New Episode Sunday -- "Moral Hazard"

Where will "Moral Hazard" take these guys?

Greetings lovers (and ex-lovers) of our show.

Sunday night brings the promise of another new episode -- #215, "Moral Hazard" -- written by Sherri Cooper-Landsman and Jason Wilborn. This marks the first time Sherri and Jason have been teamed up, and Jason's second B&S writing credit over all.  (He last worked with David-Marshall Grant on #210 -- "The Feast Of The Epiphany.")

"Moral Hazard" is all about ramifications.  What the Golden Plum debacle will do to Ojai Foods; what Rebecca's jarring discovery that she is not a Walker will do to her and her mother; what news of a "fertile window" for conception will do to a couple trying desperately to conceive.  Drama is aplenty amid these ramifications, and you won't want to miss it. 

On a more personal note, many of you have commented quite negatively about the Rebecca storyline.

We all recognize that you have invested your time and emotions in our show, that we have a responsibility to you, and that you are entitled to your own opinions about our work.  More than that, we appreciate that you care enough about the Walkers to have strong ones.

Just know that we are as dedicated as ever to telling these stories in a way that balances comedy and drama, and that is grounded in emotional truth.  We believe we succeed at this more often than not, and we are proud of the end of the season.  Just watch and see.

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

In other news --
Leonard Koplitsky -- the blogging videographer of "McCallister & Me" -- has returned to our site.  While basically no one, save for his family and friends, has shown any interest in Leonard thus far, I continue to hope he'll find his way into your hearts.

Though his days of spying on Senator McCallister may have ended with the Republican primary, Leonard has become quite attached to the Walker family.  The adventures he gets caught up in hovering in their midst will offer rabid fans an exciting glimpse into the coming week's episode.   

This week, Leonard goes to the movies with Justin and Rebecca in advance of "Moral Hazard"...

until next week
Your pal
Dan

Comments

[sylviane]

Thank you for that blog, Dan. For a moment I feared none of you would blog again. :-)

When you read the comments you see the 'shock/denial/anger/acceptance' phrase come in.
Allthough to most of us it was more 'denial' first, 'shock' later and the outcome still pending between anger, denial and acceptance. (For the moment I'm going for 'denial')

I like how you said that "Moral Hazard" is all about ramifications. I guess the same applies to B&S and its viewers. Will the viewer return after last week's reveal? How will B&S deal with the backlash by an awful lot of angry viewers?

I hope that a lot of those who said that they would stop watching, have cooled down and will reconsider. B&S is not only about Justecca. And I would (perhaps naively) like to believe that you, as the writers, care as much about the characters as I, the viewer, do.

I'm staying with B&S, like I said before, because of Matthew Rhys and I like where Kevin/Scotty are going. And I am sure that Matthew and Luke will give it their best performances. I can imagine the final two episodes will have a lot of Kevin, and to me, there is NEVER enough Kevin. :-) So I can only be happy with that.

There are other things to look forward to these coming two episodes. There will, inevitably, come a fight between Nora and Holly (again) and I will be rooting for Nora, that's for sure.

I heard there will be more Saul moments. Always good. Especially if you would make them Saul/Sarah, Saul/Nora or Saul/Kevin.

As to the rumors of a 'big kiss' in the finale, that leads to speculations that this would 'inevitaby' be about Justecca (unfortunately) I hope those rumors are wrong. But if it does happen I will take my own advice to those who were so opposed to 'those gay boys' kissing. Just look the other way.

So I will take your "Just watch and see", as advice for now and hopefully 'see' that I was right in putting my faith in you.

[John]

Scotty & Kevin look so freaking adorable in that photo.

I'm not too fond of the current Rebecca storyline, but I'll definately still watch 'cause there's heaps of other stuff to love about the show (like Kevin/Scotty :D )

[Linda Safran]

How about the Lizzie Walker story line? As her Baltimore grandmother, I think she warrants her own fan club! What a trouper she(they) are and I'm sure they get along well with everyone on the set and only break out in tears occasionally! And what about those beautiful curls???

Lizzie's other grandmother

[will]

1.

