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« Desperate Housewives
Episode Recap:"Sunday"
Hi, folks! I'm Mickey O'Connor, and I'll be taking over the Desperate Housewives blog this spring. Like Mel Gibson in What Women Want, I am metaphorically exfoliating my face and shaving my legs to see if I can apply some carefully measured male insight to the wonderfully wicked world of the women of Wisteria Lane. For the record, according to ABC's "Which Housewife Are You?" quiz, I am a Bree, so, you know, I apologize in advance.
Previously on Desperate Housewives: There was a tornado, which killed Victor and Ida, blinded Carlos, and rendered the Hodges and Mrs. McCluskey homeless; Gaby lost Carlos' offshore rainy day fund; Lynette scattered Ida's ashes; Edie needed a new storyline; and Bree and Susan were roomies! But! Also, Adam and Dylan discovered Katherine's deep-dark secret, which -- thankfully -- will not involve chains, a basement, or Zach Young.
Love is blind: Having suffered nobly through the traditional year two weeks of mourning for her late husband, Gaby (Eva Longoria Parker) decided to surprise Carlos with an impromptu hospital-bedside wedding. The pair get re-hitched ("Holy matrimony – bring it on!"), but not without a hitch: Carlos neglects to tell Gaby that his blindness is likely permanent. Edie helpfully fills in Gaby on that fact, giving Nicollette Sheridan something to do this week. I don't know about you, but I'm kind of worried about her character's future. Re-watch that scene, and you'll see a slight tip of Sheridan's head as she walks away that seems to say, "Writers, please. Gimme something. Anything."
With an enraged Gaby on the verge of serving Carlos an Alpo-based stew, Carlos admits that he thought Gaby would leave him if she knew the truth. "How shallow do you think I am?" Gaby asks. (Heh. Well, actually…) But instead of finishing her game of Beat Up the Blind Man, Gaby shockingly agrees to stand by her man with an oddly touching speech that made me go "Aw!" and then "Ew!" and then "Meow!" Props go to Longoria Parker for injecting Gaby with a ridiculous combination of absurd comic timing, questionable morality, a believable emotional core and, of course, insane hotness. I am a big fan of Gaby and Carlos' unburdened-by-ethics union, so I'm glad to see them back together.
You gotta have faith: When a Scavo twin announces that Jesus is "the guy who helps Santa Claus," Lynette (Felicity Huffman) – who loves "that new Bible smell" -- decides it's time for the Scavos to get some religion. She has survived both cancer and a tornado when others have not, and she has some capital-Q Questions. She turns to Bree (Marcia Cross) for spiritual guidance, who advises against Catholicism's kneeling and genuflecting ("I go for worship, not a workout"). So off to the Presbyterian Church they go, where an overzealous Lynette turns the starchy service into a hilarious Q&A session that includes the word "dumbass." Lynette's behavior makes Bree clutch her pearls, since she believes it will jeopardize her chances of heading up the church's ladies' auxiliary.
Bree coolly advises Lynette to switch to a more interactive house of worship ("If you really enjoy talking back to the pulpit, why don't you try that Gospel church by the airport?"), so the Scavos skulk on over to Casa Catholic, creating a temporary rift between the church buddies. Ultimately, though, the friends share a touching rapprochement, in which Bree apologizes for, um, being Bree and Lynette renews her faith in their friendship.
Secret, lovers: Before squeezing in a quickie visit to Mike in rehab (Hey there, James Denton!), Susan (Teri Hatcher) welcomes her cousin, Sexiest Tax Accountant Alive Tim (Chris Carmack, formerly of The O.C.), for a visit. Tim, it seems, is helping to fill in Susan and Mike's 1040s while he kills time between jobs since he got fired for sleeping with his boss' 18-year-old daughter. Yes, folks, this CPA likes 'em barely legal, sending Susan into a trademark tizzy when Tim acts all To Catch a Predator-y around almost-18-year-old Dylan Mayfair. Susan does catch her cuz in flagrante delicto, but, in a nice fake-out, the Mayfair he's boffing is Katherine (Dana Delany), who, it seems, plucked Tim's tender flower of virginity when he was just a band-camp-attending 16 years old. Dude. Niiice.
