In 2004 the world was taken by storm by a show that would change Sunday nights with its mystery, drama, and comedy. That show was "Desperate Housewives". In 2004 we had no idea that the show would have an eight year run till 2012. Oddly even with an eight year run it goes through a span of thirteen years due to a five year jump starting at the last moments of season 4. This gave the dramady the chance to create itself in a way other shows haven't. I remember the first episode like it was yesterday. Sadly on May 13th 2012 we said goodbye to a show that I know will stand the test of time. I am writing this because some may have forgotten events but mainly I truely believe that for years to come it will continue to attract attention. As such series still do today as "Dallas", "Star Trek", MASH, "I Love Lucy" just to mention a few. Now after eight great years we have said farewell to a great piece of television history. So as hard as it is I am going to give my opinions on my favorite show of all time. Before reading understand I have seen every episode at least 50 times and Season 8 which has not been released yet I have the whole season DVR'd so I have seen those many as well. I am going to rate my opinions of best to worst...... but I want to note I do not feel in anyway that any season is bad. I will just give the reasons I came to my descions. Before I do that I feel It Only Fair To Credit The Ladies Who Made This Show So Entertaining for us all
Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer/Delfino
Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo
Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Camp/Hodge
Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis
Nicholette Sheredan as Edie Britt/Williams
Alfre Woodard as Betty Applewhite
Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair
Drea De Matteo as Angie Bolen
and
Vanessa Williams as Renee Perry
I am going to start with the weakest and move to strongest seasons as well as on each season list what I feel are the 3 strongest episodes and 3 weakest episodes. There is only one episode I feel is bad, and I will explain why when I get to its season.
Season 3- This for me was the shows weakest season, but I must say had one of the best episodes of the entire series. The reason for me I feel it is the weakest is the last third is duller than the show has ever been. Although with that being said I did enjoy having much more airtime of Edie. That is one flaw this season does not have. Her storylines in this season were by a landslide her best, sadly if Marcia Cross wouldn't have missed so many episodes (due to her expecting a child at the time) I don't think we really would have had these plots with Edie. I also felt the Karen McCluskey subplot about her dead husband being put in the freezer were down right corny. I liked the Lynette and Rick subplot but to follow it up with Lynette having cancer seemed rushed. Finally as bittersweet as the finale was with Susan and Mike getting married. This to me was the weakest finale.This season also felt like the finale was in the middle with Orson saving Bree from his crazy mother played wonderfully by Dixie Carter. After that it seems to have turned in different directions. Now for the good stuff about season 3. Dixie Carter gave an amazing portrayal of Orsons mother Gloria. I think the episode 7 "Bang" is one of the best episodes of the entire show. At first I enjoyed the Susan and Ian subplot but halfway through the season Ian just became too clingy. Ian started as a great Mike has met his match to who will be be with Susan but ended up so insecure that he ended nothing like he stared. Nora was a very interesting role and brilliantly played. The great thing about the role of Nora was she was the first victim of what would come to be known as the tragedy episodes which ran fro seasons 3-7.I personally loved that the subplot of the hero man who saved Lynettes life ended up being a child molester. This was a great way to show in all good there is bad. So in the end much was still great but after episode 16 it all went to hell besides Edie. Also one last note..... This was the season of Carlos and Gaby's divorce. Which led to interesting subplots, yet never totally pan out till season 4.
Strongest Episodes
"Bang"
"The Miracle Song"
"Nice She Ain't"
Weakest
"Liasions"
"Gossip"
"In The Woods"
Season 5- This was the year that started the five year jump..... which personally think was a excellent idea. I also feel this was the season Felicity Huffman gave her best performance on the series.The subplots all work and everything went well except three major things. Number One: If you couldn't figure out the mystery about Dave Williams by the end of episode one..... you are just dumb....... Number two I hate to say it because in reality the episode was amazing but the 100th episode had the most noticeable flaw of the entire series " The episode was about the death of Eli the handyman of the lane but it totally is not good because in Season 3's episode " Bang" it shows Lynette talking to Mary Alice only seconds before Mary Alice shoots herself. In the 100th episode Mary Alice was having a creepy yet heartwarming conversation with Eli. Which makes for a major mistake in editing. I noticed it the night it aired.The episode itself is a beautiful episode and something very special for the show. If not for the editing. With that being said editing on that episode killed the entire episode. Number Three I didn't dislike the Orson being a thief storyline, but it went on to long. Now the for the good stuff.... The acting in this season was amazing from all the guest stars especially Lily Tomlin. I think killing Edie off was a good thing because she had an entire episode about her life. No other housewife has had that. I loved the Porter and his best friends mom subplot. This season had only a few lows but all came together with almost no holes in the plot. There was a period in the middle of the season for a span of slow episodes. These were the episodes 101,102, and 103. The plot got very slow moving but in the end it delivered. Honestly without these small flaws I would have ranked season 5 higher,but it out of all the seasons runs the most slowly although it leaves no holes in the plot.