While at the mall today, I saw two sets of gay men pushing baby strollers. Is this a trend? I was not at a mall in West Hollywood. I was at a mall in the Valley. The second set of gay men were pushing their stroller through an Abercrombie and Fitch, leafing through the piles of $34.99 t-shirts as a remixed version of Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time" blared through the speakers. Something about this tableau struck me as almost foreboding on a number of levels.

I don't know what the future holds for Kevin and Scotty, but I hope their life together does not include pushing a baby stroller through an Abercrombie % Fitch with revamped Cher music blasting over the audio system.

2.

I see the season finale contains some sort of "commitment" for Kevin and Scotty ("Prior Commitments", which, apparently, refers to yet another illegitimate Walker child....goodness! as Dan would say...but I'm not ready to wrap my head around that major story faux pas - or erruer - right now).

Again, I feel gypped. I feel shafted. What's the damned rush to get Kevin & Scotty hitched? KEVIN WAS JUST PLACING MULTIPLE CELL CALLS TO KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA a mere few months ago, trying to make things work with THAT boyfriend. We've been given no MEAT, no substance, very scarce romantic interaction between Kevin and this boyfriend that adds up to anything meaningful. A karaoke excursion, wow!, with a chance for the boys to bond listening to Sarah sing Cher's "Believe"? WOO HOO! A soft-crab dinner with dualing boyfriends where SCOTTY CAME OFF AS A CONCESSION PRIZE, an object of much lesser desire, because the first choice had "prior commitments"? Where's the freaking meat on this rib? The characters were routed through a set of perfunctory scripts and, like checker pieces, moved from point A to point B to C with limited incidental pleasures.

It's been a fairly joyless ride. And the ride had such potential. The sky was the limit, the sky could open up! Why are we to believe this relationship will now blossom into something extraordinary & meaningful when there's been little indication thus far that the show has any desire to slow down and smell the roses?

[JoAnne]

well, I trust you guys and gals (writers) so I'll stick around even though I do not like where J/R storline is going.

I guess if I could put up with the absurdity (for 30 yrs) of daytime soaps, I certainly will accept whatever comes out of this situation.

still a better show than anything else on primetime television.

BTW, I stopped watching daytime soaps about 10 yrs ago.

[will]

Daniel:

This Leonard Koplitsky character ("McCallister and Me") sounds suspiciously like the guy who wrote "Set Diary, Pt. 3: My Life As a Blogger, Pt. 2" (one "Dan Silk"), circa Feb. 15, 2007.

The "Loose Change" section at the end contains maybe the funniest couple lines of prose in all these months & months of blogs:

"Dave the PA exploded at Robbie yesterday when the latter wondered aloud about Dave's track record with missing lunch orders: "Fine! So I'm a failure, right? You wanna get into this?!"... Ben had an awful steak for Valentine's Day and won't stop talking about it... blargh"

[CeCe]

Dan said: Just know that we are as dedicated as ever to telling these stories in a way that balances comedy and drama, and that is grounded in emotional truth. We believe we succeed at this more often than not, and we are proud of the end of the season. Just watch and see.

OK, so you are balancing comedy/drama. I haven't seen comedy for Rebecca in a looooong time, so maybe the pendulum is going to swing that direction soon?

It's the "grounded in emotional truth" part that has me worried. The entire erasure of the first season and a half of story line did not feel grounded in anything, let alone in emotional truth. It really felt like all truth was thrown to the wind, and you were going strictly for shock and awe. You didn't need to.

Now, if you are proud of the end of the season, and are telling me to "wait and see", all I can hope is that you

1) went for the shock and awe,
2) you got it in spades,
3) and now you are going to go back to the "emotional truth" part of your plan.

I'm not going anywhere, because I love the show and the Walker family as a whole. But I'd really rather not have to watch with a hurt, betrayed, pissed off heart. Just sayin'.

See y'all later tonight.

[Karen Simmons]

you have to be kidding me...that was a totally unrealistic response to Rebecca not being their sister. If Justin was such a good brother/friend, he never would have reacted that way. This show used to be a lot more "real" regarding family relationships. BAD MOVE. One minute she's your sister and the next minute your are sending her away for lying??? Bull!

