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"Desperate Housewives" and "Brothers & Sisters": The good, the bad, and the proposal
Brothers & Sisters aired the next-to-last episode of the season last night, and it was an important night for Kevin (played by Matthew Rhys), Scotty (played by the out Luke McFarlane), and Saul (Ron Rifkin). Look for a full recap of Moral Hazard later, but it was too juicy an episode not to post about this morning. Uncle Saul is in the doghouse for single-handedly destroying the family business, so he has a few drinks, and "accidentally" wraps his car around a tree. He calls Kevin from jail, and the two of them have a fantastic conversation in Kevin's car, where Saul finally, officially comes out. Kevin comes home to Scotty, and after witnessing all the dysfunction in his family, finally realizes how fortunate he is to have someone who is "kind, and caring, and changes the lightbulbs". He then asks Scotty to marry him (on one knee, no less), and Scotty does the absolute cutest "clutching the pearls" I've ever seen. The episode ends with Scotty saying "yes", and a very hot, close-up kiss. It was nearly perfect. *sigh*. Unfortunately, to get to the sublime, we had to go through the ridiculous.
Trying to compare Kevin and Scotty with Desperate Housewives' Bob (Tuc Watkins) and Lee (Kevin Rahm) is like comparing apples with garishly dressed oranges, but when you have two gay couples back to back on high profile network shows, it's impossible to avoid. In this episode, Eva Longoria (whose Gabrielle character grows more monstrous with each episode) suspects her new tenant (played by Justine Bateman), is turning her home into a brothel, and enlists the aid of Bob and Lee to get to the truth. What follows is eye-rollingly predictable, with Lee trying to play a straight "john" and Gabby screaming for him to "butch up!" (what, is she moonlighting as a judge on Step It Up And Dance?) It ends with Lee on the ground, having the crap kicked out of him by two women, and ... that's it for Bob and Lee on this episode. And seriously ... what the HELL were they wearing? Submitted by on Mon, 2008-05-05 07:38. |
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That was the most beautiful
That was the most beautiful proposal I've ever seen, I love Scotty and Kevin together so much. I loved what he said:
I am completely, completely in love with you. I even love the things about you that I hate, because you make me feel like I don’t have to be anyone other than who I am, and to me that feels like family, and that’s what I want us to be. I want us to be a family because that never ends. Scotty, I am asking you, will you please marry me?” -
So perfect. Usually Kevin is the one in the family with love problems but this time everyone seemed to have problems except for Kevin. So great to see Kevin being there for everyone in his family, and in the end that is what made him see that he really wants to be with Scotty.
Bob and Lee on Desperate. I don't even wanna talk about it - it was so bad, What was the purpose of those characters from the beginning anyway? Are they going to be part of an actual storyline or just be there whenever a female character needs their help?
Brothers & Sisters - best gay episode ever?
The proposal scene floored me, the way Matthew Rhys sold that love and devotion and need. Scotty's shock, and happiness as he realized just how much he meant to Kevin. Kevin getting on his knees to propose. Scotty joining him. And that beautiful, sweet kiss which went on for just the right amount of time.
The whole episode was Kevin at what he should be. Stable, secure, supportive, while still being sarcastic and jaded.
The scene with Kevin and Saul was also very good. The way Saul's voice broke when he asked how he could be gay at his age.
Both these stories deserved more buildup, but at least we're seeing something of them.
Put together, I really believe this was possibly the finest hour of gay content I've ever seen on a TV show.
I'm so pleased about Kevin and Scotty. I want nothing more than for them to stay happy (and of course dramatic, insane) couple, to show millions of viewers images of gay men who aren't just negative stereotypes or cheap jokes.
And please write ABC and the show to thank them for the kiss.
This is as close to a full circle of gay love story and
Loved everything about the
Kevin's proposal to Scotty
Being more of a Kevin type I think I was starting to forget what falling in love was like
until the proposal...I actually started crying! The whole scene was amazing. These two have an amazing chemistry and kudo's to ABC for taking the chance and to the actors for incredible acting.
so this is going to sound kinda silly for a former marine but I am going to tux it up with friends next sunday and serve champagne! what the hell right?
this is fantastic and i now
this is fantastic and i now officially love them more than ever but do we really think that they will live happily ever after? or should the question be how long will they BE ALLOWED to live happily ever after?
will the network execs suddenly decide that viewers 'arent ready' to see a happy couple in a relationship that is loving and committed, but the couple happen to be two men?
i really am so pleased that kevin has been able to show how he really feels instead of glossing over everything with sarcasm. they are brilliant together.
