Episode Title: "The Road Ahead"

Synopsis: In the fourth-season premiere of ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," Nora and Holly become reluctant partners in planning an elaborate engagement party for Rebecca and Justin; Tommy continues his personal spiritual journey in Mexico; Sarah travels to France in search of new business prospects; Kitty ponders divulging disturbing news to the Walker clan in already turbulent times.

Guest Stars: Amy Aquino, Ken Olin, Marion Ross

Discuss.

Here's hoping to the writers giving Rachel Griffiths some material worthy of her acting ability!

Here's hoping Rachel Griffiths will be back at the Emmys next year. And win one. We know she deserves it.

I have been typing away, but I loved this episode, yes it was light and fun in some parts, but that is what we have come to expect from the Walkers. I am excited to see where they go from here.

I wonder why Rachel was written out of some much of this episode. I wonder if there is a personal behind the scenes reason, because there was really no reason for her to miss the party.

B

Good episode. It was about 1000% better than the season finale.

I really liked most of the storylines, and Marion Ross was hilarious. Sarah's bit with the dating was fun too. The ending montage was powerful, and Sally Field was phenomenal in all of her scenes (she finally felt like a lead again!). And the baby drama should be nice, and it finnally gives kevin and scotty some weight.

A few things that annoyed me:

Kitty's sick, really? Why does this show always have to give their characters problems? I would rather see her struggle with patching things up with Robert, dealing with her young baby, and playing the perfect political life. They really have problems not giving their characters obvious problems, but I'm sure this will be interesting.

Why does Matthew Rhys have so much hair? Is it for a role, because if not he should cut it off. That look doesn't work for him or his character.

Grade: B+

quote:

I wonder why Rachel was written out of some much of this episode. I wonder if there is a personal behind the scenes reason, because there was really no reason for her to miss the party.

She'll be getting a big storyline with her going to France and coming back with a beau in the form of Giles Marini.

quote:

Originally posted by G.Penn:

quote:

I wonder why Rachel was written out of some much of this episode. I wonder if there is a personal behind the scenes reason, because there was really no reason for her to miss the party.

She'll be getting a big storyline with her going to France and coming back with a beau in the form of Giles Marini.

I knew that, but I was shocked that they did it right away, I mean there was really no reason for her to miss the party. She could have totally left after the party and still have plenty of time while Joe still had the kids. Ya know what I am saying?

great episode, so happy this show is back and hopefully finds it stride again!

but did rachel's pregnancy cause her to sit out a few episodes?

quote:

Originally posted by rl: emmy lover:
great episode, so happy this show is back and hopefully finds it stride again!

but did rachel's pregnancy cause her to sit out a few episodes?

AHH! Maybe that's it! I never thought about that!

It looks like they're going to put Kitty through the ringer this season. Could be great for Calista Flockhart, but still fairly difficult to watch. Loved the requisite Walker blowup at Justin and Rebecca's engagement party. Anything with Nora and Holly was going to go south, and it so royally did. Sally Field was wonderful tonight. Her scenes were solid across-the-board with Marion Ross, Dave Annable, and Patricia Wettig. I'm glad that they addressed how much Justin is biting off with medical school. It's still a huge stretch that they're taking this direction with his character instead of doing something simpler like maybe being a paramedic first or something. Kevin and Scotty's surrogate storyline could have potential. Not much with Sarah, though that's probably b/c of her pregnancy still. Nice start off to things.

Grade for "The Road Ahead": B

quote:

Originally posted by Atypical:
It looks like they're going to put Kitty through the ringer this season. Could be great for Calista Flockhart, but still fairly difficult to watch. Loved the requisite Walker blowup at Justin and Rebecca's engagement party. Anything with Nora and Holly was going to go south, and it so royally did. Sally Field was wonderful tonight. Her scenes were solid across-the-board with Marion Ross, Dave Annable, and Patricia Wettig. I'm glad that they addressed how much Justin is biting off with medical school. It's still a huge stretch that they're taking this direction with his character instead of doing something simpler like maybe being a paramedic first or something. Kevin and Scotty's surrogate storyline could have potential. Not much with Sarah, though that's probably b/c of her pregnancy still. Nice start off to things.

