This Sunday: Episode 305 -- “You Get What You Need”

Written by David Marshall Grant & Cliff Olin
Directed by Chad Lowe

Kevin faces an important career decision, while at the same time struggling to win over Scotty’s visiting parents. Sarah feels increasingly restless as a full-time mom and meets with a corporate headhunter to discuss her options. Justin and Rebecca find their loyalties to mothers Nora and Holly getting in the way of their own relationship. Meanwhile, Nora takes the next step and seeks funding for her cancer house.

For many of the B&S writers, the highlight of Sunday’s episode is the return of Wally and Bertha Wandell.  According to Producer David Marshall Grant, “Last we saw the Wandells, they were at an impasse with Scotty and Kevin and refused to attend their commitment ceremony.  Now, we see them reach out a little bit.  It’s a slow process.”  David Marshall Grant seems to appreciate the Wandells as a point of contrast to the Walkers.  He states, “The show exists in a bubble of people who just accept Kevin’s sexuality.  That’s not the whole world.  It’s interesting to examine the other side for a change.

What do you guys think?  Is it good to show the other side?

-Cole

Comments

[minjkins]

So far this episode sounds pretty amazing. I'm always excited when there's an actual Scotty storyline! And the fact that it involves Scotty's parents who are apprehensive about the whole thing just makes it better. It's ironic that Kevin, with liberal, loving Nora as a mom, is the one who seems to have the harder time coming out and coming to terms with his sexuality. While Scotty with disapproving parents from Arizona helped Kevin become more comfortable with his sexuality. I love Scotty for Kevin, but more importantly i love Scotty in general. On a side note, why can't they develop the character of Julia at all? give her some sort of storyline besides being tommy's wife and occasionally bitching out sarah. and PLEASE please give sarah a love interest! depressing, bitter, self-loafing sarah is just not the FUN sarah that i used to love. it would be even more awesome if sarah was romantically attached to someone ethnic, because i'm pretty sure that pasadena and the most of LA is more diversified than they portray on B&S

[Charlie]

I really like were the story of the Walkers has gone these season thus far. Kevin storylines are just hilariously amazing. Sarah story lines are so powerfull. Kitty - Robert - Kevin scenes make my ''elk'' laugh. I am very interested how the Wandell family takes Kevin and Scotty's commitment to each other. THAT story line really inspires me to go for what I want, no matter what obstacles life may bring.

[will]

David Marshall Grant was the writer who said he liked to listen to conservative talk-radio on his way to work - in order to hear the "other side" (I do, too; I listen to Rush and Bill-O and Dennis Prager, channel-surfing, on my way to work, and frequently find myself shouting at the radio). David (& Molly) used this experience to write those bubbly Kevin-Nora-Kitty scenes in "An American Family" where they are listening to conservative talk-radio and the radio host calls Nora Walker a "harpy" and refers to Robert and Kitty both having gay brothers, and shudders at the thought of "first brothers doing the gay fandango in the Lincoln bedroom" (the conservative host looks like a fat, pasty Rush Limbaugh).

Listening to, even exploring, "other sides" is a fabulous, groovy thing. I went to a NASCAR race, I unwillingly went to a Sufjan Stevens concert (and became a huge fan), I slept with a girl at a party in college (I was drunk, but it was that heady feeling of EXPLORATION that guided me).

Explore OTHER SIDES! Show the rainbow of human experiences! By all means! I'm down with that.

[Trinity Yanson]

i think it's a good thing to show the other side of kevin/scotty gay acceptance storyline. i'm looking forward to how the writers will handle it. it's true that not all people will accept them as gay couple,and they have to overcome it or accept it as it is cause no one can really please everybody. i want to thank the writers for exploring kevin/scotty storylines cause i love both characters. keep up the good work...

[Sylviane]

It worries me that I look forward to this episode. Usually, when I do, I find myself disappointed.

I love the return of Bertha and Wally Wandell. I know I will be terribly annoyed with the character of Bertha again, because Jayne did such a good job as Scotty's cold and distant mother the last time. A great actress. I do hope Bertha defrosts just a little bit.