Well obviously they're going to have problems
Otherwise there's no show. But the fact that they DO love each other will of course win out in the end.
This is triumph of writing, directing, acting and viewership. For it was the viewers love of Kevin and Scotty that encouraged the writers to make them a real couple.
Very good point
I think I watched that scene three times at least
Actually, both scenes (Kevin and Saul as well as Kevin's Proposal to Scotty). Both were amazing. I simply cannot wait until next weeks episode.
Not to mention, we had only one (maybe two) scenes with Robert & Kitty and as soon as they started I was upset and wanted the show to return the focus to anyone else (because this kitty mcallister storyline is the most boring) and there was so many other things to really see develop.
Lasting relationship?
Greg Berlanti has said in his out interview that he didn't plan to split up Kevin/Scotty. Matthew Rhys has said that he was tired of Kevin's being insecure about his relationships and Luke MacFarlane has said that he's becoming a series regular from next season on, so you'd see more of him. All this would seem to indicate they don't split up soon.
I guess, (and hope!), that they will portray Kevin/Scotty as a couple that will have their ups and downs and can still survive, like so many couples (gay or straight) do.
Can Kevin and Scotty save this bore?
Well, I love this show...
....with the arguments and problems of these fighting siblings. It makes my problems seem pretty minor in comparisan. That's why I like to be entertained...to take me away from my own reality for a while. Ultimately, this show seems to satisfy. The scene between Kevin and Scotty was perfect. That is exactly why Kevin should want to marry Scotty- because he makes Kevin's life happy, secure and stable. It was amazing that the only sane family unit in the show was the gay one. I hope they keep that going for a while as the others and their disfunction rage on.
I say we take the warning labels off everything and let nature take it's course.
In defense of Bob and Lee, and good for B&S
None of the characters on Desperate Housewives is taken seriously, so having Bob and Lee presented as "role models" or anything other than being equally absurd would be totally out of context for the show. Gabriella is hardly being held up as a role model for latinas. And Bree is hardly a role model for suburban Caucasians. I think it is nice that the folks of Wisteria Lane acknowledge them as a couple and Bob and Lee obviously feel comfortable enough to live in the neighborhood instead of fleeing back to the city. Since Desperate Housewives has included other gay characters - Andrew, Andrew's first boyfriend, Bree's bi boyfriend, Lynette's dad, Gabriella's gay best friend - it is obviously a gay-inclusive universe, and better than that, it shows lead characters who are friends and relatives of gay people, providing context for the straight audience to relate and better accept gay people (no matter how outlandish or quirky the show gets).
As far as B&S, Kevin and Scotty were sweet, and Saul's storyline was surprisingly accurate. If you are a younger person who has ever worked with gay seniors who came out later in life (in or after their 50's) you know they spend a lot of time regretting not coming out earlier to the detriment of focusing on the here and now. So definite kudos to Brothers & Sisters for hitting that reality.
The problem with Desperate Housewives
All gay men are treated as poor caricatures. We are supposed to understand or sympathize with all the female characters in some fashion, even when they behave in a destructive way. The gay men are there just to sneer at, laugh at, see as freaks. Bob and Lee could have been given some shadings, but instead they remain tired stereotypes who are trotted out for viewers to feel superior to. Andrew only had a role on the show when he was there to ruin Bree's life and give the implication that having a controlling mother makes you gay, and that being a "bad" person is the same as being gay.
Marc Cherry has had so many opportunities to move beyond this view of gays as pathetic, self-defeating losers, and he never bothers.
bob and Lee....
yeah, the whole "butch up" and the "acting straight" talk made me want to poke my eyes out and burst my eardrums. so dumb.
I wasn't able to watch B&S because there was an actual car accident right outside my house....of all the nights for a car accident....grrr
I'm not usually a patient
I'm not usually a patient man, but this past episode was worth the wait. WOW!
The only reason I initially tuned into B&S was b/c of Kevin. Sure, he has his flaws (who doesn't?), but his good traits vastly outweigh his bad ones.
He really hit the ball out of the ballpark last night. Kevin was at his best, whether it was being there for his family (like several posters have stated) or, of course, Scotty.
When I heard that Kevin would be having a conversation w/ Uncle Saul that made him realize how lucky he was, I was afraid it would be a case of Saul berating Kevin of how lucky he has it, & Kevin being guilt-tripped into proposing to Scotty. I'm glad I was wrong - the writers did an exceptional job. Kevin figured it out all by himself, & his proposal & the little speech he gave just prior to it was, for me personally, the most beautiful scene in tv history.
Thank you, B&S.
3 more thoughts: 1.
