But now that the five-year time-leap has played out on our screens, I ask: Did I really spoil anything? This is not Lost, where the Season 3 flash-forward completely altered our perception of the show and its narrative, at the same time raising a half-dozen questions integral to the series.
No, Housewives' temporal shift is simply a smart move to freshen up a serial coming off of one of its stronger seasons. Sure, we could have watched life on Wisteria Lane play out in "real time," but to do so handcuffs the storytellers. Storylines are limited to being about "the next beat," the next betrayal, the next lie, the next illicit romance. Instead, Housewives' writers have altered their mission to one of "filling in the blanks." They basically gave themselves a five-year head start, and now can play catch-up.
How did Gaby come to be a mom to two kids? Is Carlos still in the picture? How did Bree and Orson arrive at a reconciliation? What officially launched Bree's Martha Stewart-like career? Will we get to meet the older versions of the Scavos' juvenile delinquent twins, or are they off to off-screen reform school? Why is Susan kissing Gale Harold? (And why is Susan the only one who got to keep her 2008 hairstyle?)
When the idea of the flash-forward first was whispered in my ear, it registered as a super-savvy move. Watch it on Sunday night confirmed it (though I was expecting at least one more head-scratcher). TV serials can be so meandering, desperately trying to segue from storyline A to storyline B. That's why this Desperate measure is sure to pay off.
POLL:Housewives' flash-forward: Hot or not? Vote now.
I think the five year fast forward will make next year even better than this year was! I was concerned when you reported that they might jump back 5 years, but this move forward, in my opinion is wonderful. The loose ends of this season (who would have ever thought that Dylan was a "replacement"?) were tied up pretty nicely before the jump forward left us all wondering what we missed. Can't wait to see how it all plays out in September!
Am I the only one who wasn't happy with the season ender for DH? Who was that guy kissing Susan? I prefer Mike, he's hotter than that guy. And now Gabby is a MOM? With not one, but 2 slightly chubby kids? And who cares if Lynette's boys are juvenile delinquents? They already were! Sorry, but I wasn't very happy with this crappy ending to a great show. I thought the show was great up until the moment it said "Five Years Later"...after that it just sucked.
The future didn't seem that unpredictable to me. The Scavo kids were already on their way to being jd's. Gaby staying with a blind guy? Never saw that happening, although those kids look like they should belong to Carlos. Bree with Orson, that was a given for me. Susan was the only surprise. Hope Edie never comes back.
I for one HATED IT! I think this was a LAZY cop-out from the writers. Gabby a frumpy mom with overweight kids? Lynette & Tom's kids turn out to be that delinquent? Susan without Mike and Julie? No Edie?
This isn't a 5 year flash-forward...this is a totally different show. It's inconsistent with the stories and characters we've all come to know and love. After a great season finale, those last 2 minutes made me feel cheated. Have these guys learned nothing from Dallas and how badly they insulted their audience with that "Dream Season"?
Talk about jumping the shark! If I know what Wisteria lane will be like in 5 years, I don't have any need to tune in again until 2013. The season finale was excellent until the last 2 minutes. I knew the flash forward was coming. It didn't keep it from being a major disappointment. Who cares how they got there. Now that I know where they are, I'm not remotely interested in watching it.
Decent finale..however, the last 2 minutes certainly don't make me want to tune back in. Scavo...family no surprise there with the boys..Bree, I liked her ending...but Gaby with those horrible kids...plz and no Mike Delfino...???? How many times is this woman going to end up married to someone...one can only hope this is a bad dream. It's also possible that I'm just getting downright bored with all these stupid storylines.
OK, I just went and rewatched that horrible ending again and was looking for wedding rings specifically...Bree, Lynette, & Gabby all had rings on their left ring fingers, and Katherine and Susan did not. What do you make of that? Gabby still married to Carlos, someone else, or just still wearing her ring? Susan, no ring, not married to that guy...maybe there's still hope for Mike afterall...
Oh so Desperate Housewives...first of all I didn't think the storyline of Dylan and Katherine would play out this quickly. It wasn't hard to realize that Dylan wasn't Katherine's biological daughter. And they did show the grave in the backyard before but the earlier scenes with Aunt Lily lead me to think that it was Catherine's ex and that she had killed him. I figured biological Dylan was dead but that the new Dylan was kidnapped. I was slightly disappointed that Katherine was as innocent as she was with redeeming qualities.
Susan I was disappointed too. Maynard causes me to have the same reaction that the other Housewives did. Why not Connor Maynard Delfino? And don't even get me started on this new guy she is kissing in the fast forward. Bull! Mike should still be in the picture and he and Susan deserve to be happy! They are soulmates! And I am sorry...divorce and then marriage in five years (with Carl) and then a baby and then a new guy in the next five years! Come on even that shouldn't happen on Wisteria Lane!
Gabby...without her normal makeup and clothes looks almost whitetrash (but she still has her figure). However, I seem to notice the same beautiful house in the background. Geeze financial difficulties have been horrible for her. My question is are those Carlos' daugthers or John Rowland's (Jesse Metcalf aka the gardener)?
Ok Bree and Orson reconciling...not too suprising but he better have gone to jail because she does not need to budge on that one. I mean that is who she is...and I don't think it is a bad thing!
What about Danielle and Julie? Can we have some more storyline there?
Please give Lynette a break! Kayla is/was the bad apple. Let the twins turn into respectable young men. It is amazing that she has been able to overcome everything that the writers have dealt her. I was also suprised because I thought Tom was leaving the show and yet five years later they are still together...hmmm. Oh where was Rick...he made this big comeback and then there was a fire and now he is gone. I don't like him but Lynette deserves some passion in her life so either kick Tom off and bring in Rick or spice Tom up a little.
And then there is Edie. Come on! Her exit was so sudden that it can only be explained by either she was doped up on who knows what or she was extremely depressed. Give us more...have her return as a nun...and that she has taken an honest to goodness vow of celibacy. That would put a whole new spin on things.
Oh don't forget Mrs. McClucskey. I like her too much so please don't let her of died in the five years that you so conveniently jumped ahead!
I can see why they would do this (So Orson can do time but not do time if you know what I mean) but I didn't like it. I hope they know what they're doing over there.
Total jump the shark moment. The kids were an important equation to the show, & now they took them off the table. This season was by far the worst, & if you don't believe me then check the latest ratings. The critics may like it, but the show is losing it's way. If writers can't come up with any better ideas, then cancel the show. This was akin to Pam Ewing's dream scene. It has become one of the worst shows on tv over the course of the last 2 seasons. I'll find some other way to waste my time!
Writers totally blew the ending - there was no need to fast forward. What were the writers thinking? It was tied up so perfectly and did NOT need that trumped up 5-year later sequel. Is that the writers' idea of a cliffhanger? I agree with others - it's jumped the shark!! Why watch it now just to see Gabby turn into a washed out mom with dumpy kids, and Susan without Mike? Not interested anymore.
Where's Mike!?! That is all I have to say. I am not happy about Susan with another guy, not at all. I love James Denton. Next season will suck if he's not in it. Did Gaby adopt those kids, because they look nothing like her, but I like her as a mom. I'm not too surprised that Lynette's kids are getting arrested, thanks to Kayla, they were on their way there. Next season will be interesting.
