In This Section
|
« Desperate Housewives
November 12, 2006: Children and Art
Well, you knew that after last week's standout shoot-out episode, tonight was going to be somewhat of a letdown no matter what. How can you top last week? Since my expectations were already lowered, I was able to enjoy tonight for the most part — especially the Bree and Orson scenes. Continuing in the tradition of casting the very best actresses in the business to play the mothers of the characters, Dixie Carter acted up a storm as Gloria, Orson's mother of a mother. As soon as Bree started talking to Gloria as though she were senile, you knew there was going to be hell. I like that we still don't know exactly why Orson wants to keep his mother in the nursing home, yet Gloria has something over Orson — something that could get him in big trouble: "I gave you life. You know I won't hesitate to take it away." Maybe we'll find out next week.
It was great to see how frustrated Orson was getting around Gloria, which just frightened Bree and humored Andrew: "So — can we call her grandma?" I also liked Andrew's reference to Bree's spreading "holiday denial" rather than holiday cheer with her annual newsletter, followed by Bree's line: "Oh, Andrew, it's etiquette. Nobody wants to read the truth at Christmas." Watching Dixie as Gloria reminded me of how wonderful she was on Designing Women and what a travesty it was that she was never nominated for an Emmy for that show! Not even once. Hopefully that won't happen this time, and she'll be included in the guest actress category.
While I'm mentioning fabulous female guest stars, Tony winner Debra Monk (who I loved as Katie Sipowicz on NYPD Blue) was hilarious as Marcella, Gabrielle's modeling agent. Gaby should've known not to upset Marcella, especially after she referred to her as "a career-obsessed lesbo who would die alone and be eaten by her cats." Gaby's best line was after Marcella told her she had a gig for her in New York: "Are you serious? I can't tell since your face doesn't move anymore." Poor Gaby had to play a mother, so it was not a shocker that she attempted to change her character's style. After she was told by director Durkin (Ian Paul Cassidy) to "just make it work," I laughed out loud when she changed her entire outfit: "Oh, I made it work. I'm Hot Mom!" Although Durkin was mortified and got Marcella to reprimand Gaby, Tim Gunn would've been proud.
Excellent usage of Kathryn Joosten tonight as Mrs. McCluskey. She got involved with just about every neighbor (whether they liked it or not). But my favorite part was her scene with Edie, in which she threatened to show Mike the hidden (by Edie) photos of him and Susan together. Edie's best line: "Don't lie to me, prune!" Mrs. McCluskey even had Mike's toolbox, the one the detectives were looking for, so I hope she's not the next murdered neighbor.
Another awesome Edie moment was when Susan came to Edie to protest the pairing of Austin and Julie. Susan asked: "How can you be so calm?" Edie (as she and Mike were about to go out): "I'm calm because I know if two people are meant to be together, there's nothing anyone can do about it." Snap! Speaking of Austin and Julie, it was good to see Richard Burgi back as Karl. (I know several of you had made "Where's Karl?" comments, so I bet you were happy, too.) You knew Karl would not be pleased when he heard Susan was dating Ian, but I hope Karl continues to come back. Nice mother/daughter scene between Susan and Julie toward the end, when Susan said: "Relationships have nothing to do with good judgment. It doesn't matter how smart you are. You can still get hurt."
So I'm leaving my least favorite story line for last. After going through almost the entire episode enjoying Lynette's scenes with her kids and with the man who saved her life, new neighbor Art (Matt Roth), I knew she would eventually discover something strange about Art. I mean, it's pretty much impossible for a normal person to move to Wisteria Lane. But Lynette discovered that Art has hundreds of photos of shirtless little boys taped on a wall, in a room of trains, toys and pinball machines. Ewwww. Makes the episode's title even more fitting: "Children and Art." Parker was enthralled by Art's basement; thankfully, Lynette discovered this secret right away, before it was too late. I can't wait to see how Lynette deals with this next week. At least we know she won't be baking cakes for Art anymore.
Since the Art story line grosses me out, I'll end with a more pleasant memory from tonight: Tom explaining to the boys that Aunt Nora is "up in heaven" and Lynette following that twice with "or wherever." 
