Greetings Brothers & Sisters fans. Before we get started on this week's recap I have to issue a mea culpa. Last week I went pretty far out on limb and predicted that Rob Lowe's character (Senator McAllister) would eventually be revealed as a closet case only interested in using Kitty as a beard. I even went so far as to predict that McAllister's “gay brother,” once he turned up, would actually be straight and would then be paired with Kitty (as sort of a romantic consolation prize). While my predictions haven't been completely debunked just yet, there's a lot of counter-evidence in this week's episode of Brothers & Sisters which I feel compelled to acknowledge. That's a bummer, but I'm a big enough man to admit when I'm wrong. And hey, it happens so rarely!

Let's get on with this week's recap, shall we?

The show opens at the Walker family mansion. The entire family is seated around the dining room table, presumably celebrating Nora Walker (Sally Field's) 60th birthday. Only, despite the milestone birth date, it's a decidedly downscale affair. No one had time to bake, so Sarah picked up a store-bought cake. Nora is trying to be gracious while opening such cheesy gifts as bedroom slippers and empty picture frames. It's a sad affair really—though I must note that Sally Field is workin' that red dress!

nyway, Nora pretends not to be bothered at the lack of planning that went into the occasion, but you can tell it's killing her. Uncle Saul apologizes for not throwing her a big party.

Nora: (through gritted teeth). Oh, please. I don't need anything fancy. This is perfect. This isn't a wedding or a bar mitzvah, right? This is just aging. I'm just, uh, sixty. More cake?

Cut to Sarah Walker's house later that evening. Uncle Saul and the Walker siblings are assembled and laughing about how they pulled one over on Nora. She thought that tonight's dinner was the extent of her birthday festivities. It was just a ruse. Turns out the family is planning a big surprise party. Sarah goes over the schedule and everybody's assigned tasks.

Sarah: Okay. 1:00pm. Kitty takes Mom out of the house to catch the matinee of Wicked.

Tommy: Really? Kevin, didn't you used to date one of those flying monkeys?

Kevin: Don't laugh. One of those flying monkeys got them house seats.

Kevin dated a flying monkey? And he told his family about it? That boy has a pathological need to humiliate himself, which may account for why he's now dating a closeted soap star. Speaking of the soap star, he seems to be a fan of text messaging, because all during the party planning meeting Kevin is madly tapping away at his Blackberry.

Saul notices and asks who he is frantically text messaging.

Kevin: Nothing frantic about it. I just have fast thumbs.

Sarah: Great. I'll put you to use in the kitchen. I need you here by nine. Do we have enough liquor?

Tommy: Yeah. That vineyard that Holly wants to buy – they've been sending over crates of wine.

Sarah: Great. Okay. 2:00pm. Julia?

Julia: Yeah, I know. I pick up the cake at Millies...

Tommy: …and I'm off to pick up Justin from rehab and we're back to base camp at 1700 hours, sir !

Before the group breaks up, Sarah reminds everyone to leave their “video testimonials.” Apparently the kids have hired an editor to put together a Nora Walker birthday tribute video. (Those things can be so tedious can't they? Sort of like watching someone else's vacation slides.) Anyway, Saul, Kitty, Kevin and Tommy have brought their individual tapes. That just leaves Sarah and Joe to film their own video greeting before dropping the tapes off to the editor. Okay, who wants to bet that something goes terribly awry with this tribute video?

Cut to later at Kevin's apartment. Kevin is naked in bed. Chad Berry, who obviously came over for a booty call, is pulling on his clothes.

Kevin: You don't have to go. I have a whole pint of ice cream in the fridge. But I guess you don't eat ice cream, right? More of a sorbet man?

Me, I'd peg him for a Toffuti guy, myself. But I digress.

Kevin tells Chad he's been watching his soap opera. Chad is pleased at that.

Chad: I thought you never watched the show, Mr. Snob.

Kevin: I just started TIVO'ing it.

Chad: What do you think?

Kevin: I think you're great. My sister Sarah's been filling me in on who's who. She used to watch it all the time when she was pregnant. She can't get over that you and me are hanging out.

Chad: (Alarmed) You told her about us?

Kevin: Yeah, but just that we're friends. Don't worry. It's fine. It's fine.

Chad: We gotta be careful dude. This is career suicide for me. You understand, right?

Uh, actually, I think the career suicide was cutting your hair off. (Jason Lewis was so much hotter a few years ago on Sex and the City.) Kevin nods and they kiss.