Brothers & Sisters

Sarah, Tommy and Saul try to cheat Holly out of Ojai but it doesn't work. Being honest works a little better and they make a deal with Holly who is now gonna be more connected to the company. That predicts some drama ahead as nobody in the family (except Saul) can stand Holly. I actually like her and think that Patricia Wettig is doing a good job portraying her. The character of Holly is also very interesting. She's kind of like a villain to the Walkers but on the other hand they show her better side too by making her communicate to Saul. Kitty is thinking of leaving her job in the TV show and is trying to save Warren a spot there. It was better than the usual Kitty storylines but once again kind of boring. Kevin and Justin go to court to save some time for Justin. They don't succeed but Justin unexpectedly gets six more months offered by some high military guy. So it's a happy ending for now to the Walkers and they get to celebrate Christmas. This last scene where everyone is congratulating Justin and Kevin is just really sweet. It was also interesting to see the family celebrating Hanukkah, specially Saul doing the rituals and taking the matter of Paige into his hands. On the whole it was a usual very good B&S episode. Hopefully the best are still to come.

On television getting Christmas themed episodes are always expected. Every single TV show going has at least done one and a god few of them tend to do several during their span and for the most part, the results are pretty predictable.



When it comes to this episode, the same could nearly be said except for the fact because our main family is of both Catholic and Jewish heritages; it seems only natural for this show to merge both Christmas and Hanukah into the same episode. When you think about it, one question springs to mind – why not?



The reason behind this interesting merging is down to the girl of the Whedon folk Paige, who thinks it might be a great idea to learn a little more about her family heritage and while Nora's first reaction is to point out how religion has a tendency to be used a popularity contest, overall she's enthused that her granddaughter wants to know more about Judaism.



However because Paige isn't entirely that versed in her grandmother's pushiness, both Sarah and Tommy are quick to cynically point out Nora's overbearing ways and neither Kitty or Justin express that much delight in it. They should be relieved that Nora isn't snooping into their affairs this week while pitying poor Paige.



The thing is with Nora; much as I do like the character, is that when she gets into something, she tends to go the whole hog with it. Even before William passed away, I'd assume she was pretty like that but since his death, Nora does seem extra desperate to prove her usefulness even at the cost of annoying her family at times but her efforts here with Paige are well intentioned if as per usual too full on.



Paige just wanted to learn a little bit more about being Jewish and Nora more or less tried to put the girl through her own customised Rabbinical school. Paige is a bright kid but like anyone, she seriously baulks when Nora piles on the information and to add to the strain, Nora also decides to hold a party as well in honour of Paige. The party also doubles as a reminder that Justin is set to be army bound as well.



Of course a party involving the Walkers and outsiders usually has to have a couple of things go wrong and one of them includes Nora's overbearing stance making television look like a cosier alternative for Paige. Nora doesn't really cotton onto the fact that she's gone a bit overboard and once again someone had to point it out.



First off all there was Joe who didn't like seeing Paige too scared to face the plethora of guests Nora invited to the party and told Nora to lay off a bit but really it was Saul who managed to do something useful by slowly coaxing Paige to come down and enjoy the party.



Times like this and Saul can really rock as a character. Sometimes I have trouble figuring out his motivations and that didn't help that Ron Rifkin went from playing a duplicitous character in Alias to popping up on this show in a few months but overall Saul's heart was in the right place regarding Paige and the ceremony itself was sweet.



Paige's sudden interest in Judaism does have a good explanation behind it. Although her diabetes hasn't gotten worse, the girl is still upset to actually have the disease and a part of her hoped that being more spiritual would overcome it but alas both Nora and Sarah have to remind her of no such luck happening.



What risked being incredibly cheesy as a plot ended up working pretty damn well thanks to Kerris Lila Dorsey's acting and it goes to show if something like that warrant real interest in an episode, then this show really is on good ground with viewers.



However something just as serious was also brewing up in this episode too with Justin's impending return to Iraq. Judging by the last two episodes, Justin is pretty adamant about not wanting to go back and regardless of serving his purpose or duty, if the lad doesn't want to go back, then he shouldn't have to – simple as that.