Now's probably a good time to bring up my Dana Delany obsession. I was a huge fan of China Beach and of Delany's Emmy-winning portrayal of Nurse Colleen McMurphy, and I couldn't be more relieved that this season's mystery has been integrated more deftly into the fabric of Wisteria Lane than the piece-of-crap storyline with which poor Alfre Woodard was saddled. Katherine's secret is that she sorta maybe possibly killed her abusive husband. With a candlestick. In the living room. While I like that Delany has been a worthy adversary for Bree in the OCD Olympics, I like that she's also kind of a wreck. Her crumple-cry face is wincingly good, and we got a double serving of it tonight: first, when she visits what appears to be a tasteful grave marker of river stones in the woods, and second, when she confesses to Adam (a criminally underused Nathan Fillion – is that really it for him?) that she misses him and is "so terribly lonely."
Before he leaves, though, Adam provides Katherine with one last alibi, lying to Dylan when he tells her that her mother did not kill her father. This being Desperate Housewives, I sort of wonder if there's more to this story. We know that Gary Cole has been cast as Katherine's doomed ex, Wayne Davis, who will apparently appear in future episodes in flashback mode. But… is he actually dead? Maybe it's because I'm a Lost devotee, but I'm anticipating some twists in this narrative, which I don't think is a simple case of domestic abuse gone awry. But as the melodic, disembodied voice of Mary Alice has instructed me – and all the parishioners of the Church of Marc Cherry -- for now I will continue to have faith.
My Capital-Q Questions:
Do you agree with Bruce Fretts, who says in today's Cheers & Jeers, that he thinks Housewives is back on track creatively? Have your opinion heard!
Does Gaby's touching declaration of devotion indicate a change in character is in store as she embarks on seeing-eye-wife duty? Next week's previews, in which she steals a parking space from a man in a wheelchair, point to not so much.
Now that Bree and Lynette have settled into their respective spiritual quests, can we anticipate them turning their shrewd diplomacy on rising gas prices and peace in the Middle East?
How will we learn the ultimate truth about Katherine and Wayne? Will it be Cousin Tim's recollection that he apparently witnessed the murder? Do you anticipate a twist in our future?
Will Teri Hatcher get a more realistic pregnancy belly? And with the Hottie Tax Guy in town, does the show even need the Hottie Plumber back?
Did anyone else think of Kyle MacLachlan's poolside work in Showgirls when we saw that Orson will make a naked appearance in Susan's kitchen next week?
Can we work on a conspiracy theory based on the fact that Kimberley Joseph, who plays flight attendant Cindy on Lost, appeared in a KFC commercial tonight?
If mowing the lawn in a Notre Dame sweatshirt doesn't make you a Catholic, does that mean my great-uncle Shorty is totally screwed?
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Apr 14, 2008 12:58 AM
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awesomeeeeeeeeeee
desperate housewives is on fire
i loved that was Katherine the one having sex with Tim,so unexpected...
Fantastic episode,i loved it
i loved the interactions btween Bree and Lynette,it was so sweet
I love malicious Eddie,telling Gabby she was fat jajajjajaja
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Apr 14, 2008 1:29 AM
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I truly enjoyed your recap Mickey! Excellent job. This episode was okay. I did not enjoy the part where Tim was explaining what he saw Katherine do to her husband years ago. I felt like I was watching an episode of Scooby Doo and they were solving the crime. I thought it was just weird. Hope that storyline is resolved soon.
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Apr 14, 2008 9:28 AM
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Another great episode. It's always more fun to see the housewives interact with each other rather than have separate storylines that keep them apart (Bree and Lynette were hilarious together, as were Susan and Katherine when Susan caught her in the act). It's so good to finally see new episodes!