Strongest Episodes
"A Vision Is Just A Vision"
"Look Into Their Eyes And See What They Know"
"Mirror Mirror"
Weakest
"Mama Spent Money When She Had None"
"The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened" 100th episode (but only due to editing issues)
"In A World Where The Kings Are Employers"
Season 1- I know I am alone here......... so I will make this brief. Great season but has more of the weakest (not bad) episodes of the series. It capivated us all from the pilot and had the best mystery of the show. It just should have been about four episodes shorter with no fashion show, no Gabby as a saleswoman, no Mike getting shot in the stomach and still going to dinner on valentines day, and much less George and Bree time. Although as many of these plotlines were very enetertaining some just feel like filler.This season also should be awarded as the most black comedy of all the seasons. Lynette taking childrens ADD medication, Andrew getting caught in a pool making out with a boy, and the darkest humor of all Filicia Tillman. The George subplot of trying to get close to Bree while poisoning her husband Rex was done well. I just feel the scenes with her and George alone were a little to much comedy and a few two many of them. No doubt about it though if you are a Teri Hatcher comedy fan this is the season for you. I look at Season One as a setup for an amazing series giving just enough of a taste without having the main course.My final comment on this season is one episode 4 " Who's That Woman" on DVD there is an extended version of this episode that is about slightly longer that is much better than the version aired. As far as the DVD goes for special features this Season takes the cake.
Strongest Episodes
"One Wonderful Day"
"Guilty"
"Pilot"
Weakest
"Love Is In The Air"
"Suspicious Minds"
"Your Fault"
Season 2- This season is beyond underrated...... I loved every episode with only one kind of weak episode. Bree's alcoholism, Susan finding her real father, Lynette's bitch boss, Lynette's crybaby boss, Edie burning down Susan's house, Gabby letting go of the grief of her lost child due to falling down the stairs. Which leads to my all time favorite DH moment. When Gabby is in the park and lets go of the balloon to heal the pain of her child that never was born. The only problem was the Applewhite mystery being far to spread out. Alfre still kicked her role out of the water. This was a good mystery plotline and Alfre did the best with her limited airtime. When all the pieces finally come together it is a superb mystery. Sadly this was the season where the mystery got lost and the subplots took the cake . Sad shame too because Alfre as Betty Applewhite was a very interesting and unique role to the series.This has classic scenes just people forgot because the mystery got lost a little.Other great moments include Rex's funeral, Gabby's fight with a nun, John Rowlands mother getting revenge on Gabby for sleeping with her underage son, Bree letting George die, Felicia framing Paul Young, Alfre blackmailing Bree, and Lynette dancing on top of a bar loaded with men. I feel you got to really learn who the women were at this point in there lives and that this season dug deeper into every role much more than season 1.Some people complain that this season lost their interest due to very few scenes of the ladies all together. It sparked mine instead. I loved getting to know them on more of a personal level and I also feel the husbands and families were used much better here. Seemingly feeling more as part of the show and not just filler. This is also the evil Andrew Van De Camp season. Shawn Pyfrom portrays his role of being a devil child in this season superbly.
Strongest Episodes
"The Sun Don't Set"
"It Wasn't Meant To Happen"
"That's Bad That's Good"
Weakest
"Silly People"
"Coming Home"
"Don't Look At Me"
Season 7- This season was set up perfectly and dealt with adult themes that only adults could understand. I have met someone who went through a baby swap and it killed her brain .Gabby with the doll I personally loved it and thought the story went well. Bringing back Gabby's step dad was pure genious and very compelling. Renee was a perfect edition to the cast and Susan starts with down right humor in her webcam job but after riot just stole the show with emotions of fear. Bree went through several obstacles with Kieth and Andrew and Orson. Lynette struggling with having her new infant and sadly disconnection from Tom. Also I love that the mystery to this season and this season only didn't start until the final two episodes which was the cliffhanger of Carlos killing Gabby's stepfather for almost raping her again. When the season started you were to thing Paul Young was the mystery, but we were fooled and this turned out to be a ten episode long subplot leading to an amazing tragedy episode. Another great thing is about season 7 is in season 1 Tom was telling his father he had a secret and if she ever found out it would awful. It took till this season to find out that the secret was he had slept with Lynette's friend Renee while he was engaged to her. Brilliantly done as by the end of the season Tom and Lynette are seperated This season also gave very strong supporting performances. Most of all Emily Bergel who played Beth Young. Very strong mature season.