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 5:08 AM
|
i also wasnt all that thrilled with tonights episode. but i did love dixie carter. i hope she sticks around some more. i read on another board that the fireworks between orsons mother and bree's stepmother(carol burnett) at a family dinner. if only we can hope.
i also love kathryn joosten. she every scene she is in i just crack up. i hope they use her more this season.
im glad that they got karl back. it is so obvious that he wants susan back. he jumps from concern about having his daughter being felt up, to susan dating ian. get over it karl and think abou your daughter.
finally i also dont like this storyline involving art. it creeps me out big time. i hope they wrap up his storyline very quickly. i defianlty dont want to have it dragged out. but i am glad that lynnett found out about this sicko in time, before something bad had happen. finally if i was lynnette i go to the police and tell them what i saw in my neighbors basement......despite the fact that i was in his house illegally. i would want him off my block pronto.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 6:25 AM
|
Did it occur to anyone that, as a swimming teacher, Art might innocently have pictures of his students IN THEIR BATHING SUITS? And that perhaps he brings them to his house in groups for innocent parties? Perhaps he would like to have children of his own & pretends that they are his? Let's give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, a man is innocent until proven guilty. Everyone is jumping to the same conclusion, and they could all be wrong.
As far as the young model goes, it's sad that girls as young as 14 are now high fashion models and a beautiful 30-year-old is relegated to the back burner. I'm sorry the girl has lost her innocence (even though she may not be!) and I'm even sorrier for Gabrielle. She should watch her tongue, though. It does get her into trouble.
I hope we haven't seen the last of Carlos. It was nice to see Karl again, though.
What was with that dominatrix outfit of Edie's? Is she taking over for Sharon Lawrence?
I LOVE Mrs. McCloskey; she's a stitch!
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 6:28 AM
|
Keep in mind that this show prides itself on not being predictable--we don't KNOW that Art is a pedophile. It may be a deliberate misdirection.
Once again, I'm bothered by the bizarre "show listed after the name as a 'you might know them from' reference," in this case for Debra Monk. You actually associate her with NYPD Blue?
The best part with Mrs. McCluskey was the intro. She paints one man's garage door ("I hope you like blue.") or takes down another neighbor's Xmas lights ("...since Christmas was, you know, six months ago.") all in the name of Being Helpful. Scenes like that remind me of why this show competes in the Comedy category at the Emmys.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 7:10 AM
|
I loved when Bree and Orson were arguing about him not visiting his mother, then "Sleigh Ride" started happily playing in the background.
I thought Mrs. Cluskey was a hoot. I'm glad she had Mike's back and hid the tool box, because he's probably being framed in Monique's death.
I actually felt sorry for Gaby. She's still a top model in her mind, but in reality, she's over the hill at 30. Ouch!
Great recap. Thanks.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 8:08 AM
|
I agree that Mrs McCloskey was a hoot. When Parker did not what his mother going to the store again. Mrs.McCloskey went instead. I could not quit laughing.
Orson's mother knows something or everything about Alma and Monques death. I just wonder why Mike is being framed for murder? The same reason Orson ran him over.
Overall a really good episode. Cannot wait until next week.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 9:53 AM
|
As soon as Lynnette walked down the stairs into Art's basement playhouse, I knew exactly where they were going: that Art is a pedophile. Should be an interesting storyline.
Gaby is the character I love to hate because she's so self-absorbed, but Eva Longoria is really cracking me up this year. I loved when she was on the porch with that Girl Scout, showing her the pictures of when she was a model, and she says something like, "That photographer was an animal, in more ways than one, if you know what I mean", and the little girl says, "Uh, no." Gaby says, "Oh good, you shouldn't. And don't do drugs." Very funny.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 10:01 AM
|
Has anyone else wondered where Mike's German Shepherd is?? It really bugs me that they haven't mentioned him. Remember when Susan was trying to get the dog to like her more than Edie so she put food behind her neck and he swallowed her earring? Mike was so devastated and upset. I can't believe he hasn't asked where his best friend is!
Good episode though, loved the goblet of milk Gaby gave the little girl at the beginning.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 10:20 AM
|
Did it occur to anyone that, as a swimming teacher, Art might innocently have pictures of his students IN THEIR BATHING SUITS? And that perhaps he brings them to his house in groups for innocent parties? Perhaps he would like to have children of his own & pretends that they are his? Let's give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, a man is innocent until proven guilty. Everyone is jumping to the same conclusion, and they could all be wrong.
