“Brothers & Sisters” Episode 211 Recap: “Missionary Imposition”

Previously on Brothers & Sisters – Sarah’s getting chummy with her shark-like business consultant Graham (Steven Webber), and Nora has developed a crush on the shark-like, though enunciation-challenged, Isaac (Danny Glover). What is it with these Walker women and their shark-like men, I wonder? Meanwhile, Justin is now diddling Tommy’s mistress cast-off, Lena. Julia found out about Tommy’s affair and had a shocking disclosure of her own: She diddled a high school sweetheart during her recent trip home to Phoenix. It’s true, there really are Navohos in Arizona.

Finally, Kevin got a call from the very un-sharklike Jason McAllister (Eric Winter). Jason is returning from the jungles of Malaysia and wants to see Kevin when he gets back.

The show opens on Kitty traveling in the campaign limousine with a very sick Travis. Call it the straight talk phlegmy cough express. Travis looks miserable and he’s downing Nyquil by the pint. Kitty is on her cell phone with Momma Nora who is chattering away about Isaac (a.k.a. Mr. Mumbles) She sounds like a junior high school girl who has a crush on her science lab partner. “Why hasn’t he called?” “Do you think he’ll like me with my hair up?” That sort of thing.

Kitty advises her mother to go down to McAllister’s campaign office and ask Isaac out for lunch. Nora thinks that is way too forward. She’d rather pass notes during homeroom. Kitty changes the subject and asks about the rest of the family, and Nora admits she’s been out of touch. She never hears from Tommy and Julia anymore, and Justin’s still dating that Lena.

Nora: What can that girl be thinking?
Kitty: Oh I don’t know. I guess maybe she’s wishing the Kevin were straight so she could go for the whole Walker brother trifecta.

Cut to Lena’s Hollywood apartment. You know it is Lena’s place before you even see her because they always play some old smooth R&B song on the soundtrack (Al Green maybe?) for all her apartment scenes. That’s their way of signaling that lots of sex goes on at Casa de Lena.

And sure enough, Lena and Justin are on that damn futon of hers making out. Honestly, does the girl ever do anything in her apartment besides coitus? Like the occasional Sudoku maybe, or reading a book?

We get a leisurely stroll up Lena and Justin’s thighs, and then between smooches Lena tells Justin that she has to get up early tomorrow. What, another hard day at the orifice?

Justin wants to stay over but she clearly is ready for him to go. He asks her about work and what it’s like to have a former lover for a boss. She says its uncomfortable working for Tommy. He asks her why she continues working at the vineyard if it’s so awkward. She basically tells him he has no place to judge. Unlike him, she doesn’t live rent-free at home with loads of cash in the bank. She needs the paycheck.

Cut to Tommy and Julia’s house. Julia comes into the bedroom rocking a little Victoria’s Secret number. As Project Runway’s Christian would say: “Fierce!”

Tommy: Is that new?
Julia: Ish.
Tommy: (Suspiciously) Did you get it in Phoenix?

Oh tacky, he’s accusing her of buying a negligee to impress her high school boyfriend, the one she cheated with back in Arizona. Julia assures him that’s not the case.

Julia: I bought it for you.