“Brothers & Sisters” Episode 121 Recap: "Grapes of Wrath"

Cut to later at Sara and Joe’s house. Joe offers to make Sarah a cup of coffee but she ignores him. He overlooks the slight. Joe certainly is adept is turning the other cheek isn’t he?

He tries another tack and asks Sarah why she hasn’t left for the wine tasting in Santa Barbara. She says she’s procrastinating because she can’t imagine anything more uncomfortable than going alone to the wine tasting.

Joe: I’ll go with you.

And Sarah said she couldn’t imagine anything more uncomfortable.

Joe says he needs to go to prove something to the rest of the Walkers. Like what? That he’s a masochist?

Joe: I want them to know. I want you to know – I’m still in this.

Cut to the Walker mansion. Justin and Nora are in the foyer preparing to leave for Santa Barbara. Turns out Nora is taking Professor Mark (Peter Coyote) as her date and he’s bringing round the car. Oh ick, I am so not interested in this character and his developing relationship with Nora.

Justin is pretty icked out too. He gives Nora a hard time about scheduling a “romantic getaway” around this important family event.

Nora: I’m not gonna screw the guy if that’s what you mean. We’re going to have separate rooms – we’re just there to get to know each other.
Justin: Never mind. I’m sorry I brought it up.
Nora: Oh how on earth did I raise such a prude?

Enter clammy-handed Peter Coyote talking about the fabulous weather.

Mark: We’re gonna have a great weekend.
Justin: I wouldn’t get your hopes up, bro’.

Cut to the vineyard—Holly is all decked out in a fucshia-colored couture dress. It’s a bit over the top, I think -- but it shows off her cleavage. Her breasts seem to be defying the laws of physics in that outfit. What is holding up her boobs, I wonder? Some sort of strapless, cantilevered bra? Either that or they filmed this episode in zero G gravity,

Saul arrives early. Things have been tense between him and Holly ever since the news of Rebecca came out. But she tells him she’s so nervous about the wine tasting and impressing the potential investors that she doesn’t have time to hold a grudge.

She confides in him that he hasn’t heard from Rebecca. He’s surprised about that and spills the beans that Rebecca has been staying with Nora over at the Walker mansion.

Cut to moments later. Holly has pulled Nora away to chew her out about poaching her kid.

Nora protests that she thought Holly knew Rebecca was staying at the mansion. Holly sarcastically asks Nora how Sarah is taking this new arrangement.

Nora: I don’t appreciate your attitude and I would think you’d be grateful to know that your daughter is safe and sound.
Holly: Of course! I should write you a thank you note.

Another opportunity to put your calligraphy skills to use!

Nora says she has to get back to her family.

Holly: And back to your “friend.” I didn’t realize that you were dating again.
Nora: If you’re talking about Mark, actually he’s just my, my…. He likes wine.

Tommy interrupts. He’s surprised to see Nora and Holly together and asks if everything is okay. The ladies pretend they are just “catching up.”

He tells them Sara and Joe have arrived.

Cut to the driveway where Sarah and Joe are just getting out of the car. Everybody makes a big production over Sarah and completely gives Joe the cold shoulder. Poor guy. You should just put him in a red dress. The scarlet househusband.

Cut to another room, where Kitty is on the phone with McAllister. She’s apologizing again for not joining him on the DC trip. He probably doesn't mind that much. In fact, I wager he called up that DC madam who just got busted for "services" provided to Washington politicos. She claims all her girls gave were "massages." Snort! That's about as believable as McCallister's brand of Republicanism.

Kitty complains that simultaneously trying to protect her sister’s feelings and salvage her relationship with her “almost fiancé” is giving her a colossal headache. McAllister tells her to “take something for it.”

Cut to the lawn where people are treating Joe like crap again. It seems to be the afternoon pastime—like croquet. Nora is flitting about trying to out-hostess Holly but she should hang it up because she doesn’t have that dazzling fuchsia dress. Mark sidles up to Nora and tries to get her to go on a romantic walk with him, but she begs off and goes to check on Sarah instead.