3 more thoughts:
1. Ron Rifkin finally got to show his acting chops. I was a big Alias fan, so it was difficult for me to see him as Uncle Saul instead of Arvin Sloane, but he really made Uncle Saul come to life yesterday.
2. I was pleasantly surprised they didn't drag out Rebecca's secret. If it was going to be several episodes of Rebecca lying to the Walkers, I would've felt the same way about her as I do the Kitty-Robert storylines.
3. I know that the Ojai is in big doo-doo plotline was necessary for the Walker Landing merger (& Holly's subsequent involvement in Ojai), but when Sarah asked Kevin if there were any legal loopholes & he said there weren't, I thought his answer was incorrect, given what we know about the situation. Maybe a lawyer who practices Commercial Law can clarify, but what about the defenses to performance of contract due to commercial impracticability or frustration of purpose?
I was wondering how the
I was wondering how the writers were going to pull of this proposal scene, but I see I had nothing to worry about. Matthew Rhys and Luke MacFarlane were both sensational last night. Matthew Rhys pulled off one of most authentic proposals i've seen on TV. Seeing Kevin get down on one knee and ask for Scotty's hand in marriage was the cherry on top since i've always rooted for them to get back together as a long term couple. It was so beautifully writen and acted. I can't wait for the wedding ceremony next week.
Then we had the Uncle Saul's confession in the car to Kevin about him coming out of the closet at his age. That was so sad. Again, another scene performed perfectly.
This really was one of the best episodes this season. The only storyline that makes my skin crawl, is Justin's attraction to his sister Rebecca...ewww, it just creeps me out.
I know there was mention earlier of the ratings going down, but actually they have bounced back up nicely, with Brothers and Sisters coming in number one in it's timeslot every week. The fact that the show airs Sunday at 10:00pm, which isn't the greatest of hours considering most people have to get up early for work the next day, yet still manages to pull in a healthy 12-13 million viewers, I consider that a successful show. And these numbers have more or less been consistant for both seasons one and two. Compared to how so many other show, including Greys and Ugly Betty, have dipped quite a bit in viewership, Brothers & Sisters is doing very well.
Wonderful, heartfelt, touching,...
romantic, beautiful, awesome...I can go on and on. These are just a few of the words I use to describe Kevin and Scotty on B&S last night. I was a complete and utter MUSHBAG (tears of joy) both during and after this wonderful scene and I just simply cannot stop watching it over and over again. Kudos to everyone involved. This is what great television is all about.
I'm hoping that all the downright stupid, ridiculous and laughable organizations such as the AFA are watching very carefully, just so that they can get it through their overly-religious thick skulls that THIS is what love is all about, straight AND gay. All of the hardcore conservative right-wing, bible-thumping, and homophobic people of the world MUST realize that gay love is REAL love and that it's TRULY based on real feelings and emotions. Quite simply, it comes from the heart.
I also thought that the Kevin/Uncle Saul scene was just fantastic! Here I am, just recently turned 40 and I'm a "late bloomer" myself, right smack dab in the middle of the coming out process. I can totally relate to Saul, sometimes feeling like I missed out on many great years of being true to myself. What's important to me now is to move forward, and to look forward to, and enjoy the rest of my wonderful out-of-the-closet gay life. I am sooo proud to be gay it's ridiculous LOL.
Congratulations to EVERYONE involved at B&S (and even ABC) for the awesome romance that is Kevin and Scotty. Oh, and I MUST NOT forget the kiss! The kiss, the kiss, the kiss!! That would be wrong LOL. End of gushing...:)
Regards,
dgd417
Again, again! *claps*
I, too, can't get enough of that scene and have already watched it so many times I might have it committed to memory. I even configured it and made it video iPod-ready, so I can carry that scene around in my pocket. Romance-starved much? *raises hand*
I have never seen anything like it on television, and was holding myself to keep from exploding with joy. This, if anything, is what the Gay Agenda is - to see myself/ourselves reflected in our world. And to have such a prime example fall *plop* in our laps - well, I think this may have just made my week.
Very sad! Very happy!
The scene with Kevin proposing to Scotty - perfect! A beautiful and happy scene!
The scene with Kevin and Saul - unbelievably sad. I was afraid they would drop Saul's gay storyline, but they didn't. Great acting by both actors! When Saul says "I want to be a free man" and Kevin simply answers "Just say it"... wow! I had tears in my eyes. And I am the one that didn't even cry at Brokeback Mountain. I never do. So, but why did this Kevin and Saul scene touched me so much? Anyway, it was an amazingly moving moment!
R.I.P. - Heath Ledger [1979 - 2008]