SUPERGIRL Returns

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Supergirl - The Complete Second Season' on Blogcritics.

Supergirl, formerly of CBS, moved to the CW network this past year, joining fellow DC properties Arrow, The Flash, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. This did result in some changes, though most of the core cast and tone stayed the same. If you haven’t had the change to see what’s different and what’s not, you’ll now have that opportunity, as Supergirl – The Complete Second Season is available on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital.

The biggest change you’ll see in The Complete Second Season over the first is a more serial nature. CBS is known for doing stand-alone procedurals. Supergirl departed from that formula more than most shows on the network, but more often than not, there was a villain-of-the-week for the Girl of Steel to face. Season two was much more ongoing, with plots not resolved for many episodes, and forcing viewers not to miss a chapter or risk being lost.

Another change is that Supergirl was able to participate in crossover events with the other DC shows. This series does take place on a different Earth than the others, but the producers found a way to make it work. In season one, Barry Allen / The Flash (Grant Gustin) made a one-episode appearance in Supergirl, but that’s about as far as things got. Although Supergirl didn’t have a full “Invasion!” installment like the others this year, the hero herself did take part in the other episodes, and she wasn’t the only character that was allowed to come over. There was also a musical hour that combined the casts of Supergirl and The Flash, and Supergirl was given a device to allow her to travel back and forth again in the future, a convenient plot twist. So lots more synergy.

Those are all positives, but there was one big negative to the change in venues. Because Supergirl moved its production to Canada, where the other CW shows film to save on costs, cast member Calista Flockhart departed as a lead. She did appear in the first two episodes of the season, and then returned for the final two. For awhile, the in between was so good that I forgot to miss her. But the moment she returned, it was like a gut punch, as no one replaces her presence, and the series would be better with her more regularly in it.

Which is not to say there weren’t good parts of season; remember, I just said I forgot to miss her. I loved new character Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath, Merlin) as a friend for Kara (Melissa Benoist). Snapper Carr (Ian Gomez, Cougar Town) was a great presence. Desperate Housewives Brenda Strong and Teri Hatcher (the latter also a former Lois Lane) made absolutely wonderful villains, and no one can complain about Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) as President. And Supergirl greatly expanded its roster of aliens, introducing viewers to many different species and worlds as it presented allegory and metaphors on race relations and the failings of our current president and the hatred he spews (sometimes a tad too heavily, but mostly fine).

There was also a lot more romance in season two of Supergirl, though thankfully it never took over the course of the show and was handled well. J’onn (David Harewood) got into a very complex relationship with fellow Martian M’gann (Sharon Leal, Dreamgirls) in a Nazi-like story (her type of Martian committed genocide against his). Winn (Jeremy Jordan) was played by an alien named Lyra (Tamzin Merchant, Salem), until he wasn’t. Alex (Chyler Leigh) came out of the closet and into the arms of Maggie (Floriana Lima, The Family). In fact, just about everyone but James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks) got some love, which is fine, since he was pretty much the only one getting any in season one.

The one complaint some fans have is that they didn’t like the introduction of Mon-El (Chris Wood, The Vampire Diaries) as a partner for Kara. I actually don’t mind Mon-El himself, finding him an unobtrusive presence, sometimes bordering on sweet. I do think the show used him mainly the same way a female love interest might be used for a male superhero in the past, often staying at home and out of danger. But that’s OK, overdue in 2017.

My only real complaint is that Supergirl did go a little overboard with proving that the title character was better and stronger than Superman (Tyler Hoechlin, Teen Wolf). I think there was a way to do it without making the legendary hero look like an inept buffoon, and unfortunately, this show went too far tearing him down to make her look good. It’s Mon-El’s job to be Kara’s inferior, not Superman’s.
And I’m just going to say it, I didn’t care for James as The Guardian. I found the subplot boring.
But overall, a strong season, well worth the watch, and an improvement over the first year. Now if only they could convince Flockhart to make it up to Vancouver a little more often…

As far as extras, Supergirl – The Complete Second Season does pretty well. There are five featurettes, four of them good. (I hate the obligatory wrestling episode in this genre, and didn’t need a featurette on it.) There was audio commentary on one episode, which I would like more of. There were also some very short bits that I wish we could hit ‘Play All’ on. But again, overall, I found most of the material enjoyable and informative.

Check out Supergirl – The Complete Second Season on blu-ray, DVD, and digital now.

SUPERGIRL Takes Flight

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Supergirl - The Complete First Season' on Blogcritics.

Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray reviewed in this article. The opinions I share are my own.

The first season of CBS’s Supergirl arrives on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download this week. The 20 episodes set up the titular character just as she becomes a superhero, introducing us to her life both with and without the cape. It’s a rollicking fun time, and while it doesn’t quite hit the quality of some of the other DC Comics shows on the air right now, it is far better than what the comic brand is churning out for the big screen.

