Domestics
Written by Cliff Olin And Peter Calloway
Directed by Ken Olin
9.0
"Superb"
Nora (to Kitty): "Do you realise how much I'm going to spoil that child and then I'll hand him back to you and criticise you for how you're raising him".
Isn't it funny that the same episode which sees one Walker woman lose full custody of her children is also the same one that has the other Walker woman pregnant? Okay, not really but at least it's a plot twist that is executed more interestingly than it probably sounded on paper.
In one of the series strongest episode, the issue of parenthood is the central topic. Makes sense given that the series is at its core, a family drama. Both Sarah and Kitty get to explore the joys and woes of their maternal roles here.
To deal with Sarah first, last week finally had her realise that her marriage to Joe was over. The next realisation was that she would need a lawyer so she made sure that Kevin was available in her bid to settle things with Joe as amicable as possible. Sarah's a smart woman and if things can be settled without any ugliness, then it's best to go down that route. Sadly Joe isn't quite as smart or kind come to think of it.
Things at their meeting were going well before Joe and his lawyer decided to ambush Sarah and Kevin with the demand that Joe would have full custody over Paige and Cooper. Naturally, neither Sarah nor Kevin was prepared for this and the latter makes the decision to finish up.
It also doesn't help that Joe's lawyer is using the fact that Sarah has been asking for his help on a few occasions as a reason to why he should have full custody of the children. Okay so Sarah asked for a few favours but her explanation to Kevin is one that doesn't portray her in a bad light.
As for Joe's application for full custody, I have to admit to finding it somewhat laughable for various reasons. First off all, besides the odd guitar lessons, Joe doesn't have a steady job which means that he can't really financially support Paige or Cooper as well as Sarah could.
In fact it's also interesting to note that Sarah is footing the bill for Joe's lawyer so if that doesn't shred some credibility on his part then the fact that his history of unsuccessful marriages should be another point. For all we know, the unseen Paula might not like the idea of having Paige and Cooper living with her and Gabe.
The writers have done something of a successful job in vilifying Joe this season. The cynic in me thinks it's so that we'll feel extra sorry for Sarah and to be honest, because this episode does Joe no amount of favours whatsoever, it's Sarah who I side with throughout this entire episode.
Kevin was pretty much right on the money when he told Sarah that Joe had sprung this little attack. Although Joe did have a lawyer that looks like she'd eat you for breakfast, I did think that Joe was planning all of this. The last time he appeared onscreen he was incredibly cold and distant with Sarah and now we know why.
It also doesn't help Joe out that much when Sarah finds out that he's spent the last month getting character references from their neighbours, doctors and children's school teachers. Joe certainly worked fast on that one and although Sarah made a wrong move in confronting him, her anger was justified.
The fact that Joe would go to these lengths behind Sarah's back makes you wonder if Sarah was wrong when she asked Joe if he was punishing her. Let's face it, Sarah might have her flaws but in reality she has been depicted as a responsible, caring parent to both her children and apart from spite, what other real justification could Joe possibly have with wanting full custody.
Sarah's never been a negligent parent and she's never posed a threat to herself or her children. Sure she has work commitments but so does every other divorced or single parent in America. The fact that she works is not solid reason for her to lose custody of her children. In fact it reeks of utter silliness for something like that to be an obstacle.
That being said it didn't stop a seemingly sympathetic judge from granting Joe's request for full custody. I'm surprised with that outcome. Realistically that judge would've better off if he had gone with the original agreement between Sarah and Joe and permitted them both to joint custody. However despite the utter crappiness of the situation, Sarah actually composed herself pretty well.
Rachel Griffiths is by far the best actress on the show and this was certainly her episode worthy of an Emmy nod. It's amazing that even the Nora was able to remain calm when Joe came to take the kids. Instead of ripping him a new one which you'd expect, Nora just pointed out how Paige and Cooper have always been well looked after.
I really want to see Joe's perspective from all of this but like I've said, I can't see any real justification behind what he did. I know he loves his kids as much as Sarah does but the lengths he resorted to make me hate him as a character. That's probably not a bad thing seeing as he's no longer a series regular.
As for Kitty, she also had a bad timing moment, although instead of losing kids, she ended up gaining one. I'd love to joke that Robert's never ending bout of speeches is what made her vomit during that staff meeting but it was obvious that it was going to be a sign that she's pregnant. Hell, Nora even got into oracle mode and told Kitty she was knocked up before the girl had time to take a pregnancy.
Much as I do enjoy the closeness of this family, there are times when you think that they should do things without each other. For example, Kitty should take a pregnancy test without Nora on the phone coming up with names. Still it does make for a humorous scene and Nora does her best to console Kitty when the test appears negative.