Unfortunately he does but luckily for him, not only does he have a supportive family by his side but he's also fortunate that older brother Kevin is a lawyer and this week, it's Kevin's strength at his job that is highlighted throughout.



An interesting thing that I have to admit about this episode is that while Kevin was clever enough to use the notion of the army being irresponsible to send a drug addled lad like Justin out to war, is how adamant they want Justin back.



It's not like the US army have suffered that much of a reduced number of people signing up, so you have to wonder why they're willing to not let Justin even sort himself out before going back.



Kevin is pretty compelling in the courtroom accusing the US army of showing no sensitivity to Justin's circumstances and you really feel that this alone should've bowled over the judge, even Matthew Rhys' cuteness didn't hit the spot but unfortunately the army use Justin's knack for not using drugs during his army days as an incentive to make sure the judge sees it their way. I have to admit I really didn't see that one coming.



So Justin would do drugs and not care what his family thought of him yet despite access to a copious amount of them in the army, he never once touched any? My guess would be the fact that to Justin, the army never saw him as a failure and cold turkey was his way of maintaining it.



There's an incredibly moving scene when Justin himself speaks about his own troubles, being in the army and his family and for a brief second, you thought that might have gotten the army judge to relent but it really didn't. In fairness with all the evidence thrown her way, the woman was clearly an idiot or bribed. No-one in their right minds would've gone against Kevin on this particular case.



Luckily for Justin and Kevin, someone was actually sympathetic to the latter's plight and that person happened to be a Brigadier who decided that Justin could have at least six months before he had to resume active duty and while a part of me is glad Justin got the break, it did seem a little out of nowhere.



On the plus side it ended the episode on a rather happy enough note and Nora at least got some temporary relief that her last born wasn't in any immediate danger just yet. This episode also scored points for the way Kevin and Justin happened to lean on each other as well.



Meanwhile with some Christmas cheer, someone had to awaken either Scrooge or the Grinch and Sarah felt it was her duty to hone in the latter's main characteristic when it came to dealing with Holly. Turns out that neat piece of land from last week also has another owner with Holly having a third claim on it.



Sarah's not particularly pleased with that development and to me, it's like the writers are seriously eager to find ways of prolonging Holly in any shape or form necessary and when she quickly realises that Sarah and company were attempting to scam her, Holly not only decides to dump Saul but she's prepared to even sue Ojai for being taken advantage of. If it was anyone else, they'd get my sympathy but with Holly, I just can't feel that bad for her.



However given that Sarah caused this mess by allowing her hatred of the woman to cloud her better judgement, it's amazing that Nora has to try and salvage the wreckage as such by breaking bread. To some people seeing Nora club Holly to death with a roll would be preferable to Nora asking her rival to sell her stock to Sarah, Saul and Tommy and acknowledging that William loved her too.



It's very big of Nora to do that and clearly her words affected Holly who did sell her portion of the land and used half the money to buy herself in Ojai. Only goes to show that Holly won't be going away anytime soon and one of Sarah's first warnings to her new business partner is to keep Rebecca out of their lives. Yeah Sarah, like that's really gonna happen.



If Ojai got a new business partner, then Kitty found herself with a new job offer and a newer perspective in life. Contrary to what she was expecting with the public announcement last week, instead of getting herself fired, Kitty ended up becoming more popular among her viewers.



In fact Kitty's popularity has escalated to the point where Warren was on the verge of losing his job. It's funny that Whit wanted to fire Warren for being too smug and Kitty had to point out that as a whole, politics in itself has long been smug. Once again, Kitty did prove that she wasn't a clueless girl.



As a result and after a rather bittersweet conversation between herself and Warren, Kitty then decided to finish working for Red White And Blue and take the communication staff job for Robert. I'm gonna mss this particular set but it will be interesting to see how Kitty fares in her new work environment, though whether or not her belief in Robert is a bit premature is another thing to see.



Also in "Light The Lights"



I notice in the writings credits, this episode was co-written by Cliff Olin, the son of Patricia Wettig and Ken Olin. This show really is keeping it in the family.



Sarah (re Cooper's singing): "He's definitely your son"

Joe: "He definitely is".



That "Batman Smells" song of Cooper's is pretty old but I wondered if Sarah meant that Joe was a terrible singer during that exchange.