Glee‘s Melissa Benoist stars as Kara Danvers, a.k.a. Kara Zor-El, a.k.a. Supergirl, a young woman who has been living on Earth for awhile after her home planet was destroyed. Having had plenty of time to adjust to her new home, Kara is an adult as the series begins, working as an assistant for media mogul Kat Grant (Calista Flockhart, Brothers & Sisters, Ally McBeal) and trying to start a career. This is somewhat derailed when Kara finds she can no longer sit still, creating a costume with the help of her best friend, Winn (Jeremy Jordan, Smash), and saving the day. These actions gets her noticed by the DEO, a military organization devoted to protecting the planet from aliens, and which secretly employs her sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh, Grey’s Anatomy). But even after joining up with DEO leader Hank Henshaw (David Harewood, Homeland) and his crew, Kara manages to balance both lives, a modern woman who can have it all.

The girl vs. woman issue is addressed head-on in episode one. Supergirl is a show to which no feminist should object. Kara is strong, independent, and fierce. She’s also brave and loyal and very capable. The only other character that even comes close to her level of accomplishment is Cat herself, so strong females are well represented on the series, lest anyone think the title is a step backwards for the fairer sex.

Sadly, since production is moving to Canada, Cat will be a less frequent presence in season two, which is a shame because Cat and Kara’s relationship is pretty much a linchpin of the show.

Unlike Superman, her already famous and successful cousin, Kara was old enough to remember their world of Krypton when it was destroyed, which influences the way she sees the world, as well as her hopes and dreams. Due to a flight into the Phantom Zone, Kara’s arrival on Earth (and waking up for her pod to begin aging again) was delayed awhile. Unfortunately, when she arrived, she brought the horrible prisoners of Fort Rozz with her, including her Aunt Astra (Laura Benanti, Go On) and Uncle Non (Chris Vance, Transporter: The Series). This sets the stage for the baddies Kara will face in her new crusade.

There are a lot of fun bits for those already familiar with the world of Superman. While the Man of Steel himself only makes fuzzy and at-a-distance appearances (though he has recently been cast for season two), we see the likes of The Martian Manhunter (no spoilers), Maxwell Lord (Peter Facinelli, Nurse Jackie, Twilight), Lucy Lane (Jenna Dewan Tatum, Witches of East End), and Sam Lane (Glenn Morshower, Bloodline) in this series. Not to mention, Jimmy, sorry, James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks,Necessary Roughness) is a main character and love interest. There are also tributes to previous Superman and Supergirl incarnations, such as casting former Clark Kent, Dean Cain, and former Kara Danvers, Helen Slater, as Kara’s parents. So I appreciate the tributes paid.

But Supergirl is also its own world. It’s very clearly not the same universe as the recent DC films are set in, nor is it on the same Earth as the CW shows take place on. Thanks to a multiple Earths theory, DC has the freedom to portray lots of different versions of the same characters and places at the same time. Which doesn’t prevent a guest appearance from The Flash‘s dimension-hopping Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), nor preclude more crossovers with its small screen peers after Supergirl moves to the CW this fall.

So, while the series starts out as too case-of-the-week, and while it ends with some exaggerated and easy outs, most of this run is pretty good. It’s easy to root for Kara and her friends, and I like the positive approach and outlook the series supports. I look forward to seeing where future seasons go, and can recommend this first season without hesitation.

On The Complete First Season, we get a fair amount of extras. A pair of ten-minute featurettes reveal how the show approached their version of Krypton and The Martian Manhunter, two wonderful elements in the story. We also get a too-short look at the cast attending Comic-Con, a gag reel, and deleted scenes for almost half of the episodes. My complaints are the very outdated menus and the extra padding at the start and end of every deleted scene. But other than that, it’s a decent batch of bonus material.

Supergirl – The Complete First Season is available now.

SUPERGIRL Takes Flight

Article originally published as SUPERGIRL Review on Seat42F.

Joining the already crowded superhero landscape is CBS’ SUPERGIRL, premiering this week. In it, Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist, Glee), cousin of the more famous Kal-El, comes of age and is ready to take on the bad guys to save the city. To do so, she has a bit of a different approach than Superman (oops, didn’t mean to say the name), and a supportive group around her.

SUPERGIRL dances around the Superman lore, but not as much as past efforts like Smallville have. Viewers will get to see and hear plenty about him; the name just isn’t uttered much, usually spoken about as a mythical ‘him.’

Doing this sets Supergirl apart from Superman. Superman is an alien who is aloof, apart from the human race. Supergirl is someone who is in the fight alongside everyone else. While Superman cares inherently, Supergirl cares because of her adopted sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh, Grey’s Anatomy), and her friend, Winn (Jeremy Jordan, Smash), and others. She’s a part of the population of the Earth far more than he i, and takes what she does very personally.

Right off the bat, it’s clear Supergirl won’t be working alone like Superman does. No less than three people know her secret in the pilot, not including Hank Henshaw (David Harewood, Homeland) and his organization. She does have a secret identity; her boss, Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart, Brothers & Sisters) doesn’t know she has the caped crusader working for her. Yet, it’s not as closely guarded a secret, and it changes the tenure of SUPERGIRL from most Superman incarnations.

Also different, Kara gets in over her head early on. While Superman eases into fighting the baddies, Kara immediately has to fight prison escapees from the Phantom Zone. This isn’t the plot of a single episode, but rather a set up for the series. There are dozens of alien convicts on the Earth and they are focused on her, for good reason, as we’ll find out. So Kara needs these others to be around her.

