Written by: Kassidy at 7:45 pm
Movie Info:
Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Dave Annable, Calista Flockhart, Balthazar Getty, Rachel Griffiths, Sarah Jane Morris, Ron Rifkin, Patricia Wettig, Sally Field, Matthew Rhys, Kerris Dorsey, Maxwell Perry Cotton, Rob Lowe, Emily VanCamp
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Release Info:
Original Air Dates: September 24, 2006 – Present
DVD Release Date: September 23, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $36.99
I have been a fan of Brothers & Sisters since I reviewed the show last year when the first season box set was released. I don’t think there is any one thing that makes the show fabulous. Instead, it is the combination of things that all make the show work as well as it does. From great acting to superb writing it seems that Brothers & Sisters has it all. This is one show that rarely, if ever, disappoints. The family dynamic between the actors is believable thanks to good chemistry and the writing is sharp enough to keep you interested and enthralled in the lives of the characters.
Sally Field does a consistently good job as the matriarch of the Walker clan. She is backed up by excellent performances by Calista Flockhart, Matthew Rhys, Rachel Griffiths, Blathazar Getty, and Rob Lowe. The dynamic characters make it hard not to connect with the show and your favorite people.
If you are new to the show it looks at the lives of one family. The Walker family is a wealthy family that lost the patriarch in the first season. The show delves into the lives of the mother and children that have been left behind to keep the family business afloat and the family together. Like most families they have their ups and downs. At the end of the first season, it is learned that William Walker left a secret behind after his death. In the second season another secret is revealed.
I was impressed by this season and was not surprised when Emmy nods were handed out for Brothers and Sisters. This five disc set offers every single episode from the second season along with a smattering of bonus features to keep the interested fan excited for season three and beyond.
If you are new to the show, I recommend starting with the first season. This is one of those shows that works so much better if you’re starting from day one. There are plenty of back stories that play into the character relationships and you won’t understand those things if you haven’t watched from the get go. Both sets come highly recommended though, so if you’re new to the show, now is a great time to pick these sets up and get watching.
The Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Second Season Plot
In order to ensure that you are familiar with Brothers & Sisters and all of the interesting plots and subplots involved in the show I have added a small synopsis of each episode below.
“Home Front”: It’s the beginning of the second season and through a video email by Nora (Sally Field – The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning) we learn what the Walker family has been up to. The family gets together for Kitty’s (Calista Flockhart) birthday, which is also the anniversary of William Walker’s death.
“An American Family”: Justin (Dave Annable) is picked up by Kevin (Matthew Rhys), Nora and Kitty from a hospital in San Diego where he was placed after being brought back from the war. Now that he is home, he is finding it hard to depend on others. Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) finds out that Joe (John Pyper-Ferguson) is with his first wife again. Rebecca (Emily VanCamp) tells Sarah the truth about the kiss. Tommy (Balthazar Getty) is having a hard time learning how to be a father.
“History Repeating”: Rebecca is worried about Justin and Nora is hoping that she can convince him to start taking his pain medications. Julia (Sarah Jane Morris) starts coming out of her depression, which prompts her to leave Tommy and take her child to her parents. Kitty manages to stop a scandal from happening.
“State Of The Union”: Rebecca is worried that Justin might have overdosed on his medication, which has resulted in a lightning fast recovery. When Kevin learns that Saul (Ron Rifkin) was at a gay event, he wants some answers. Sarah and Kitty decide to go to a spa and Nora tags along.
“Domestic Issues”: Kevin represents Sarah in a battle with Joe for their children, Paige (Kerris Dorsey) and Cooper (Maxwell Perry Cotton – A Dennis the Menace Christmas). Kitty makes a Halloween announcement that could cause problems when she doesn’t get the response that she’s hoping for. Justin continues taking his pain meds.
“Two Places”: Kitty receives a visit from a friend that is supposed to do some damage control for her concerning her pregnancy and to help with Robert’s (Rob Lowe) campaign. However, like the announcement, things just aren’t what Kitty expected them to be.
“36 Hours”: A family meeting is called after the Walker clan learns about Justin’s drug addiction. A decision is made for Justin to stay home, out of rehab, and to work out his problems from home. Kitty and Robert make new plans about their future together.
“Something New”: Nora reconnects with a man that she used to know. Kevin sleeps with Scotty (Luke Macfarlane). Robert brings in Lyle Lovett to help get rid of Kitty’s cold feet. Tommy feels guilty when Julia and her daughter return home.
