"desperate housewives" season 2

During the last 10 minutes of the season two finale of Desperate Housewives, my heart was pounding because of all of the twists and unexpected shocks that occured and 10 minutes after the last seconds rolled, I was still shaking! I haven't experienced this since watching the finale of The Bund, which left me shaking and striken with sadness after you-know-what happened to Chow Yun Fat's character.

Housewives was on top of the world in its debut season and everyone was loving it - high ratings, rave reviews - you name it, it probably had it. Everyone was in high anticipation for the sophomore season. Season two was shocking all right - but to everyone's dismay, not shockingly good. Poor, loose, and not-so-interesting (a few even utterly ridiculous) storylines composed most of season two. However, I, as a fan, stuck with it all season long. Through the downs of the first couple episodes of season two, I've watched and felt Housewives rising again and the finale was a testament that it would be back to its high-quality form soon in season three.

Season two finale thoughts
The finale did a spectacular job at introducing the storylines for season three. While the two hour event wasn't as great as I thought it would be, it was the best way to wrap up this season. I didn't laugh all that much and some scenes felt too long and slow, but for the most part, we got a lot of movement and insight into the characters.

The Applewhites... if we cared about them as we do the other characters, the storyline would have been very poignant. As the "main" mystery, it just didn't work. There was no mystery besides the fact that they were "new" and we found out about their back-story way too quickly so there was no suspense like there was last season. Again, we don't care about the Applewhites as much as we did with Mary Alice and the Youngs and this is the main reason why the mystery didn't work. However, I can see where the writers were trying to take their storyline. Ultimately, it was the topic of mother-child love.

Betty (Alfre Woodard) could have been very interesting to watch if only they had written the Applewhites well. Having a mentally retarded child is not easy. Alfre Woodard did a great job with the scenes they gave her. Unfortunately, she was very under-used. I liked how they gave Matthew (Mehcad Brooks) another layer in the flashback when he killed Melanie Foster. He did it for his family and to protect his brother. That was a nice touch and I feel sorry for him that his mother didn't believe him or knew why he did it. The scene before Betty called the cops on Matthew was very sad. He confessed that he was afraid she wouldn't protect him and insisted that she loved Caleb more than him. She responded that she did - but only because Caleb would only receive love from her. Matthew would be able to find love elsewhere. Betty also said she would protect him too, but he just didn't believe her. Anyways, I'm glad the Applewhites are gone now because this means more screentime for the characters that we love.

My, my, my - who would ever have thought that the guy who Susan (Teri Hatcher) used randomly to pretend to be her date at the movie theater would turn out to be so interesting and above all else - creepy? I never expected Orson (Kyle MacLachlan) to do everything that he did in the finale. From hitting Mike (James Denton) with his car to pursuing Bree at the end - what does this guy want? I'm so curious to find out more about his character and past. He seems to have something to do with Mike when he was in jail. Who is the lady that he visits at the mental institution? What does he want with Bree? Wasn't he suppose to be a love interest for Susan? I'm personally thankful that he's not going to be another love interest for Susan because that would have been a waste. Susan's love life is way complicated as it is. Orson's character has so much mystery attached and I'm hopeful that the anticipation and build-up will be worth it.

I do not believe that Nora (Kiersten Warren) and Tom (Doug Savant) just had a one-night stand and he has another child. It can't be that simple. It just can't. The show would not be Desperate Housewives if it was. I still think that Tom and Nora have something more. In season one, Tom confessed that he did something so horrible that if Lynette found out, she would never forgive him. How is a one-night stand years before he met Lynette "so horrible" that she won't forgive him? I just don't buy it. I'm sure he's been having this second family during the time he was with Lynette. The whole ordeal just seems too fishy to be that simple. I'm sure that the writers have some twists up their sleeves for this storyline... I hope.

I'm liking the whole deal with Nora and Tom's daughter moving close to Wisteria Lane next season. It's going to be interesting. Lynette versus Nora in the finale was hilarious. The scene at the diner with "raising voices" and the bit in their dining table - very funny. "One big family" huh? We'll see how that plays out...

Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) and Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) have proven to be the couple on Wisteria Lane with the most laughs. The finale was no different. Gabby getting suspicious of Carlos and Xiao-Mei (Gwendoline Yeo), her attempts to find evidence of their affair, and her ultimate knowledge that he was cheating on her was all so funny. It was, however, sad too because he was cheating on her with the woman who was carrying their baby! Yes, Gabrielle did give him "permission" to cheat to set the scores even between them but that doesn't mean he should accept! More so - I felt that Xiao-Mei and Carlos were connecting on an emotional level and this threatened Gabby more than the sex. I loved the flashback with John (Jesse Metcalfe) and I hope he comes back next season. I think John really cares for Gabby and she just seems so happy with him. It was nice to see why, when, and where Gabby first cheated on Carlos with John. In a way, it's understandable. He was never around and she was feeling lonely. (I'm not saying it was right though.) I can't wait to see the "war" between Xiao-Mei and Gabrielle next season. I have a feeling that Xiao-Mei will not take things lying down...