For fans of Superman who never really got into Supergirl, this program provides plenty of connection to that more established world. As mentioned, Cat Grant, a figure in Clark Kent’s life, is present, as is James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks, Necessary Roughness), albeit a bit older than you might remember him. The production also pays homage to past actors of the franchise, much as The Flash does, by casting Dean Cain (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman) and Helen Slater (1984’s Supergirl) as Kara’s adoptive parents. Not to mention, the messages of Alura Zor-El (Laura Benanti, Go On) will bring to mind similar communications from Jor-El to Superman.

As society progresses, feminism has taken root. As such, some may argue it’s not right to call Kara Super’girl’ instead of Superwoman. The character of Supergirl has a long history, though, and it’s too late to change it now. Thankfully, SUPERGIRL addresses this disparity head-on in episode one, and I’m satisfied with the explanation. I think most viewers will be, too.

Because SUPERGIRL is on CBS, it’s likely to be largely a procedural. I assume most weeks will find her dealing with a single antagonist, whom she defeats by the ending credits. But there is a lot more personal drama going on than in most shows on the network, a la The Good Wife. Should SUPERGIRL follow The Good Wife’s pattern, concentrating more on the characters than the cases, it’ll do well.

SUPERGIRL is a solid entry on the television landscape. It is enjoyable, with a great cast and interesting premise. It will take more than one episode to see if it deserves to hang with its successful DC brethren, Gotham, Arrow, and The Flash, but I’d say it’s off to a pretty good start.

SUPERGIRL premieres Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Blu-ray Review: ‘The Birdcage’

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: ‘The Birdcage’ on Blogcritics.

FOX recently released The Birdcage on Blu-ray for the first time. For those very few not familiar with the film, a remake of the Franco-Italian La Cage aux Folles, it is the story of two sets of parents, one straight-laced, one flamboyantly gay, brought together by the marriage of their children. The worlds-colliding tale is not particularly original; many other similar stories in various media have been told before and since, but with a truly terrific cast and sharp writing, it’s still a hilarious movie, remembered fondly by most who have seen it, and worthy of periodic re-watches.

Headlining the film are Robin Williams (The Crazy Ones) and Nathan Lane (The Good Wife) as Armand and Albert Goldman, and Gene Hackman (The Royal Tenenbaums) and Dianne Wiest (In Treatment) as Senator Kevin and Louise Keeley. Each of these four are among the best in the business, and in this 1996 release, at the top of their games. None are stock roles, all with dynamic arcs and distinct personalities. All get to do outrageous things, but they aren’t over-the-top as people, with emotional depth and authentic pathos. They are the main draw of The Birdcage and why it works so well, even with a story that isn’t all that ground-breaking.

The couple getting married are played by Dan Futterman (Judging Amy) and Calista Flockhart (Brothers & Sisters), and while their impending nuptials may be the catalyst of the tale, they are overshadowed by the older actors. Both actors serve the purpose they need to serve, and sparkle in little bits, but they just aren’t the focus, and that’s fine.

The supporting cast includes Hank Azaria (The Simpsons) and Christine Baranski (The Good Wife). Neither of them were big names when The Birdcage came out, but have since established respectable careers for themselves since. Watching them complement the stars of this movie, quietly stealing scenes, it’s easy to see even back in the 1990s that they would go some place.

Perhaps more vital than the stars of The Birdcage is the environment in which it takes place. Homosexuality still carried a lot of taboo two decades ago, which is only now being melted away. It was a strange and alien lifestyle to many, and The Birdcage makes a certain type of gay man accessible to the masses. While focusing on flaming and feminine, playing to a bit of a stereotype, it also communicates that these guys are real people, too, putting faces on the type. It made many in the audience rethink their preconceived notions, and thus serves as an important work in our culture.

After praising all of this, you might expect an impressive, extras-laden release when the title finally gets a Blu-ray edition, especially considering the film topped the box office for three weeks, making plenty of money, and received favorable reviews. You would be wrong.

This single-disc only has the theatrical trailer, with no other bonus features. The only thing that makes this hurt a little less is that the previous DVD edition didn’t have anything, either, but the mistake should have been corrected for this new version.

As far as how the film looks and sounds, this is a decent release. The audio, which does boast a terrific soundtrack, is well-mixed and seems sharp. It is presented in 5.1 surround sound, and the more energetic scenes, especially those in the club, make good use of this. The video is slightly weaker, much better defined that in standard definition, but still not a true high-def experience. Details aren’t as clear as I’d like, but for the most part, the quality isn’t too dated.

The Birdcage is available now on Blu-ray.

Brothers & Sisters "Walker Down the Aisle" in season finale

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.

     Even when Brody's daughter, Lori Lynn (Trieste Kelly Dunn) crashes the wedding, she doesn't make too many waves. She doesn't ruin the day. While it has not been discussed that Sarah has new brothers and sisters, it makes sense, since after Nora married William, Brody would have been free to move on. Now that it has been revealed there are four more siblings out there, hopefully Sarah will get a chance to meet and bond with each of them before the show comes to an end.

