GOOD WITCH Definitely Good, But Not Great Television

Article originally written for Seat42F.

Hallmark has a new drama series GOOD WITCH, which premiered this weekend. It is a continuation of a series of TV movies aired on the channel dating back to 2008, seven in all. GOOD WITCH brings back Cassie Nightingale (Catherine Bell), whose husband featured in the earlier films has passed away. Now, she is moving on in the town she calls home, her husband’s family reunited around her.

I have not seen the TV movies, so this review mainly concentrates on the series pilot, but I did look at synopsis of them, and the current program seems to line up pretty well with what’s come before it. Most of the townspeople and family are back, even if they aren’t main players. There’s the annoying Mayor Martha Tinsdale (Catherine Disher), writer stepdaughter Lori Russell (Hannah Endicott-Douglas), stepson Brandon (Dan Jeannotte), who is following in his father’s footsteps, and father-in-law George (Peter MacNeill), whom still lives with Cassie. All except Brandon are the same actors who previously played the characters, providing continuity for the show.

Of course, there are some things that are different. Cassie’s daughter, Grace (Bailee Madison, Trophy Wife), is now a teenager, providing a storyline in the high school setting. And Cassie’s husband, as mentioned, is dead, so that leaves Cassie open to romantic possibilities. The most obvious suitor is Dr. Sam Radford (James Denton, Desperate Housewives), who has just moved to town, and besides Grace and Cassie, is the only one other main character in GOOD WITCH.

One assumes that Cassie being made a widow is a convenient way for GOOD WITCH to carve itself out some story. While there’s nothing wrong with a family series, this type of show needs romance and some light drama to keep the plot moving. Cassie being single provides that, and it just makes sense, given the tone and structure of the show. Though, this sucks for Lori and Brandon, who have now lost both of their biological parents. It’s a good thing Cassie has enough years with them to be fully accepted into the family before its patriarch’s passing.

I don’t watch a lot of Hallmark, but I imagine GOOD WITCH is perfect for the network’s target audience. It is clean cut and tame, completely acceptable for all-age viewing. Martha is the closest thing to a villain present, and she’s more funny than menacing. The characters are good people with good morals, and any love stories or relationship bits are handled with sanitized, storybook-style courting. There is no cursing or violence, and even the witchcraft is subtle and kept to a minimum. There will be little anyone can complain about or find offensive here.

Which is probably why this show isn’t for me. I find it far too bland, a whitewashed version of Gilmore Girls, to be interesting. While death and sadness is a part of the primary story, that’s also part of life. Nothing really scary or terrible will happen to these people, and the wavelength of events stays pretty even-keel. However, with a plethora of networks out there, there should be something for all different tastes, and while this isn’t mine, I can appreciate that this isn’t a bad show by any means.

The only real complaint I have is when Cassie says she accidentally baked too many pies. I know this is because she can predict what is needed and she does this for a reason, but that line of dialogue is wholly unbelievable. How does someone accidentally make too many pies? You only make pies with purpose, and you make the exact amount you want. It’s ridiculous that anyone buys it, though only one completely ridiculous line in two hours or show is a pretty good ratio.

GOOD WITCH airs Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark.

Desperate Housewives need...

ABC's Desperate Housewives ramps up its final season as each of the central housewives deals with the latest developments in their lives. "She Needs Me," the latest episode, doesn't bring many earth shattering surprises, but it does showcase almost all of the major players. As the finale approaches, the final arcs will begin to fall into place, but that hasn't really started much yet. "She Needs Me" is a solid, typical episode of the long-running drama, without being especially special.


This week, Susan (Teri Hatcher) and Lynette (Felicity Huffman) concern themselves with Porter's (Charlie Carver) impending baby. Lynette refuses to offer daycare for her granddaughter, so Porter begins playing Susan, the baby's other grandma. Lynette feels shut out of the process, and thus begins the rivalry over who controls the baby. The two friends fight, but in the end, they make up and resume their friendship, determining to work together, rather than against, one another.