Tommy: "Just screw Holly?"

Sarah: "Worked for Dad".



Kitty: "I think you mean Walt Whitman"

Whit: "You're smart. An American woman with vulnerabilities".



Kitty's outburst has unsurprisingly become a bit hit on YouTube. It also got Red, White And Blue 20% more viewers.



Kitty: "Mom, what are you doing?"

Nora: "You'll understand if I don't get my hopes up"

Kevin: "I never thought of that".



Sarah (to Holly): "A few months is an affair. 20 years is a career".



With Nora and Saul both being Jewish was there any reason the latter doesn't celebrate it as much as before?



Warren (to Kitty): "I don't want to stare down at any Right Wing lunatic now that I've had the pleasure of embarrassing you".



Justin: "I love you"

Kevin: "You're so gay".



I wonder if Amber will end up replacing Kitty on Red, White And Blue. Could be fun to address that in a future episode.



Holly (re her/William): "It wasn't a long happy family like you but it was real Nora"

Nora: "Yes it was but I wasn't his ball and chain either".



Nora: "I'm sorry?"

Holly: "You're sorry?"

Nora: "For both of us".



Standout music: Sarah McLachlan's "Song For A Winter's Night" and Louis Armstrong's "Winter Wonderland".



Justin: "You gotta tell me that just happened?"

Kevin: "Yeah it did".



Sarah: "I don't know how my Mom is gonna deal with this"

Holly: "You don't give her enough credit"

Sarah: "Welcome to the family".



Chronology: December 2006, three months after "Patriarchy".



Holiday episodes can be a mixed affair and the combination of Hanukah and Christmas in "Light The Lights" did make for an unusual mixture but overall this was an emotionally charged episode, devoid of mawkishness and that to me, made it all the more enjoyable.

It's a wonderful christmas episode that Brothers and Sisters share with us. I think it's one of my favorite episode. I like the caracter of Paige, she is so sweet. But she has more dialogues than the wife of Tommy, it's surreal no ? Very good episode, with the links who is create with Holly harper, and i want so much see Rebecca I think she wants move all of the story. David Annable is so extraordinary too. patricia Wettig had right to quit Prison Break for Brothers and Sisters because she has an excellent role like Ron Rifkin, he's so different than in Alias.

This was another great episode of Brothers & Sisters. I thought that it was a very heartwarming episode. It was bit more heavy on the drama as some of the other episodes, but that's fine. It was very good. Sally Field was really great in this episode. Dave Annable was really great in this episode. I am really growing to love the character Justin thanks largely in part to Dave's brilliant portrayal of the role. Paige was so cute in this episode. The actress who plays her is a really great actress for someone her age. All of the producers, writers and executives at ABC definitely deserve major kudos for creating such a wonderful show. All in all, this was another great episode.

Haha it's funny the way everyone is like in awe to find out the Walkers have Jewish blood since apparently they never celebrated it. I thought it was a special moment to see Nora come to an understanding with Holly and forgiving her. (I would never have the heart to be that forgiving to the itch that my ex cheated on me with.) Anyway back to the show lol. I was so relieved that the Sargent or whatnot gave Justin 6 months to fix himself up. The court room scenes were part emotional hearing the things Justin said even the scene with Justin and Kevin outside. I think Sarah is being too harsh to Holly and that she does need to back up a little because she's getting too touchy. Overall another great installment.

I watched this show for the first time last week. I had heard about the show, of course, and one of my neighbors wouldn't stop talking about it. So I tuned in for "Light the Lights". I was impressed........with how the characters interact, play off each other and particularly the two brothers. I think it's hard to have so many subplots which still hold your interest but this one works. Between simultaneously pulling off the child's wondering about Christmas and Hannukah, the brother's court appearance, the discussion of "screwing Holly" and then Sally Field's visit to her dead husband's mistress, I think they've definitely got a winner here! Can't wait to see Rebecca's appearance.

I love it when the family really tries to stick

Together despite the differences and despite personalities but really I love this show as I hope it will be on for many, many years to come.

The siblings are trying to save their business as Nora is trying to keep a cool, calm, and collect head about her family. Sally Field is awesome!

