Okay, I know it’s a little unorthodox to start reviewing a show when it’s already half way through the season, but I solemnly swear that if there’s reason for it, I will go back to the start of season four and make things right. So, what is there to say in a way of introduction about this show. In some ways, it’s very real. It looks at issues that a lot of people are facing. The only thing is, that as a family, they are facing almost every single problem that the writers can think of.
Let’s just examine some of the things that have happened to the Walker’s up to this point in time.
- Father dies in the first episode
- Discover his infidelities
- Discover a secret love child in Rebecca
- Weddings
- Surrogacy
- War
- Cancer
- Heart attack
- Coming out
- Finding out about even more infidelities
- Discovering a second secret love child in Ryan
- Separation
- Divorce
- Kidnap
- Juvenile diabetes
- Drug addiction
- Embezzlement
- Spirituality
- Transplant
- Death of an infant
- Pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Custody battles
- Depression
And that’s just what comes to me on the top of my head. I wonder how many other families have had to deal with all of these issues within the last four years. So back to episode thirteen of this show. There are a few storylines that are getting quite a bit of attention this episode, none more so than Kitty and her evolving story arc of finally running for a congressional seat. This initially came up one or two episodes ago, when she was battling lymphoma, and she realised that she’s never realised one of her dreams.
However, a roadblock was thrown in her way this episode, as before she ever had a chance to tell Robert of her plans, he announced that he wanted to get out of politics altogether. After all the painstaking election campaigns, the anguish and heartache it had caused on their marriage, not to mention the massive heart attack he had suffered – he wanted to get out. I wonder what tipped him over the edge?
This makes it difficult for Kitty to tell him she wants to run for congress, and he finds out by overhearing a conversation she is having with Saul and her mother. Initially upset, it takes him about two minutes of screen time to come around to the idea – and suggests that she should aim higher, and run for his own seat in the senate that he is vacating. In fairness to the writers though, they did bring up the irony of Kitty questioning her and Robert’s marriage when she found out he was running for governor when he was recovering from his bypass. And it seems that the action she so despised Robert for doing, is one that she turned around and did herself. There still seems to be a double standard to this, but I’ll let it go for now. This seems to be a story line that is going to play out for the rest of the season.
Kevin and Scotty have also got a lot on their plate. They’re moving full steam ahead with the surrogacy, with the help (and womb) of Scotty’s good friend that nobody had ever heard of until it was necessary to the storyline, Michelle. On top of this, although it is barely mentioned, Kevin knows he is no longer going to be working with Robert in the political arena. So is he worried about job security? Or are they setting him up to work with Kitty?After Michelle has been implanted, it’s advised she be on bed rest for at least a day – but how are the writers going to involve her in the storyline if all the action is at Sarah’s on the pretence of a family dinner? Answer is: a gas leak, of course. Michelle has to conveniently relocate to Sarah’s, for at least the night, and be subjected to the very overbearing Kevin. Some of the points he made were valid, but when he told her he doesn’t wanting her watching scary movies, I started to worry for the embryo. Is he not going to be the most overprotective father ever? This story arc has been set up for some conflict/laughs, with Kevin and Scotty finding out Michelle has a younger boyfriend. The nineteen year old also comes to Sarah’s, because why wouldn’t he? Anyhow, the audience also finds out Michelle isn’t supposed to have sex for sixteen weeks, something Kevin likes to remind her of once or twice, and you sometimes get the impression that he’s a little ungrateful of what Michelle is doing for them, as he is treating her like she is a child (though of course, the writers have again covered their tracks on this and given a ‘you know i’m grateful’ throw away line in there).
To the last major storyline that took place in this episode. Unlucky in love Sarah. She has met and bonded with a single dad at a science fair in the previous episode. The opening shot is of them sharing coffee and trading war stories of their tweens. She then invites him to a family dinner, but later as they fight about their children’s civil rights in relation to backpack searches at school, she assumes that he no longer will be joining her. But Roy does make an appearance, and makes a point of saying that they don’t need to agree on everything. A lesson, you might have thought, she would have learnt by now.
A minor storyline in this episode, centres around the underutilised Saul. The long suffering uncle, who is alone and all he really has is his work. He has joined an online dating agency, which he ultimately hopes will add some meaning to his life, which sees him more or less playing surrogate father to five grown children who constantly find themselves in new sorts of trouble every week.
Further Thoughts
- Where was Justin and Rebecca? They were in one scene and didn’t even make it to the family dinner at all? It’s gone from being a show almost centred around their relationship, to them barely getting a look in.
- Why would Sarah actually think inviting Roy to dinner would be a good idea, particularly for a first date? When has a Walker family dinner actually went well?
- I may be wrong on this, but it seems every family dinner they have, at least one person leaves before they eat. In this case it seemed as though everybody did. Under appreciative guests.
- Does anyone else think that Scotty deserves more screen time? He is probably the most redeeming character on that show, and perhaps for that reason, he is subjected to the background.
- I found it interesting that not only did Robert McCallister know who Shakira was, he always knew where she came from. He didn’t always strike me as the type that would know anything about pop music.
Quotable Quotes
- “So is this your first Walker dinner party? Good luck.” Robert
- “You can’t tell what’s in a kids backpack unless you check it.” Roy (Thankyou for stating the obvious)
- “‘We’re still here, so I think we have to go for it” Kitty
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