On the other hand it would be nice to see Scotty lose patience with them.

I love the idea that Scotty finally has something to do. I always enjoy Kevin/Scotty, and the one sneak peak we got to see with them was perfect. Serious, funny, slightly flirtatious and of course a promise we know will not be fulfilled. But a good scene anyway.

[will]

I see David and Cliff wrote the script for "You Get What You Need".... FABULOUS, reverberating title by the way, guys! How did you ever stumble upon using a '60's Stones-lyrics-inspired title like that? Hmmm. Let's see now.... hmmmm....

Oh, yes! Here is one of my many, many comments on song-titles-&-lyrics-turned-B&S-titles dated April 10, 2008 from Dan's amusing "A Tale of Two Seasons" blog (the thread showing a contempletive Tennessee Williams sitting at his typewriter with a drink - of course! - and billows of cigarette smoke, theoretically script-doctoring the Greg-Monica-Alison season 2 finale):

-----

"For some reason I have been listening to (and downloading) a lot of '60's music, so I have a headful of psychedelic song titles rumbling around.

"Love Me Two Times" would have been a great title for another Kevin-Jason / Kevin-Scotty episode, if only you'd let the love triangle play out longer (this is not a wisecrack by the way. I believe it would have worked swimmingly).

"Rainy Day Women" is Bob Dylan & would be a great title for an episode focusing on the Walker ladies ("In the jingle-jangle morning I'll come following you" is a lyric from "Mr. Tambourine Man", but, admittedly, would be a bit difficult to build an episode around; perhaps "Jingle-Jangle Mornings", focussing on a series of morning-after Walker sexual escapades)."

-----

I still believe "Love Me Two Times" is a nifty little title for whichever homewrecker mixes it up with Kevin in the future (I am assuming a sexy third party has to step in to provide some dramatic friction for the happy lovebirds - if only to keep the story fresh).... and I will humbly take PARTIAL CREDIT for this week's B&S title!

Oh. Rummaging through the old threads, I also concocted a few titles of my own ("Lattes and Loose Lips" still makes me smile.... "Charm Offensive" - not so much; a bit too pat and predictable).

I am glad to see David - fusing!, yes, synthesizing! - his wonderful talent with Cliff Olin. David's a fine writer with a good sense of the absurd (and a good sense of investing the PRESENT, a feeling of being in the moment, into his best scenes) and I imagine Cliff being a little off-the-hook and untraditional (I could be wrong!), pushing David to think outside the boundaries of traditional B&S formula.

Wow. This is a really long & rambling 2 cents. But I am looking forward to Sunday night.

[Rhi]

Luke looks SO good in that photo.

I'm very much looking forward to the return of Scotty's parents. I don't agree with what they have to say, but I guess it's ok (if not frustrating) to hear the other side sometimes.

[Karen]

Who is writing this stuff. Why are you excited about the return of two characters whom we only just saw in one episode. Secondly, what happened to Scotty's chef career - is he just a housewife now. What's that about. I find the whole story line annoying

[Richard]

Who plays Bertha Wandell?

[thefenceguys]

does anyone know who sang the song with the words: I'm gonna let go till i win, I'm gonna let go till your mine" ? It's driving me crazy....she sang it towards the end..

[ciuda]

Anybody knows what was the song playing after Justin & Rebecca had sex?
Something like "blow your mind"... "make you mine"..
Thanks

[Pam]

Does anybody know the song that is playing in the background while Rebecca and Justin are talking after having sex on the episode that aired October 26?

[will]

"You Get What You Need"

When Kevin thinks he (maybe) made partner, his male co-worker is jealously approving --- and Kevin goes into his office and does sort of a triumphant disco move - one hand on hip, the other hand thrust upward into the air with a jutting index finger - in front of his large office window with a gorgeous view. Visually, this is silly and fun. It's a visual I don't think I've ever seen before in quite this context.

Sometimes the creamy sameness of "Brothers and Sisters" can wear you out. The subtle lighting, the tame, tasteful set designs.... I suppose all these are virtues in their way, but they do weigh down on me. It becomes conspiratorial. I'm suddenly grateful for the little injections of originality - also the untactfulness, the mess, the gaucheries in the dialogue that liven the place up - that IGNITE! the oppressive formula .

