Brothers & Sisters: The Fifth and Final Season has just as many twists (maybe more) than any previous season, so the action around the Walker household never stops. While some of the twists were a bit predictable by the end of series, it really didn't spoil anything from the viewer's standpoint as the writing, acting, and production value of this final season were top notch.
Most of the cast returns, headed up by mother and family patriarch Nora Walker, played by the loveable Sally Field (Forrest Gump, The Flying Nun). While some of the original cast bows out throughout the fifth season's episodes, the core of the Walker family returns and displays a whirlwind of drama through the goings-on of Kitty (Calista Flockhart - Ally McBeal), Kevin (Matthew Rhys - Sorted) & Scotty (Luke Macfarlane - Kinsey), Sarah (Rachel Griffiths - Blow) & Luke (Gilles Marini - Sex and the City), Justin (Dave Annable - Reunion), and the wise uncle Saul (Ron Rifkin - L.A. Confidential).
One thing that Brothers & Sisters: The Fifth and Final Season does incredibly well is introduce some new faces to the mix where relationships spawn. Nora has the most notable role when her long-time love interest, Brody, returns to stir up the pot a bit, played by none other than the very likeable Beau Bridges (The Fabulous Baker Boys). As an interesting side note, the two actors also co-starred in the 1979 film Norma Rae.
Once again, Brothers & Sisters touches upon some dramatic issues that may have newcomers to the series drop their jaws, including the homosexual exploits of Kevin & Scotty, as well as Uncle Saul. However, relationship is always the focus, which is what keeps viewers glued to the TV as the couple adopts a troubled child who they fall in love with almost immediately. With Brody re-entering Nora's life, a lot of interest gets placed on their merging of passion that doesn't exactly start on solid ground. Finally, the ongoing relationship of Sara & Luke also becomes a focal point in this season, right up to their wedding in the final episode.
Because the series has such a magnet associated with it, the Special Features are even quite enjoyable to watch. Seeing the same kind of fun and loving family attitudes on-screen while watching behind-the-scenes is a precious thing to grasp and hold onto. From talking to the writers and uncovering the handsome Gilles Marini, then dropping in deleted scenes and outtakes, the entire five-disc set is worth watching.
Brothers & Sisters: The Fifth and Final Season is an outstanding piece of television drama that may be over the top, but is somehow still believable within the screen's space. It is this surreal believability that will keep you watching episode after episode, enjoying every passing minute as if it were the last. Unfortunately, by the end of the final episode, you'll realize that it actually is the last, and you will still be left with unfinished Walker business... just enough to allow you to fill in your own blanks as the credits roll by for the last time.
