This Sunday- Episode 322 "Julia"

Written by Molly Newman & Michael Foley
Directed by Michael Morris

With Tommy still out of the picture, Julia must decide the next step for her and Elizabeth.  Meanwhile, the family struggles with the fact that Julia and Elizabeth might move away. With Holly’s encouragement, Ryan becomes interested in working for Ojai Foods.  Kitty continues flirting with Alec, the father at the park, and finds herself seriously questioning her feelings towards Robert.

In other news, Brothers & Sisters won the GLAAD Award for Drama Series for a third year in a row.  The GLAAD Awards honor honest, positive portrayals of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.  Other shows recognized this year include Desperate Housewives, The L Word, Unidentified Funk, and The New Adventures of Old Christine.

Brothers & Sisters is also the only scripted show receiving Television Academy Honors, which recognizes television with a conscience.  We are receiving the Honors for last season’s finale “Prior Commitments,” which featured two families’ reactions to a same-sex marriage.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Kevin and Scotty’s wedding was network TV’s first same-sex marriage between two series regulars.  All of the writers and producers are thrilled to be receiving this kind of recognition from the Television Academy.  Now if we can just get the show an Emmy nomination!

Until next week,
Cole

Comments

[Lee]

Thanks for the update, Cole and congratulations on the awards.

Could you possibly find out which episodes the writers, directors, actors (especially), and series are submitting for the Emmy Awards and publish it here? We have to dig up that info unless we get it from you and it's not easy.

[Rachel]

Congradulation!!! You deserve it and I'm sure this wonderful season will get the nomination for Emmy. I mean, the two hours event was an Emmy winner!!!

If you can update if there gonna be a next season ASAP I would be grateful...

[Sam19]

Dear Cole,
I might not be wrong if I say that B& S has got the global recognition and is very popular serial amongst people from all walks of life. I truly believe that this year the B&S will get the Emmy Award. I love this serial because it totally changed my life. It helped me in dealing with the issues that can't get handled normally. In my country, coming out is like a disease.People see you from different eyes. Also you can go to 10 yr jail if you found guilty. If they'll get to know your identity as per the sodomy ACT. I never give up the hope that I have for me. This serial has helped my family members to get to know me better.All my wishes are with you. Please Cole say my Thanks to Sally field- Luke Macfarlane-Mathew Rhys. Please. I am sure you'll be bagging the Emmy award this year heehaw,....!!
SAM, 19yrs
New Delhi
India

[Sylviane]

****Now if we can just get the show an Emmy nomination!***

Ooh, there’s a venomous remark I could make, but I won’t. :)

But a hint would be that you guys please, please, PLEASE (!) sit down and have another look at season 1 and see what made this series so great to begin with.

I used to be glued to my screen, I could NOT wait for the next episode, now, I dread the upcoming episodes.

I LOVED how this series dared to be different, now, if it weren’t for Matthew Rhys I would certainly have given up a while ago, because it’s getting harder and harder, for me, to CARE about the characters.

Anyhow, the rant is familiar, no need getting into it again.

I'm glad you seem to dedicate an episode to Julia, I hope she's actually IN this episode.
(Not like 3.07 that was about Tommy/Julia's anniversary and they were almost invisible.)

Sarah Jane Morris seems like such a nice person, she really impressed with her acting when Julia lost her child and in 3.10 with the transplant.

I can only hope there will be a scene between Julia and Kevin, who is after all Elizabeth's biological father.

Congrats with the GLAAD award. Kevin/Scotty are, for me personally, the best couple on this show.

It is too bad that you have given up on the Saul story line. I was really looking forward to seeing more of him and Henry, and maybe see more moments between Saul and Kevin (and Scotty/Henry). Oh, well, another missed opportunity.

[Min]

>>Now if we can just get the show an Emmy nomination!

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAhA!!11!
You are too funny!!!

[Min]

Oh, sorry. You mean Daytime Emmy!
Sure you will get one, without a doupt.

[Linda]

Please, more of Cal. I beg you, MORE OF CAL. Almost too hot to cope!!!

[S.L.]

According to tvguide.com, the show was renewed for next season. I'm really, really hoping we see some serious changes, because at this point, I'm not sure I'll be coming back.

