Weekend TV: Brothers & Sisters Return and More

Brothers & Sisters: ABC

Those boozy Walkers are back for four more episodes of whining, reeling, and drinking -- and Rob Lowe wears business casual! Forced enthusiasm! I tease because I once loved, even it was for about two episodes. Last season. What started out as a show that pathetically tried to interject teary monologues with political policy has become a slightly less pathetic show about being generally upset about...stuff?

The point of Brothers & Sisters (airs Sundays at 10 p.m.; ABC) is indiscernible, as is the chemistry among the siblings, who all seem like they would rather have their own shows than share this one. Sunday's episode -- like every episode -- has the petulant Walker children screaming at their mother (Sally Field, master hand-wringer) after her beau (guest star Danny Glover) threatens to take her away. She'd be better off. Grade: C

All is much more pleasant on Wisteria Lane -- or at least quirkier. In its fourth season, Desperate Housewives (airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on ABC) has returned to the same state of irresponsible goofiness that made the first season such a thrill. It may not be as mordantly hilarious as it used to (Come on! How can Miss Prim 'n Proper not freak over botched flower arrangements?!), but DH is just as crisp and surreal as it ever has. Tonight's episode isn't a series highlight -- it coasts along on a better-than-average wavelength. Grade: B+
Desperate Housewives Photo: ABC