Desperate Housewives - TV Fanatic

Desperate Housewives Review: Welcome Back, Julie and Orson!

onlyxtina@gmail.com (Christina Tran) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:13:31 EST

I liked "Is This What You Call Love?" for a number of reasons, starting with the emotion at the forefront. Really, what was there not to love?

Like Mary Alice said, love has the possibility to bring out the best in us. Whether it was the confidence that Lynette needed, the courage for Gaby to tell Juanita the truth about Carlos or even the hope that Susan wouldn’t give up on Julie to change her mind, love was more powerful than ever on Wisteria Lane. In fact, it’s not always about what love brings out, but who it brings back, as Orson is finally back to rescue Bree. More on this later, though.

It appeared that Lynette was the very last to know that her marriage was over. Kudos to her for finally being able to accept it and trying to seek the happiness that she deserves. I must admit that I didn’t really care too much for Frank at first because I want Tom and Lynette to ultimately get back together. However, he does seem like a genuinely decent guy, and I’m all for him making Lynette cry less and smile more.

Meanwhile, it was certainly nice to see Julie again. With a bun in the oven, her storyline with Susan was a bit predictable, but still enjoyable. I get where Julie is coming from, wanting to give her baby up for adoption, but I also understood why Susan reacted the way she did. I also couldn’t help but notice how MJ was missing again. You’d think that he’d be there to see his sister.

Another sibling who was missing was Celia. Seriously, where did these children go? Anyhow, I thought that what Gaby did for Juanita with the special Valentine was sweet. Better yet, I’m glad that Gaby realized that Juanita was much stronger than she thought and was able to tell her the truth about Carlos.

My favorite part of the night was the intervention gone wrong. While our favorite housewives lashed out each other, I was just glad they were all finally in the same room with one another. It was intense when Bree confessed to nearly committing suicide. Though the others were quick to apologize and wanted to be there for Bree, she just wasn’t ready to forgive them. Thankfully, the girls of the Lane did the right thing and called on Orson, concerned about Bree’s drinking and bed-hopping.

On another note, how awesome was Orson and his taser? I was relieved that he showed up in just the nick of time to save Bree from that horrible jerk. Hopefully, he can help Bree get back on her feet and the two can maybe go back to doing what they do best: cleaning up each other’s messes.

Are we to assume that it was Orson all along who has been lurking in the background watching Bree’s every move? If so, why has Orson been stalking Bree all this time? If not, who do you think the mysterious culprit is?

So, what did you think of "Is This What You Call Love?" Were you glad to see Orson and Julie back? Did you notice that Ben was missing for only the umpteenth time again?

Desperate Housewives Death Pool: Who Will Be Killed Off?

onlyxtina@gmail.com (Christina Tran) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:08:09 EST

As we all know, no one is ever truly safe in Fairview. The residents may as well be playing Russian roulette. Now, word on Wisteria Lane is that a MAJOR character is going to be killed off in March.

Murders, suicides, natural disasters, accidents, and even death by a candlestick... we've seen it all. (And sometimes even repeatedly. Seriously, how many people have been run over? I've lost count.)

With the show on hiatus until February 12, let's discuss who the unfortunate corpse might be. I've listed a few candidates, along with odds of their last breath being taken this spring, below...

Mrs. McCluskey: She's been on the Lane since the beginning and knows a little too much for her own good. Whether it’s because of an illness or she’s simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, her death would equally affect each of the original cast members tremendously.
Odds: 3-1

Carlos: His death would wrap up the Alejandro murder storyline. We’ve hardly seen Carlos this season due to his immense guilt over what happened just last summer. Could he be slipping further away and drowning in alcohol to the extent that he’d take his own life? If so, it’d be a shame but also nothing new to Wisteria Lane.
Odds: 4-1

Mike: I’d hate to see Mike go, but he could have possibly crossed the line with that MOB-like man when trying to help out Ben. Seriously, what was he thinking? Will Mike pay the price when Ben can’t pay off his debt? For the sake of Susan and MJ, I hope not!
Odds: 10-1

