"Brothers & Sisters" Episode 204 Recap: “States of the Union”

Kevin: You remember my friend Scotty. Actually, he said he saw you the other night at, um, Milo Peterman’s house?
Saul: Yeah, that’s right. Milo was having some sort of a housewarming thing. You know that he’s an old friend of mine, right? Recently divorced.
Kevin: Right. He’s gay.
Saul: I didn’t know that Milo’s sexual orientation was any of our business.
Kevin: Right, because he’s gay.
Saul: Yeah. Listen, I really appreciate your bringing these documents over. I’ll just sign them, and then we’ll be through.
Kevin: Wait Saul, what’s going on.
Saul: Nothing is going on, Kevin. We’re talking about a meaningless party, one that I probably wouldn’t even have attended if Milo hadn’t insisted…
Kevin: Look, you don’t have to justify being at a friend’s house but you’re acting like you have something to hide. (pregnant pause) Saul, are you gay?
Saul: (fake smile glued to his lips) I can’t believe that you’re asking me this. Some cater waiter makes a random accusation about me and you…
Kevin: No one’s accusing you of anything, but if it’s not true, why are you getting so defensive?
Saul: Oh please Kevin. Stop being such a lawyer here. I am allowed to attend a party without getting the third degree.
Kevin: Come on. Saul, this is me you’re talking to.
Saul: Listen, I have a lot of work to do so I’ll just sign this last page here…
Kevin: You know when I came out. You saw how Dad treated me. He made me feel like he was doing some huge favor allowing me to remain part of my own family. You could have stuck up for me.
Saul: Well, I know that it was a hard time for you, Kevin.
Kevin: Yes it was. And it wasn’t made any easier by you. Kind of ironic given this little turn of events.
Saul: There you go jumping to conclusions that have no basis in fact. When you are ready to have an adult conversation, I would love to talk to you. But until then we’re done here.

Aside here to note that this is a really poignant scene and it’s perfectly acted by both Ron Rifkin and Matthew Rhys. Kevin’s assertion that Saul could have helped him actually puts pressure on Saul to remain in the closet. If he comes out now he’ll be exposed as a hypocrite. It’s still not clear whether Saul is consciously lying or whether he’s deluded even himself – so much so that he actually considers himself straight. Oh God, let’s pray he doesn’t get arrested for his “wide stance” in a public restroom.

Cut back to the wedding reception. The Walker ladies are all alone at a banquet table. Gosh they’ve been there forever — aren’t there any other private events at the resort that they can crash? A handsome guy in a tan suit shows up. He asks if the seat by them is taken.

Kitty says “no” and drags Nora off to the bathroom to give Sarah an open shot at maybe hooking up with someone. The girl needs all the help she can get. She tells “Cliff” it’s her tenth anniversary, she’s getting a divorce, and she really needs to get laid. (Okay, that last part was merely implied).

Cut to the winery. Tommy’s working late. Hey, where does he live, anyway? I thought he and Julia had a house in Pasadena, near the Walker mansion. If so, his commute is like three hours each way.

New office manager, Lena pokes her head in and mentions it’s almost 7:30. She has to get home. She’s wearing a very festive floral wrap blouse. It is memorable, and that becomes a minor plot point a little later.

Tommy tells her she can go home, but instead she wants to crack a bottle of wine and wait for traffic to die down. Apparently, she can’t face the freeway without a little buzz going.

Tommy thinks that idea is swell and picks out a bottle. He pours them each a glass. No sooner have they clinked glasses then there’s a knock at the door.