Brothers & Sisters Episode 4.23 Lights Out

Wine of the week: 2004 Timeless Palates (La Fenetre, before it was La Fenetre) Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley - When we come to the end of the road, we all start to feel a little nostalgic... This week, as we prepare for an ending with the closing of Ojai Foods, memories are brought to the surface and emotions flare. One thing I love about wine is that you can pull out a bottle from an older vintage, and actually taste the year that it came from. Swirling it in the glass, you coax the aroma from the liquid, and taste the aged flavors and textures. The Walkers will all have to deal with the closing in their own ways, with a glass of wine, and support from each other... Cheers!

Paige is doing a documentary movie about her family for a school project. The timing couldn't be worse. Ojai Foods is closing its doors, which means no one feels like smiling for the camera. All Ojai employees gather together as Sarah briefs them on the bad news. You could hear a pin drop in the room. It's a sad day. It's a day no one thought would ever come.

Sarah is willing to go to extreme measures to make sure the workers who served Ojai so well are covered for the future. One of her moves is to sell the building for top dollar to a developer who wants to make it a parking garage. Nora tells the garage guy to scram. She wants to find someone who won't tear the building down.

Nora meets Roger Grant, the original designer of the building. Her hope is that Roger will want to buy the building for sentimental reasons. But Roger considers that building one of his least impressive structures. He would love to see it torn down. Nora is out of options.

Sarah contacts Ojai's top competitor hoping he'll give some of her people jobs. But the economy's rough and the competition isn't hiring. Sarah offers to sign over three of her semis in exchange for positions for her drivers and loaders. It's a deal, though not one that goes over well with the rest of the family. When Kevin asks Sarah how she intends to pay for the trucks, Sarah says she plans to sell her house. She's out of control.

Sarah feels responsible for the downfall of Ojai. A chat with her mom helps ease her feelings of failure. Nora says, "I think you have to lean into those feelings." They check out the original plans Roger Grant developed for Ojai. A second set of blueprints labeled "Narrow Lake" reveals plans for a house William wanted to build for Nora. Sarah says, "This is more than a house. This is a love letter. He really loved you. You're allowed to lean into those feelings." Nora seems to take her daughter's advice.

Holly has a job interview at Maddox Thompson Foods. She's overqualified for the job, but Holly convinces the interviewer that she's ready to try something new. Rebecca is also looking for a new job, but Justin has other ideas. He wants to go to Haiti for a year where he'll get med school credits.

Rebecca's not keen on the Haiti idea, especially since she has a follow-up job interview. Too bad Justin didn't know about the first interview. Rebecca ends up getting the job. What she didn't know is that it's the same position her mom was gunning for. Things are equally awkward for Justin, who feels he and his wife are currently miles apart.

Robert has a clandestine meeting with shady contractor Bill Stanton. It's all part of his secret mission to bring the guy down. A job with a seven million dollar annual salary is offered to Robert if he'll push Stanton's contract through the appropriations committee. Robert has officially entered uncharted waters.

Kitty sends Robert to a political dinner so that she can stay home and help deal with Ojai. Bill Stanton is at the dinner. He knows that Robert has been working with Joe Rawling. Stanton threatens Robert, saying he better back off or he'll use his power to destroy Kitty. We're used to seeing Robert as an unflappable force. But by the look on his face, we can see that Stanton's threat has given him pause.

Everyone gathers in the Ojai office to share one last drink before the doors close for good. There is a bit of bright news when Kevin tells Sarah that the semi situation has been handled. An Ojai worker and his brothers want to buy the trucks to start their own business. Kevin helped them get a loan.

Saul raises his cup and toasts Ojai. The other family members follow his lead. For the second time this episode, you could hear a pin drop in the room. Scotty breaks the silence by launching into a sweet song about memories and the hope for joy after one says goodnight. It's a fitting sentiment as the light go off at Ojai forever.