Renee: Like Mike, Renee has Ben to thank for her spot on this list. The mafia dude knows about her millions from her divorce and isn’t afraid to get her involved. Aside from this factor, Renee has never had much of a storyline since she came onboard. She’d be missed, but for the sake of storytelling, not so much.
Odds: 20-1

Tom: Could Lynette handle even more distress? It would be a tragedy if something happened to Tom, but Lynette is a fighter. They’ve been separated all season long, and we’ve seen Lynette at her worst and best. If Tom was the chosen one, it’d be terribly sad; however, it’d be quite a story for Lynette.
Odds: 100-1

One of the Core Four (Bree, Gaby, Lynette or Susan): As much as I'd love an explosive shocker, I just don't think it will be one of the original Wisteria women to bite the bullet. It'd be far too cruel, and I want to believe that they will all be there as we bid farewell to Fairview in May. That’s just the way it has to be.
Odds: 150,000,000-1

Your turn, TV Fanatics: Who do you think won't make it to the finale?

Desperate Housewives Spoiler: Major Death to Come!

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:26:47 EST

Desperate Housewives is sort of limping to the finish line these days, as detailed in our review of Sunday's "What's the Good of Being Good?"

But it looks like ABC is about to seriously raise the stakes on the drama, as Entertainment Weekly reports, quite simply: a MAJOR character will be killed off in March.

That is the extent of the scoop, unfortunately, as the magazine just says the cast members were informed of the death this week and that the character in question will NOT be included on the May finale.

So, have at it, Wisteria Lane lovers: Who do you think it will be?

Desperate Housewives Review: Making Like Samantha

onlyxtina@gmail.com (Christina Tran) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:53:29 EST

Another week, another mediocre Desperate Housewives episode.

It’s the final season and I feel like I've been waiting for an epic installment all year long. Maybe the writers are saving the very best for last because tonight’s episode just didn’t cut it for me. Call me crazy, but I feel like we deserve so much better as longtime viewers and fanatics.

It was certainly raining men for Bree as her alcohol consumption continued to heighten. From one night stand to another, it felt like she was somehow channeling Samantha Jones from Sex and the City.

Mrs. McCluskey couldn’t help butting in and tattling to Reverend Sykes. Although I was glad to see the man of religion, Bree simply was not. I know that Bree’s storyline was meant to be a fun one, but I couldn’t help feeling underwhelmed and just sad that she was turning to alcohol and random men. It just wasn’t Bree.

However, I’ll admit the bake sale scene was definitely interesting. As onlookers stared in awe, Bree might as well have been wearing a scarlet letter.

By the way, what happened to her stalker from last week? Are we supposed to just forget about that mysterious lurking stranger? Also, could this person be connected to the unexplained notes that Bree received?

I also didn’t care much for Lynette’s storyline. With Tom still in Europe, Lynette went on a date with Renee’s hairdresser. I had a feeling she would somehow manage to ruin it, but I didn’t think it would end that badly. From creating five-year plans on a cocktail napkin to providing constructive criticism, Lynette was simply at her finest.

Meanwhile, I was definitely surprised how Ben’s proposal to Renee ended when he came clean about why he was actually trying to put a ring on it. It’s nice to know that he didn’t have the heart to deceive Renee, but he’s still clearly hiding something about his project. With a briefcase full of cash in tow, what do think Ben is up to? Is he putting both Mike’s family and Renee in danger?

Elsewhere: Claudia showed up at Susan’s doorstep wanting to know where the heck Alejandro was. In the midst of Claudia accusing Susan of having an affair with her missing husband, MJ made a rare appearance. Soon after, Gaby realized that she needed to clear things up and wanted to talk to Claudia about Alejandro.

I laughed out loud when Susan asked Claudia how she found her home, and Claudia sarcastically called her a “genius” for giving her a check with her address. Then, Gaby was talking about her clueless behavior and actions as she had trouble dealing with her guilt. Nevertheless, Susan’s heart is always in the right place, and I was glad she reached out to Marisa again.