Many such squabbles have crept up between the housewives over the years. This latest highlights the age of the characters. Instead of raising young children, as earlier in the series, Susan and Lynette are now dealing with a grandchild. If there is any better way to showcase their age and signal that the series is ready to come to an end, none comes to mind.

Hatcher and Huffman both deliver what they have become known for. Their antics verge on the goofy, with Lynette pulling a baby bed out of the house, and Susan chasing after her. But, as has always been the case on Desperate Housewives, real affection prevails at the end of the day, and they are able to make up.
Even better, Lynette and Susan come back together in "She Needs Me" because of the men in their lives.

While the coordination is not shown, it is surely not a coincidence that Mike (James Denton) goes to talk sense into Lynette at the same time that Tom (Doug Savant) shows up for Susan. These guys love the women, and understand them better than anyone, including how much they cherish their female friendships. Tom and Mike step up, proving their roles as supportive men worthy of the girls.

It won't be long now before Tom and Lynette reconcile. With the series' swan song in sight, "She Needs Me" continues to lay the groundwork for a reunion. Tom realizes how he has taken Lynette for granted over the years, and takes steps to correct that behavior. Lynette sees the effort that he is putting in, and softens even further towards him. Tom may have a girlfriend for now, but the woman first in his heart still is, and will always be, Lynette. If they officially divorce, it will be a huge misstep for the show.

Gabi (Eva Longoria) is reminded once more of her own deep care for Carlos (Ricardo Chavira) in "She Needs Me." Faced with mortality, and the thought of death separating them, Gabi stops taking Carlos for granted. This could easily be a temporary attitude, but the couple has survived the run of the show together, so cynicism may not be warranted in this instance. Sure, they were split for awhile, but ever since the remarriage, they have become the strongest union on the block. Gabi's acknowledgement of her love for her husband humanizes her once more, and lets regular viewers marvel at just how far Longoria has brought the character over the past eight years.

Sad news has come to Wisteria Lane in "She Needs Me:" Karen (Kathryn Joosten) has terminal cancer. It's the reason that she is pushing away Roy (Orson Bean). But with eight hours left for Desperate Housewives, there is no time to milk this final arc. Roy is clued in, and he is able to salvage his marriage. Karen is going to die, but Roy will be by her side as she does.

Karen has been an important figure in the show for a long time, and it is with great joy that she finds Roy late in Desperate Housewives's run. It's understandable that she might want to spare him the pain of watching her waste away, especially because he has already stood by one wife through a similar situation. But it's his choice to make, and Gabi does the right thing by telling Roy Karen's secret. These two are a wonderful pairing, and as tragic as Karen's death is going to be, at least she will go with the man she loves beside her, which makes things slightly easier to take.

It's just such a shame that Karen's cancer is terminal. She has been one of the best parts of the show for a very long time. Having already suffered through her death on The West Wing, asking fans to tune back in and cry as she goes all over again just isn't fair. Joosten is a joy, and it's a testament that she's about to move people with her passing all over again. It may even get her another Emmy. But it's not something to look forward to.

Bree (Marcia Cross) isn't so lucky with her man. Despite Orson's (Kyle MacLachlan) best efforts, she discovers that he is a stalker, and is the one who not only sent her the mysterious letters, but killed Chuck (Jonathan Cake), too. She dumps him promptly, ignoring his pleas that his actions are for her, and wishes to never see him again.

When did Orson become so ruined? He is once a wonderful character who seems perfect for Bree. When he reappears at her doorstep so near to the end of the show, it can be forgiven for one to think that he is bringing Bree a happy ending, as she is really the only major housewive without one in sight. Sure, Orson has made mistakes before, but nothing so bad as becoming the show's final villain, as he is set up to be in "She Needs Me." What is he mailing the police? Is he turning Bree in? It's an ugly side of his personality that is unfortunate to see. Couldn't his charcter have been spared this degradation and the story given to someone else?

Adding to the trouble is Donny the Loan Shark (Sal Landi), who is harassing Renee (Vanessa Williams). Mike catches Donny destroying her house, and the men tussle. Renee pays off Ben's (Charles Mesure) debt. Why won't Donny leave her alone? It doesn't make a lot of sense, at least not yet. Other than perhaps he is simply a terrible guy who is going to take Renee for everything that he thinks that he can get.

