Desperate Housewives: Best Episode Ever
November 6th, 2006
Leave it to Laurie Metcalf (ROSEANNE) to deliver what may have been the most exciting episode of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ever. Yes, we all knew it was coming, as the press has been talking about it all week — but seriously “WOW”. I never expected DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES to leave me on the edge of my seat. That level of excitement is generally reserved for the likes of ALIAS and 24.
Serious kudos (and possible Emmy Nods) must go out to guest stars Laurie Metcalf (Carolyn Bigsby) and Kiersten Warren (Nora). Their final scene together had me holding my breath. While I definitely knew Nora was a goner the minute Lynette outed her as a ‘whore’, I had no idea as to how quickly Nora would go. It was truly shocking. I never thought I’d feel so much sympathy for Nora — of course she was brutally shot in the chest, so had I not felt anything, I probably would have some issues!
The aftermath of the shootout will no doubt be as fascinating to watch as the hostage crisis itself. I can’t wait to see how Lynette deals with an unexpected daughter and the guilt of somewhat being responsible for Nora’s death.
A few other comments about the episode:
- I can’t stand Susan’s daughter. While I knew it wasn’t going to happen, it would have been fantastic for a bullet to have found its way towards Julie.
- I loved how the new neighbor on Wisteria Lane found himself in the middle of the crisis. I think it would be a great gag for Mary-Alice’s house to remain somewhat cursed, with new neighbors constantly moving in for an episode. Sort of like MURPHY BROWN’S secretary.
- I love Gaby and Carlos. They are the Tom & Jerry of couples. Their fight was entertaining, as well as heartfelt. No doubt they’ll end up with each other as they’re a match made in heaven. 
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Todd Williard Says:
November 6th, 2006 at 7:56 am
A few responses, split up by suptopic:
Excitement: I’ve been very critical of Desperate Housewives ever since last season, but I have to admit, this was an exciting episode with some unexpected turns. It’s a bit of a coincidence that about four or five Wisteria Laners were all held hostage at the same time, when a crazed gunwoman just happens to be shooting the place up. So, the plotting was overly convenient but exciting nonetheless.
Carolyn Shooting Nora: That was the main unexpected turn I’m talking about. Carolyn was obviously crazed, but who knew she was *that* crazy. In fact, it was so cold-blooded that she was probably quite a bit unstable even before learning of her husband’s infidelity. I’ve read on the internet that most people hated the Nora character, so I wonder if her death is a gift to those fans or if it was planned all along.
Emmy-Worthy Performance???: In a way, I think the Emmy should go to Felicity Huffman for her performance in the hostage scenes as well as her door-kicking confrontation with Nora in the previous episode. However, I think the melodramatic dream sequence that ended this episode felt a little forced and fake, diminishing the impact of the previous scenes.
Guilt: I think Bree will suffer some guilt too. Revealing to Carolyn her husband’s affair was the thing that set Carolyn off in the first place. If Bree hadn’t said anything, no one would have been shot, scared to death, or in need of counseling.
Julie: I actually like Julie. I think there’s a shortage of brainy, mature, responsible, well-behaved teenagers on television. However, I don’t like the subplot of her hooking up with Edie’s nephew. I liked it a lot better when Julie was resisting his advances, the whole time worried that her resistance would wear down in a future episode. I’m disappointed to see that I’m right.
The Young House Curse: I never watched Murphy Brown, so I don’t get the secretary reference. However, I’m guessing it’s similar to how the fictional town of Rome, Wisconsin kept loses mayors in Picket Fences or how Emily Gilmore has a different maid in every episode of Gilmore Girls.
Gaby & Carlos: I have to disagree here. Their subplot is the most frustrating aspect of the show to me. Their constant pattern seems to be fight, cheat on each other, split up, get back together, fight again, cheat again, etc. At this point, it’s beating a dead horse. I wish one or both of them had died in the hostage situation. Daniel Manu of the TV Guide Podcast says he “Sookie’s” past parts of certain shows. I think this means he fast-forwards or generally ignores certain characters or subplots that he finds boring or unlikable and probably originates from his dislike of the Sookie character on Gilmore Girls. Anyway, I found myself “Sookie’ing” past the Gabrielle and Carlos scenes of last night’s episode and found I enjoyed the show much more that way. I think I may Sookie past the Solis’s more often.