     Which opens the door for an even larger family. The Walkers have welcomed in others before. They will accept these new brothers and sisters of Sarah's. Which would swell the cast too large to continue the series, if they are going to be in it in a large role, which is a good thing Brothers & Sisters is likely to end soon.

     It's fascinating that the show is choosing to bring back Tyler (Marika Dominczyk), Justin's (Dave Annable) season one girlfriend at this point. Yet, there is a sort of symmetry to it. Justin used to be a very different man, and clearly, Tyler was a different woman. They couldn't help each other get better, but now that they both have stabilized, they deserve love. While I miss Justin's wife greatly, it's nice he is heading towards a happy ending. He deserves one.

     Speaking of happy endings, it is thrilling that Saul and Jonathan are now engaged. Saul often doesn't get enough screen time, so hopefully this will provide a meaty story for him in the final season. Will Chamberlain join the cast full-time so close to the end, or just do a lot of episodes? It's possible their relationship won't last, but at this point in their lives, hopefully they have found what they want in each other, and the bond will not be broken.

    The wedding itself is great fun. Luc is the most consistently well written character, despite this year's rough patches, and he kills singing to his bride, backed up by the male Walker relations. He has become an integral part of the show, and it's nice to see it formalized. While other new additions didn't take (cough, Ryan Lafferty), it's hard to imagine Brothers & Sisters without Luc at this point.

     The weakest part of the episode is Kitty's story. Once more, back to the baby drama. It's been done. Kitty already went through all the trouble, and ended up adopting a perfectly wonderful boy. It is not necessary to bring up the same bad stuff over and over again. Poor Seth (Ryan Devlin) is trapped in it this time. Devlin should escape back to Cougar Town! Flockhart's order of episodes next season, like this one, will likely be reduced, so thankfully every week won't be about Kitty.

     Considering the at times painfully bad fifth season, Brothers & Sisters ends on a high note. Let's hope they can keep that great spirit going that used to make the show so fantastic as they approach the end.

UPDATE: Brothers & Sisters has been canceled, and this episode serves as a series finale.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     For Brothers & Sisters DVDs and instant streaming episodes, visit Amazon.com.

Article first published as TV Review: Brothers & Sisters - "Walker Down the Aisle" on Blogcritics.

Brothers & Sisters Two Hour Return Mostly Weak, Signs of Life

     Last night, ABC's Brothers & Sisters returned for a two hour special broadcast. Like much of this uneven season, there were good scenes and bad scenes, with the second hour definitely being much stronger than the first. Still, both were better than a lot of other episodes, and hopefully they continue to improve. Especially if this is their last season, which is a possibility, as the show has not been renewed for next year yet.

 

      First, the weak points, since most of them happened first. Just as Olivia (Isabella Rae Thomas) is getting settled into her new home, her biological brother Brian (Douglas Spain, Band of Brothers) shows up and wants custody of her. She hasn't seen him in years and barely remembers him, but he is determined to have her in his home. This elicits a groan, and a thought of, is this really necessary? Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) and Kevin (Matthew Rhys) have been struggling to get a child for what seems like a very long time at this point, and now she'll be taken away? After all, the court will likely rule for the blood relative over the adopted parents, right? It is easy to assume this is the end of the Olivia story.

 

     Happily, because we don't need more Scotty and Kevin pining over a child drama, it is not. Unhappily, this is accomplished by introduing Brian as a homophobic bigot.

     The second this fact came to light, soon after we meet him, all tension goes away. Brothers & Sisters has been honored by gay rights organizations for good reason, and they cannot possibly slap their fans in the face by allowing a sweet little girl, who has had such a rough life, to end up in this idiot's home. Once Brian tells Olivia he wants her to have no further contact with Kevin and Scotty, even though the Walkers are willing to include him in their family, despite his obvious flaws, for Olivia's sake, Olivia's decision is an easy one. She tells the judge, and Kevin and Scott get to keep their child.

     Yes, this is a drama program, and so, by definition, there must be constant drama. But the show didn't have to resort to such ugly, corny, unrealistic measures to keep things interesting before. The best dramas don't let things seemed forced, as much of this season of Brothers & Sisters has. Making Olivia choose when things are almost finalized for her dads, and making the choice such an easy one, is an example of just how far the show has fallen.

     Almost equally ridiculous is Sarah's (Rachel Griffiths) attempts to get Seth (Ryan Devlin) back with Kitty (Calista Flockhart). Presumably, the characters on this show are smart. Sarah has run a business, and Kitty has been a pundit and a writer. They also have had to show great social skills in their jobs, so it's more than just book smarts. Yet, neither seems to realize that Kitty should just come clean to Ryan, apologize, and see if he's still interested in her. Instead, Sarah makes Kitty go to outrageous lengths to discredit Ryan's new girlfriend, Berklee (Stephanie Lemelin, Young Justice, The Whole Truth), which makes as much a fool out of Kitty as it does Berklee.

     An essential element of the show has always been that the Walkers get involved in each other's lives, so that is not the complaint. It just seems like the writers are more willing to make the adults in the family childish in ways they didn't used to be. It rings hollow, and makes them less likable and relatable. Instead of enjoying the story, it's rough to get through. To save this series, take the characters back to who they used to be.

