"Brothers & Sisters" Episode 202 Recap: “An American Family”

In the sound booth, Kitty listens in approvingly. Behind her, barracuda campaign manager Travis throws a silent hissy fit.

Luther: Well, that’s disappointing, because I believe America is looking for a leader to stand up for what’s right and to point out what’s wrong.
McAllister: And I think America is looking for somebody who knows the difference. And the only way to do that is by listening. Not antagonizing. My future in-laws are very different from me. And very different from each other. So they are by definition my greatest asset. Because they remind me that we are all part of a larger American family. And that no one is irrelevant. And no one should be ignored. And Luther, I think the bigger question is not why I feel a part of them. But why you don’t.

Aww. That was heartwarming. This episode – this series – can be a little preachy sometimes. But you’ve got to hand it to them – they deal with much larger issues than most television dramas. And sometimes it really works.

Cut to outside. Kitty is giving McAllister some Monday morning coaching on his performance, which seems a little odd considering how artfully he handled the interview. Maybe she’s kidding. They head to the limo and Travis is there waiting for them. He’s speechless. Obviously he's not happy with how the interview turned out.

McAllister: (to Travis) Oh, by the way. My answer to the earlier question? “When soldiers stop dying.”

Travis has forgotten what the earlier question was. (Me too.) McAllister reminds him that he’d asked when they would stop going to funerals.

Cut to later that night. Nora is heading up the stairs to hit the sack but she hears some whimpering coming from Justin’s room. She goes to check on him and finds Justin on the bed writhing in agony.

Nora: The nerve block, it wore off. Sweetheart, you have to take something for the pain.
Justin: I can’t.

Poor Justin. I understand how a former drug addict might want to avoid taking painkillers – but without them his recovery is going to be a rocky road. If I were Nora I might be tempted to slip a little something in his oatmeal.

Episode 202 grade: A-

Brothers & Sisters returns next Sunday, October 14^th.