[Wok]

Love the Justin Rebecca storyline. Hook them up, but not this season!

[mz_vikki_vale@yahoo.com]

whats the deal with this gay couple being crammed down viewers throat. this show is great except when u show them being affectionate. its not bad enough that they implied a alove scene but open mouth kissing? im thinking of not watching anymore

[CC]

I for one LOVE where you are going with Justin and Rebecca, but I hope you don't rush it too much after the big reveal. Take the time to let it build just a little bit longer, I know there was a writer's strike and there's things to catch up on, but no need to have them adjust to the change quite so quickly.

I have faith that you all know what you're doing, I love the show even more after the big reveal last week, and I love the chemistry those two actors have. It was weird to think of them as brother and sister, and I am glad they are not.

[kate]

Loved the show tonight--especially Kevin's proposal to Scotty--so heartfelt and so well acted by both but especially Matthew Rhys! I was teary eyed. Anyway on a side note--PLEASE update thge MUSIC GUIDE!!!!! Can't wait for the season finale next week--other than being sad the season will be over.

[Shane]

Thank you to the writers, actors and everyone involved in making this show. Tonight's episode was pure quality in every aspect of the production .

I loved tonight's episode. I hope I'm not the only one to be okay with the Rebecca developments. One of the reasons Brothers & Sisters is my favorite show is that the writing is excellent and I don't always know what will happen next. This storyline is keeping me guessing and that's why I watch!
I also loved Kevin's proposal to Scotty. I sat on my couch and cried during that scene. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[will]

"Moral Hazard"

Written by Sherri Cooper-Landsman & Jason Wilburn

Directed by Michael Morris (Michael also directed Dan's "The Missionary Imposition")

I know I've said this before, but Ojai Foods & "Golden Plum"...I feel embarrassed watching this hocum. This is a completely manufactured drama, just as surely as if you writers tied Sarah, a damsel in distress, across train tracks.

Justin is too obvious jumping up when Rebecca suggests they go out & do something together. (he's telegraphing to us: "I feel nervous because she's my sister! Gotta move, gotta move!") This should be written & played for subtlety. This is not the most appropriate place for Dave Annable to channel Harold Lloyd.

The next scene started off with a howler:

Sarah: We were doing ok. We thought that we could expand our operations into China....

Nora: (bewildered) China?! We're not a multi-national conglomerate. We're a small family-run fruit business!

Poor Nora is so completely out of whack regarding the ins & outs of the daily dealings of the family business. Sarah & Saul are engineering multi-million dollar international deals ON THE SIDE, a deal that is sinking the company, with no board of directors oversight? Ok, I'm not going to dwell on this.

FREAK FREAK FREAK!! The writers are playing a possible incestuous (as far as the characters are concerned) sibling attraction for slapstick. If only Justin could pratfall over the couch & make it complete! We've now morphed into '30's screwball comedy, which is fine, but it's not connecting.

Emily Van Camp is so assured as an actress. I see such potential going way beyond the parameters of "Brothers and Sisters". If the writers insist on slapsticking & gagging this thing up (Justin practically has a string of tin cans tied to his ass), it should have the saving grace of being leavened with emotional honesty.

REWRITE! This is still in first-draft form! Sherri! Jason! Please see me in my office.

Funny. When Rachel is removed from the line of hocum (the frenzied nonsense at Ojai Foods has that fake bustling stilt of extras acting "busy" in a stage musical), and gets an honest heart-to-heart with Kevin, she materializes. It's just impossible to be affecting when you're surrounded by the confection & forced bustle of Ojai Foods "going under". I love Rachel. Note to writers: Keep her simple; keep her emotionally honest & plausible & dryly funny or desperately funny. She'll do the rest. She only sinks when the lines sink her.

Patricia is not bad in her big scene. When she keeps it direct & artless (not mannered) her face can be watchable. When she's allowed to build a rhythm - and not sabotaged with staccato pronouncements - we can see the woman underneath.

