12 non-Christmas episodes for the rest of us
By Sundi Rose
Brothers and Sisters: “Light The Lights”
You probably didn’t know this about the Walker family on Brothers and Sisters, but they’re Jewish. Yup, the whole time. Who knew?
This holiday issue was one of the only real nods to their faith, aside from a few throwaway references here and there. In this particular episode, the oldest Walker sibling gets a guilt trip from her kid because they don’t really give their Jewish roots their due. Paige, the inquisitive kid in question, puts the screws to grandma Nora, pushing her to admit she’s completely sold out her Jewish faith to the consumer Christmas machine.
After a lot of philosophical talk about “secular humanists,” Nora decides to go ahead and celebrate Hanukkah, and the Walkers are Jewish for the episode. Some other melodramatic stuff happens, but it’s worth it to see Sally Field have to defend her religious choices to a child. Some of the better moments in this show are when it’s not taking itself so seriously, and the self-deprecating way in which Brothers and Sisters scolds itself about not honoring Hanukkah and their identity is done pretty well.
“Light The Lights” is the tenth episode of the first season, and you can watch it on Hulu.