"Brothers & Sisters" Episode 205 Recap: “Domestic Issues"

Cut to McAllister’s office. Kitty walks in with a stack of newspapers.

Kitty: So do you know what they’re saying about you?
McAllister: That I wore the wrong tie?
Kitty: No. They’re saying that you won. It’s unanimous.
McAllister: Are you happy about the baby?
Kitty: Yes, I am. Really, really happy. Are you?
McAllister: Yes, nothing would make me happier than starting a family with you.

Well, that and a ninety percent approval rating after his first term.

Cut back to the judge’s chambers. He took like five minutes to make a decision. Joe gets full temporary custody.

Joe: I’ll pick them up tonight.

The heartless bastard.

Cut to McAllister’s office. He has called a staff meeting to break the news that Kitty is pregnant. This is pretty stupid, as she’s only a few weeks along. She could miscarry and no one would be the wiser. They shoulda just kept it a secret and moved up their wedding to, like, next weekend.

Cut to later that evening at Sarah’s house. Sarah is morosely packing the kids’ bags. The doorbell rings and she answers to find Nora, who has come over to lend her moral support.

When Joe arrives, Nora gives him the stink eye. He is visibly relieved when Cooper comes racing in and Nora has to be pretend to be all nice and grandmotherly. Sarah goes upstairs to get Paige, but the girl is huddled on her bed. Either she’s gone into insulin shock from all that orange juice and Halloween candy, or she’s bummed about leaving. She pleads with Sarah to let her stay one more night.

Sarah says she has to go, but it might be time to open her “special present.” She opens Paige’s book bag and pulls out a pink Motorola Razr.

Sarah: Look its programmed with my number and Grandma’s and Aunt Kitty’s and Uncle Kevin’s and Justin’s. Why look there’s even Holly in there.

Okay, I added that last bit.

Downstairs, Nora is still giving Joe dirty looks. Boy, when you are out of this family you’re really out.

Joe: They’ll be well taken care of.
Nora: They’ve always been.

This is where Joe should say “Yeah, because I’ve always taken care of them!” But he holds his tongue.

He bundles off the kids, and as soon as the door is shut Sarah drops down to the floor in tears. Nora sits down to comfort her.

Episode 205 grade: B-

Just a "steady as she goes" episode. It was a bit Kitty/McAllister heavy for my tastes — I am so ready for his presidential campaign to hit the skids so we can move away from all the West Wing-y fare. The Tommy/Lena hookup is interesting, but I still say they should have paired him up with Holly instead. A Nora/Holly catfight over that would have been priceless. Here's hoping we see more of Kevin next week, and maybe more of Saul's coming out journey as well.

Brothers & Sisters returns next Sunday, November 4^th.