Brothers and Sisters - Season 5 [DVD]

After the accident, Robert has been comatized for a year and Holly's memory is in disarray. The Walkers have seen major changes - gone the family business and winery. What splendid scope now for more realistic, character-based plots!

Sadly this final season proves uneven. The highlights are great, sometimes very funny. Nora's radio venture works out well enough (although forgotten for long stretches), as does her rekindled romance. Kevin and Scott have worthy storylines (despite his career as a lawyer largely ignored). A major asset is artist (and underwear model) Luc - Sarah hopefully to prove worthy of him. Justin's paramedic work is only superficially touched upon, emphasis more on his being attracted by every new pretty face. Worst of all, Kitty - once so interesting and articulate - is reduced to two implausible (and rather tacky) relationships.

The main weakness, though, is that the Walker family does not seem to have evolved - it still proof that smother-mother Nora has produced clingy offspring unable to grow up. Not for them (except Tommy) quitting the nest to stand on their own two feet. Instead each day they are forever on the phone, meddling in each other's lives, betraying secrets almost at the speed of light, get-togethers inevitably disintegrating into rows. For five seasons most incomers felt swamped and have fled. Well done, Scott - a rare exception!

22 episodes. Guest stars include Beau Bridges and Richard Chamberlain. Bonuses comprise commentaries, a gag reel, an item on the scriptwriters, a feature on charismatic Gilles Marini (Luc).

Many hail the series as a celebration of family life, they recognizing in the Walkers so much of themselves. Although I am one not nearly as keen, the final sequence moved me more than expected. Perhaps the Walkers had greater impact than seemed at the time? Four stars therefore, instead of the three originally intended.

With news that Brothers and Sisters has just been axed in America, Which will make season 5 the last.

This season wasnt the best, but with enough suprises and secrets to fill out another 24 episodes.

I do think producers would have found it hard to write season 6 and kept it fresh.

I have loved this series from the off, the acting and storylines often very strong and moving.

The final episode of season 5 kind of wraps everything up @ Sarahs wedding, with Nora (Sally Field) doing voice over with her words of wisdom right to the final credits.

Gone but not forgotten.

Brothers and Sisters started out brilliantly in Seasons One and Two, with compelling and twisting storylines and plots, and the development of some of the most enjoyable characters on television. Then seasons three and four came along and lowered my expectations of the show- still great viewing, great acting and great stories but somewhat lacking the magic given in its primary seasons. This no doubt has led to the cancellation of this marvellous programme, which leads to Season Five being it's final season.

The season shows a marked improvement on the previous two seasons; the story jumps a year forward following the accident in the cliff-hanging finale of season four, and this jump seemed to jump-start the excellent plots again as it gives the programme room to breath and develop.

The characters Robert, Rebecca and Holly leave this season, which are sad losses, but the core family members remain central and the stories are once again compelling.

I really love this season- because this season further develops the characters and their relationships, which is what the crux of this show is all about. What little storyline there is with Rebecca and her family is really moving and lovely, Sol finally gets a decent storyline this season, Kevin and Scotty's relationship flourishes further and Sarah and Lúc's romance is truly moving. Nora is as excellent as ever this season, and although Kitty takes a smaller role in this time around, she remains to be dynamic and delightful viewing- although sadly, there are not as many Kitty/Nora arguments as before which are, in fairness, amazing!

As far as plots go this season, there's more love and romance, plus paternity and parenting and work related drama. There remains to be a copious flow of wine in the Walker household, but this season sees a drop in politics and business, which are sad losses because they added a certain calibre to the show.

Whilst, on the whole, I loved Season Five, my sister, who is also an avid fan, admitted she felt these episodes felt disconnected and disjointed in comparison to previous seasons- and I don't completely disagree with her- the season does feel a bit lost in places, and the final few episodes, where the plot develops into something altogether more exciting, feel a little rushed through- if they had spent a few more episodes focusing on these plot points the season would have been stronger.

It's not their best season by far- it's certainly lacking something, somewhere- although I can't quite put my finger on it. However it does nicely wrap up what has been an excellent television programme with great acting and stories, leaving viewers with a lovely warm feeling inside. It remains to be the compelling family-drama we fell in love with, and concludes our love in its final episodes- although, frankly ABC, one last season would have properly concluded some of the storylines left open in Season Five's finale.

Altogether, this is a excellent show and great season, and I highly recommend this box set and well as its predecessors.