The writers have done a great job with characters that you want to get to know and want to follow. Desperate Housewives started out this way, but sadly lost it a long time ago.  The interaction of the siblings on is fresh, interesting, real, and normally dysfunctional, and they admit it. They want to be perfect but they know they won't be ever.  Sally Field leads the outstanding pack. She is the Mother with an opinion that needs to be heard whether you want to hear it or not.  Calista Flockhart deviated from her lawyerly-ditzy role she was known for and settled into "Kitty Walker's" character so convincingly.  There's also the brilliant Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under's Brenda Chenowith).  And the yummily gorgeous, Rob Lowe.  The whole ensemble is wonderful. 

It has the feel of a good old fashioned drama series, with great comedy intertwined. The writing is witty, not the usual over-the-top, you-are-supposed-to-laugh-now comedy. I'm always thinking about the interaction I have with my own siblings. I can just picture us in the exact same dialogue.   The characters that make up this family seem so real.   Brothers and Sisters for the motherfuckin' win!