It was heartbreaking when Gaby revealed what Alejandro did to her as a teenager. My heartstrings were tugged even more as Marisa broke down in her mother’s arms. It was such a sincere and touching moment that felt so incredibly real. Thanks to both Susan and Gaby, these two will hopefully be able to move on and get past what happened.

I almost thought that the Alejandro arc would all be over until Claudia made the remark to Gaby about the red wine and carpet. Maybe she has no idea, or maybe she got a disturbing vibe there was more to Gaby’s story. Will we ever know? It’s probably unlikely.

So, what did you think of "What's the Good of Being Good"? Do you love the new Bree? Will Ben find a way to make it up to Renee? Is it finally safe to believe that Alejandro’s death will forever be a secret now?

Desperate Housewives Review: More Questions, No Answers

onlyxtina@gmail.com (Christina Tran) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:10:32 EST

It’s hardly news that Desperate Housewives is in its final season, and, for that reason, I find myself wanting every episode to be incredibly amazing. Unfortunately, "Who Can Say What's True?" fell more on the boring side of things.

Although funny at times, an installment such as this one reminds me that it’s just time for this iconic show to end. Lately, it feels like the Fairview residents are running out of stories to tell.

There was hardly any resolution this week, while the mystery continued to unfold and we were bombarded with even more questions. Let’s discuss what went down…

While Susan nonchalantly wrote a check to Alejandro’s wife, I had the feeling that it was a terrible idea. Actually, it was a terrible idea before that, when she thought visiting the family was a good plan.

On one hand, I was glad that Susan reached out to Marisa. However, thanks to Susan, the Alejandro dilemma will now be far from over. Who’s guessing Alejandro’s wife will show up on Wisteria Lane in the near future?

With Susan out of town, Mike kept himself busy, discovering some inconsistencies with Ben’s real estate project. Ben has always been kind of shady and mysterious to me. I feel like we know so little about him as he plays the disappearing act incredibly well. There have been a number of episodes where he has been MIA with no explanation whatsoever.

It’s a shame that he’s now motivated and invested in his relationship with Renee simply because he found out about her money. I am dying to know what Ben’s intentions really are.

Meanwhile, I can’t say that I cared too much for Bree’s girls’ night out with Renee. However, what’s much more interesting is the person who was creeping outside her house and following her around at the bar. My guess is that Orson is back in town and will pay a visit to Bree very soon.

It’d make sense if it was him, as Bree definitely needs help and some light in her life. Orson could give that to her and get her back on track. By the way, where the heck has Andrew been?!?

One moment I definitely appreciated was the one between both Lynette and Gaby. With the man of the house out of sight, both housewives faced obstacles that would have been simpler if Tom and Carlos were around. It was nice to see that they were able to put their differences aside and be there for one another.

While it was funny watching Gaby scramble at the restaurant with Carlos’s clients, it wasn’t as much fun watching Lynette nearly break down to her kids. It’s been a tough number of months for Lynette, but she has been such a fighter. Regardless of her circumstances, she’s trying her best to be a single mom. Tom and Lynette’s storyline has been anything but easy to watch, but I'm truly enjoying it as Lynette continuously faces challenges relentlessly. Good for her!

Overall, this installment wasn’t the strongest and left us with only more questions rather than answers.

Who do you think is following Bree around? What’s up with Ben and the inconsistencies with his real estate project? Give your answers below and get an early look at next week's episode now!

Desperate Housewives Review: Bree's Got Mail... Again

onlyxtina@gmail.com (Christina Tran) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:00:53 EST

With the holidays over, Desperate Housewives wasted no time picking up right where we left off before the break.

I thought that "What's to Discuss, Old Friend" was fast-paced and will be pleased if the remainder of the season follows suit. There’s much to discuss, so let’s make haste and dive right in...