It might have been interesting if Kevin's yuppie co-worker (the young guy in the beginning) came onto Kevin sexually. He could've straightened Kevin's tie, gave him a look. Maybe it could've been vaguely hinted at that the two had slept together in the past. ANYTHING to give subtext or texture - a hint of other life going on outside the immediate frame! - to the creamy, smooth, bland & polished images. The episode is called "You Get What You Need".... but I keep hearing the phase "What You See Is What You Get" in my head. What's there on the screen is ALL THERE IS. There's no spillover. And I could've really used some weird, enigmatic sense of life extending out beyond the boundaries of the immediate.

Kudos: While Kitty & Robert are chatting up the Wandells at the restaurant table, the camera shifts to a quiet conversation between Kevin and Scotty WHILE THE OTHER CONVERSATIONS ARE STILL HEARD in the background. Thank you. THANK you! Give me layering. Fill up the scene with life and clutter. Throw more overlapping dialogue my way and... even arbitrariness!... into the mix.

You know, when Rebecca and Justin were fighting, I was truly digging Emily. She actually had lines she could physically throw herself into - she gave a momentary sense of force and gusto. That is, until her swooning kiss with Justin... (ho hum)

To David and Cliff: That is a WONDERFUL little moment you provided for Kevin at the table (the "Can we please have a real conversation" bit directed at the Wandells). It's just a shame that Scotty's mother got cartoonishly offended and LEFT THE TABLE! (I loved Kevin's little monologue, which seemed to be honestly digging at something, then I ended up rolling my eyes at the cardboard mother who reacted too easily and superficially...). I loved Kevin's attempt at frankness though. Matthew gave it passion and a direct gaze.

Wow. Commercial time. Here in California, we're swimming in wall-to-wall proposition initiative ads a week before elections. Prop 8, Prop 2, Prop 7.... I read that contributions for and against the gay marriage measure have already exceeded $60 million dollars.

My clock says 10:46 p.m. The requisite ballad makes its appearance. Blah. Blargh. Yech. Humbug. (a ballad usually appears between 10:45 and 10:55 - it's so routine now it merely seems to exist to provide an aura of synthetic "heart").

The last scene with the Wandells leaving kind of redeemed them. It was nuanced and unresolved. It was natural. The dad could have at least shaken Kev's hand instead of hugging Scotty then pointedly walking away. Anyway, thanks for not having them make nice & wrap up the package in a big sniffly blargh-y bow.

The Ryan stuff is uninvolving. I get thrown out of context (Nora and Holly at the end). It's an abstraction right now. The episode should have ended on Robert and Kevin and Kitty who we have a tangible connection with. And, I cannot say it enough now, I LOVE Calista (I think she's natural and emotionally beautiful, constantly anchoring me IN THE MOMENT). I'm really looking forward to rollicking good times ahead with this trio. I forsee a beautiful comic melange coming down the pike.

[Tate]

Not sure where you're coming from Karen; I thought the Scotty/Kevin storyline was by far the best of the episode. I have no idea who play his parents but they are both marvelous. I hope we get to see more of them in the future. I do agree about the couch thing though, why is Scotty always sitting there? Surely there's a bed in the apartment...

As for incest sex - well, if I never see that again it will be too soon.

[Chele Ellis]

What does PDA mean besides personal digital assistant. It was in reference to Kevin saying not PDA in front of his parents

[David Hinton]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

If I wasn't already a devoted fan of the show, I would be now.

The courage it took not to allow the Kevin/Scotty conflict devolve into some formulaic, stereotypical "scene", but to let their relationship grow was brilliant, in a very understated, this-is-real-life (no matter your orientation) kind of way.

Finally, a representation of my life (been married to my husband for 16 years and raised a large family in the process) that I can actually relate to, with no "nudging" and "winking" - just real life.

Can't wait to see the fireworks between Kevin and The Senator as well!

[gil]

Scotty's parents uncomfortable departure was a realistic portrayal of family interaction. To have had them all hug and accept each other would have been an insult to the viewer. Television series, too often try to resovle all story lines neatly at the end of each episode.

