This Sunday- Episode 323 "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off"

Written by Peter Calloway & Dan Silk
Directed by Laura Innes

Holly and Sarah host a party at Ojai to showcase that they are now a team. Robert returns to the office for the first time since his heart attack. Kitty's marital situation brings back memories of William (Tom Skerritt), which sheds light on more than just her past. Justin and Ryan both look to Rebecca for support, which leads to some shocking conclusions. Nora finally takes the search for Tommy to the next level.

Hello guys (and dolls)! This is the penultimate episode of the season! Next Sunday is the finale! In a little over one week you will finally know all of the secrets that we have been carrying around for months. What a weight off our shoulders. Whew. Seriously. From our perch outside of the executive producers' offices, Cole and I have already overheard some amazing ideas for Season Four... it's like sitting in kitchen and waiting for something that smells delicious to come out of the oven.

In a way, making television is a lot like cooking... or I guess like running a restaurant (paging inner Scotty). Some people decide what to cook and draw up a recipe, some people have to find the ingredients, some know just how to mix everything together, and some will cut everything up and arrange it on the plate, some people set the tables and choose the perfect music. And eventually we'll serve it to you! (I love metaphors.)

In less than one month, the writers will be back. We're already so excited about the future of the show, and hopefully you are too. We can't wait to introduce you to the new season, and to the new faces on our floor.

xoxo,
Elysse

Comments

[Lucas]

Dear Elysse,

I am glad to hear that you are excited about the upcoming season. Loony butterflies are aflutter in the pit of my stomach as I await the finale to discover these secrets you have been keeping for so long. Are they as contrived and unrealistic as Ryan's character and storyline have been? I fervently hope not.

You love metaphors? Why, so do I! These "amazing ideas" for Season 4 that you eagerly speak of, do they include similar anticlimactic, bland or sometimes over-salted dishes like this season's? Frankly, I was expecting to taste lovingly considered and prepared gourmet meals with intricate flavors and textures. Instead, I was served up fast-food greasy burgers with soggy fries on the side. I hope Season 4's taste sensations are nothing like the, in the words of Sarah Walker, mostly "sucktacular" dishes of Season 4. As I keep my expectations low (once bitten, twice shy and all that), I am also keeping my digits crossed. I hope I won't be disappointed.

If I can offer some cooking tips, refer to season 1's deliciously simple but healthful goodness.

Yours truly,
Lucas

[Rachel]

Thank you sooo much.. I trust you to bring us the best TV can have, as always. This was a great season, way above my expectations. The Walkers are officialy a part of my life. When they are happy, so do I. When they have ctieses... I feel it in my bones..
The realistic charecters, the connections they share, and the family as a whole is the best thing I can find in TV.v
All the storylines: Justin and Rebecca, Robert and Kitty, Sarah, Kevin and Scotty - ALL doing a great job.
I LOVE THIS SHOW- BRAVO!

[Sylviane]

Thank you, Elysse, for yet a wonderful and gentle post. I admire your patience. And I am truly grateful that you give us a new blog.

I am curious as to the 'secrets' you have kept, they had better be as good as you hope, because I'm not sure yet.

But, BY ALL MEANS feel free to completely surprise and shock me.

I've said it before, I hope that by the time the finale comes, some storylines will make sense and will make me go: "So, THAT is what it was all about."

For now, I'm still clueless and certain story-lines are still senseless.

I can only HOPE that season 4 will rival with season 1 again in quality. Come on, you have a nearly perfect cast, give them another season worthy of their talents.

I love your metaphore off comparing B&S to food. And it is so nice of you to WANT to serve a good meal, but in the meantime, I, as a viewer, must taste it, swallow it and digest it.

If it makes me sick to my stomach, then obviously you have used a wrong ingredient somewhere.

And I can think of two such ingredients.

[Mitchell]

I feel this season is a transitional time for the show, thankfully season four can clean up any messes season 3 introduced...there have been some great moments this season, and some wonderful drama--however, I agree, the simple but rich delights of the first two seasons were unbeatable compared to the turbulent season 3. I can't wait for next season to see what wonderful ideas you guys have in store, I hope it takes the show in the right direction, where ever that is(?), anyways I'm excited but leary about how this season will leave us.
But at the end of the day, B&S has the best cast and some undeniably good acting, then any other show on network TV.

[S.L.]

