Warning: SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

Episode Title: “Lights Out” (Season 4, Episode 23)

Original Airdate: May 9, 2010 at 10:00 PM

Synopsis: The Walker family shut down Ojai Foods for good and say goodbye to the place they called a second home for decades. Also, Kitty (Calista Flockhart) tries to impress some supporters while Robert (Rob Lowe) delves deeper in a suspicious business move.

Review: The past few weeks have been way above average in creativity and have pleased fans that have longed for strong episodes this season. However, this week was just OK compared to the latest stretch of greatness. The episode felt like there were too many plots to fit in one hour. The episode started out great when Paige (Kerris Lilla Dorsey) interviews different parts of the family on how Ojai was important to them. But then we get into Robert’s secret plans and Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) trying to find jobs for everyone at Ojai. We see Nora (Sally Field) trying to find someone who will buy the Ojai building, but will keep it in tact. Justin (Dave Annable) has a very brief and out of place storyline about wanting to go to Haiti and help out there. Finally, we also learn that Rebecca (Emily VanCamp) got the job her mother, Holly (Patricia Wettig) was up for.

The ending does redeem itself partially. Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) sings a reflective song as the group of Walkers sit around the office, drinking whiskey as we see Ojai shut down for good. Underused in this episode are Tommy (Balthazar Getty), Saul (Ron Rifkin) and Kevin (Matthew Rhys) who just kind of float and don’t add much to the episode. Neither does Luc (Gilles Marini) who has one brief line in the episode.

While the episode had great and sentimental moments, the episode overall is mostly forgettable. As is the trouble with an ensemble show, the writers tried to do too much with everyone instead of keeping it simple. Hopefully the season finale next week gets the series back on track.

Final Grade: 8.0/10