Was I glad when Bree (Marcia Cross) escaped from the mental hospital or what?! When I saw that she checked herself in, I was shocked. I couldn't imagine them doing episode upon episode with her in the mental institution. How limited would that be? And when we finally saw her in the mental hospital in the finale, I felt so sorry for Bree. She has a lot of issues and she needs help. I don't like how she keeps everything balled up inside of her. I'm afraid she'll crack... Bree's been through so much from her childhood to now. It looks like she'll have even more in store next season. Marcia Cross deserves an Emmy for her fine work this season. I cheered when Bree escaped and I gasped when she went into her house and saw Danielle (Joy Lauren) and Matthew. I prayed that nothing would happen to Bree or Danielle (if she died, Bree would be crushed!). The showdown between Bree and Matthew with the gun pointed at her head was very suspenseful and sad. Her willingness to sacrifice herself for Danielle was touching and brave. She didn't want to give up on Danielle like she did with Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom). Shawn Pyfrom has done a great job with the role of Andrew. I'm not sure how they're going to continue his character when he returns. More plotting against his mother would be too old. We've seen so much of that this season that any more would be stale. I hate how Andrew constantly hurts his mother and doesn't try to understand her. Yes, she's controlling and a bit nuts, but she does care for him. I felt his actions were a bit "much." I hope Bree and Andrew will be on good terms later on.

Susan buying herself a trailer home was hilarious. She was so determined to show that she could be independent and that she didn't need anyone. But then, Karl (Richard Burgi) appeared and bought them a new home. I was disappointed that Susan accepted it but it was for the better of Julie (Andrea Bowen). I was glad that Mike and Susan were going to get back together. Susan was so giddy that he still loved her and that he bought her an engagement ring. The scene where she was bugging him about the ring was too much and a bit "annoying" on her part. She seemed so selfish and during the fight between Karl and Mike - she seemed to care more about Karl than Mike. I'm happy that Susan and Karl got divorced (again) but I know he will never be rid from her life and I'm glad. The Karl/Susan relationship is just great. It was sad how Susan was waiting hopelessly for Mike to show up for their date - when she was going to pop the question. Here's hoping that Susan becomes more interesting next season.

I didn't care too much for Zach (Cody Kasch) nor Paul (Mark Moses) nor Noah (Bob Gunton). I'm not sure where they're taking that storyline. Noah daring Zach to kill him was pretty much what Zach needed to actually kill him. It'll be interesting to see what Zach will do now that he owns the entire Taylor estate. The relationship with Zach and Paul started to break down once Mary Alice killed herself and Zach found out the truth. I think Paul does care for Zach, but more so for himself. I can understand why Zach became disgusted with him in the scene where he begged Zach to help him. Yes, they raised and loved him - but they killed his mother! I hope Paul gets charged with Martha Huber's murder and I'm praying that Felicia Tillman (Harriet Sansom Harris) will return to the face of the Earth soon.

The flashbacks were well done and tied in nicely with the current scenes. Susan was cute and funny (not tedious). Lynette's frustration at getting pregnant over and over again was so hilarious. Bree was so happy back then. Gabby had so much hope with her marriage. Actually, life was much simpler for everyone on Wisteria Lane back then. Now everything's just so complicated and dark... but that makes for juicy and captivating television I guess. I love it when we get to see instead of just hear Mary Alice (Brenda Strong) because she is really pretty. Brenda does a great job when she's on-screen (as when she's off-screen narrating).

Season two overall thoughts
Susan - where to begin with her? According to Teri Hatcher herself, her character has had no "real storyline" this season. I think that's pretty much true. She went from finding her real dad to marrying her ex-husband again for health insurance. Susan was all over the place! The "estranged father" storyline seemed too manipulated and came out of nowhere. I enjoyed the storyline with Karl the most because Susan knows for sure now that it was the right decision to leave him and to never get back together. I'm glad Karl still has feelings for Susan though because the love/hate relationship between the two is just so funny to watch. They are sweet together, but not so much as a couple. I loved the fact that Edie (Nicollette Sheridan) burned down Susan's house because it's only fair. After all, Susan burned down her house last season! I found it odd that Susan and Mke were going to get engaged. They've been apart all year and now they're suddenly going to get engaged because Susan found out that Mike still cares for her? I guess the feelings between the two are so deep that even though they've separated, they couldn't stop loving each other. I've enjoyed Susan's scenes the least this season because there's just no real "substance" behind her storylines. Teri did a great job with what she had, but I hope that next season the writers will give her character stories worthy of her acting!