“Light the Lights” is the first episode that Patricia Wettig, as Holly Harper, got to show some color. Although, Holly is not a character I like personally and would cozy up to in real life, she serves the purpose on the show to play against the characters that are so likeable. The drama needs her. Yet, I wonder what fired up William about her. “Lights” was the first time that I felt a connection to Uncle and Brother Saul. Saul’s “Miracle of the Oil” scene with the family all around was well written. Ron Rifkin showed a warmth and understanding of his grand niece’s feelings. The difficult bridge of Jewish history and faith with an unknowledgeable child and her need-to-know was well-done by Uncle Saul. I love the scene of Sally’s delivery of Nora’s string-of-lines to Paige, including “we’re secular humanists, honey”. Sally’s acting is just too good for one adjective. The way Paige, Sarah and Nora played this scene was better than eating a “Joy of Cooking” recipe. (Sorry, Martha.)

I love the scenes with Justin and Kevin. I know others may be tired of my repeating how much I adore Matthew Rhys’ acting and his fleshing out of Kevin Walker, the honeysuckle of a man, but that’s the way it is - in my mind. I love when Kevin came in all excited with “Where is everyone? I’ve GOT it.” And particularly, the “I love you” Justin-to-Kevin scene in the backyard – I love THAT. Still, I miss Scotty.

I mean to get angry over the fact that Sarah was trying to screw her out of ten million to try and save her father's company was...well just plain laughable!

For years Holly was having an affair with Sarah's father, so she shouldn't have been so outraged...cause she was nothing but a ten-million dollar mistress!

Now i'm not excusing William's behaviour...but he is dead, Holly should regain her dignity...or atleast try to by leaving the Walkers alone!



I mean, what does it say about Holly's character...when she had an affair with a married man for years, concieved a child with him(whom she kept the identity a secret) and would still be sleeping with him(behind his wife's back) if he wasn't dead!

Then she has the nerve...no the audacity to be outraged when Sarah tried to screw her out of the ten million(which was suppose to save the company from bankruptcy)!



More over, what's wrong with Nora?! You don't just forgive the woman who slept with your husband for years; unless its a strategy to screw her out of the ten million dollars your husband left her!

Of course, another fantastic episode of the seasons best new show.



The little actress that plays Paige is so wonderful! This is the second episode in which she has absolutely shined. What an amazing grandmother Nora is! She went so out of her way to make sure Paige got what she wanted, even if she did go a little too far as Nora tends to do most of the time. But you gotta love her for it. She is a great character and once again Sally Field hits a homerun.



It was so wonderful to see Kevin so passionate about defending his brother. Justin is such a great character and I think there will be so much more to happen with him in the future. I'm just thrilled that he gets to stay home for six months. I'm looking foward to seeing him grow closer with the family instead of being the outsider.



Holly...please don't get me started. I despise her so much - and maybe it's the kind of loathing that Sarah feels for her. More of a bitterness. But still...I just care so much for the Walkers and the mistress always takes the fall - especially when the adulterous husband is dead. How dare she get snippy with Sarah saying "I think the politically correct term is the other woman." Grrr...she pisses me off.



Anyway - I just love this show more and more with each episode.

This episode was beautifully done. Nora Walker is such a strong and likeable character, even though she goes overboard at times, she will go to the wall for her family.

Paige is concerned about her diabetes and thinks if she were jewish(like Uncle Saul & Nora were brought up) that a miracle will happen and take away her diabetes. Nora and family somehow combine the two religious holidays making it an episode about faith and love of family and that the miracle is the faith we have in each other. Nora goes to Holly and forgives her and makes her see that she has come to the realization that it isn't either of their faults, that William just loved two women. Tommy and Sarah try to cheat Holly out of the 10 million she is due because they don't think she deserves it and are bitter and hurt still over their father's infidelity, but they think better of it and offer her the 10 million which she counters with half the money and half in shares of the company. Justin and Kevin are tied up in court over Justin being called back to serve in the armed forces. Then there is Kitty whose honest admission of bribing the congressman causes ratings to skyrocket at her job, and she is offered a show on her own and they are going to drop Warren. This show is so well written and have such great characters, you would be hard pressed to find an ensemble cast to care more about.