As news spread of Chuck Vance’s death, I kind of wished I had kept a Wisteria Lane death toll after all of these years. It’s safe to say it’s a little too late, but it’d be interesting to know the exact number of deaths throughout these years. Has anyone kept count?

Although it was expected and predictable, Chuck’s murder was just too convenient for my taste. Furthermore, couldn’t he have at least died in some other fashion? We’ve seen the hit-and-run scenario far too many times in Fairview. Come on writers, get creative.

I’ll admit I was just starting to like Chuck and wasn’t too excited about his sudden death. However, as the plot continues to thicken, I love where the storyline is heading and how the mystery is unraveling. While Bree, Gaby, Susan and Lynette were considering if Chuck’s accident was a coincidence or convenient, I knew better and thought that they should have, too. On another note, Gaby’s lack of concern for others and self-centeredness during this scene was annoying.

Sure, I get that it was a relief that Chuck’s dead, but he was also Bree’s boyfriend not too long ago. It was also no wonder that the other housewives weren’t quick to hold their breath and assumed that it was quite possible someone was trying to protect them.

Meanwhile, I appreciated all of the scenes between Renee and Bree. I figured that Bree wouldn’t go through with taking her life, but I was surprised it was Renee who saved her. The moments between these two newfound friends were touching, and it’s always nice to see how tragic events can make relationships stronger.

I also enjoyed the scenes with Lynette and Tom. I’m hoping that their continued time apart will only bring them back together by the series end. They’re Tom and Lynette – they’ve just got to find a way to work it out.

Then, there was Susan. If she thinks that going to Oklahoma will solve her guilty conscious issues, she should go. I definitely understand why she still feels uneasy about what happened, but it’s tiresome to see the same act repeatedly week in and week out. I predict that she's going to only find out more terrible things about the late Alejandro, and her guilty conscious simply won’t let up.

Did anyone else notice that Ben was MIA again?!? Seriously, what’s up with that? I can’t quite put my finger yet on any guesses as to how he’s involved, but I just have a hunch there’s much more to this mysterious character than we know.

All in all, this installment was a great way to kick off the second half of the final season. The nearly familiar and mysterious note to Bree was just icing on the interesting cake. The message gave a whole new meaning to “You’re Welcome.”

Who do you think left the unexplained note for Bree? Are you glad that Chuck is out of the picture? What do you think Susan will find in Oklahoma?

Desperate Housewives Midseason Report Card: B

onlyxtina@gmail.com (Christina Tran) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:01:06 EST

It's time for another TV Fanatic Report Card.

Before our writers take a break for the holidays, we've forced them to stop and evaluate many of the shows they cover. From handing out a B+ for Revenge to a B- for Supernatural, they're here to look back at what worked and ahead to what they hope will happen.

With that in mind, take it away, Christina Tran. Tell us how Desperate Housewives is faring halfway into its final season...

Desperate Housewives Winter Premiere Promo

Best Character: Chuck Vance has been an incredible addition to Fairview. It’s been easy to love to hate the creepy and sometimes scary detective. Ignited by a broken heart, Chuck’s definitely been the most interesting character and has kept me on the edge of my seat week in and week out. I’ve loved watching him try to solve Alejandro’s murder and making the ladies squirm. Heck, I’ll admit he makes me squirm!

Worst Character: Although Susan has been her typical self this season, she’s also certainly been considerably less tolerable lately. Blame it on the writers, but I’ve felt annoyed of her more than once. When she was clearly having trouble with dealing with her guilt, she acted ridiculously to do just about anything to get arrested. Then, there were her tell-all paintings clearly depicting the night of the murder. Honestly, I can’t help but to wonder what she’s thinking constantly.

One more thing: Remember the insinuating short-lived affair storyline between Carlos and Susan? That was just terrible.

Best Episode: After hearing over the summer that Desperate Housewives was coming to a close, I was undeniably upset and looked even more forward to the season premiere of “Secrets That I Never Want to Know." Moreover, this special installment reminded me that the more things changes, the more they stay the same. And it wasn’t until after this episode when I realized I was indefinitely ready for the Fairview farewell tour. Since then, I’ve had my tissue box nearby every Sunday night for any possible tears of sadness or happiness as we move to the second half of the season bidding adieu to our favorite housewives.