Lovely. The Kevin-Saul scene is BEAUTIFUL. It has grace, simplicity. It is too well-lit though. Could benefit from a darker, moodier palette. Of course, you realize this now officially makes you the GAYEST show in television history (excepting uber-gay "Queer as Folk" of course & zany tre-gay "Will and Grace"). But you wear it well. This ridiculously (for network television, and a compliment) gay-bursting-out-from-all-corners episode does justice to Kevin-Scotty-Saul. Like "Queer as Folk", we'll forget they're gay altogether if you're not self-conscious. Hats off. Keep the physicality & Kevin-Scotty kisses coming when reality dictates. And, please, keep Kevin physically supportive of Saul, too. Saul needs a firm hand on his shoulder. And an ocassional hug. Coming from Kev, it means something special.

Nora (to Justin): Ojai's gonna be ok.

Phew! (*swipes sweat from my forehead*) That was a close one! Ok, let me de-fang my sarcasm here.

The ending Kevin and Scotty scene is so freaking beautiful. Again, BEAUTIFUL. That's two BEAUTIFULs in the same evening! It's raining beauty! I had to stop typing. Yes, I'll marry you & a total submission (by me) as they quietly kiss (& kiss). I am such a freaking sloppy, romantic drama princess. I FELL. I fell into the moment & it felt ok. Of course, tomorrow, I'll go back to thinking I was gypped out of the dating & the connective tissue that was supposed to get us here in the first place, but for now you guys have hustled me. Nicely so. I like being hustled like this.

Cheers Sherri & Jason.

[Swooning over B&S]

Last night's episode was FANTASTIC, one of the best so far. Justin, Rebecca, Kevin, Scotty - all of them just made the episode for me. LOVED IT and ignore anyone who doesn't like where you're going with Justin/Rebecca.

[Scott]

"Moral Hazard" had some very strong material. The Sarah/Nora dynamic was explored in a fascinating way; the Kevin/Saul scene was heartrending in its authenticity; and the Kevin/Scotty proposal was one of the sweetest, most romantic proposals I've ever seen on TV.

Matthew Rhys was last night's MVP. He was absolutely wonderful throughout. A great episode for Kevin, as he dealt with his family's various issues and finally took a big step forward in his relationship with Scotty. Bravo, writers, for that.

...and, now, comes the part where I have to become negative. Because, alas, the awful Justin/Rebecca will not die. I'm sorry, but I simply do NOT accept the premise that anyone in their position--after believing themselves siblings for a year--would ever become romantic.

No one can relate to that. It is not credible and it is not "grounded in emotional truth." Last night's scenes ranged from cringe-worthy to tolerable, but the latter only because they seemed to acknowledge just how inappropriate and awkward the situation was.

Although it's only 1 storyline, the bigger problem is that it's affecting everything else. It is so distractingly lowbrow that the other quality storylines around it are being diluted. I visit many message boards, and for many viewers it's proving an extremely difficult thing to ignore. PLEASE end it as soon as possible. Let them realize that a close friendship is better suited for them.

Alas, according to the writers' blog, Rebecca and Justin "heat up" in the finale. Is that a joke? Even the (few) who are open to the possibility have reiterated it is imperative you take things SLOWLY. The finale is the very first episode that Justin and Rebecca are on the same page regarding her paternity...and they're supposed to be making out by the end of it?

Are you guys serious? That is foolhardy from both a creative and a business standpoint. Creatively, because it is NOT realistic that the two would cross the physical threshold so quickly. And businesswise, why would you go so far with them before you could gauge fan reaction? Wouldn't it wiser to leave things open-ended so you had room to shift direction for Season 3 if you were so inclined?

I would like to think TV writers learned from the Gizzie debacle. I would really like to think so.

There seem to be a LOT of really good things in the finale (the commitment ceremony, Saul coming out, Walker brothers roadtrip, Sarah confronting Holly over her deception)...but that's gonna stick out like a sore thumb if you really "go there", especially so sooon.

I have my fingers crossed you do the right thing.

[Landon]

Awesome, awesome episode. I've absolutely been dreading the Justin/Rebecca storyline but I love how it is playing out. The Kevin/Justin scene was hilarious, and then the Rebecca/Justin scenes were heartbreaking. So, so wonderful.

