Brothers & Sisters

Despite rumors that the show would be picked up for a final sixth season with a reduced episode order and tightened budget, ABC did decide to cancel the series a week after this final episode was broadcast. A total of 109 regular episodes were produced, plus one hour-long special which occurred before the start of season 2. The special does not air in syndication but is included as a bonus feature on DVD.

ABC announced that the complete fifth season would be released on DVD August 23, 2011 in the U.S. (region 1). Region 2 (including Europe) and regions 3 & 4 have not yet been announced.

With this broadcast, the show still has not been picked up for a sixth season. While visiting her native Australia, Rachel Griffiths (Sarah) told reporters that she was now unemployed, jokingly hinting at the show's cancellation. Meanwhile, Gilles Marini (Luc) gave an interview where he felt it was in ABC's best interest to give the show one more final season for closure. A network representative said that a decision on the show's fate would be announced on May 16th when it presented its new fall lineup.

Most of the cast appeared in a reduced number of episodes in season 5. Sally Field (Nora) and Matthew Rhys (Kevin) were the only two stars who appeared in all 22 episodes. Rachel Griffiths (Sarah), Dave Annable (Justin) and Luke MacFarlane (Scotty) appeared in 21 episodes. Gilles Marini (Luc) was in 17 episodes. Calista Flockhart (Kitty) appeared in 15 episodes. Ron Rifkin (Saul) was featured in 13 episodes. Patricia Wettig (Holly) only appeared in 7 episodes but was credited all season. Balthazar Getty (Tommy) appeared in 4 episodes as a special guest star. Emily Van Camp (Rebecca) appeared in 2 episodes, also as a special guest, wrapping her storyline at the beginning of the season.

Marika Dominczyk was last seen as Tyler in Season 1's 'The Other Walker', before Justin met Rebecca.

It's revealed that Brody's blood type is not 0. According to medical records, both William and Brody's blood type is B.

This episode aired as the second part of a special two-hour broadcast. It was preceded by 'Olivia's Choice.'

The show returned after a five-week hiatus.

The show returns after a one-week Oscar-related hiatus.

We get to know that Sarah's blood type is AB.

Balthazar Getty returns to the series as Tommy. He was last seen in season 4 episode 20 'If You Bake It, He Will Come'.

Due to a double episode scheduled by the network on April 10th, the show's fifth season finale was bumped up a week. Therefore, Luc and Sarah's wedding actually occurs on May 8th, instead of May 15th. Of course, in syndicated reruns and DVD viewings this timely plot point seems fairly irrelevant.

Luc and Sarah announce May 15th as the date of their wedding.

Though she remains credited all season, this is Patricia Wettig's final episode as Holly. She is the third original castmember to leave the series. The others were John Pyper-Ferguson (Joe Whedon) who left at the end of season 1 and Sarah Jane Morris (Julia Walker) who left at the end of season 3.

Music:
"Broken" by Chely Wright
"Just Breathe" by Pearl Jam (final scenes)

Sonia Braga returns as Luc's mother Gabriela for the season 5 wedding/finale.

The name of Luc's mother's character, Gabriela, is the name of Sonia Braga's most famous telenovela, "Gabriela Cravo e Canela", after the book by Jorge Amado. Sonia Braga is brasilian.

Ron Rifkin (Saul Holden) does not appear. It is mentioned that Saul is attending a wine conference in northern California. Patricia Wettig (Holly Harper) is also not seen in this episode.

Calista Flockhart (Kitty) does not appear in this episode.

This episode is the first one directed by Brothers & Sisters star Matthew Rhys. He is the director of two more episodes later this season.