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Interestingly, some of the creative talent from thirtysomething is also connected to Brothers & Sisters. Ken Olin serves as executive producer. Actress Patricia Wettig is a cast member. Even David Marshall Grant, an actor who played one of the gay characters in thirtysomething's controversial bedroom scene, now works as a story editor for Brothers & Sisters.

Though critics gave the pilot mixed reviews, the show has since found its creative stride, with the later episodes improving noticeably. The show has arrived in a seemingly lackluster year for scripted gay characters on network television, the number of which is at a 10-year low. But it's worth considering the quality of gay representation as well as the quantity, and here Brothers & Sisters gives us reason to cheer.

With substantial screen time for its gay characters, including sophisticated dialogue, realistic situations and palpable chemistry developing between Kevin and Scotty, Brothers & Sisters seems intent on delivering the most nuanced and unflinching (and satisfying) representation of a gay male relationship possibly ever seen on network television.

The rest of the Walker clan includes widow Nora (Sally Field) and four other adult Walker siblings; each has external conflicts to deal with (adultery, drug addiction, corporate intrigue, etc), but the main focus is on intra-family relationships and how each character grapples with their personal identity in the context of their family.

Middle brother Kevin is an integral part of the Walker clan. Dependable, reliable, often the family peacemaker and problem solver, Kevin also happens to be gay. In such a large cast, Kevin might have become merely an ancillary character. But careful attention has been paid to his character development and story arc. Kevin is front and center on Brothers & Sisters, and is arguably one of the show's best-written characters.

Credit for that surely goes to series creator, head writer and openly gay playwright, Jon Robin Baitz. In a recent interview with AfterElton.com, Baitz said that the decision to include a gay character was a nonissue for ABC and others involved with the show: “Nobody raised an eyebrow. It wasn't even remotely controversial … As a gay person, I'm not going to ignore who I am, since all writing is autobiographical.”

Just how much of Jon Robin Baitz is embodied in the character of Kevin Walker is unclear. But through the six episodes already aired, Baitz and his writing team have created an admirably three-dimensional character.

The series began with Kevin already out, personally and professionally, with his family completely supportive. The fact that Kevin's coming-out process (a staple for gay character story lines) is treated as back story is both unusual and refreshing. Now that obvious coming-out crises like workplace discrimination and family rejection can be dispensed with, there is an opportunity to tell different stories about the lives of gay men.

Here's what we know so far about Kevin: He's been out to his family since high school, but he came out under duress. His sister Kitty found out, then told everyone else in the Walker clan, forcing Kevin to own up to it.

His family's reaction was — and continues to be — supportive. In fact, the first thing his mother did upon learning he is gay was join PFLAG. Kevin actually hated having so much attention paid to his sexuality. As he said to Scotty in one scene, “I became the cause célèbre — an exchange student in my own home.”

Kevin has a framed photograph of his ex-boyfriend in his law office. We don't know how long they were together or how long they have been apart, but we know the relationship ended because Kevin was unfaithful.

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