Grade for "The Road Ahead": B

I wouldn't say it is a huge stretch, I mean alot of kids who are medics in the Army come back and go to medical school. I think it is actually pretty smart, because there are the kind of doctors I would want treating me because they know what to do under pressure. Just a thought.

quote:

Originally posted by Awardshq:

quote:

Originally posted by Atypical:
It looks like they're going to put Kitty through the ringer this season. Could be great for Calista Flockhart, but still fairly difficult to watch. Loved the requisite Walker blowup at Justin and Rebecca's engagement party. Anything with Nora and Holly was going to go south, and it so royally did. Sally Field was wonderful tonight. Her scenes were solid across-the-board with Marion Ross, Dave Annable, and Patricia Wettig. I'm glad that they addressed how much Justin is biting off with medical school. It's still a huge stretch that they're taking this direction with his character instead of doing something simpler like maybe being a paramedic first or something. Kevin and Scotty's surrogate storyline could have potential. Not much with Sarah, though that's probably b/c of her pregnancy still. Nice start off to things.

Grade for "The Road Ahead": B

I wouldn't say it is a huge stretch, I mean alot of kids who are medics in the Army come back and go to medical school. I think it is actually pretty smart, because there are the kind of doctors I would want treating me because they know what to do under pressure. Just a thought.

I think it is a stretch like I said. He's had prior wartime medical experience, but he also dropped out of college, and given his history, Justin's not for sticking things out. He might not be prepared for the rigors of college work, or for that matter that compounded with medical school training. If he had eased into things first like being a paramedic, that would have been more to his war training and more realistic to his character's history. But if this storyline ends up working out, then more power to them.

I'm actually really suspicous of the medical school storyline. Is the show really gonna stick with this for the next 4 seasons. He won't be in Scrubs until season 8. Could they do a fast forward before the next season? Obviously I'm getting ahead of myself. But lately, this show has been unable to commit to storylines in the same way they used to in season 1.

I do think in the end he will probably fail, but I think that is okay for the character because it will give Dave Annable some great material and I think he is awesome haha.

quote:

I knew that, but I was shocked that they did it right away, I mean there was really no reason for her to miss the party. She could have totally left after the party and still have plenty of time while Joe still had the kids. Ya know what I am saying?

Rachel Griffiths was on maternity leave for the first three episodes of the season. She returned for the filming of episode 4.04.

In fact, she shot her scenes for tonight's episode when she first returned (and they were then re-inserted into the premiere).

quote:

Originally posted by optimist88:

quote:

I knew that, but I was shocked that they did it right away, I mean there was really no reason for her to miss the party. She could have totally left after the party and still have plenty of time while Joe still had the kids. Ya know what I am saying?

Rachel Griffiths was on maternity leave for the first three episodes of the season. She returned for the filming of episode 4.04.

In fact, she shot her scenes for tonight's episode when she first returned (and they were then re-inserted into the premiere).

Thank you for the info, I was wondering why she was only in the episode for a short amount of time.

Solid start. I'm definitely proud of the writers for acknowledging that Justin could have some difficulties academically. He never seemed the most book smart of the Walker clan.

If this story is headed where it looks like its headed, there's huge potential this season for Calista Flockhart to FINALLY land an Emmy nod.

Marian Ross was priceless - again! Possible guest nod?

Grade: B+

I enjoyed the show, but it seems like major ABC players are all getting the cancer storyline...Lynette, Izzie, perhaps Kitty. Joosten even suggested that her illness be incorporated...I hope it isn't though. That would too much.

Yup a solid start to the season. The Justin/Rebecca stuff was a little rough, as it usually is. They are a great couple and both actors are solid, but the writers hand them such trivial conflicts. I always find their fights so over-the-top dramatic and ridiculous. I did like the fakeout at the end though of the car crash.

Yes, the writers seem to be putting Kitty through the ringer again, but if the Emmys wouldn't give Flockhart a nomination after her STELLAR work last season where she completely dominated the show and Field was a supporting character, then I don't see how it's ever going to happen.

On a side note, Emily Van Camp's hair is way too blonde, and Matthew Rhys' hair is turning into a fro and makes him look way older.

B

Pretty much agree with everyone else. Nice, light episode to start the season. Like where a lot of th story lines could be going. I also hope they give Griffiths more to do when she returns. She needs a big story line this season.

One question I have...I haven't really been reading anything about the show, but I thought Getty was no longer going to be on the show (as a regular anyway), but he is still in the credits for the show. So is he going to be a regular this season?