Of course it's all just a clever ruse as the test actually confirms that Kitty is pregnant. However she need not have bothered telling Robert because the Uber-efficient Travis managed to spill the beans and Robert then doesn't waste in getting Kitty to actually confess that she's with child.
For his inane speeches, the fact that Robert is about to be a father for the third time is enough to bring out another side to him. Robert isn't actually best pleased with the timing and he and Kitty actually argue about becoming parents or winning their campaign.
Although this scene does make Robert come across as a jerk, it's also a blessed relief to see him react to something so believably for once. Congrats to both the writers for this episode and Rob Lowe on that but then it's too bad that Robert then uses this reveal to undermine his rivals during a campaign in Idaho.
Of course with Nora not telling Justin that Kitty wasn't pregnant, Justin makes for a good little gossip monger and proceeds to tell everyone in the family that Kitty is expecting. Having Rebecca ridicule is a nice stroke in the episode along with Saul inadvertently blurting out to Kitty that everyone knows.
At least Kitty is able to put everyone out of their misery by confirming the pregnancy herself but one of the best moments is how she deals with the news to Sarah. Kitty and Sarah do have a fantastic dynamic and this episode highlights that wonderfully when Kitty points out just how great a mother she is. Perhaps Sarah should have brought Kitty to the hearing instead of Kevin.
Nora is also particularly delighted with the idea of becoming a grandmother again. I just loved how she used the opportunity to tell Kitty how she'll spoil her new grandchild and critique Kitty's parenting skills. You do wonder if Kitty and Robert will produce their little Conservative or Democrat. If Nora interacts with that child a lot, it'll be steering in the latter direction.
Meanwhile in the land of less interesting stuff when Justin isn't gossiping with Rebecca, he's sneaking off and taking some extra pills. He's lucky for the time being that his family are distracted enough to not catch on but here's hoping that he does slip up soon because this whole drug relapse can't be the only plot for Dave Annable this season.
Tommy's also on the slippery slope. I know it's actually hard to Holly seriously and even when she's speaking sense the urge to completely ignore everything she says must be overwhelming. However every once in a while, even Holly will dispense advice that is worth listening to and taking heed of, like that time she told Tommy not to sleep with Lena.
This week she tells Lena not to sleep with Tommy and while Lena looked like she was going to heed Holly, the silly girl just went and had a strop and got Tommy to pick her up. Suffice to say that when Tommy actually did, Lena rewarded him by sticking her tongue down his throat. Tommy didn't exactly make much of an effort to deter her from such action either.
Also in "Domestic Issues"
Costume wise the only Walker who actually dressed up was Nora as a witch. Personally instead of Robert's later opportunity for speech making, the Walkers should've just had a Halloween party.
Sarah: "I asked Kevin to represent me".
Joe: "Yeah figured you might. See you at two".
It's funny to hear that Nora was happy to suggest unusual names for Kitty; she once threatened to disown Sarah for choosing Cooper as a name.
Kevin (to Sarah): "Joe's hired a barracuda. I'm a guppy compared to that woman".
Justin: "You've got to promise not to tell anyone".
Rebecca: "You're the gossip, not me".
It seems Nora has a tradition of going into the pantry all the way during serious moments. She did it when Kevin came out; Sarah got engaged and when Kitty told her she was a Republican.
Kevin (re Nora's character reference): "It's a letter, not a novel".
Justin: "Mom's got a lot to say".
Lena: "Please don't tell Holly about this".
Tommy: "Why would I?"
Lena: "She seems to know about everything else".
Someone recently pointed out to me that both Holly and Lena sort of look a like. It's definitely clear that the writers might be drawing parallels with Tommy/Lena to William/Holly.
Robert: "How could you let this happen? I thought we were being careful".
Kitty: "We were. It happened anyway".
Kevin: "McCallister's tie is tragic".
Kitty: "Shut up, Kevin. What do you know about ties?"
I can see why Robert's non-committal stance on abortion riles his opponents. Abortion is without a doubt a constant grey-area topic.
Nora (re Robert): "Sweetheart. He's gonna be a wonderful father".
Kitty: "Yes".
Kitty: "Sarah, what can I do?"
Sarah: "Make me not feel like every adult decision I've ever has been a mistake".
Standout music: "What If You" by Joshua Radin and "Play It As It Lays" by Patti Scialfa.
Kitty: "So do you know what people are saying about you?"
Robert: "That I wore the wrong tie?"
Joe (re Paige/Cooper): "They'll be well taken care of".
Nora: "They always have been".
Chronology: October 30th, 31st and November 1st 2007.
"Domestic Issues" is what this show combats best in its finesse of heightening the family drama. Sarah and Kitty's plots are both lively, engaging and discussion worthy and make up for the predictability of the so-so plots concerning Tommy and Justin.moreless
