Will this be the final season of ABC’s once must-see Brothers & Sisters? Does anybody still care?

Via Greg in Hollywood:

There was a time, and it doesn’t seem like that long ago, that ABC’s Brothers & Sisters was my favorite show on the air. I was so enamored with gay lawyer Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys) and watching his relationship then marriage to Scotty (Luke Macfarlane). Plus, Scotty (pictured, right) is such a hottie!

I love how the show has always treated Kevin and Scotty pretty much like any other couple on the show.

They are, in fact, the most stable couple in the Walker family.

But we don’t see enough of them for my liking as much more screen time has always been given to Justin’s dramas, Nora’s meddling, Sarah’s love life and work headaches, Holly’s business schemes, and Kitty’s problem of the week (cancer, marital woes, sentate race and now widowhood).

And so much drama surrounding Ohai Foods and whatever secrets (mistresses? children? land deeds?) dead patriarch William Walker left behind.

I’ve always thought that was the least interesting part of all!

With such a large ensemble cast, I can’t believe that all the stories have been told but it feels like they have because, I fear, we are sick of most of these people.

Sadly, Rob Lowe’s Sen. Robert MacAllister was killed off at the end of last season (the actor has joined the NBC comedy Parks & Recreation). Balthazar Getty’s Tommy Walker, always one of the least interesting characters, will also be gone again and after three episodes or so, Emily VanCamp will be gone as Rebecca Walker.

In terms of sexy eye candy, Gilles Marini returns as Sarah’s husband Luc so that can’t be all bad.

Also, I’d still watch Sally Field (an Emmy winner for season one) in anything and Rhys and Macfarlane I am a fan of for life.

I will watch season five and maybe I’ll fall in love with Brothers &  Sisters again. I’m interested in how they handle Uncle Saul’s storyline (we learned that he is HIV-positive in the finale of season four) and how Kevin and Scotty’s quest to become parents goes.

But the thing is, I just don’t care anymore. And since only 18 episodes have been ordered for season 5 (usually at least 22 are ordered) you gotta wonder if this will be the swan song.