The first episode of the year for “Desperate Housewives” was back to form. No more are we diving into did-he-or-didn’t-he-kill-Alma mystery, now that Orson’s first wife is actually alive and has shown her face to Bree, who took her in surprisingly fast.
The main thread of the show was about backstabbing. First, Kayla came to live with the Scavos and immediately made her own rules: eating in front of the television, making people wait for her at the ice cream store. She even trashed a precious doll Lynette gave her, all without a hint of remorse. This girl is going to grow up to be one major bee-yatch. The fact that Tom was the only who make her behave better made me feel good that the fathers still have strong roles in childraising on TV, but the fact that Kayla said she’ll never love Lynette—while Lynette was standing at the door—was heartbreaking. I know it’s wrong, but I would have left that girl at the ice cream store, where she could scream all day.
Since Susan didn’t know Alma was back, she continued to press the police to investigate Orson’s relationship to Monique, now that they know she was his mistress. I had forgotten that Susan’s passion to bring down Orson had started to ruin Bree’s and Susan’s friendship. It doesn’t look like it’ll be repaired anytime soon; the police came to the Hodge house during a dinner party to bring Orson to the station, which Bree figured out was brought on by Susan.
Lots of good writing in this episode. Series regular Alexandra Cunningham had some witty things this week, and the best was Andrew’s line about Austin not being gay even after three beers. I don’t remember seeing Josh Senter listed as a writer before, but he certainly deserves some credit, too.
As much as I liked the episode, I was crushed that Julie was forced to lose her virginity to Austin bcause she thought he would leave her for someone else. Turns out he had already turned to someone else—her good friend Danielle, who had praised Julie for remaining a virgin. There needs to be one virtuous person in this bunch of characters, and Julie was always the voice of reason. Oh well. I guess it’s hard to remain a virgin on Wisteria Lane, given that her mother has had sex with three or four people in a span of six months, one of whom is married.
Can’t wait to see how Alma’s going to turn the screws as the newest resident of Wisteria Lane. I don’t think she wants Orson back, the fact that she repulsed him during their marriage made that clear. What do you think her motive is for buying the house that formerly housed two killers and a pedophile?
“Desperate Housewives” airs at 8 Sundays on ABC.