     Berklee, herself, is ridiculous. The name, and its spelling, tell you everything you need to know about her. Considering that Seth was so recently with a woman like Kitty, it doesn't seem at all in line with who he is that he would even waste time with Berklee. She is completely wrong for him, and Seth should have lost patience with her pretty quickly. True, he comes around by the end of the episode, but there, again, isn't any tension that that's what will happen. It would have been better to put Seth with a girl that he actually would have dated, and then there would be some threat to Kitty.

     It's worth wondering if the second hour is much better because of the absence of Olivia's brother and Kitty, both weak primary stories in the first hour. Flockhart is on a reduced schedule this year, so she only does a certain number of episodes, and apparently the second part is one of her weeks to sit out. Olivia appears, but with no mention of her brother.

     What is really frustrating is seeing Patricia Wettig's name in the opening credits, and then not seeing her. It's not hard to be a fan of Holly Harper, and she left the series recently. When her name ran across the screen, I hoped she'd returned, at least temporarily, but sadly, she has not. Just cleanup not yet done on the credits.

     Now, the good story. It's really nice to see Nora (Sally Field) have a love interest again. She's had a number of great actors come in and out of her life, but none end up staying very long. Hopefully, that will not be the case with her latest, Brody (Beau Bridges). A high school sweetheart, he is the one that drifted away when her life went down another path. Brody really showed his feelings, sticking around to try to find ways to help Nora through the death of her mother.

     The whole plot involving Ida's (Marion Ross, not seen in this episode) death is handled very well. Each member of the family has different reactions owing to who they are and their relationship with the deceased. Appropriately, Nora and Saul (Ron Rifkin), Ida's children, are affectected more stongly than her grandchildren. Both have major issues with their critical mother, yet, losing a parent is never easy. Nora copes by throwing herself into planning an event, the way she always does. Saul pulls away, regretting never telling his mother he is gay.

     It seems like Saul has been held back by this secret for some time. Perhaps he cannot fully accept who he is until everyone in his life knows. While he never told Ida, a note she leaves him reveals she knew his secret, and accepted him. Soon after, Saul is able to more fully embrace his relationship with Jonathan (Richard Chamberlain), even talking about buying a house together. Saul's acknowledgement of who he is has been a gradual process, but it seems like now that he is fully out, even his dead mother knowing, he can move forward a bit faster.

     Justin (Dave Annable) is the lone grandchild that takes Ida's death hard, but that is because he is in a retrospective mood about his own life. About to turn thirty, divorced, Justin is seeking direction. While his career is going well, he feels lacking. As Ida never remarried, despite long out living her husband, Justin worries he won't be able to move on either. It's easy to overread into things in such a situation, and Justin does. Luckily, Justin has siblings to get him back on track. In this instance, their involvement is a good thing.

     The show also stars Gilles Marini as Luc, who is consistently the best written character currently on the show. He feels real, and doesn't manufacture drama where there shouldn't be any.

     Brothers & Sisters continues, through at least the rest of this year, and airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

 

 

Article first published as TV Review: Brothers & Sisters - "Olivia's Choice; Never Say Never" on Blogcritics.

 

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Click here for an alphabetical list of all of Jerome's Current Season Reviews.

Brothers & Sisters Season 5 So Far

     This season of ABC's Brothers & Sisters began rough, with the loss of cast member Rob Lowe, and the reduction of some of the others' parts, including the departure of Emily VanCamp. I am most upset about VanCamp, as I took her breakup personally, and am most unhappy about it. Happily, Ryan (Luke Grimes) was finally booted as well, having been rarely seen last spring. I figured the necessary shakeup due to actors wanting to leave created the uneasiness I felt, and eventually things would settle down into the show I've loved for years.

     Sadly, that has not been the case. The last two episodes of the fall run in particular demonstrated just how downhill this series has rolled. In "Get a Room", all of the Walkers (who appeared in the episode) ended up in the same hotel and ran into each other in a comedy of errors. The show has done similar things before, but apparently they're running out of ideas on how to make this massive collision of their lives happen. I can tell you, sending them all coincidentally to the same hotel was not it. It lost all believability, even as I tried to tell myself, as they said in the episodes, "well, the rooms were half off".

     Even worse was the fall finale, "Cold Turkey". Nora (Sally Field) decided to go away for Christmas with her new boyfriend, Karl (John Terry, Lost). First of all, the Nora Walker we all know would never, and I mean never, abandon her family on Christmas. I don't care how they tried to explain it away, and gave her a huge guilt trip for going. She would not have left in the first place. Second of all, the dream sequence she had, where her kids had grown up evil and colluded with stepmother Holly (Patricia Wettig) to kill Nora was ridiculous. I don't care where Nora's brain was, it was way too bizarre. I sat very uncomfortably through the entire scene.

     Speaking of Holly, she has been MIA for most of the season. Yes, she suffered serious amnesia from the car wreck, forgetting a lot of her life. Her arc where Justin (Dave Annable) helped her was sweet. But I was very disappointed when Holly asked Justin to move on, and he did. Why is Holly even still in the cast? That dream scene was the most we'd seen of her in weeks. She's a wonderful character, developed so beautifully over four seasons, and now she's being completely wasted. Please, writers, get her back into the story fast.