***Thank you, Elysse, for yet a wonderful and gentle post. I admire your patience. And I am truly grateful that you give us a new blog.***

Indeed. Elysse and Cole, thank you for doing a wonderful job this season with the blog and putting up with all our antics.

I'm choosing to be optimistic for next season, if not for the end of this one. Can't wait to see what you guys are cooking up for us (see what I did there?), and I can only hope it meets my expectations!

[trinity yanson]

totally agree with sylviane and lucas. didn't like the ryan storyline at all. didn't like that rebecca was de-walkered. didn't like that holly/david are still getting a lot of screentime than saul. pls. writers, make season4 as interesting as the 1st and 2nd season. regroup,reconsider,and research pls.

[Alfred]

All the B&S fans above said what I would have said. Please just kill Ryan and Robert. They are boring to death.

Sauly needs to be given more storyline than just appearing at a baby shower.

[Lorelei]

I have been a less than loyal fan this season, frankly tired of the plot twists. there are plenty of overdramatic shows on TV already, this one was different! Please bring back the excellent writing and loving (if complex!) family that we knew, an lose Ryan!!! I cannot stand his negative, vaguely slimy character!

[Alanna]

Brothers & Sisters is my favorite show. I've always loved the interaction of the whole family when they get together. Nothing is perfect like all of our family relationships-highs & lows. But lately Kitty's whole storyline has been pathetic. "Poor me, Robert never shares anything, all I want is to have a baby and family - oh sorry but now baby is 2nd to her cuddling up to her friend in the park. Give me a break-who's not sharing their life OR spending time with baby???? Remember K, try and have a little compassion for Robert who nearly died and had heart surgery(or did you forget about that)because what's really important to you is your self-pity and the fact that Robert isn't sharing his every thought. Please Elysse make some big changes to Kitty's character or transport her to Siberia.

[Tana]

I love Brothers and Sisters, up until the past few weeks. Ryan completely minimized the quality of characters that have been presented. His role just doesn't fit. Too unreal to be true ya know??? It seems like lately you are pulling straws for a ah-haa moment. Get back to the realism that once brewed on your fabulous show.

[Aron]

Try to write some stuff like in the first season, that's the reason that I felt in love with the show. 10x Have a great Summer ;)

[Diane]

I love Brothers and Sisters especially because of this third season. It was a season which has made changes in each character, they all developed. Instead of bringing us the same recipe you try to spice it a little bit. Instead of making the characters boring - you're making them to surprise us!
Kitty as a mom is a different Kitty - the way it should be!! Its the most realistic thing.
Justin as a pre-addict is a mature Justin, who think about a career, search for a purpose in life, and can handle a serious relationship without loosing it - in crises...
Nora managing the development of the center is a strong Nora, not the one who used to be William's shadow.
Instead of bringing us Rebecca 2 in the charecter of Ryan - you made him just the opposide, a complicated teen who don't fit in as Rebecca was...

It took a lot of guts to make these changes and I appreciate it.

[Emily]

Great work! Looks like this episode will be a knock-out!!! I love BS and I can't wait for the season finale.
As always - this season sets a new record of quality TV. You have my vote for Emmy :)
Unlike some comments here, I LOVED this season, it was better then season 2.

[Dana]

Love this show - you have many fans here in ISRAEL!!

Bring us more of the delicious cooks you are making, and keep Justin and Rebecca together!!!

[S.L.]

I wasn’t too impressed with this episode. Um, wait - understatement. I did not care at all for this episode. First, what was the point of bringing TS back for those flashback scenes? Seriously? It was a waste of his talent and didn’t give us any insight into Kitty and her situation. It was just yet another way of insinuating Ryan into every little section of this show.

RE: Justin and Rebecca – are you serious?! Now, I know some people think they’re great and belong together. I personally think they’re a horribly dysfunctional couple and should stay far away from each other. BUT I would think we ALL (except maybe the most naïve, “oh it’s true love” preteens in the audience) can agree that an engagement/marriage NOW is not the way for them to fix their problems. I’m begging you not to send the message that it is. I guess, in addition to my weekly pleas (less Robert! even less Ryan and Holly! More Scotty! Save Kevin!), I’ll have something new to beg for: Free Justin! It’s sad to see him so addicted and dependent on Rebecca just like any other DRUG, especially considering how immature she is in this relationship. What I would absolutely LOVE to see next season is for Justin to focus on HIMSELF. He deserves it.

