, say), and not mere "personality". She rivets attention. A great film director & Emily & an artful, moving camera could really make some sweet love together.

This Ojai Foods subplot is hocum. Matthew and Luke both don't look very good in tuxes. Tuxes are for valets and waiters. God, I wish there were such a thing as a directorial eye on network series tv. Everything is whitewashed and passionless. I wish so fervently for this show to rise above the competent soap level. The cast is first-rate and nervy and deserves a director with an actual POV and a discernible personal style (I know it's impossible as styles would vary week to week... but, hey, I'm wishing out loud here!).

Thank you for letting Kevin unbutton Scotty's shirt. Yeah, let them touch a little. Give them some physicality (I'm not saying sloppy kisses). But, thanks for letting them look natural and do things boyfriends might actually do.

Kitty's character is a victim of hokey, tedious dialogue tonight. She got slayed. I'm not sure if there were any redeeming moments. Just yards of talk. Emily & Dave are beautiful together. The last scene with surfboards deserved to have a longer running time. They CONNECT with the audience in ways that Kitty's vacant political talk and the Ojai Foods "shocker" do not; plots clearly contrived, manipulated & manhandled in a cloistered environment. But the chemistry between Emily & Dave is the real deal. Surely Kitty could have sacrificed an inflated monologue or two tonight to give Rebecca & Justin adequate airtime.

[Michael]

You just ruined my favorite show.

[CeCe]

Hey Dan. Thanks for the snippet, and a dedicated place to react to the specific episode. I hope you continue to do this each week.

The morning after.

Let me start by saying that I am feeling guilty and sad that I feel the way I do this morning. And that is...I didn't love it. And if anyone has been reading my comments in here over the past year or so, they know I pretty much love everything! So imagine my conflict. Each week, I look forward to B&S washing over me like a giant emotional coat of many colors. It is always my complete escape, my chance to get enveloped in another family's drama, to forget about mine for a while. And believe me, my in-laws were visiting for the weekend, so there was a sincere need to escape family drama by 10:00 PM Sunday night. *pulls hair out*

But anyway...with all the "bombs" that came out of this ep, it just didn't feel whole, or real. Oh, shut up...I know it's not real, real. Jeesh. But see, I didn't get caught up in it! I didn't believe it! It felt like there were these little story lines sitting in different piles on the table, and some one just grabbed scenes from several different piles and threw them all together. Does that make sense? Yeah, it didn't make sense in the course of the hour-long show, either.

Kitty/Robert. Kitty is a *curseword* whiny b!tch. And Robert should have been MUCH more pissed at her than he was, for changing her tune about his ambition. I have a sister who has this same M.O. -- she has married three times already, and then ended up hating the person she married for all the things she was initially attracted to. What is that about??? Anyway, I think he ultimately did the right thing for his character, but it would have felt better to me if he had done it without Kitty's whining intervention. I'm loving Robert more and more each week.

Kevin/Scotty. I love them with all my heart. We know this. But even they felt "choppy" together. And hellooo...there are other pain medicines besides oxycontin. I remember rolling my eyes and saying, "oh brother...are we going to get Scotty hooked on oxy now too?" It just seemed contrived. Or are pharmaceutical companies getting into product placement now? I wanted to squeeeeeeeeze Scotty for saying he wanted his equivalent of marriage (which sucks and is lame and is a topic for another place) to be special. And then I wanted to squeeeeze Kevin for his response, and for them understanding each other. And knowing what is coming up for them in the finale, I was truly moved and excited that Kevin heard what Scotty said, and is going to make it real and special for both of them. GAH.

Rebecca. I didn't think I could hate this story line more than when I heard about the whole paternity twist. Guess what. Her lying to Justin after she found out? Officially made me hate it more. She did a beautiful job confronting whatshisname (babydaddy), but the charade? After she has been so vocal about how she hates her mother for the lifetime of lies? Sucked. Didn't fit for me, at all. Hate where this is going.

Sarah/Saul/Grahamcracker. (I call him that because he is so gorgeous and I would like to devour him). Good resolution of a crazy, poorly done Sarah story-line from last week. She freaking snapped out of it, thank goodness. But again...it just felt choppy and crazy that now next week, it's all going to fall apart. WTF? What is so wrong with her finally learning a lesson -- that she can trust Saul -- and having the deal actually work out? There is plenty of other drama that could have been placed in their laps (see other story lines above).

Nora. The whole redecorating thing was cute. And I think setting up a home for the cancer patients and their families is very true to her character, and will give her purpose beyond her family. Good one. That's about all I have to say about that.

Everyone looked lovely at the party. But basically, I ended up more irritated when it ended than I was before it began. Hold me.

[CeCe]

Dan said: And in case anyone cares...

Haha very funny. I think it is safe to say, that a few of us around here care. ;-)

[Elizabeth]

The storyline last night for practically the whole show was a downer. I can't believe the writers would mess with Rebecca's storyline and now reveal she is not a Walker. This is kind of contradictory since when Kitty met Rebecca for the first time she commented that it startled her that Rebecca looked so much like her (their) father. Did the writer's forget this fact? I am a loyal fan of this show, but I am so dissapointed at the way they are turning this storyline. Also, Ojai in financial trouble again? Please! Enough!

[Erin]

Does anyone know what song was playing in the "double negative" episode when rebecca came home and holly told her david had left?

[robinc/Chicago]

Thanks to all the writers of last night's show. Well done and I loved the pace. Kevin and Scotty - how do I get my ex to watch that(!!!!!) and see himself in the Kevin role.

Also - a very special kudos to the charity event idea. As an ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia)stem cell survivor I liked (and hope to see more) the genuine caring and the spotlighting of the need for care for both patients and all family members.

Again, thank you!

[Sean]

I hope you guys are ready for the backlash

[Scott]

I feel even more upset about this "twist" now that the reality has sunk in that this actually happened.

What happened to Greg Berlanti? He's a man whose storytelling abilities I respected tremendously, and without a doubt he helped save the show in its troubled beginnings.

I don't understand how he could so completely lose sight of what made this show great as to actually think this was a good idea, let alone not realize how deeply it would wreck the series he helped create and threaten to alienate a good chunk of its loyal fanbase.

I alternate between sadness, anger, and plain old bafflement. The ONLY way to salvage this mess is to keep Rebecca as a family member in spirit (if not by blood). If you actually cross the physical threshold between Justin and Rebecca, it's over.

I love the characters in this show, especially Nora, Sarah, and Kevin, and I would absolutely hate to say goodbye to them and this sublime cast. But likewise, I couldn't stand to watch the show become a shell of its former self.

The really sad thing is there was a lot that worked last night -- the brunch scene, Nora seeking out a new career, the Sarah/Saul conflict, Kevin and Scotty's tender scene in his loft...and all of that is currently being overshadowed by his hackneyed mess.

I really hope you are able to recover from this. I would love nothing more than to see my favorite show restored to it prior greatness.

What a goddamn shame.

[joe]

what was that? come on!