‘Brothers and Sisters’: For argument’s sake

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Now entering its third season, ‘Brothers and Sisters’ has clearly established a few things about the Walker family. For one, they’re a sizable clan: one mother, three brothers, two sisters, three grandchildren, two son-in-laws, a daughter-in-law, an uncle, an illegitimate half-sister who recently discovered she isn’t really blood-related, and a secret half-brother who has yet to be introduced. There’s also one father, who died in the show’s pilot but whose legacy of secrets keeps his memory (and plotlines) alive and well.

Another thing is that they fight. A lot. So much that the cornerstone of every episode is the argument, whether it’s bickering between one of the siblings and matriarch Nora Walker (Sally Field) or a heated extravaganza filled with pent-up accusations, outbursts and revelations involving every family member, willing or not. It’s what you should expect from such a huge family, right? It’s certainly part of the Walkers’ charm and a humorous, aggravating and heartbreaking window into their complicated family dynamic.

Last night’s season premiere featured the heated extravaganza at its finest. Despite the small alliances they form in order to keep news from spreading, the Walkers’ insatiable and often compulsive desire to communicate always renders those attempts futile. As a result, the buildup ...

... is almost as good as the release.

It starts with Kitty (Calista Flockhart), who in her attempts to adopt a baby with senator husband Robert (Rob Lowe) asks big sister Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) to write a recommendation letter. Burdened by work, Sarah commissions Nora to ghost-write the letter, a flowery six-page testimony that naturally sparks suspicion from Kitty. Already insecure about her hardships with motherhood, her distrust in Sarah runs deep and it looks like we’ll see a more cautious, vulnerable side of otherwise headstrong Kitty.

Next, Tommy (Balthazar Getty) announces that the family company, Ojai Foods, must make budget cuts and legal counsel tops the list. Unfortunately, the company’s lawyer is Kevin (Matthew Rhys), the gay brother who just got married and is on the brink of making partner because of his successes with Ojai. No one can be happy for too long in the Walker family. Once they’re given a glimpse of the fairy tale ending, they get the rug pulled out from under them. Kevin is probably the most spiteful of the five, so Tommy may have to perform a small miracle in order to win his forgiveness.

Then, youngest brother Justin (Dave Annable) has secretly started dating Rebecca (Emily Van Camp), the girl whom the Walkers believed was the love child of their father William and his mistress Holly (Patricia Wettig). Despite a DNA test in last season’s finale that proved she’s not a biological Walker, it’s still a bit ‘Flowers in the Attic’ for me. However, it’s in that awkwardness that makes the relationship complex, and therefore, interesting.

Lastly, Sarah and Kevin unearth the next contender in ‘Where in the world is William Walker’s illegitimate child?’ His name is Ryan Lafferty, and he’s the son of William’s close friend (and presumed second mistress) Connie. Let’s pray it’s not a regurge of last season’s journey with Rebecca.

After the big argument, the show’s recurring themes — trust, loyalty, responsibility — emerge as do the questions: Will Kitty’s insecurities about motherhood get the best of her? Will Kevin forgive Tommy? How long will Justin and Rebecca really last? Who is Ryan and is he the real deal?

As in the seasons that came before, the Walkers will continue to explore these themes and answer these questions together, one argument at a time.

— Enid Portuguez