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Apr 14, 2008 9:30 AM
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Mickey, while I really dug your assessment and recap, dude, Susan is not going to make a play for "Hottie Tax Guy". It's her cousin. This isn't "Nip/Tuck" after all. 
I liked the episode and it was a good, strong episode back.
One of my questions is that just because the paperwork disappeared, why does this mean Carlos and Gabby lost the money? While I appreciate that it was an illegal account, surely with proper ID and stuff, Carlos can get his 10 million back. Then again, I'm not a banker or an accountant.
Loved the priest's reaction when Gabby asked him to marry her and Carlos again!
While it's an interesting twist with Lynette going to church (and pretty gosh darn realistic that someone who survived what she has to seek religion), was it really necessary for Lynette to ask questions during the service? I mean, that's why the priest stays AFTER church!
All-in-all, it was a very enjoyable episode. It was a great ep to bring back post-strike. Welcome back ladies!
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Apr 14, 2008 9:42 AM
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Welcome, Mickey! Excellent blog!!!
For anyone else who might mistake Mickey's comment...I understood it to mean that Wisteria Lane wouldn't miss the hottie plumber with the hottie tax guy in town 
Not the best episode but, at this point in my Housewive's withdrawal, I'll take anything!
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Apr 14, 2008 9:57 AM
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welcome Mickey! thanks for the blog! hotty tax preparer can in no way take the place of hotty plumber, so don't even go there! I was a bit disappointed with the "hey, you know, now that you mention it, i was at katherine's door and noticed her hitting someone over the head with a candlestick" story line...little too convenient....but, I agree, I don't think we've reached the end of that story line yet..and best of luck to your uncle!
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Apr 14, 2008 10:19 AM
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First of all, I was happy to see Nathan Fillion back, as I thought he was gone for good. I imagine this will have been his last episode, but a little Nathan is better than none.
As a Presbyterian who married a Catholic & converted, I don't think you get that much exercise during Mass (unless it's the old style). There is one big difference as far as the services are concerned (doctrine is something else again!!!). Presbyterians stand to sing & pray sitting down; Catholics stand to pray & sing sitting down.
Just as Mike has been a long-time fan of Dana Delaney, I'm a big fan of Kyle MacLauchlan ever since Dune and Twin Peaks. He has a dry sense of humor, which showed up in this episode, especially when he told Tim he was taking the baby to the museum to overcome Bree's genes!
Gaby was a hoot, but she's basically a decent person. As far as I'm concerned, Edie can go. I despise her, and Katherine is a great replacement.
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Apr 14, 2008 10:24 AM
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Not a priest in the Presbyterian church; pastor. As for asking questions during a service; perhaps that should be the norm. When the pastor, or priest gives his or her sermon, any part of that sermon which is not understood by any member of the flock, should be able to ask for clarification. If the question is posed only after the service, others who are not brave enough to speak up during service, will not get clarification. Perhaps a question and answer session following the sermon, adding about 15 or 20 minutes to the service would be a great idea. Those questions not able to be answered at that time, can then be noted and answered during bible study night. What a great way to get folks to attend bible study. This is just a TV show but gosh, it does pose some interesting questions and possibilities for the real world.
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Apr 14, 2008 10:26 AM
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May I add that as a Catholic, we stand and kneel for prayer and usually stand to sing, but not always. Some responses to the Priest are sung and may be done sitting or kneeling. However, while the Mass is fairly standardized,when the congregation kneels, sits, stands, can be church specific rather than Diocese dictated.
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Apr 14, 2008 10:31 AM
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To Karen:
I think Susan's cousin telling her how he saw Katherine clobber her ex was necessary because the storyline needed to be condensed somewhat, due to the writer's strike. There is less time to resolve the "mystery" now, so I think it was a way of getting more information out a little quicker. True, it did seem a tad convenient, but not a biggie.
