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Brothers and Sisters

I wasn't sure I was going to stick with this one but I gave this series the benefit of the doubt; after the first episode I was fully invested.

From the product description: Enter the complex world of the Walkers, and explore what it means to be an American family in the 21st century. Though they live very different and conflicting lives, the Walkers find unity under the family roof. Relationships bend but never break as they strive to find their own identities and embrace each other’s differences. It's "an encounter to look forward to," says The Wall Street Journal. Get caught up in one of television’s most reflective and sophisticated dramas. Calista Flockhart, Sally Field, Rachel Griffiths, Ron Rifkin, Balthazar Getty and Patricia Wettig lead a stellar cast in ABC’s critically acclaimed hit Brothers & Sisters. Experience every episode of Season One, including exclusive, in-depth bonus material, in this six-disc DVD set.

To see the remarkable Sally Field back in a starring role on TV is such a welcome sight, she hasn't had a leading role in a series since The Girl With Something Extra in 1973. And how nice she plays an overbearing, seemingly cold hearted mom. It's a meaty role and she's just stunning, a part worthy of Norma Rae and Steel Magnolias which is why she walked away with the Emmy in 2007 for the role.

This mom's no goody two shoes, Gidget-type. This lady sports a nasty passive aggressive streak not so well hidden behind that smile. Field's Nora Walker is a stay-at-home J.R. Ewing, at least in the earliest episodes. She mellows out over time unfortunately.

This is a soap opera in the best sense of the phrase but without the Desperate Housewives / Dynasty overkill, pushing those emotional buttons without breaking out the jackhammer. You won't mind being manipulated when the characters and situations are intriguing enough, if the actors are up to the challenge. And they definitely are in this case.

The entire cast sizzles including Calista Flockhart, Matthew Rhys, Ron Rifkin, Rob Lowe, Patricia Wettig, Rachel Griffiths and Dave Annable. A wonderful ensemble of masterful actors paired with superior scripts makes for great viewing. Brothers and Sisters is a character driven storyline that can only work if you care about the people and their entanglements - here you will.

The music is unfortunately second rate, too obvious, acting as a laugh track at times and the show relies too often on montages, that's a conceit that wears thin for me but it's still effectively done.

Other than those more or less minor distractions Brothers and Sisters is compelling drama all the way, romantic without being maudlin, they even handle the gay characters without the usual pandering.

There's plenty of humor, the laughs are genuine but disaster always looms beneath the surface and sparks fly when family secrets leak out.

It's a very slow moving show, perfect for rainy nights and snowy days.

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