The Week in Review:Brothers & Sisters, The O.C., The Office, One Tree Hill, Bones, Friday Night Lights and Grey's Anatomy

Brothers and Sisters
I can’t stop gushing about this dysfunctional-family ABC drama. The Valentine’s Day episode was laugh-out-loud funny and, perhaps, the best episode of the series so far. I love Justin, Kevin, Kitty and the entire Walker clan. The addition of Rob Lowe, as a senator en route to the White House, has given new electricity to an already brilliant show. His line to Kitty about Demi Moore was one of the funniest inside jokes ever. “I always had a thing for her,” Lowe deadpanned. (For those of you who missed the ‘80s, check out St. Elmo’s Fire or Google “Brat Pack” to get the joke.) Lowe wasn’t the only highlight. Where else could you see Sally Field and Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) smoking a joint and getting busted by the cops? Only on ABC, folks. If you haven’t already, add this show to your DVR. You won’t be sorry. For more insight, check out the Brothers and Sisters writers blog at ABC, aptly titled Bloggers and Sisters.

The O.C.
This is not a good omen: Ryan finally told Taylor he loved her, and the Earth began shaking violently in a devastating earthquake. This is Marissa’s doing. I just know it. With only two episodes left with our “Cal-if-or-nia” friends, each week that passes makes me sadder. And if the Cohen mansion is devastated in this mess, I will be, too. That house is quite possibly the coolest of all TV pads.

The Office
Phyllis and Bob Vance tied the knot, while Pam watched in horror as all of her own wedding ideas, flowers, music and decorations were on display, even down to the “P&R” floral arrangement. (R is for Robert Vance, apparently, but to Pam it stood for Roy.) Michael was, as usual, so over-the-top it was difficult not to fast-forward his scenes. The best scene of the night was Karen joining the band to sing, “Every Little Thing You Do is Magic” as Jim whipped out his cell phone to wave in the air. Pam, after shooting some meaningful looks at Jim, left with Roy, who looks as if he’d hit the Mystic Tan and the gym. Does Pam even deserve our Jim, if she’s too stubborn to tell him how she feels? I just don’t get her. It’s like she went to the Michael Scott School of Love.

One Tree Hill
This week’s episode was so good and emotionally creative that it forced me into a place I don’t like to go: reminiscing about high school. It was a little bit Breakfast Club meets Beverly Hills 90210, as our favorite Tree Hillers were paired up with a classmate to get to know them before graduation. The exercise said a lot about high-school/society hierarchy and impressions. In a nutshell, the teacher said that high schoolers label all their classmates by one of five words: geek, jock, loner, prom queen, and “friendly” i.e. slut. It’s sad, but true, as I thought back to my days as a teen. This episode also made a statement about changing that image, as teens leave school and head into adulthood. This show was beautifully written and the end photos were a nice touch. I especially loved Nathan posing, arms spread, in front of the Eagle wings, painted on the wall, and Brooke’s pose in front of the over-head machine with the slurs written across her face, arms and torso. “Serious” critics can mock this show all they want. They were probably all “jocks” and “prom queens” in high school, who don’t take time to appreciate the great little moments on TV that this show consistently delivers.

Bones
Hello Sully! Bones got a new partner this week, in the form of actor Eddie McClintock. Apparently, you liked him as much as I did. Ratings for Bones hit an all-time high this week. Sully was introduced as an F.B.I. agent working with Bones, while Booth was dealing with his anger issues. (Shooting an ice-cream truck is generally frowned upon.) I’m sure this is a love triangle in the making. I wouldn’t count out Sully. The last time a hot TV “Sully” was on my radar was during Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and we all know how that turned out.

Friday Night Lights
I love Landry. “Who is Landry,” you ask. Well, he’s Matt’s goofy friend with the crazy band and the charming southern drawl. He’s a scene-stealer, and this week during the Powder Puff game, he did it again. As Coach Taylor made his way onto the field to cheer on his quarterbacking daughter, Landry kept daring Taylor to cross the line. Priceless. The show ended in a shocking cliffhanger, as racial tensions mounted and half of the football team walked off the field. Whether this show is dealing with family dysfunction, small-town life or bigger issues, it scores every week.

Grey’s Anatomy
Is Meredith Grey swimming with the fishing permanently? I wouldn’t worry, Tubers. The show is named after her, despite that show creator Shonda Rhimes wrote this in her blog:

“But you all know Meredith’s been doing a dance with death for some time. Y’all know that if you’ve been watching. She’s dark, our girl. She’s dark and twisty. And I worry about her. Now, I’m really worried about her because she’s in the water and I want to be clear with you: I don’t put people in the water for no reason. Meredith’s got issues, she’s got serious Mommy issues and she’s broken and she’s in the water. I’m not entirely playing by the rules of TV here. I killed Denny. I blew up Dylan."

(Gulp.) OK, maybe we should be worried.

On a lighter note, I loved the B storyline of Richard dying his hair, and Addison’s defense of him to McDreamy, Burke and the “man whore.” Hilarious.

As for that lost little girl permanently attached to Meredith, Mr. Tube Talk thinks she’s a ghost or a death angel. That observation gave me chills. I’m not convinced, however, but wouldn’t that be a cool twist? But if we have to have a ghost helping out at the ferryboat disaster, may I suggest Dylan the bomb guy? I'm just saying.

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