Strongest Episodes
"Down The Street There's a Riot"
"A Humilliating Buisness"
"Come On Over For Dinner"
Weakest
"You Must Meet My Wife"
"Flashback"
"I'm Still Here"
Season 4- This Season was when I knew the show was going places and was going to stay there from a weak season three to a strong strong season four. It almost works better that this was the screenwritters year to strike because it took this season down to 17 episodes instead of 23 as usual. The pace is perfect the acting is stunning the subplots are out of this world. Justine Batemans role of a drug dealer was an amazing add on towards the end. Kayla played Rachel Fox added so much fuel to the Scavo family.The new neighbors Bob and Lee played by Tuc Watkins and Kevin Rahm brought a great gay element to the show. Above all Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair gave a very intense element to this series in this season at this point. The tornado hitting the lane will never be forgotten as lives changed forever.Nothing Negative to say at all about this season except for such a strong wonderful bounce back from Season 3 the Special Features on the DVD were not what I expected. With only 17 episodes I expected more special features instead when get several good commentaries and a few so-so extras but that is about it. This was also the only season to date that the discs do not have a picture of one of the discs. As usually the ladies are each given a disc with a picture of one of them on it. Which really kind of was a let down to me. Outside of that excellent season.
Strongest Episodes
"Free"
"Opening Doors"
"The Game
Weakest
"Sunday"
"Hello Little Girl"
"In Buddy's Eyes"
Season 8- It was a very, very, very, close call between this and my top pick.This season was going to be a few notches lower till the last third. Then out of of the sky it took off like a ball of fire. From start to finish it glazes the show with magic. The writing leaves no holes and every piece that didn't fit in other seasons finally fit together.I am not going to write much other than how I feel. This made me so proud to see a show leave with class. The finale is a masterpiece. Mike's murder, Renee's wedding, Ben's sneakiness, Susan's breakdowns, Bree's relapse, Lynette struggling with being single, and Gaby dealing with Carlos' meltdown into alcohol all lead to a beautiful bookend to the series. Even Katherine's return to the finale was an amazing touch. My only complaint is I hated Jane. I mean I could not stand her at all. Everytime I saw her on screen I wanted to throw up. This was a amazing bookend to season 1. I struggled with this and my top pick. This DVD will be released September 23rd 2012.
Strongest Episodes
"Give Me The Blame-Finishing The Hat"
"Suspicion Song"
"School Of Hard Knocks"
Weakest
"Putting It Together"
"Witches Lament"
"She Needs Me"
Finally what I feel is the best as far as plotlines mystery and overall complexity not being overly complicated. Season 6- This was a majorly underrated season with two mysteries one involving the Bolens and one involving the fairview strangler. Drea De Matteo made every scene she was in work. Katherines meltdown was some of the best female acting ever filmed. Especially on episode 10 in the hospital. This was also the season with the ultimate DH cliffhanger who's child was swapped at birth. I also enjoyed this season because it involved the young adults of Westeria Lane giving it more leading cast than any other season. This didn't complicate anything at all. It added a richness that the show has never and yet to have since. As for the DVD. I have no idea why on earth the special features are so bad. To date this is the worst on Special Features. What on earth they were thinking I have no clue. This was also the season that the packaging was changed to a cheeper form and continued this format on season 7. I really was let down with the special features. I feel Drea De Matteo could have had an interview as this is the only season she appears. This was also the first season with no commentaries. They missed the mark on the DVD but the season is and will always remain my top pick for DH at it's finest.Great Season #1 by far.
Strongest Episodes
"I Guess This Is Goodbye"
"Don't Walk On The Grass"
"Lovely"
Weakest
"If......"
"How About A Friendly Shrink"
"Empathy"
NOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!- This is the only Season I found it hard to list the weakest episodes!
So my recap best to worst
6,8,4,7,2,1,5,3
Now I am going to rank what I feel are the top 25 episodes
25- That's Bad, That's Good -Season 2
24- Women And Death -Season 8
23-Something's Coming -Season 4
22- Would I Think Of Suicide? - Season 6
21-We All Deserve To Die- Season 6
20- Suspicion Song - Season 8
19- Lovely - Season 6
18- Piot - Season 1
17- The Game - Season 4
16- Opening Doors - Season 4
15- Guilty - Season 1
14- The Miracle Song - Season 3
13- Don't Walk On The Grass - Season 6
12- A Humilliating Business - Season 7
11-It Wasn't Meant To Happen - Season 2
10- Look Into Their Eyes and See What They Know - Season 5
9- A Vision Is Just A Vision - Season 5
8- Free -Season 4
7- One Wonderful Day -Season 1
6- School Of Hard Knocks - Season 8
5- The Sun Won't Set - Season 2
4- Give Me The Blame-Finishing The Hat - Season 8
3-Down The Street There's A Riot- Season 7
2- Bang - Season 3
1- I Guess This Is Goodbye - Season 6
Thanks for reading ......... Please give feedback negative or positive
