Brothers and Sisters is ABC’s new drama about a contemporary American family, dysfunction being a major character. However, no matter what their individual problems are, the Walkers come together and find strength as a family. The first season follows the Walkers after the patriarch of the family dies. Along with news of their father’s death, the five children discover some well kept secrets including a mistress and illegitimate daughter.
Brothers and Sisters also has a cast that blends seasoned actors with some newer faces. I first tuned into the show because Sally Field plays the mother. The idea of a television show detailing an older woman’s life was new and casting Sally Field struck me as a perfect choice. Not being a fan of Ally McBeal, I was a bit concerned about Calista Flockhart, however where Ally was unsure, Kitty Walker is strong and driven. By the same token, I was a huge fan of Alias, so Ron Rifkin, Patricia Wettig, and Balthazar Getty were major draws for me. Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under), Emily VanCamp (Everwood), Matthew Rhys, Dave Annable (Reunion), and Rob Lowe (The West Wing) add to the ensemble cast and truly make it feel like a family. Sure, it has some soap opera elements, but that keeps audiences watching and distracted from their own lives – because hey, at least we aren’t that messed up.
What is most refreshing about Brothers and Sisters is Kevin Walker. He’s one of the siblings, a successful lawyer with relationship issues... oh, and he’s gay. But unlike most gay characters on television, his sexuality isn’t his entire identity. While it is a part of Kevin, he isn’t a stereotype or stock character, but more representative of a real person. Kevin's gayness is no more his sole defining characteristic than Justin’s addiction troubles are his or Kitty’s conservative views are hers; yes, these are big parts of who the characters are but not their sum total.
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Article comments
1 - handyguy
B&S is my favorite guilty pleasure - a high-class soap I look forward to every Sunday.
Have to disagree slightly about the Kevin character - his gayness is really front-and-center in almost every episode. This certainly doesn't bother me, and I'm amazed that a straight British actor gets the L.A.-gay-boy thing so dead-on without stereotyping. But apparently the same-sex snoggling does bother some older straight viewers of the show. According to Rachel Griffiths, more than one has come up to her in the street to complain! And she has told them off - good for her!
2 - Cara
I suppose what I meant was more in comparison to other gay characters on TV. Kevin Walker isn't like the gay characters on Will and Grace where he's built up on stereotype after stereotype. Kevin doesn't like to go shopping afterall. Yes, being gay is a huge part of his character, but there are other elements to him that have nothing to do with being gay. Most gay characters on TV are only gay with not much to them dimensionally.