ABC's Brothers & Sisters ended its fifth season with an eventful episode. Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) marries Luc (Gilles Marini). Kitty (Calista Flockhart) learns she is pregnant, and wants to keep the baby, despite the health risks. Saul (Ron Rifkin) accepts a proposal from Jonathan (Richard Chamberlain). Tommy (Balthazar Getty) puts in an appearance. And Sarah makes peace with her father, Brody (Beau Bridges).
While season five has certainly been a weak season overall, there are some really great elements in this episode to remind viewers of how good the show used to be. The drama in "Walker Down the Aisle" is realistic, and none of it comes out of left field. The wedding actually goes off without any major hiccups. The characters mature and relate to each other in ways they haven't in awhile. And there is some real closure, as well as setup for new story, should the show get an abbreviated sixth and final season, which looks likely at this point.
Sarah dealing with Brody is the biggest development in the episode. While she has only known for a short time who her biological father is, Sarah has been in denial, wanting to pretend Brody doesn't exist. Yet, like a real father, he stays near, not pushing, but giving her plenty of opportunities to open up to him. She finally does, just before the wedding, and he confesses to always keeping tabs on her over the years, having suspected the truth.
While the Brody story did come out of nowhere, William Walker is established as a not-very-good husband early in the show. As such, it isn't totally out of line for this whole mess to pop up years later. While Sarah, especially, has trouble letting Brody in, her reactions are authentic and in character, as is her final acceptance of him. Now that Sarah is letting Brody in, he is free to finally be with Nora (Sally Field), his true love. Brody's story is sweet all around, and he's a wonderful addition to the cast. If anyone is promoted to series regular for season six, it should be him.
Article comments
1 - Mary Ann
Please do not take Brother & Sisters off the air. Finally there is a program that has some real meaning. I am tired of watching all the reality shows that mean nothing. Brothers & Sisters shows what a family goes through no matter how much money they have. I love all the story lines and how the producers channel this in the story. Please do not take it off.
2 - pat howard
Critics who use the word "I" a lot (as opposed to speaking in the third person), weaken their comments to the level of one-man viewer opinions. I don't find them helpful.
3 - jimds000
So wrong! Luc is the worst thing about the show. the initial premise is weak--a stunningly handsome Frenchman travels to California for romance with a plai, middle-aged divorcee---who happens to an expert on chile rearing, decorating, wine and just about anything that comes up. Just terrible and, worse, boring.
4 - Wanda Eller
I love to watch Brother and Sisters, Please do not take it off. I so look forward to watching it each week. It is so true to life in so many ways... I love sally Fields and all the cast. Please reconsider and keep it airing. Thank you
5 - Jer
Sorry. Brothers & Sisters has been canceled.