Desperate Housewives: The Complete Second Season

Well, the second season of "Desperate Housewives" has finally come to an end. Season two for the most part was a pretty good one, though not quite as good as season one. While the writing and acting was still first-rate, there were a few things about season two that didn't work.

The good things about the second season of this terrific ABC series were many of the same things that made this show's first season so good: great acting by its stars. The actress I thought who came off best in season two was Eva Longoria, who plays the beautiful and sexy Gabrielle. Of the show's four leading ladies, Longoria gave by far the funniest performances throughout the season (her catfight scene with that nun midway through the season was uproarious). Marcia Cross gave the show's most powerful performances as Bree, the housewive who's an obsessive perfectionist. Felicity Huffman (Lynette) and Teri Hatcher (Susan) were both terrific as usual. And Nicolette Sheridan was delicious as Edie, the Wisteria Lane tramp. Main storylines that played out through season two include: Gaby and Carlos trying to have a baby in every possible way; Lynette going back to work; Bree battling not only alcoholism but also her brat son Andrew; Susan breaking up with Mike, then finding a potential romantic interest with a doctor; and Edie finding romance with Susan's ex-husband Karl.

But there were a few setbacks. The one asset that didn't really work on the second season of "Desperate Housewives" was the big mystery storyline involving Wisteria Lane's newest members: the Applewhites (introduced at the end of season one). This storyline wasn't even close to matching the greatness of the big mystery storyline of season one (the suicide of Mary Alice Young), and it wasted the talents of Alfre Woodard, who portrayed Betty Applewhite. It seemed that the writers couldn't make up their minds at where to go with this story, and in the process Woodard wasn't given much to do in the role. That's a shame, because Woodard is a great actress and deserved better here. This storyline was thankfully finished off in the season two finale, and it appears that Woodard will not be back for season three. One good thing came out of this storyline: a surprise twist that I didn't see coming.

Another thing I didn't see coming was the shocking ending to the season finale, which has turned out to be the big cliffhanger that will lead into season three. It will be interesting to see what ends up happening when "Desperate Housewives" comes back on the air for season three.

Critics loved season one; but hated season two. Same thing with the Emmy voters. After receiving 15 Emmy nominations for its freshman season, "Desperate Housewives" only got 7 nods for season two. Plenty of omissions this time: no nomination for Best Comedy Series, and no nominations for its leading ladies (Marcia Cross was unfairly snubbed). The only major nomination it got was for Alfre Woodard as Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, which (in my opinion) makes no sense at all. The only reason why Woodard is nominated is because Emmy voters love her. She is a past winner for some very good work that's she's done (the HBO movie Miss Evers' Boys and a guest appearence in the pilot to NBC's L.A. Law) and she's received other nominations for her other various roles. But to receive a nomination for a role in which we saw her not given a whole lot to do just proves at how boneheaded the Emmy voters can be sometimes (which is quite often). How Woodard can get a nomination for a wasted performance and Cross fails to get nominated for doing the strongest acting on the show in season two is a mystery that I don't think anyone on Wisteria Lane would be able to figure out.

Don't judge this review by its title! I am a devout Housewives fan and have gotten other friends hooked on it, too. Looking back at Season 2, by time the finale had ended, we all knew much more about our favorite Housewife's personality. For example, who knew Gabrielle had such a soft inside? Eva Longoria and Marcia Cross shone as their characters developed more and I fell even deeper in love with Bree, a psychological complex of love, disappointment, perfectionism, and unresolved childhood issues. The actresses' skills were all pushed to the limit and I admire their ability to surpass my my expectations always.

On the other hand the storylines were a bit silly at times, mostly due to a weak season mystery: Susan's attempted marriage to the gay guy, and how Xiao-Mei was a hidden slave, not to mention the Applewhite hiatus that we experienced towards the end of the show, the Applewhites are the season mystery for heaven's sakes! The Applewhites were also a little too isolated from the neighborhood, I mean we know that Betty is secretive but she doesn't communicate with Gabrielle or Lynette throughout the season! Season 1 was practically bullet-proof, so let's see that come back.

Complaints aside, I did enjoy Season 2, it's the one that got me hooked in the first place, I watched Season 1 on DVD after watching the Season 2 premiere. Don't be put off by the storyline goofs, I omitted the enjoyable parts of Season 2, which outweigh the goofs, so as not to spoil it for you.

The finale seems very promising, so I hope Season 3 continues the great work but factors in a more riveting mystery. Buy this set, and enjoy the top-notch acting (better than Season 1), the amazing Brenda Strong's narration, top-notch production, and in many cases, issues that hit home.

Rumour had it that the second season was weaker than the first. Don't believe the hype : there's more dark secrets, reversals of fortune, crazy laughs and heart-breaking situations in these 24 episodes of a series that took the TV world by surprise. Crazy cameos (Ryan O'Neal, Maria Conchita Alonzo), new neighbors, and Bree going down at high speed : TV series has never been that good since... "6 Feet Under", maybe ?
All hail to the creator, (Mark) Cherry on top !
Olivier Cachin

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