I don't know if I can quite express how grateful I am for the Kevin/Scotty storyline. It is beautiful.

[will]

Good morning Dan!

Good morning Sherri & Jason! (Jason, I'm sorry, I screwed your name up in my precious post. Wilborn! Mea culpa!)

Good morning JoAnne, Scott, CeCe, and all you fabulous boys & girls!

Amending a couple comments:

In theory, there's nothing wrong with Dave A. morphing into Harold Lloyd & using his lithe body for physical effects (just not for a single episode; a one-trick-pony gag). This show has a tendency to get stagey, anyway; stagnant. Clumps of people tend to congregate & artificially congeal in a tight space; all shows do, it's a television convention; but last night I saw the possibility of this show DEFYING convention & busting the mold in so many areas, to bring us variety & eclecticism, one way being a more physical approach to character and comedy (it busts up the neat tableaux, specifically; God knows shots of Holly, Sarah, Tommy & Saul, dramatising & conspiring could sure use a jolt of eccentric physicality to mix up the visual canvas).

I'm serious about this: Matthew frequently breaks up his scenes with goofy physical bits whenever it's possible. Usually, by necessity, it's limited to his face & upper body because he's constrained by camera placement; but there's something always YEARNING in him to move a little freer, to float, like Harold Lloyd or Lucille Ball or Jim Carey. Matthew, the performer, tends toward flamboyancy anyway, especially in his verbal slapsticks with Kitty & Sarah, and when camera placement allows, he does silly fluid & jerky bits with his body and livens up the pace.

What made last night's episode so highly watchable was: the damned storylines MOVED, there was an eclecticism of physical movement, too, we got plot variety, a sense of FULLNESS, there was always some shiny, diverting thing going on. And the Kevin & Saul scene leavened it with emotional honesty, stuff for the soul. It de-cheapened the weaker scenes.

So please give Dave & Matthew a little more leeway to be physical & goofy, all within character context of course! It broadens the canvas, so to speak. It packs the scenes with a diversity of movements (we veer away from deadly standard soap opera set-ups of family members talking, in scene after successive scene).

Dave showed promise as a physical performer last night. Use it. Don't gimmick the physicality as a one-episode joke. Let Matthew use his agility more freely, too. It piques interest. It revs our engines. RRRRRR! It heightens our responses. It LIBERATES us from the conventional dramatic forms! (trust me, you guys have traditional drama here to spare; WING IT once in a while. I saw a whole new world opening up last night. A vision of expanding, not contracting, possibilities)

[Hannah]

I for one am for this Justin and Rebecca storyline, I think they have an amazing amount of chemistry, and am hoping that any bad comments this storyline recieves,doesn't make the writers change their story. I would like to see it played out. They do have alot of supporters. Thus far Emily and Dave have been doing an amazing job, and any storyline that provides us with more of that can't be bad in my eyes. But that's just my opinion.
You're doing a great job!

[JoAnne]

I am still laughing, Will, while watching Justin's reaction to Rebecca I could not put my finger on it...yes "slapstick" channeling Harold Lloyd ! OMG that's it!!!

Your "freak freak freak" paragraph had me in stitches.

Justin's reaction was unrealistic, in my opinion,
I guess if they stay away from each other til next season, they can meet up again and start over.

other than the J/R scenes, the episode was very good.

Rachel and Matthew as usual
OUTSTANDING!

[Sandra]

I LOVED this episode!! My highlights were the interaction between Kevin and Justin, and the Justin and Rebecca scenes. They really do have such good chemistry together. I loved most everything about this episode the scenes between Kevin and Scotty were very sweet although they do feel a bit rushed, we havent seen enough of them as a couple to see them getting married. But I can live with that. Can´t wait for the finale!

[will]

Scott, Cece:

I'm no insider, but I'll hazard a guess here.

I believe we're in the midst of a May sweeps. And all seasonal storyarcs play to the sweeps periods. This is when the twists & outre plot inventions get scheduled to maximize viewership.