At least this time Scotty got PAID for being nothing more than a servant to the Walker family... On a related note, we definitely need more Scotty and Sarah scenes. I ADORE them together.

And finally. Sigh. I know that you guys have been trying to get us to accept this fantastic bipartisan friendship that supposedly has developed between Robert and Kevin but do ANY of the writers have siblings? Most brothers – especially ones who are as loyal and loving to their family as Kevin is – would side completely with their sisters regardless of what the details of the situation are, and would never ditch a family business event to commiserate with their brother-in-law. The FIRST time they were asked to go against their sister's interests or wishes, they would have made their position clear, and the second time? They would have quit. And he “loves his job”? Gag me, PLEASE! What’s to love about working for a job where you don’t even get to use your hard-earned skills, where you are accomplishing absolutely nothing of what you accepted the job for in the first place, and you have to apologize not only to your boss but also his cronies despite the fact that they repeatedly show no respect for your opinions? It wasn’t enough that you had to take an opinionated, articulate, intelligent liberal democrat with a career he had worked hard for and who hated Robert’s politics and turn him into a servile employee. It wasn’t enough you had Kevin suddenly develop loving, friendly feelings for a person who can’t even think about someone besides himself and who treats him in an incredibly insulting matter both as a staff member and as a family member. Now, you won’t even let Kevin wholeheartedly support his sister. Look around – no sane viewer is buying it. What, what, WHAT do we have to do to get you to SAVE KEVIN? This is killing the show for me. I’m willing to just deal and accept plenty of stuff, but if something is not done to bring back the Kevin I know and love, I’m done.

Oh and by the way, it’s nice to see that Kevin can put so many hours and so much effort into Robert and Kitty’s marriage, seeing as how he never even talks to his own husband and last we heard they had to make appointments for sex.

[Lee]

I'm huge fan of the show since episode 1. I've been hearing rumors of a new character connected to Ryan. Does any one know anything?

[Sylviane]

Alright, a good episode. Not impressive, but not as bad as 3.20 either.

I loved the moments between Holly/Sarah. They were great. The 'act' together was hilarious and I enjoyed the fight afterwards. Not to mention the different reactions from those 'in the crowd'.

I loved to see Tom Skerritt back. Again, amazing actor and seeing him play William, makes me feel so sorry that William's character got totally trashed by the Ryan-story-line.

I could, to a certain level, accept a Holly, but the Connie became TOO much and seeing William only reminded me of that. But again, what a great actor.

I still don't GET the sudden "BFF"-thingy between Kevin and Robert, but I've decided to stop fussing about it.

So many other things don't make sense and if Ryan can be William's son, based on nothing at all, then I suppose that Kevin can like Robert... (sigh)

I think that Kevin does not EXPECT anything from Robert anymore and certainly not any friendship in return.

But Kevin has been always been a very caring person underneath the cynicism, so I HAVE to chuck it on his masochism, otherwise those scenes just irritate me.

The proposal worked in so far that it was nice that they had a 'good' moment, unfortunately, they way their relationship has been built up this season, I wonder how long it will take before the next clash pulls them apart again.

Like Romeo and Juliet, they are still stuck between two families who just don't like each other. They have not solved their fundamental problems and I sure hope that they will think this through thorougly before blindly stepping into a marriage. Sometimes, being 'in love' is not enough. Look at McKitty.

I absolutely loved the Kevin/Kitty scene. It was good that Kevin made it clear that his priorities lie with Kitty and that Robert accepted that. I hope he stays that way.

The Sarah/Scotty scene was also cute. Love those two together. They've had a great relationship from the start, and Sarah was the one who brought K/S together. :)

It would be nice if Sarah could find some happiness with someone through Scotty.

Ryan's creepiness around Rebecca was still bleh, but I found his reaction at the party very good to watch. Not sure if I completely agree, but it was interesting.

Rob and Calista are doing a terrific job. I don't like where the story is headed, but THEY are good.

I'm not sure however if it was that safe of Nora to travel alone to Mexico... We'll see.

[Erika]

And again.. SL with his crap - couldn't care less.
You sound like a broken record. Im sick of it.

If you don't like the show, why don't just look for a new one and let those who actually love it to enjoy it as it is.

[Rachel]

S.L this was the best episode in this season. Eat your heart! The writers went with the majority who LOVES Justin and Rebecca togather.

So as robert said: Get a filter!!!