     On the other hand, the one character having a good year is Saul (Ron Rifkin). Dealing with HIV is not 'good', of course, but Saul has already had more story this fall than all of last season. As a fan of Rifkin from his days on Alias I'm delighted to see the better treatment.

     I also have been fairly satisfied with Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and Scotty (Luke Macfarlane). Although I was heartbroken and sickened to see Scotty do the unthinkable and cheat on Kevin, that flashback actually justified it, showing the bad place the two had grown to, and what motivated him to do it. Scotty's intense regret helped, and they came out of it without going overboard. If the couple ever split up, proving definitively that no Walker can have a good relationship, I would likely be done with the show. Kudos for the one plot that is working among many.
 
     The relationship merry-go-round of the Walkers this season has been horrendous. Kitty (Calista Flockhart) is by far the worst offender, who, after just unplugging her husband, has bounced to a couple of different guys, none of which really clicked with her. Sure, the writers 'dealt' with her feelings on that issue, but they still went ahead with these dumb stories. Her latest is twenty-seven year old Seth (Ryan Devlin), who happens to be her boss's son. The whole thing is just wrong. The way-younger guy thing for a conservative republican mourning her husband? No, not in character at all. I love Devlin, but he needs to get off the sinking ship and back over to Cougar Town, where he was fantastic. And just where was Kitty's young son last week while she was in the hotel?
 

     Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) has fared little better. Sure, she's in a very stable relationship with Luc (Gilles Marini), whose addition to the cast I celebrated. But from the underwear modeling to the zany mishaps in the hotel, they have not been in a good place. And I don't mean their love hasn't been solid, it has, but crappy story telling has led them to some bizarre twists that were as unappealing as they were unnecessary.

     Honestly, if this is how it's going to be, the series needs to end. Not as many episodes were ordered this year, so plenty of people think it's a sign of the writing on the wall. I have adored this series since it's premiere, and never missed an episode, but the beloved characters are just being ruined at this point. I don't think I've ever seen a show I loved so much go to such a bad place. Please, please, just do a series finale this year and put the Walkers out of their misery. Unless they can fix the show, and then at least one more year is needed to wash the bad taste of fall '05 out of our mouths.

     It's been an entire week since Brothers & Sisters aired their last new episodes, but they will return to their Sunday night slot on January 2nd.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional tv news, follow Jerome on Twitter.


Article first published as TV Review: Brothers & Sisters Season 5 So Far on Blogcritics.

TV Reviews: Brothers & Sisters

     I put off watching ABC's Brothers & Sisters when it first returned to the air this fall. I didn't do that because I don't like the show. On the contrary, I love it. But the events that unfolded at the end of last season, combined with known casting changes, made the thought of what the new episodes would be tough to stomach. I finally watched the first four hours, and it was as hard as I thought it would be.

     I was fully invested in Rebecca (Emily VanCamp) and Justin (Dave Annable) as a couple. They thought they were siblings for awhile, but ever since then, I didn't understand why their romantic plot had to be so rocky. They were perfect for each other, the attraction was obvious, and it took far too long for them to walk down the aisle. I was mad as hell that VanCamp decided to quit the show then, effectively forcing the writers to end something that had been so long in building. Rebecca's recent two-episode return helped with some closure, and certainly, her leaving for a job in New York to help her grow that way that Justin had makes sense. It was tied up as nicely as possible. However, I would feel much better about the whole thing if VanCamp remained in the cast, with a promise that she would return and they would end up together. I won't rule it out, especially if the show ends in the next season or two, but it is far from a sure thing.

     Similarly, I loved Kitty (Calista Flockhart) and Robert (Rob Lowe) as a couple. Between his heart attack, her cancer, and her emotional affair, I was livid with all of the troubles their marriage kept going through. Yes, I know to keep TV interesting, things have to happen. But for the McCallisters, it just seemed so much more than necessary. Lowe's decision to leave the series, coming after Flockhart's desire for a limited number of episodes this year, pushed them apart permanently. In this case, the writers chose death. Why, I do not know, as if Kitty would only appear every so often anyway, Robert could appear even less. He could leave the show, but still be her husband. I'm happy that Lowe has already signed on full-time for the upcoming season of Parks and Recreation, but he couldn't even come back and lie in the bed for the first episode, until Kitty pulled the plug? It left his death a much-less emotionally moving thing than it should have been. Not to mention, with both of their prior health problems, death felt like a huge cheat.

     Also, Tommy Walker (Balthazar Getty), who had appeared so infrequently, was dropped from the cast. I wish I could say that his gradual fading out made it easier, but it didn't. It's not the same to have the Walker family down a sibling. Sure, plenty of families have their black sheep, but the Walkers would want to keep theirs close, not let him leave.