I don't know about the Justin/Rebecca storyline, but I can guess that the reason the Kevin/Scotty story feels truncated is because it IS: the writers strike wiped out a good portion of the season. Season one contained 23 episodes; this season, 16. So, whatever storyarcs were originally concocted had to no doubt be reconfigured & reconstituted to still give us a jolt, bang for our buck so to speak, to coincide with finale & sweeps.

Some connective tissue feels missing. I don't think the Scotty/Kevin arc HAD to end to on a proposal (& ceremony?). Other things could have been invented to compensate. A kiss & honest emotion don't have to take place in the confines of a proposal. Still feels rushed & the sweet proposal last night could have had a much greater import if I cared deeper for Scotty.

I'll say this though. I didn't look at my watch or clock last night once (I usually do). The damned thing kept moving & it felt rather breezy.

[sylviane]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for one of the most beautiful proposals I've EVER seen.

Last night's episode was, to me, all about Kevin and the various personalities of this magnificent character, who has so many layers that he always amazes me.

He was shocked and then hilarious in his scene with Justin. Sorry for Dave, but Matthew MADE the scene.
He was trying to be supportive, but he was SO angry with Sarah.
And so incredibly gentle with Saul. He really stole my heart there, when he encouraged Saul to “Just say it. I love you. It’s okay.” Tissue, please.

And of course those two scenes with Scotty were the icing on the cake. The first scene is not even 1.20 min., but it shows almost every aspect of what makes K/S so wonderfull. A bit of teasing, a bit serious, mutual understanding and utterly cute. The emotions move so quickly from one to the next. They are SO good at that.

The second one had me in tears. That totally stunned look on Scotty’s face! “Because I switched the lightbulbs?” It was priceless!!! He REALLY didn’t expect Kevin to EVER ask him the question.

And whoever came up with the sentence: "I'm completely, completely, in love with you, I even love the things about you that I hate." deserves a medal. Wow!

Ofcourse it wouldn't have made half the impact if those words hadn't been brought so wonderfully by Matthew Rhys and Luke MacFarlane. Please, please, please, keep giving these two good actors great things to do in season 3.

And I know things had to be rushed because of the shortage of time, but could we perhaps in season 3 also see a bit more of them as a couple? I hate to agree with Will, but we haven't seen enough of that. I don't doubt for a single moment they are made for eachother, but I'd like to SEE that. After all the McKitty 'sweet' moments give us a few 'sweet' moments between Kevin/Scotty. Is it really so outlandish for them to go out and discuss things over dinner. I loved the dinner they had in 1.05. The way they were teasing and flirting. Just cause they are now 'married' that doesn't have to stop. Don't they ever have a day off together so they can go to the beach, a park, a theather, anywhere else but the loft?

I like the way the Ojai-game was being played, though I did expect at any time to see one of the characters of 'Dynasty' or more likely 'Falcon Crest' walk in to take over the scene. Sarah really needs to dig up her 'JR Ewing'-side and start plotting a vicious scheme to kick Holly out.

[CeCe]

Will said: What's the damned rush to get Kevin & Scotty hitched? KEVIN WAS JUST PLACING MULTIPLE CELL CALLS TO KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA a mere few months ago, trying to make things work with THAT boyfriend.

Ummm, will? A mere few months ago, Rebecca was still a Walker, Sarah was still knee deep in a divorce, Kitty was running a presidental campaign (and certainly hadn't been trying to concieve long enough to be SO EXASPERATED about not succeeding yet), Nora had JUST MET what's-his-face, and Tommy was sleeping with the enemy.

ALL of those story lines have moved at lightening speed. In just those few short months, Rebecca's entire history has been wiped clean, Sarah is sleeping with her consultant, and well over her painful divorce, Kitty is OMG NEVER GOING TO GET PREGNANT! IVE BEEN TRYING SOOOO LONG WHAT AM I GOING TO DOOOOOOO. Please. Nora was so in love with what's-his-face that she contemplated leaving everything in her life to move in with him, and Tommy and Julia are all back to normal and moving on with taking over Ojai.

Kevin and Scotty have been together ALL SEASON, except for the first couple shows, and apparently a ton of time has passed, so they've had lots of time to build a relationship.

Really...don't you think you have different rules for them than you do for everyone else?