Are you actually serious or so out of touch that you think this would be considered innocent, normal behavior?
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 10:50 AM
|
|
I'm getting tired of the whole Edie/Mike/Susan thing. While I love any scene with Edie in it, I find it incredibly odd that no one has bothered to visit Mike or to tell him about his past with Susan.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 10:54 AM
|
I loved Dixie Carter and look forward to the story unfolding. I think that she's really a killer and not Orson. Like maybe he spent his life cleaning up her messes. Or maybe I just hope so because I think he and Bree make a great pair, aside from him running over Mike.
I think that they are leading us to believe Art is one thing when he's not. Mainly because it would be hard to tackle the topic of a pedophile in this show's format. Sure it has drama, but more campy drama than "ripped from the headlines" drama.
Either way I'm really enjoying this season and what all the ladies are doing. Too bad Alfre Woodard's casting was sooo wasted last year.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 10:54 AM
|
Well, now it's official - the comments are as idiotic as the show. Yeah, the swimming teacher has hundreds of pics of his students and it's inncent - yeah, that's the ticket.
The storyline is just deteriorating more and more each week, and it is harder and harder to force myself to watch every week. Last week's show was entertaining, but, lets's see - we've got several murderers, one kid guilty of manslaughter at a minimum, a pedophile, several crazy people, everyone's parents are characatures, adultery, homosexual prostitution, at least one suicide, a severely cartoonish character (Gabby), not to mention the most recent nosey neighbor who gets wrapped up in the murder and deceit, several unresolved "secrets", two burned down houses, a clown of a mother(Susan), and I haven't even mentioned the whole Applewhite fiasco the hooker housewife, or Mike's amnesia. I am sure I haven't mentioned everything, but you get the gist. I, for one, am glad that I don't live on Wisteria Lane, as someone who values my privacy, has never killed or molested anyone, have never locked my mother in a nursing home, I just don't think I would be comfortable living on Wisteria Lane. I think this show would be more suited to a daytime soap opera slot, as that is what it has become after a very good first season.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:02 AM
|
I enjoyed this episode and I was glad that they gave some continuity to last week's shoot out and at the same time we got some new story lines like Orson''s mother and Art's being a possible pedophile while still moving on the ones established like our mistery deaths.
May I just say how much I LOVE Orson's character and how well he fits with Bree and her family and now the mother...? I really like what they're doing with his character and really enjoy every scene with hime and/or Bree, and Andrew's "can we call her grandma ?"
I loved having Karl back he cracks me up every time but I wanted to hear him call Susan "Suzie Q" and I LOVE LOVE Mrs. McClousky, she can crack me up just by giving those looks she does so well. Now with Art's story line I got kinda suspicious when seeing all the toys but I figure that maybe his sister was mentally challenge or something and they toys were because of her BUT when seeing all the little boys' pics on the wall I was shocked the writers actually went there, although we don't know for sure yet, anyways I'm glad they keep moving the plot and giving us some new story lines, I am really enjoying this season and I also was wondering about Eddie's dominatrix outfit and was glad that finally someone other than Susan seemed to know what she's doing with Mike.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:04 AM
|
I think that they are leading us to believe Art is one thing when he's not. Mainly because it would be hard to tackle the topic of a pedophile in this show's format. Sure it has drama, but more campy drama than "ripped from the headlines" drama.
Although they made it VERY obvious that he might be what we think he is I also believe that story line might be too heavy for the show BUT I like the fact that they keep giving us new story lines and I definitely want to see how this one's going to be like. And I'm also really enjoying this show.
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:09 AM
|
Yeah not sure where they are going with the pedophile thing either. However as far as the innocent bathing suit pictures mentioned;are we to believe he only coaches boys??
I'm still at a loss though as to why none of the other Wisteria women have told Mike the truth about Edie. I guess he won't care now anyway since Susan is with Ian.
As much as I love Lynette and Tom, how dumb were they to think the kids would never find out the truth?
|
|
Nov 13, 2006 11:24 AM
|
|
|