Best Unsolved Mystery: I must go with Bree’s strikingly familiar and still unexplained note, which noticeably resembled the same letter that Mary Alice received. Just in case you forgot what it said, here’s a reminder: I know what you did. It makes me sick. I’m going to tell. I seriously can’t wait to find out who the mysterious author is. Even more importantly, I’m dying to know how he/she is connected to Wisteria Lane and maybe even all of its dark secrets.

Most Mis/Underused Character: Renee. I’ve asked this on more than one occasion, and I’m asking it again: Why hasn’t Vanessa Williams been given an amazing continuing storyline? It’s sad to say that there are times when I forget that she is even on the show. I get that she is not one of the core four, but Renee could be so much more than just another neighbor.

Hopes for 2012: Like many of you, I want nothing short of a less than stellar concluding season for Desperate Housewives. Up ‘til now, this season been good, but not great. More often than not, the storylines have been predictable and the first half was moving a bit too slowly for my taste. I’m still craving for truly vintage Wisteria Lane moments, OMG-worthy moments and reasons to sincerely LOL.

We already know that Katherine, Orson and Julie will soon make an appearance while Danielle returned recently. I would like to also see Kayla, Zach, Grace and Andrew make it to the Fairview Farewell tour. Also, how great would it be to see flashbacks with the girls and Mary Alice?! I’ve missed those moments tremendously.

In 2012, I, of course, want the best of friends to be back together and would appreciate seeing them at their best – chatting it up on the sidewalk and also playing poker. I typically like my gifts wrapped neatly without a loose ribbon. My fingers are crossed for a similar ending for Desperate Housewives with much resolution and little mystery left to be resolved. I hope that Lynette and Tom make amends, Carlos pays for what he did and all of the dots are clearly connected amongst all the mystery and drama. From the mysterious note to even finding out who the heck Ben really is and what he knows, I want an ending where all the t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted.

Overall Grade: B

Agree? Disagree? Weigh in now with your own grade, TV Fanatics!

Desperate Housewives Spoilers: Pregnancy, Abortion to Come?!?

matt@tvfanatic.com (TV Fanatic Staff) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:14:43 EST

Desperate Housewives is preparing to go out with a bang. And not of the gunshot variety for once.

According to TV Guide sources, before the ABC drama says goodbye for good in May, one of the main residents in Wisteria Lane will get pregnant and, the report adds: "There's a very good chance she won't be keeping" the baby.

Whoa. Who will get knocked up? Does the second part of this tease mean she'll take care of it medically? Weigh the options, ponder the possibilities and watch the following promo for this show's January 8 return.

Desperate Housewives Winter Premiere Promo

Cameron Mathison to Guest Star on Desperate Housewives

matt@tvfanatic.com (TV Fanatic Staff) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:49:19 EST

Cameron Mathison is going from daytime soap to primetime... well, soap.

The long-time All My Children star will stop by Wisteria Lane next month for a stint on Desperate Housewives.

Look for Mathison to appear on one episode as a love interest for Bree, as he told Soaps in Depth this week:

“[Marcia Cross and I] have a couple of fun scenes. I really loved working with her... I really enjoyed the whole experience."

Who is Returnng to Desperate Housewives?

matt@tvfanatic.com (TV Fanatic Staff) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:32:40 EST

Desperate Housewives will stage a mini reunion at some point before it says goodbye this spring. According to TV Line, the following stars will return and reprise the following characters:

Dana Delany (pictured) as Katherine
Kyle MacLachlan as Orson
Andrea Bowen as Julie

ABC has not released a statement regarding these returns, and it's unknown at this time how long each character will stick around for, or what brings each back to Wisteria Lane.

Still... exciting news! Who are you most looking forward to seeing again?