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Brothers & Sisters
SERIES: ABC, Sunday 10:00p (60 minutes)


7.7

based on 27 reviews
read critic reviews
how did we calculate this?

based on 141 votes
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Get more information on this show at TV.com.

Starring Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths, Sally Field, Ron Rifkin, Patricia Wettig, Balthazar Getty, Dave Annable, and Matthew Rhys

Anticipated more for its cast than its original premise, this soapy drama follows the lives and loves of members of a wealthy California family.

GENRE(S):	Drama, Soap Opera
CREATED BY:	Jon Robin Baitz
FIRST AIR DATE:	September 24, 2006

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Baltimore Sun David Zurawik

A network series potentially good enough to be on HBO.

Wall Street Journal Dorothy Rabinowitz

There are precious few signs of trouble or uncertainty in the polished, instantaneously seductive finished product on display in its first episode.

USA Today Robert Bianco

TV desperately needs a straightforward drama that explores family dynamics without some imposed gimmick, and Brothers & Sisters could just be the show to fill that bill.

San Francisco Chronicle Tim Goodman

The promise of grown up storytelling is alluring. This is a series to watch to see if it grows.

Detroit Free Press Mike Duffy

With fun, familiar faces like Field, Flockhart and Griffiths on board, attending a family reunion with the Walkers every Sunday could be a lively, entertaining way to end the weekend.

New York Post Linda Stasi

Once "Brothers & Sisters" gets started, it works, and it works well.

Chicago Tribune Maureen Ryan

Meeting the Walker clan and getting a glimpse at their personal lives... is like being led to a table of tantalizing appetizers. Even as you take a sample of these introductory delights, you’re wondering whether the main course will live up to your expectations.

New York Magazine John Leonard

Despite cast changes, rewrites, and producer musical chairs, this brainy soap checks in with promise.

TV Guide Matt Roush

On the glossy surface, it’s an earnestly predictable but impeccably produced soap opera. [13 Sep 2006]

The New York Times Alessandra Stanley

Ms. Flockhart... is not convincing as a woman of conviction. And that is too bad, because “Brothers and Sisters” has wit and grace.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Rob Owen

"Brothers & Sisters" may find a way to streamline its storytelling and allow viewers to more easily sort out the huge cast of characters (there are at least 10 series regulars), or it may remain an unwieldy mess. Time will tell.

Orlando Sentinel Hal Boedeker

What should be a juicy family soap opera -- the family in question owns a food company -- comes off as a blah banquet.

Entertainment Weekly Gillian Flynn

The pilot was reshot, and it shows--the timing lurches and scenes grind into each other. [22 Sep 2006, p.90]

Los Angeles Times Paul Brownfield

The pilot has a "Steel Magnolias" feel to it: Too many stars, too many faces, too many names, a cornucopia of character business.

Newsday Verne Gay

The good news is that "Brothers & Sisters" isn't even remotely a disaster. The bad news is that it isn't even remotely a success either.

New York Daily News David Hinckley

"Brothers & Sisters" establishes itself as little more than a family gathering you should have no interest in attending. Their dialogue sounds real, but not much of it sounds interesting.

Hollywood Reporter Barry Garron

"Brothers & Sisters"... has all the traditional themes of unhappy marriage, unmet parental expectations, unexpected financial chicanery and (possibly) unfaithfulness. It deals with them convincingly, though not with any great depth or insight.

Newark Star-Ledger Alan Sepinwall

A work in progress.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Melanie McFarland

File this under "We'll See."

Philadelphia Daily News Ellen Gray

Based on the first episode... we're talking predictable prime-time soap.

People Weekly Tom Gliatto

The show wants to mix in big themes (politics, money) with a family soap opera, but it just feels bloated and vague. [25 Sep 2006, p.43]

Chicago Sun-Times Doug Elfman

A clutter of clunky dialogue that sucks the life out of [Flockhart] and other usually skilled actors.

Time James Poniewozik

It's the sort of talky tedious drama that is far less intelligent than it clearly thinks it is.

Variety Brian Lowry

The show seems as if it desperately yearns to be a worthy companion to "Housewives" but lacks the requisite bite, despite political references meant to feel edgy that prove mostly banal.

San Jose Mercury News Charlie McCollum

An incoherent, almost unwatchable mess.

Washington Post Tom Shales

If you're looking for the deep emotional truths that the creators of ABC's would-be heart-tugger imagine they're after, well, pro wrestling might be a good choice.

Boston Globe Matthew Gilbert

Not a single note in the premiere of "Brothers & Sisters" rings true.

The average user rating for this tv show is 7.7 (out of 10) based on 141 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Susan L. gave it an8:
An upper middle-class family warts and all. Good stuff.

Lorraine C gave it a6:
I really love this show and the characters but I have to say...I'm a little disappointed in all of the male kissing going on. I think the writing is great and it really makes you feel like you know the Walkers. However, I think too much is being shown about gay people. We know who the gay characters are. We don't have to see them in bed together or kissing, I do feel like the 'gay thing' is being shoved down our throats now. It didn't start out that way... I think the writers need to lighten up on this. Otherwise, a lot of people will stop watching this show.

Mary W gave it a1:
Robotic, trite. Good lord, it's as wooden as a high school play.

Kevin L. gave it a10:
Brothers and Sisters is a brilliantly crafted drama that brings such a diverse amount of plots to it. The drama resembles so closely to the many different problems that may face us sometime and the show genuinely creates an atmosphere where you are able to connect with the characters. The pilot is somewhat uninteresting, but the season moves along in such a manner that makes it more compelling. With an amazing cast that brings out the best and worst in the characters that we see, Brothers and Sisters is easily a favorite.

Kimberly T gave it a9:
Anyone who knows anything about family relationships has to love this show. it's dramatic, funny, and best of all, the characters are real. its the only show i think is worth watching nowadays.

Julie B gave it a0:
Started out great, has evolved into constant shouting matches and predictable plots.

Matt gave it a5:
I agree that the homophobic comments are ridiculous, immature, and boring. However, this show feels like it is missing something, and I am not too fond of the cheesy music that often ruins would-be poignant moments.

Brothers & Sisters SERIES: ABC, Sunday 10:00p (60 minutes)

Brothers & Sisters
SERIES: ABC, Sunday 10:00p (60 minutes)