Sally Field is always excellent and deserving of awards. I would absolutely LOVE to see Rachel Griffiths and especially Matthew Rhys pick up Emmy awards for their work. But if you're hoping for an Emmy for the show for THIS mess of a season? Um....

Re: the wedding. People always say it was the first between two regulars, which I don't understand. To the best of my knowledge, it is the first wedding with ONE regular character, but as I understand it, Luke Macfarlane was not officially a regular until this season.

I want to reiterate some of Sylviane's post above. One, I have always liked Julia and wish you would use her more (the same could be said for all the spouses EXCEPT Robert). But even more of a nonsensical waste of a character is Saul. When you have someone like Ron Rifkin on your cast, USE HIM! Some of us actually want to see talented actors playing interesting roles and storylines. Not to mention, speaking of your GLAAD award (rather undeserved this year, I'm afraid, seeing as how there has been barely ANY portrayal of gay characters - honest or otherwise), I don't know of any other show that has an older man who recently came out after spending a lifetime closeted, even to his closest family members. My GOD, the stories you could tell. But, of course, he doesn't look like a reject from a Twilight casting call, so why waste screen time on him?

Sigh. I want so much for this show. I want to be able to tell everyone I know how great it is. I want to be rooting for it to win an Emmy. But it seems like every chance you have to actually do something thoughtful or interesting or new, you choose to squander the opportunity.

[Lou]

Did anyone even show up to accept the GLAAD award?

[Sylviane]

***My GOD, the stories you could tell.***

I know! And then have a talented actor like Ron Rifkin, who is capable of GETTING such a story across. who is capable to EXPRESS the inner turmoil, good or bad. (the scene in 2.15 with Matthew Rhys, STILL brings tears to my eyes. It was THAT good.)
And now it's too late, because he is an established relationship with Henry, who we never get to see, so all opportunity of telling an interesting story is over.
(Unless you have some flash-back episode for Saul.)

The fact that you have the potential to write/built up a good storyline lies in the Robert/Kitty storyline. Whether people like or dislike the direction those two are going is irrelevant. You have people on forums, (and I visit quite a few of them) talking about who is right or wrong, who is to blame and who isn't, who should do what, or should not do anything. Why, where, did it go wrong exactly. You make us care about the characters.

And that must be far better then having everyone agree how senseless/contrived a storyline is.

[Rosie]

Congrats on the GLAAD award and now that a 4th season has officially been announced by ABC, PLEASE, PLEASE focus more on the show's most popular couple - SCOTTY/KEVIN!! Not only are they HOT, but they are the most intriguing characters on the show and the undeniable and unbeatable chemistry between Luke Macfarlane & Matthew Rhys should be celebrated and NOT wasted! Also, speaking of Kevin, for the fourth season please have him quit his job as the Senator's unappreciated doormat and return him to being a lawyer!! For the life of me, I don't recognize the Kevin that works for the egomaniac politician.

[Ty]

You're losing me. Somewhere along the line TV has to clean it up! Gay's and straights don't need to take off their clothes and go hot and heavy on screen. Sexual innuendo is savvy enough. Are writers and directors that short in supply of ability that they have to go graphic?

[Ana]

Congratulations on the GLAAD Award!!!

Please, please, I beg you. Give our Kevin back, return him to be the wonderful self-confident lawyer he used to be. It's horrible and sad to see him being Robert's doormat.

[Yrsa]

I love this show with my whole heart, no my entire body. And even though this season has been somewhat of a mess I still come back every week; excited and waiting for some magic that never really shows up. I agree with previous writers: bring the magic back, USE the excellent actors that you have and give me back the characters and storylines I've cared so much about the last couple of years!

[Tay]

Dont listen to all the rubbish writen above. This season's storylines were amazing, touching and realistic. Keep it up! And no need to add more kevin/scotty. They get enough screentime. This is a show about the Walkers, not about them!

[Windy]

I dont't like Ryan,It's him who make Justin and Rebbec breake up!I hope he can be friendly to Walkers, if he can't he can leave at least.

[Jamie]

Congratulations on the GLAAD award!

