True Entertainment- What a finale is all about

If I haven't been clear in my previous posts, I am disappointed in this seasons finale showing. At least I was, until last night. I finally saw a finale that lived up to my expectations- it entertained, brought about enough conclusion for me to be content for the summer months, brought enough new storylines to have me interested in what is going to happen when September comes, and truly created a bookend for the season. Brothers and Sisters started off this season doomed despite its fantastic cast and interesting premise. They revamped and turned themselves into a must be watched enjoyable family drama. The finale shows exactly why this is true:

1) Just enough silliness- The silliness that comes from the Walker family may not be paralleled by any previous television dramatic family. The food fight at the vineyard last week was only a amuse busche to the full seven-course meal of hilarity that ensued when the Walkers met the McCallisters to celebrate the engagement of Kitty and "The Senator". Grey's Anatomy definitely could have used a touch of silliness to lift our spirits from the depressing finale served-up last Thursday.

2) Just enough emotion- The emotions were strong but checked themselves before going too far- take for instance Justin learning of his early departure for Iraq. They could have thrown in last minute appeals from "The Senator", gone through lengthy speeches about what it meant for him to serve, had every family member at the gate as his plane departed, and the list goes on- instead he snuck away after telling his half-sister and only Nora and Kitty ran to the airport to say their goodbyes. There was a nice moment for "The Senator" to remind us that the goodbyes are not just for those being left, but for those that are leaving since life is unpredictable and you could just as easily die from say having a tent fall on you at an engagement party as being blown up in Iraq. I am going to throw in a big thank you to the writers here for not having the entire airport applaud Justin as he went through security... it was a bit beyond cheesy for the security guard to have her little moment there, but thank you for keeping everyone else in check. This is a lesson that Desperate Housewives could have used before stringing up Edie with a silk scarf last night. Seriously, is Carlos that good in bed?

3) Just enough passion- and yeah I mean the good kind. There were lovey-dovey moments between "The Senator" and Kitty, but the good stuff came between Kevin and Jason. Yeah, totally predictable, but enjoyable, especially in its moderation, all the same.

4) Just enough intrigue- Jason pulling out the Methodist stole, Uncle Saul having an illusive sexual history, Julia possible diving into post-partum depression, Rebecca's history of relationships with older men, it was all just enough to keep us interested in what will be coming in September without leaving us on the hook.

5) Just enough dysfunction- The writers found a balance here that definitely was lacking towards the beginning of the season and while it has gotten better was perfected in this episode. Bringing in the McCallisters as a wild and crazy version of dysfunction was exactly what was needed to show that the Walkers might just be somewhat normal. They only brought out a few storylines of dysfunction this week hitting on the relationship between Nora and Kitty, and sidelining (for the most part) Sarah's unraveling marriage was a sigh of relief. Again Grey's could have and should have taken a cue using the less is more theory since every single relationship unraveled in the season finale. Maybe they could leave one couple standing next season. (I feel the spiral effect coming on).

6) I am not going to follow my patter of "just enough" for this one. It is too important. A season finale should not depart from the rest of the season. Having a character act completely different from the last 4 episodes and asking the viewer to go along with it doesn't work- take McDreamy's speech to Meredith in the Grey's finale... she had every right to turn on her heal after how he had treated her the last 4-5 episodes. The part of the Brothers and Sisters finale that I enjoyed most was the fact that it bookended the season. The first episode "Patriarchy"had the "Patriarch" of the family falling into the pool during a heart attack. The final episode "Matriarchy" had the whole family jumping in the pool as a way of showing their unity through the season that they got through the hardest year of their lives together. It was a brilliant bookend well done without having to be spoken.

Now I have shared mine, what was your favorite finale and why?