 

     Can the show recover from such monumental shifts? I'm sure it can, if these past weeks are any indication. I found it physically painful to watch, especially the season premiere. My gut ached. However, the characters that remain still shine. I remember how furious I was that Sarah's (Rachel Griffiths) husband Joe (John Pyper-Ferguson) was gone after season one, but I'm glad that she is now in a long-term relationship with Luc (Gilles Marini, the only new full-time cast member). It will be an adjustment, and I can't remember a show that dropped such a heavy burden on the viewer all at once before. That may have been why a shortened season was ordered this year. But additional episodes have already been picked up, as the Walkers slowly go back to normal, so will the show.

 

     As I mentioned, Luc is now a main character. I wish they would do the same for David (Ken Olin). Obviously he is going to be in the picture for awhile to come with his position as Holly's (Patricia Wettig) condition. I hoped awfully hard all summer that Holly would return full-time, and I am gratified to see that it is so, though she's worse for the wear. I understand why Rebecca leaving might help her, but hopefully Justin will maintain what he is building with his now ex-mother-in-law, as it's such a moving story. I think that he will, based on the characters.
 

     The silver lining I see in all of this is perhaps Saul (Ron Rifkin) will finally get more screen time. As the uncle, he was always pushed into the background, and for four years hasn't had a great deal to do. He'd get expanded plot for a few weeks, and then fade into the background again. His dating life has been front and center lately, though I'm still just waiting for that to be it from him for awhile. I sincerely hope it is not, and his opening a restaurant with Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) may be a sign that the producers are also leaning in that direction.

     Brothers & Sisters airs Sunday nights on ABC at 10pm.
For frequent mini-reviews and occasional tv news, follow Jerome on Twitter.


Article first published as TV Review: Brothers & Sisters on Blogcritics.

Brothers & Sisters was riding smoothly until the crash

     I have some complaints about ABC's Brothers & Sisters finale, "On the Road Again", but first, let's start with the good stuff.  The Walker family mostly worked out their issues.  Justin (Dave Annable) and Rebecca (Emily VanCamp) seemed to be in a good place.  They have decided to spend a year apart, but, based on interviews I've read with the people that make the show, they'll be all right.  Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) was taking the dissolution of the family business pretty hard, but I'm sure that she'll recover.  Though are her kids ever on the show anymore?  Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) and Saul's (Ron Rifkin) restaurant looks to be the new business venture for the family, and I'm hopeful.

     Sadly, though, Saul has HIV.  I understand the explanation that he could have had it for decades without symptoms, but it seems to be stretching some already stretched believability.  When the series began, there was no hint of Saul's homosexuality, and it seemed to come from nowhere.  I am glad to see plot for Saul, when he is often left out, so I will forgive those mistakes.  I will also forgive the finding of water at Narrow Lake, though again, it seems very convenient, and a little cheap.

     Killing off Robert (Rob Lowe) was the best way to go, if he had to leave the show, though I'm still bitter about his departure.  It was also nice that it was done in an unexpected way.  However, the multi-car pileup, with so much of the family involved, was not handled all that way, and I am unsatisfied with it.  If Holly (Patricia Wettig) dies, I will be furious.  She is easily one of the most interesting characters on the show, and sorely needed.  I was sad to see her get so little screen time this week, but the series has been fairly good to her lately, so it can have a pass, for now.

     I am being this tough on Brothers & Sisters because it is usually such a good show, and I was not happy with the finale.  I don't feel it lived up to the show's usual standards.  I am not sure about how the reduced role next season of Kitty (Calista Flockhart) will bode, nor is it a good sign that only eighteen episodes have been ordered.  By contrast, this year saw twenty-four hours, and most drama series deliver twenty-two currently.  Next year will also pick a year after the events of this season, so perhaps that may give it a new injection of life.  I am simply concerned, and really hope that I one of my favorite shows bounces back soon.

Another sister leaves the nest (sort of)

     Last week I pretty much ranted on Rob Lowe (The West Wing) leaving Brothers & Sisters, and fans, hanging with his planned abrupt departure.  News broke today that only deepened the upcoming pain, although it shed a little more light onto Lowe's decision.  Don't get me wrong.  I am not forgiving Lowe, and am still extremely disappointed he is choosing to leave the ABC series, but now I kind of get it, and I'm kind of angry at a second cast member, though I promise not to get too angry in my writing this time.

     Lowe's TV wife, Calista Flockhart (Ally McBeal) is downgrading next season to a limited involvement.  Sources close to the network say she is staying on officially as a main character, but she won't be in every episode (13 of the 22, as one popular rumor goes).  Does that bode well for a possible run for office for Kitty Walker, her character?  It may, but apparently Lowe was worried about being cut out even more himself, which seems silly, considering he was still going to stay Kevin's (Matthew Rhys) boss, or so the story seemed to be unfolding.  Other comparisons, however, remind us of Sarah Jane Morris's (Felicity) Julia, who was axed completely when her husband, Tommy, (Balthazar Getty, Alias) was also kicked out.

     But Getty has negotiated a return this year that kept his name in the opening credits, even though he is only doing a limited number of episodes, and so may put him on par with Flockhart next year.  Or not.  If Getty has his way, he'll swap her and be back in the cast full time.  But is more Tommy and less Kitty really what the show needs?  The problem with expanding the cast at this stage in the game, though, is it would be hard for audiences to buy another secret sibling, so unless Sarah (Rachel Griffiths, Six Feet Under) gets married, the cast is likely to remain stagnant after the latest shakeup.

