"Brothers & Sisters" Episode 206 Recap: “Two Places”

Nora asks Sarah what’s up with Paige, and Sarah explains that her daughter has been grounded for pulling the fire alarm at school. You know, brief aside but it’s a wonder that doesn’t happen all the time. I mean, there are so many damn fire alarm levers in the world, and I never pass by one that I don’t have a perverse notion to pull on it. Am I alone in this?

But enough about me and my OCD. You want to find out more about Paige…

Sarah: She’s been really distant and angry. I think this new custody arrangement is really affecting her.

Kitty gets a cell phone call from McAllister and takes it in the dining room.

McAllister apologizes for not being there for her sonogram. But she assures him they put everything on a DVD so he can watch it when he gets home.

McAllister doesn’t sound particularly enthused. My guess? If he’d wanted to watch The Blob he’d have rented the Steve McQueen version. McAllister hangs up, and Kitty goes into the living room to sit on the couch with Paige.

She tries to engage Paige in conversation, but Paige seems intent on her Speed Racer cartoon. Kitty says she got grounded a lot as a kid. Once she got in trouble for “forking a guy’s yard.”

Paige: What’s that?

My ears have pricked up as well. I’ve never heard of “forking,” but it sounds like it might be fun.

Kitty: You know those plastic forks that you get at the cafeteria? I used them to spell a message in front of his house.
Paige: What did it say?
Kitty: It was very naughty.

What the fork? That’s quite a buildup for a not very interesting anecdote. What do you wanna bet that the Plastic Utensil Association of America paid for the product placement and hopes to skyrocket sales by starting a “yard forking” craze? Good luck with that.

Kitty: I wanted to ask you. I need a flower girl, and I was hoping you could do it.

Paige actually looks thrilled to be Kitty’s flower girl. She really is a darn good little actress, isn’t she?

Cut to the foyer where Rebecca has Lena on the horn. Get it? Lena. Horne. (I’ve been waiting three weeks to use that one.)

Rebecca invites Lena out for a drink. Justin is lurking/limping nearby and overhears. He asks to tag along. Rebecca is concerned. They are going to a bar so…

Justin: Are you kidding? With this family I think I’ve mastered the skill of not drinking around drinkers.

Cut to McAllister’s office. Travis is giving McAllister a rundown on the week’s speaking engagements while McAllister rubs his cramped feet. I think if he asked, his buddy Travis would do that for him. Is it just me, or does Travis seem inordinately devoted to McAllister? Maybe he has a secret crush. Travis is feeling sort of under-appreciated now that that supposed “barracuda” Mr. Mumbles is on board the campaign, so it’s nice that he and McAllister can finally have some alone time.

I spoke too soon because someone knocks at the door. It’s Mr. Mumbles asking if he’s interrupting anything. Travis vigorously nods “yes,” but McAllister says “no,” they were just finishing up. Travis really looks like a jilted lover for a moment and then leaves in a huff.

The Senator asks what Mumbles wants. In his difficult to decipher way he explains that McAllister’s main opponent for the Republican presidential nomination has an institutionalized, developmentally disabled son. He keeps him shut away and never lets him out.

Mumbles suggests that McAllister can use that little tidbit if his opponent makes an issue out of Kitty’s pregnancy.

It’s all so Machiavellian, and McAllister clearly finds it distasteful. He doesn’t like Mumbles’ dirty tactics.