I have to echo the above comments about Saul / Ron Rifkin, though. I know everyone wants their favorite character to have more screentime, but Saul hasn't had one plot all season. Seriously, in 24 episodes you couldn't give him something to do that wasn't providing a sounding board for Nora? And I really don't get why you'd sign up John Glover for 3 eps and then never use him again.

I appreciate the young pretty people as much as anyone, but some balance would be nice, and there are so many interesting stories to tell about Saul (and his bf).

[S.L.]

Tay and others who are tired of listening to our rubbish: Believe me, I'm MORE tired of voicing my complaints than others are of hearing them. I'm really, honestly glad you still find the show amazing. I wish I felt the same way, or at least could bring myself to stop watching.

It’s the show’s fault, really, for giving me the old bait and switch. I became addicted and loyal to this show, only to be left with ridiculous storylines. At one point, we had a widow who had to figure out how to start her life over after realizing her entire marriage was a lie; children who had to reconcile the memory of the father they loved and respected with who they discovered him to be, while at the same time negotiating relationships with each other despite major differences in beliefs, life choices and work decisions at the family business; debates and stories about politics and war and how those things affect "real" people. All these amazing characters weaving together thought- and discussion-provoking stories of humor, drama, and intelligence.

And NOW what? Major portions of episodes devoted to the magically-multiplying illegitimate children and their quest to ruin whatever good name William Walker had left. The mistress whose main connection/purpose on this show was ended the minute the writers decided all that “chemistry” between Justin and Rebecca was too good to pass up. Murder accusations, fugitives from the law, Sarah having yet another work affair - this time with someone ripped out of a Harlequin romance novel. There’s no depth to any stories, and the only ones that have longevity (that is, are allowed to carry any weight or consequence beyond one episode) are the snoozefests that are Ryan/Rebecca and Robert/Kitty.

I’m sorry, but when I can get better characterization and more in-depth plots by reading fan fiction, something is seriously wrong. I get that characters and shows change - I am more than happy to change with them, as long as they improve or maintain the same level of quality, not cater to the lowest common denominator.

[JoAnne]

well you writers are back on track. tonight's episode (4-26) was really good.

not happy with the Kitty storyline and can't believe Sarah being so naive.

all in all very good show.

[Debbie]

Who chose "Magnificent" by U2 for this episode -- very good choice!

[S.L.]

Well, I tried a new strategy by completely ignoring every scene with Ryan, Rebecca and Holly and...I actually liked this episode. There were a few characterization issues, but I cried which hasn’t happened in a long time. A few observations:

I feel like we skipped something. Last I heard Kevin was feeling weird about Lizzy after the surgery, but resigned to being nothing more than an uncle with plans for kids of his own someday. All of a sudden, he’s buying big gifts (remember he didn’t want to feel any pressure to deliver on birthdays?) and has a desperate need to hold onto her? I figured you’d have this plot, but could you have at least tried to build it up a little more organically – a few comments over the last episodes about what was going to happen with Lizzy if Tommy and Julia broke up, for example? (And what was up with his obsession with that stupid pony? He was brushing its mane! How ridiculous.)

I actually felt sorry for Robert when he saw the bandages on Alec’s arm. Up until he said, “we don’t need to figure anything out, you do.” I see he still refuses to take responsibility for his role in their problems.

Go Julia! Whoo! I love her. Wish you would have had her be this awesome before she decided to leave/was forced off the show.

What a great, understated scene between Kevin and Scotty. See how much they can do with a few simple lines? Wow, you really should have more of them together.

"They're almost Canadian."

YES! My theory that Scotty and Julia are total secret friends/Walker-complainers finally vindicated! “We’ll always have Facebook.”

And finally, it was nice to see Saul again.

[wife watches show]

can someone explain something to me...please?

didn't saul steal all of the money that the walker's thought william walker stole at the beginning of this show?

where's the money???

[Claire]

Is Rob Lowe leaving the show? Does anyone know?

[Stephanie]

Loved tonights show and wanting to know the song and artist that was playing at the end of the show tonight 4/26/09. It was a female singer..."I had a dream..."
Thanks so much.

[Grace]

I really enjoyed the last song played this evening. I have heard it before and do not recall the name of the artist. Does anyone know and can anyone tell me the name and artist.

Thank you, Grace