Gabrielle's storylines have been the most enjoyable and gave the most laughs this season. From the nun to the baby craze, Gabby's been as hilarious as always. I was shocked that she had a miscarriage because Marc Cherry had said that Gabby would find out the father of her baby by the end of the year. In a way, I'm glad the storyline was changed because I've seen the original storyline many times in the past already. Gabby and Carlos's chemistry has grown and the two are so good to watch. Eva Longoria's skills have matured to match how hot she looks on-screen. I like the layers that they added to her character to explain her materialism and self-centeredness. She seems to have grown, but with Gabby - it's lost the next day (or in this case - episode).

I miss Rex. I really do. Seeing the flashbacks of Rex and Bree in the fnale made me realize how much I missed his character. Bree was so happy back then with him and the chemistry between the two was amazing. I loved their bickering. Bree's storylines have been the most developed this year and her character had the most substance. She dealt with losing her husband, finding out that her boyfriend poisoned her husband, alcoholism, and her son's absolute hatred of her. I felt so sorry for Bree because she was so lonely. I loved how her character kept breaking down and her facade continued to fade. Her alcoholism developed because she had no one to talk to - no one to understand and love her. Without Rex, Bree was lost. She needed comfort and support, which the alcohol gave her. I liked how Bree's alcoholism developed gradually and you could see its development. Poor Bree! What I liked about her dating Peter was that she was so free and didn't care about what anyone thought. The scene where Bree leaves Andrew was heartbreaking. She told him she wasn't strong enough to live with him anymore. It was a first for Bree - giving up. The problem with Bree is that she is too uptight and self-conscious about appearances that she forgets what really matters. I'm worried about her dating Orson next season though! However, Marc Cherry promises happier days for Bree, so I'm excited. Hopefully Bree's pairing with Orson will be better than George and Peter.

I loved Lynette last season when she was a stay-at-home mom. Felicity Huffman is so good with her kids and her storylines with motherhood were hilarious. The office scenes that she had didn't compare. Some office storylines were funny but others were downright boring and ridiculous. I'm so glad Lynette is going to be staying at home more often next season. I don't know if it was the whole office environment that separated Lynette from the other housewives or if it was how poorly her office co-workers were written - but I just didn't enjoy them that much compared to her scenes last season. Next season, I think Lynette will be more enjoyable. I'm glad her storyline has some "soap" to it now.

Where is the storyline that Marc Cherry promised for Edie?! I've been waiting since November but there's still nothing. They've been promising Edie her own storyline for so long and I hope this materializes soon. Nicollette Sheridan is so funny and enjoyable to watch. This season, there's been less and less of Edie, but when she appears, it's magic. I loved the fact that Edie dated Karl because she became connected to Susan, which was funny. I was upset that they made the Karl and Edie relationship so hollow. I hope that she will get back with Karl because Edie's scenes with Susan are great. Here's to more Edie next season!

As a whole, season two has been inferior to season one. However, it isn't that bad. I still see glimpses of the magic of season one and I hope the writers can tap into that magic and energy again next season. Even though I'm disappointed with season two, I have to admit that Sunday's at 9 has never been boring and I've never missed an episode. It has never failed to entertain me. It's still funny and interesting (for the most part) and very enjoyable. I couldn't imagine my life without Desperate Housewives (well, until the show's over anyways). The things that bother me about season two are that the housewives don't spend that much time together, the stories aren't linked (it feels very fractured), and that the storyline seems to have lost focus. The season's been all over the place - some good, others bad. First season, they had such a clear goal and this season they were trying to figure out where they stand now. I think they've figured it out as season two progressed, which explains why the season got better and better.

Final finale comments
I don't mean to sound shallow, but some casting for the finale was questionable. Couldn't they have picked a more attractive actress for the role of "Nora?" The actress who is playing her is doing well, but she's hard to stomach on-screen. I agree with Lynette - what was Tom thinking when he had a one-night stand with her? As for "Melanie Foster" - isn't she white? I was shocked when they had an Asian girl play her. She wasn't attractive either and didn't do all that well. I'm so glad that Xiao-Mei is going to become more important next season. It's so nice to see a Asian (especially not American born!) get a role in one of TV's hottest shows. Gwendoline is doing so well and I'm very happy for her. She's definitely one of the better actress selections this season - she's hot.

Is Mike dead? What is up with Orson? What is his motive for attempting to kill Mike? Who is the lady he visits in the mental institution - the one who won't talk even though he speaks to her for hours? What is the history behind Mike and Orson? Will Bree get hurt once again now that she's letting Orson into her life [next season]? What about Lynette, Tom, and Nora? Gabrielle and Carlos - will they make up? Will Gabby finally get her baby or does Xiao-Mei have some tricks up her sleeves? Susan and Mike - will they ever get together? When will Karl give up on Susan? Will Susan finally have a storyline next season? So many questions!

I have full confidence that season three will rock the TV world. It's going to be one long summer waiting for the season three premiere, but I think that Marc Cherry and crew will get their creative juices running during the hiatus and write the almost perfect quality that was season one again. They've gone down hard and I think they will work much harder to climb back up. From the amount of questions that I have at the end of season two, they certainly have the potential for much more storylines and entertainment for us. I'll definitely be tuning in.