[Yrsa]

I agree with many of the previous writers. This season might not have been the best. But it's still brothers & sisters and I do come back every week just as excited as the last one.

I can't say I look forward to the season finale, not because I think it will be sucktacular, but because I will miss this show so much! I hope you will come back, stronger than ever next season and blow me away!

oh and btw save kevin from robert! I can't stand that "friendship" or whatever. Plz bring back the Kevin we all know and love!

[Mom]

Heterosexual couple with no chemistry together in bed! Making out! Yikes! Couldn't you warn the viewers before you include disgusting and morally unacceptable scenes like that????

[S.L.]

Perhaps I was a little harsh with my previous comment. I wouldn't say it was the best episode of the season, but there were plenty of things I liked about this episode, actually. I liked that we saw Sarah taking some new steps. I liked that we possibly saw the beginnings of Holly and Sarah working together, and hints that they might be trying to oust Ryan (although I don't see why firing him would be that difficult). I think a working relationship/truce between Holly and Sarah would be an interesting way to go, and I would love to see Holly rounded out more as a character rather than her usual one-note villain. And as I mentioned, the Scotty and Sarah scene was great - the best one of the night for me.

I liked the Kevin and Kitty scene - it counteracted at least somewhat the Kevin and Robert stuff. (And even then, we got him to say that he would ultimately side with Kitty - let's hope he follows through with that.)

And I'm excited that Justin got into the program. True, it's slightly unbelievable, but I can't wait to see him make something of himself.

See, I'm not always negative. (And by the way, my thoughts on an episode shouldn't have any effect on whether other viewers like it or not. Feel free to love it unconditionally. I choose to highlight what I find good and bad, as many other people do. Just because they're not the same things you find good or bad doesn't mean I'm not allowed to voice them. My understanding of these boards is they are here to provide a forum for discussion.)

[md fan]

Well, I've been asking for the show to bring back Tom Skerritt and you did! I was so surprised and happy to see him - wish his character could have stayed around longer in the beginning. Not sure where they're going with these flashbacks with him & Kitty, but maybe it'll shed some light on why she's acting so kinda pathetic right now. It's a little weird that her husband, whom she loves & who just had a heart attack & almost died, but she's making niceynice with some guy at a park?? huh? this makes no sense really, but I'm hoping there's a story here somewhere, just not liking where it is right now.

I for one, really like Justin & Rebecca, so loved that they got back together. I love Kevin in any scene with anyone, so it was nice to see him last night.

Good episode, not great. Would have loved to have Ken Olin in there too.

[Noel]

What was the song at the ending scenes of last night's show? Who sang it? It was something about Sailing Me home but can't find it?

[Scott]

There were a few bright spots: Sarah/Scotty, Kevin/Kitty, even the Sarah/Holly stuff was mildly entertaining.

The rest? Awful.

I think I've found a way to projectile vomit on cue: Just watch a scene where Kevin declares his love for Robert.

Works like a charm.

Writers, please: STOP MANIPULATING KEVIN. I can sense that tou need someone to serve as Robert's sounding board, so you plop Kevin's character in his office.

No matter that Kevin's support for his sister should be unquestioned and he wouldn't need to elaborate about "taking sides."

No matter that Kevin wouldn't choose to spend time with his brother-in-law instead of attending a party in support of Sarah.

No matter that his declarations of love are completely ridiculous and cheesy. WHEN did you establish this "love"? You didn't. You simply had Kevin start saying he loved Robert, without any build-up or any foundation.

"Show, don't tell." Why have you so clearly disregarded this rule?

Kevin and Robert shared a very unpleasant, acrimonious history; they are diametrically opposed in belief; and they spent most of their working relationship arguing: arguing over trust issues, over Kevin's distaste for right-wing Republicans, over Kevin having to lie to Kitty about the run for Governor. Arguing followed by more arguing.

Then, Robert compliments Kevin on a good job, Robert has a heart attack, and suddenly Kevin LOVES him.

This is laughably bad. Laughably. PLEASE separate Kevin from this horrid storyline. Have him realize that he cannot stay at this job while Kitty and Robert's marriage continues to unravel, out of support for his sister.

Have him return to being a lawyer. Heck, anything other than being a lackey to a self-absorbed Republican who has never treated him with the respect he deserves, nor shown a reciprocal interest in Kevin's own life.

You're losing me, writers. And I've been a fan from Day One.