'Desperate Housewives': More Secrets and Lies
Last night's episode, "Art Isn't Easy," was a lot about politics and, of course, alliances and persuasion. New neighbors Bob and Lee added a sculptured fountain to their front yard, which upset Susan because the noise bothered hubby Mike. Odd, isn't it: some people like white noise and say it is soothing and helps them sleep? And what did you think of that fountain. I kind of liked it, though it looked like it would be more at home in a museum than in someone's front yard.
Returned neighbor Katherine saw the battle over the fountain as an opportunity to take control of the neighborhood association. Lynette (with some prompting from Bob & Lee) realized her kids' treehouse might be threatened if the association rules were strictly followed, so she decided to run against Katherine for association president. The campaigns were among the funniest fare in the episode: Among the vote-getting gambits, Katherine is seen changing a neighbor's tire and Lynette has her son's massaging a neighbor's feet while Lynette asks for support.
And in the tie-breaking vote, Susan breaks with her long-time friend and chooses Katherine as association president. Eventually, Lynette understands -- but would it really go down that way in real life? Enough with Susan's I-can't-make-a-decision-to-save-my-life act. Why does everyone forgive her so easily?
Meanwhile, Bree has launched her own campaign -- trying to wrest daughter Danielle (who's only now turning 18? Hasn't she been o the show, like, forever?) from ex-mother-in-law Phyllis. Using bribes and pointing out grandma's weaknesses (her heart!, her ancient friends!), Bree apparently gets Danielle to switch sides -- and go back to the original plan of passing off her baby as Bree's. There's a bit of a compromise when Bree says she might let Grandma (actually great-grandma) Phyllis come and baby-sit on Saturday nights -- and she'll tell her friends that she's doing it because Phyllis needs the money. And when Phyllis asks if she can't say that she's doing it because they are friends -- Bree delivers one of the most delicious retorts -- something along the lines of keeping it real so her friends will believe her!
And, Carlos and Gaby are meeting for a tryst: Gaby runs into her former gardener/lover John at the hotel. When John knocks at the hotel room door, Gaby sends Carlos to hide in the closet (and there's some neat camera work watching Gaby through the shutters). John leaves; Gaby and Carlos argue -- of course, that's what they do best -- or maybe second best, after sex. Carlos later finds John and apologizes. Whaat?? Any insights into this action, DHers? This seemed totally odd and out of left field. Are they setting up something for a future story with Carlos and John or was this just a way to dangle eye candy Jesse Metcalfe (John) in front of viewers and drop him? And, is it just me, or did Metcalfe's eyebrows grow in a bit?
Someone has been tailing Gaby -- and takes photos of her with Carlos in an impassioned kiss. Turns out Edie has the evidence -- and that will unfold in future episodes. Since Gaby saw the truck outside her window earlier and assumed her hubby was spying on her it seems a bit implausible that she would make out with Carlos in front of the window -- where peeping eyes and a telephoto lens could see them. How could she have forgotten? Oh right, it's a soap; this furthers the plot. As will the circumstances surrounding the reasons Katherine and her family left Chicago, information that Bob and Lee have and use to get Katherine to soften her stance on the statue.
So, how did the episode play? Are the new/returning neighbors adding strength to the show? Do you want to see more stories on John, the former gardener? Which characters are you most interested in and why? And did the whole homeowners association bit ring true?
-- Judith S. Gillies
Nancy Kerr
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October 29, 2007; 9:03 AM ET
Desperate Housewives
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Posted by: jes | October 29, 2007 12:14 PM
The fountain certainly didn't match the architectural style of the house. There goes another stereotype.
Posted by: Frank Lloyd Wrong | October 29, 2007 2:30 PM
i wish they'd bring john back full time on this show. i loved watching him and eva.
Posted by: arlington | October 29, 2007 3:39 PM
People forgive Susan because she is pretty. If she looked like Mrs. McCluskey or Ida Greenberg - no. She'd be used as a babysitter but not forgiven.
Posted by: Jean | October 29, 2007 4:36 PM
More Bob and Lee, less Susan.
Posted by: BLH | October 29, 2007 9:18 PM
Katherine taking over the neighborhood association rings so true of my condo board. They become evil, a way to get power. The mismanagement is rampant and we have no real control over it, we might have to look for secrets too.
Posted by: NTn DC | October 29, 2007 10:53 PM
Questionably Hispanic John's eyes also appear to be blue now. He needs to lose the facial hair. He just looks weird now.
Katherine's character is the main reason I fear the suburban dream (to me, a nightmare): stay-at-home soccer moms with nothing better to do with their time than stick their noses in everyone else's business. I don't know what Bob and Lee were thinking when they moved into Stepford. They're way too interesting (I love the blonde one, whichever his name is, he's so deliciously nasty) for this small town.
Posted by: Mona | October 30, 2007 2:19 AM
In my opinion I think Tuc Watkins is a great addition to DH. I'm not sure what his name is though on the show, is it Bob or Lee, regardless he's the dark haired one. Amazing! He was great on One Life to Live!
I can't wait to see what happens with Edie and Carlos...when she's up to no good she's at her best!
I'm over Katherine already - its boring. She's so rude!
I'm loving the show though - it has definitely bounced back from Season 2.
Posted by: Love Tuc Watkins | October 30, 2007 3:59 PM
Still love the show! Susan makes me nuts sometimes too but that's been her character from the very beginning. Actually could care less if John ever reappeared but I'm sure there's a story there. Wondering if Edie's gonna whack Carlos before he whacks her?
Posted by: WI | October 30, 2007 4:12 PM
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ok, he has changed, I thought they'd gotten someone else to play John. The reason Carlos apologized to John was the comment Gabby made to him about him basically now being John (who also hid in Gabby's closet once).