"Brothers & Sisters" Episode 302 Recap: “Book Burning”

Kevin starts asking Kitty what the big deal is about the book. Then he gets this big grin on his face because he’s figured out that of course Robert doesn’t know anything about it. I love the fact that he’s loving Kitty’s discomfort here, because that’s totally how I’d be in this situation.

In her rush to get home in time to meet the dreaded Social Worker, Kitty leaves her bag behind. It takes Kevin about three seconds to grab the manuscript from inside. When I see the manuscript, that old joke from the movie Airplane comes to mind, the one about the pamphlet on great Jewish athletes. Because let me tell you, in terms of length, Kitty’s book — the one that’s supposed to include all of her lofty thoughts on the state of American politics — makes The Bridges of Madison County look like a trilogy.

Seriously, is she writing this for children? Because even toddlers might complain it’s a bit terse.

Kevin flips through and finds something that makes his jaw drop, then lets out an “OMFG!” From this reaction, I’m guessing she went ahead and wrote about Robert’s trip to Bangkok with Larry Craig.

Cut to Justin and Rebecca running up the side of a mountain. It must be nice to be young and unemployed.

Rebecca tells Justin that her mother’s summoned her to her office later on for some urgent reason. But right after, they can head over to Kitty’s dinner party in Santa Barbara. Plus she thought it might be fun for them to spend the night in a motel room.

Justin: Just you and me?
Rebecca: No. Me, you, and my mom.

Hey, I’m sure there are certain slash fiction sites where that very scenario has already been imagined. Which is why I never read slash. Anyway, Rebecca’s just being sarcastic and clearly wants alone time to do the nasty with Justin. Justin hems and haws but basically agrees with her plans.

Sarah’s office. Tommy drops paperwork on Sarah’s desk and tells her Holly wants it done by the end of the day. Sarah groans about what a slave driver Holly’s being, and Tommy yammers on about how she’s only looking out for their profit margins. I’m wondering, once again, when exactly Holly became such an expert on business. Did acting in a bunch of soft-core pornos set in office buildings somehow give her an MBA by osmosis?

And while we’re on the subject, it seems to me they could up their profits significantly if they actually took advantage of their new merger. Like maybe they could come out with a line of wine-infused baby foods — “Keeps baby healthy. And extra sleepy!” They’d be rolling in cash in no time.

Just then, Justin phones Sarah, freaked out about Rebecca’s plans for motel room lovin’, which doesn’t exactly jibe with the “taking it slow” plan. While Justin drones on, Sarah blabs to Tommy about who she’s on the phone with and why, all while trying to assure Justin it will be fine. But when Justin starts considering getting candles and massage oils, she can’t take any more and lets Tommy grab the phone from her.

Tommy’s advice is basically, “She’s smoking hot. She wants to have sex with you. Stop being such a girl and just go out and do her.” Which, if I’m not mistaken, is a line he got from his father’s tombstone.

Stately Walker Manor. Nora walks into the kitchen and is surprised to find that Kevin’s still there. Suspecting he’s trying to pester her more about contacting Ryan Lafferty, she calls him “impossible.” He wonders if “argumentative” and “unreasonable” might be more accurate. Nora’s confused about his angry reaction, wondering if he’s fighting with Scotty, but it’s clear to us that this is how Kitty has described him in her magnum opus. He storms out.

Nora: Have a good day. I’ll see you at Kitty’s.
Kevin: Woop-dee-do.

Holly’s office. Rebecca comes in and asks her mother to skip the small talk and cut to the chase. Holly introduces her to an attorney and says she’s talked to him about revising Rebecca’s trust. Rebecca thinks she’s being cut off, but Holly corrects her and explains that she is actually removing all conditions so that Rebecca can get her two million bucks right away without any interference.

Rebecca is all, “Why are you doing this?” D’uh. Dude, isn’t it clear she’s totally trying to buy your love? My advice? Accept the cash, send her a card on mother’s day, and don’t get your panties in a bunch over it.

But Rebecca gets all bratty about not wanting to take the money. Holly tries to pass it all off as a simple gift, although I’m not sure how it’s a gift if it’s somebody else’s money she’s so eagerly giving away. But Rebecca, who’s actually no dummie when it comes to her mother, knows there’s more to it than that and suspects her mother’s true motives. Holly says she’s willing to wait for a time when Rebecca wants to have a relationship with her. In the meantime, the money’s hers to do as she wishes.