"Brothers & Sisters" Recap Episode 213: "Separation Anxiety"

Welcome back Brothers & Sisters fans! It’s been two long months since we last spent time with the Walkers. When we left off, Nora was being romanced by Isaac, a.k.a Mumbles (Danny Glover); Scotty had moved out of his Ford Ranchero and into Kevin’s apartment; Sarah had been flirting with her international business consultant, Graham Finch (Stephen Webber); Rebecca had begun to suspect that her Mom was a big ole ho bag and her father was actually David (Ken Olin); and finally, Senator McAsifIcare was the front runner for the Republican Presidential nomination.

Yes, that’s right – the front runner. Must. Suppress. Guffaws. Obviously, this show exists in some sort of bizarro alternate dimension – one in which McAsifIcare might lead the GOP ticket, and I’m next in line to be the Pope.

But enough of my whinging. I’m just glad to have the show back at long last. This week’s episode is called “Separation Anxiety.”

Missionary Exposition – The show opens on Sarah and Graham trying to get in an afternoon quickie before she has to go pick up her kids at school. They have seven minutes, which apparently is plenty of time for these two to have intercourse and also fit in a boatload of story exposition. First, we find out Sarah’s divorce with Joe has been finalized, and she and Graham are now hot and heavy. How do we know this? Sarah seems entirely comfortable undressing in front of Graham, and while undressing she remarks how much bras have improved “since she was married.” I guess it’s true what Victoria’s Secret says – brassiere technology has taken a quantum leap forward recently. To bad for ex-husband Joe he didn’t stick around to enjoy it.

We also find out McAsIfICare is still a front runner for the Republican presidential nomination. We learn this because the television news is on in the background, and you can hear some reporter reading out primary election returns. The race is between McAllister and his more conservative opponent, Governor Taylor.

Offscreen you hear the TV reporter announce McAllister has won Massachusetts. For those of us (like me) who are desperate for the show to get out of presidential politics this is discouraging news. I know McAllister's oponent “Governor Taylor” is a fictional character, but I wonder if it’s still possible to make a make a financial contribution to his campaign?

But back to Sarah and Graham’s sex scene. We also learn that Walker Food’s foray into the Chinese market is going really well. We learn this because Sarah, with Joe on top of her, decides to flip through a bound business report on their China business venture. Profits are up! I love how Sara is multi-tasking here – mixing business with pleasure. I half expect her to try and fax something while Graham is still on top of her, or grab a stapler, or ask for a three hole punch.

But that last bit might be misconstrued.

Many happy returns – Cut to Kevin’s apartment. You can tell because of the exposed brick walls and the Liza Minnelli throw pillow. Tommy and Julia are there with Baby Cabbage – who is now being played by a much older and less cabbage-like toddler.

Kevin, Tommy, Julia are also watching the presidential primary coverage. CNN just called Illinois for McAllister’s opponent. Says Kevin: “That’s not good.”

Oh speak for yourself, Kev. I think that’s fabulous.

Kevin’s cell phone rings. It’s Scotty, who is obviously off at work de-boning chicken or serving canapés or something. Scotty is only with us in spirit this episode, but Kevin does call him “sweetie” during their phone call, which is sorta cute, though a wee bit emasculating. Brief aside here to say kudos to actor Luke MacFarlane (Scotty) for coming out of the closet last week! Is that cool or what?

Tommy whoops and hollers and points triumphantly to the television. McAllister took Connecticut. Boo!

“I don’t need to see that!” – Meanwhile, over at Holly’s house Justin and Rebecca have just returned from Baskin Robbins to find Holly and her rumpled boyfriend David (Ken Olin) going at it on the couch. Either that, or they were digging under the cushions for loose change. In the immortal words of Aunt Sassy: “I don’t need to see that!”

The TV news is also on at Holly’s house. McAllister won California but lost New York. Ooh, it’s a nail-biter.