     A return of Tommy may end up being surprisingly good, but with Flockhart appearing in less episodes, and Lowe making the third Brothers & Sisters spouse to be gone from the cast (Sarah was married to Joe, played by Caprica's John Pyper-Ferguson, when the show started), it's appearing the nest is getting quite empty indeed.  Brothers & Sisters airs Sundays at 10pm on ABC.

Rob Lowe bails on another show

     Rob Lowe (Austin Powers) has asked to be let go from the show Brothers & Sisters, despite being under contract, and ABC has agreed to write him off later this season.  This is devastating news for fans of the show.  Rob Lowe's character of Robert was introduced midway through season one, quickly fell for Kitty Walker (Calista Flockhart, Ally McBeal), and soon married her.  The two happily hummed along through season two, but in season three, their bond was plagued with trouble and an emotional affair.  This past fall, after Robert's heart attack and Kitty's bout with cancer, both have recovered now, and the couple finally seemed to be in a good place.  Thanks a lot, Rob Lowe, I say sarcastically.  Chances are, either the fighting will come back and quickly culminate in divorce, or preferably Robert will suffer a second heart attack and die.  I say preferably because I don't see fans of the show welcoming him back down the road after abandoning the character at this juncture.

     Lowe has a history of jumping off of shows.  He starred in The West Wing for the first three seasons (and part of season four), but in that show, turnover made sense.  In fact, the show kept most of the presidential staffers for the entire run of the series, despite the fact that their real life counterparts don't last nearly as long.  Lowe, though often thought of as the star of that show, and on a high from a career revival because of the series, was forgiven for leaving, and invited back to reprise his role at the end of the series.  Of course, it was often rumored that he left that show because of money issues, while this time he's citing lack of creative development.  He's had at least as much plot as anyone else in the cast!  He knew it was a large cast when he signed on.  Get over it!

     ABC isn't nearly as angry at Rob Lowe as much of America is about to be.  In fact, he is currently in talks to remain on the network, starring in his own show.  This time, he would be the lead, not one of a large ensemble.  I think I can speak for many when I say that I hope it flops as big as his previous attempts to do the same thing (Dr. Vegas, The Lyon's Den).  Don't get me wrong.  He's a wonderful actor.  He just apparently likes to disappoint.

     Brothers & Sisters, for now including Rob Lowe, runs on ABC on Sunday nights at 10pm.

Hurricane only lightly laps at Brothers & Sisters, and that's a good thing

    This past Sunday's "Nearlyweds" marked the final Brothers & Sisters of 2009.  Like almost all ABC shows, this one could not go out for a break without a cliffhanger.  Thankfully, it wasn't the one that was most expected, but it was a tad over dramatic.

     Kitty (Calista Flockhart) has been battling cancer this year in a plot that feels less than fresh.  Of course things would flare up and lead to her collapsing at her brother's wedding.  Why not?  I do not understand, however, how her tumors stopped her from breathing.  And if she was in such dire shape, why would the doctor tell her to come in on Monday instead of immediately?  I am willing to forgive this lame plot, however, because it saved her marriage to Robert (Rob Lowe).  Last year, Kitty was also the one with the crappy plot, as she had an emotional affair and almost left her husband.  Thankfully, because Rob Lowe is, as usual, fantastic on the show, it seems to have been worked out.

     The other plot I am less than thrilled with is Nora's (Sally Field) new, young doctor boyfriend.  He has bad skeletons, and I could have told you as soon as Nora mentioned investing that he was a schemer who would run off with her money.  Apparently, though, the producers have decided to stretch that puppy out, as though he skipped the wedding, they didn't delve into it.

     Not to be too negative, though, because Brothers & Sisters gets most of it right.  For instance, though his name still appears in the opening credits, we have had to endure very little screen time from new half sibling Ryan (Luke Grimes).  He was not well received by fans when he showed up, including this one, and his part has been cut down dramatically.  On the other hand, Uncle Saul (Ron Rifkin) who usually has far too few lines, seems to be very involved in the last couple episodes, even performing the wedding finale, if a bit too over-dramatically.  Viewers of Alias may have a hard time reimagining Rifkin as a doting uncle instead of a creepy villain, but he has won me over.  Plus, the more frequent popping ups of David (Ken Olin) are always a pleasure.  And, for the first time since the series began, Holly (Patricia Wettig), while always a delicious actress, has been likable, a welcome development.

     The biggest triumph, though, was the handling of Justin (David Annable) and Rebecca's (Emily VanCamp) love story.  When Rebecca was first introduced as the lost sibling, it was clear there was wonderful chemistry between the two characters.  Wisely, it was decided that she was not a sibling.  This finale was their wedding, and it almost didn't happen.  While some of the fighting was a bit forced, Justin was consistent in his doubts of himself, and Rebecca truly did know him.  That's why it worked out, as it should.  I, along with many others, would have been up in arms had the pair permanently split, and while they didn't get the chance to say 'I do' this fall, surely they will already be wed by the time the show returns in January.