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Apr 14, 2008 10:33 AM
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Hmmm, I think (hope) the writers are smart enough to remember the pointier gash in the attic floor of the Mayfair home. That hasn't been revisited has it?
Regarding Carlos and Gabby, I could just see Edie coming across the "lost" paperwork and creating havoc with them AGAIN She will probrably give them enough money for Carlos to have an eye surgery to restore his sight. Hey, it is a soapopera
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Apr 14, 2008 10:43 AM
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I'm a bit puzzled by Susan's cousin seeing Katherine "kill" her ex husband because till now so much focus was on Dylan and something that happened upstairs in Dylan's room which was kept locked and
Dylan was forbbidden initially to be in her "old room" when they returned to Wisteria Lane but perhaps Dylan's father hurt Dylan and that's why Katherine "killed him".
I was very disappointed in the way Alfre Woodward's storyline was handled or rather mishandled. It was almost as if the writers's decided let's bring in a black family and then proceeded to give them a horrible storyline so they could be written out and nobody would care. Maybe race had nothing to do with it I would hate to think it did but a black woman chaining her son in the basement a mentally challenged son who may have raped?()and murdered a young woman. Then it turns out her other son was actualy the murderer just before she tried to "kill"her mentally challenged son.Kind of plays into some stereotypes of violent black men. Drugging him and Chaining him in a basement or killing him were somehow preferable to him being put in a mental institution. If he had committed the crime he had been accused of considering his mental state I dont' think he would have been sent to prison.
I have a question about what happened to the gay couple? I dont' think they've been seen since before the tornado . Have they gone the way of the Applewhite's?
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Apr 14, 2008 10:49 AM
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Well now that race has been brought up in these wonderful blogs let me add that I am very disappointed that there is not one actor of color in this show. I may not be for affirmative action or quotas but this does not in anyway reflect our society. Why wouldn't Marc Cherry care about doing the right thing. If I were an "african american" (I'm really a nice Jewish guy from the Bronx) I would be upset and wonder what gives about my race. Maybe Barack Obama will bring this up in the next debate. I also wondered about the absence of the gay couple. My girlfriend and I very much enjoyed the return of this very quirky show but please bring in a black family like Larry David did on "Curb your Enthusiasm". See you next week.
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Apr 14, 2008 11:16 AM
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NOTICE: *spoilers*
While I totally called that it would be Katherine...not Dylan who bedded Tim (I also called that when Tim said it brought back "memories" that Katherine had plucked the geeky band camp kid's viginity..."Do you have to say it like that?"..."That's what I told all my buddies at Band camp")...it was kind of an interesting twist that Tim may have witnessed Dylan's father's murder. Part of me wondered if Katherine did kill her husband, she might possibly also be responisble for Dylan's memory loss (maybe that thing she threw at her husband hit Dylan in the head when she was very young causing the problem?).
Also loving Gabi tonight. Throwing those fruits at Carlos and the way she was making him fumble all over the kitchen ("Can't you help me?"..."Can't, my feet are in the air."). Carlos's expression said it all. I also love the idea of the doggy dinner. Could that possibly be a foreshadowing that Carlos will get a helper pooch in the next few episodes?
Lynette and Bree's storyline was great too. It seems the writers have toned down Lynette a little (as well as her kids...) giving Felicity Huffman a chance to show off her wonderful dramatic skills.
But my favorite moment of the night was none of the above and didn't even feature dialogue! It was the shared expression that Julie and Mike had when Susan left them hanging at Mike's detox facility. I loved Susan bailing, "You're going to college soon! Scare her straight Mike!!". I really wish we could have seen the conversation after Susan left. Both Mike and Julie looked quite uncomfortable, yet they were familiar with the screwiness of Susan, so they just let her be her.
All in all, a great episode to come back too. I only wish that my favorite character Mrs. McCluskey had had an actual line.
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Apr 14, 2008 11:30 AM
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