Nora getting her grant approved on her first attempt was unrealistic. If one needed to show the plight of a stay at home mom trying to make her way in the world, her success implied that all one needed was a laptop and connections. Keep it real. She is part of the Pasadena upper crust. Make her use her connections.

I really love this show. Give your character some friends, not just romantic partners. I realize that the characters need to have face time to do dramatic scenes, however, as a Los Angeleno, I am amazed at the frequent. often spur of the moment freeway commutes to Santa Barbara, Ojai, Pasadena, Silverlake and the Westside to grab a bite and discuss a menu.

[Charles Barrière]

I Love your Tv Show and I only watch one time on TV and I bought the 2 seasons and now I'm watching it every sunday. I love Kevin and Scotty! And everyone else too!

[Sylviane]

I loved the episode.

Nora getting the grant was unrealistic and the Nora/Holly thing in the end was nice to watch, but I am so DONE with Ryan, that I would have liked Nora to give Holly a suggestion on where to put the file and forget all about Ryan.

Sarah absolutely stole my heart with the way she handled her children. It is so familiar to me, having a child myself. It was nice to see the shifting places between Nora and Sarah. Sarah from business-woman to mother. And Nora from mother to business-woman.

Saul/Tommy was nice to watch, though I was surprised at Tommy's reaction. One moment he defends Holly as a someone who works hard and they have no real issues, the next he says he can't forget how she came into the business.

Rebecca/Holly was nice, I am glad that Holly decided to be honest to Rebecca about the Ryan-file.

Justin's reaction was disappointing. After all the times he asked for forgiveness for screwing up, he cannot understand Rebecca's desire to forgive her mother? Weird.

The Justecca kiss, I assume, was supposed to be a great moment of passion, but it wasn't. I really enjoyed their fight and the switch from arguing to liplocking was too abrupt.

I loved how Robert/Kitty got involved in all this. Robert was not TOO present at the dinner table. Kitty's reaction that Kevin/Scotty would make great parents '..even if they are Democrats' was a perfect reaction to Bertha's cold reply to Scotty.

Matthew's acting again broke my heart when Kevin didn't make partner. There was no big blow up scene, no yelling or fighting, just the subtle falling apart. Good reminder for me on why he's my favorite actor.

The scene between Kevin and Bertha at the table proved that you don't have to yell at each other and bother all the other guests to get a point across and I want to give my compliments to Jayne Brook for her portrayal of Bertha. She irritated me to no end, but I enjoyed every moment of it. I agree with Will that it is a pitty Bertha left the table. I, personally, would have loved it to see the two of them fight it out.

I never doubted that Matthew and Luke would deliver their scenes with anything then the perfection I'm used to. And I didn't get disappointed. I loved the moment when Kevin came home to a very angry Scotty. Scotty's anger could be felt, but also Kevin's hurt. He didn't use what happened that day as an apology to make things right, but merely as an explanation. I loved how Kevin explained himself, totally accepting Scotty's anger. And how Scotty was willing to listen to him and not hold on to his anger. They could meet each other halfway in this and, yes, I loved the hug... there are not enough of those moments between them.

[Cole]

In response to what is and isn't allowed on this blog:

Unfortunately, for legal reasons, we are not allowed to post comments which contain specific story suggestions. General suggestions for the show are different than spelling out specific scenes and storylines.

It's the same reason why companies cannot accept unsolicted scripts/materials. Maybe scene and storyline suggestions could be posted on other blogs...

[Rochelle]

I, along with several others want to know the name of the song playing after Justin and Rebecca have sex?? I loved it! I'm sure there is a list of songs played on each episode but I can't find it!

[nicol]

Bring Jason back.

[cindy]

Re: what's a PDA?

Public Display of Affection

We used to use this abbreviation all the time at a very strict college.

[glenn]

I know..i want that song too. Its also used in a Target ad, but not having an luck searching that way either.

[joann]

Just got around to viewing this week's show. Loved it as usual but I also want to know the song title used for the Rebecca/Justin scene apre love making. Can anyone help us music junkies??