“Holy Matrimony!”: An awful bout of cold feet and a political scandal occur, but despite the odds Robert and Kitty get married. Nora’s romance with Stan (Chevy Chase) receives a distraction when it comes to Isaac (Danny Glover – Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare). Holly (Patricia Wettig) receives a meeting from an old friend.
“The Feast Of The Epiphany”: The Walker family congregates for a family dinner, mainly because Nora is too chicken to go out with Isaac on her own. Tommy and Julia work to repair their marriage.
“The Missionary Imposition”: Jason convinces Kevin to do some serious thinking about his future and what he wants. Nora and Isaac become closer. Justin goes to an NA meeting for veterans, but he isn’t ready to do any talking just yet.
“Compromises”: Robert and Jason (Eric Winter) are involved in a confrontation that should have happened quite some time ago. Sarah has one special decision that needs to be made and Graham (Steven Weber) helps her to get some closure.
“Separation Anxiety”: Isaac proposes and the Walker clan is shocked by Nora’s answer. Rebecca decides to have a DNA test because she is unsure that William Walker (Tom Skerritt – Bonneville) is her real father. Kitty and Robert make the decision to visit a fertility clinic.
“Double Negative”: Kevin attempts to help Scotty’s financial problems get better by filing for domestic partnership with him. Nora wants to make a fresh start and she makes the first step by hiring an interior decorator.
“Moral Hazard”: Holly manages to be the savior of Ojai Foods after an international business deal goes sour. Saul tells some shocking news about himself. Scotty and Kevin share a moment that could change their lives. Justin is the bearer of bad news.
“Prior Commitments”: Kevin and Scotty decide to become life partners. The Walkers learn that William kept another devastating secret from them.
Storyline/Plot: 
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing: 
Audio/Visual:
Brothers & Sisters offers a clear and vivid picture that comes with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The widescreen picture rarely falters from the clear, bright picture that is shown in the opening frame. I did not notice any real compression errors, and I did not see any grain or noise. For the most part this was a clear picture that offered no visible errors unless you were seriously looking to find something wrong.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound offers a near perfect sound for this dialogue driven family drama. The audio is rich and strong with no imbalances present. There was no need to toy with the volume at all. Once it was set that was it. In addition to the main audio there is Closed Captioning available along with subtitles in French and Spanish.
Visual:
Audio:
Bonus Features:
It would have been nice to see more commentaries than what are available here. There are only three commentaries and while these are nice, it would have been good to see more of the episodes with this special feature. The three episodes that have commentaries include “Homefront,” “36 Hours,” and “Prior Commitments.” It was nice to see that the first and last episode had commentary and “36 Hours” was one of the more dramatic episodes of the season, so I was glad to see it was available there, too. In the future I am hoping to see more in the way of commentaries though.
There is an envelope of Nora’s recipes, which also serves as a table of contents for the show. The Guest Book offers information on the various guest stars that have come on the show in the last season. These guests include Chevy Chase, Gary Marshall, and Danny Glover among others.
“TV Dinners: The Food of Brothers & Sisters” discusses how the family meals on the show are handled. The cast and crew talk about how they deal with leftovers and how things are kept fresh throughout the multiple takes during a dinner. “Open House” is a featurette that looks at the various sets that are shown on the show. This includes the Walker house, campaign headquarters, and the various other homes that are shown regularly.
Deleted scenes include a number of scenes with one that is worth watching. My favorite scene offered plenty of information about Justin and his addiction. He talks about a girl that he was unable to save in Iraq and how he is afraid that painkillers might cause him to forget her face. Also included are a selection of bloopers, outtakes, and some previews.
Bonus Features:
Bottom Line:
Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Second Season is an outstanding season from a great series and an excellent box set. This is perfect for any fan and it comes just in time with the third season starting. If you’re new to the show you’re definitely going to want to start with the first season. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s highly recommended that you check this show out!
Overall Rating:
Technorati Tags: TV on DVD, Brothers and Sisters, The Complete Second Season, Dave Annable, Calista Flockhart, Balthazar Getty, Rachel Griffiths, Sarah Jane Morris, Ron Rifkin, Patricia Wettig, Sally Field, DVD Box Set Review
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Written by Kassidy - Visit Website
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Kassidy received her degree in Journalism in 2002. She lives in the Midwest with her husband of six years, Jason, and their two little girls, Madison (5) and Emma (2.5), with one (a boy) on the way. The couple is very excited to welcome their first son next January. Passions in life for Kassidy include painting, scrapbooking, writing, being a Mommy, watching romantic comedies, and dancing.
