Well, I must say---the show looks like its going through a turbulant time. But everything has a reason on this show. I enjoy Keith and David's storyline, with Keith's job and David's trauma experience (ps- Keith's job was his best job yet, they could make a whole spin-off dedicated to "the bodyguard"). George and Ruth's relationship emits alot of tension and its going to bear alot of fruit for alot of people watching it.
Nate's father's legacy is actually becoming a LEGACY in the first place--compared to George we see that Nathaniel was a good man. Rico's storyline with his wife also shows us what happens when good people get lonely and tempted. Rico was and still is the most sensible character on the show, he's an amazingly good man. Claire is just as empty as her art teacher depicted her painting...but she's a good sister, and the Fischer family looks beautiful together while they sing to Maya.
The sex scenes are what's making this show smutty. Otherwise, its doing a great job at expanding on its characters. I suppose that because all of this is happening ALL at once, it seems like a Melrose Place episode. The pace of the show WILL settle down---just as soon as the writers decide it right.
Anybody ever have one of those years that never seemed to slow down?