Mike should just call the police. Yes, he doesn't want Ben to get in trouble, but Mike and Renee have done nothing illegal. And what could Ben be found guilty for, really? Is he even facing a stint in jail? It's time to let the authorities stop Donny before someone seriously gets hurt. Desperate Housewives fans can't lose Mike or Renee. Not acceptable.


Only six episodes left before the two-hour series finale! Watch Desperate Housewives Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

MORE: If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy Desperate Housewives DVDs or streaming episodes, please click here. Article first published as TV Review: Desperate Housewives - "She Needs Me" on Blogcritics.

Desperate Housewives keeps "Secrets That I Never Want to Know"

     The eighth and final season of ABC's Desperate Housewives kicks off with "Secrets That I Never Want to Know." The burden of keeping Carlos's (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) murder of Alejandro (Tony Plana) weighs differently on each of the five individuals that know it. Bree (Marcia Cross) is nervous as she probes Chuck (Jonathan Cake) on what he might know. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) goes to Tom (Doug Savant) for physical comfort. Susan (Teri Hatcher) can't bring herself to speak with her friends or Mike (James Denton). Carlos looks for absolution. Only Gabi (Eva Longoria) seems at ease.

     And why shouldn't she be? Alejandro abused and terrorized her. She lived in constant fear of him, made worse with his latest visit to the neighborhood. Carlos did her a favor, taking away such a real threat to his wife. Now she only has to worry that no one will tell, as she wants her husband around to care for her and their daughters.

     Gabi tries to make Carlos feel better by expressing that to him, but it doesn't do a lot of good. Nor does Carlos talking to his priest help, as, without knowing the details, the priest advises that Carlos turn himself into the cops, exactly what Gabi doesn't want him to do. Can he live with himself after this, or will it be a relief when it finally comes out, even if that means spending years in jail?

     Despite not doing the deed herself, Susan feels almost as guilty as Carlos does. It is not in her nature to cover up such a dark act, and she tells Mike everything. When she is finally able to talk to her girlfriends, after Mike worries that she is shutting him and them out, they make her see that telling her husband could only get him into trouble. It's nicer to leave him in the dark, as then he bears no responsibility if the truth comes out. If, in their minds, more likely when, in reality.

     If one was a betting man, the smart money might be on Lynette talking first. Susan wants to protect Mike, much as Gabi wants to protect Carlos, but Lynette and Tom are separated. And they have been together a lot longer. She has no problem going to him for physical comfort, so perhaps she will seek emotional reassurance as well by getting the secret off of her chest. It's clear that Tom still loves her, so he probably won't blab. But it could be a mistake to bring him in on the secret, considering what might happen when it blows up in their faces.

     The thing is, the Desperate Housewives seem to come to an understand at the end of "Secrets That I Never Want to Know" that they will not be sharing the dark truth. Which is good, because a whole season of them going crazy over hiding things will do no one any favors. Thus, for now at least, it is likely to stay buried. But equally likely is that things will begin to spiral out of control before season's end. After all, as this is the final year, anything could happen.

     There is also a subplot that has nothing to do with Carlos being a killer in Secrets That I Never Want to Know." An attractive new man named Ben (Charles Mesure, V, Street Legal) moves onto the street, and Renee (Vanessa Williams) calls dibs. Too bad Ben doesn't get the memo, though, as he is quick to turn Renee down. Knowing Renee, this isn't over, as she will take the rejection as a challenge. Can't wait to see what her next move is!

     Watch Desperate Housewives Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To buy Desperate Housewives DVDs or streaming episodes, please click here.

The Desperate Housewives are "Seaching"

     With the Oscars last weekend, several Sunday night shows aired their final episode before a month of reruns a week later than other series. ABC's Desperate Housewives entry was less shocking than some of their previous cliffhangers, but still contained quite a bit of good drama, especially in finding purpose, a theme for the episode appropriately titled "Searching".

     Susan (Teri Hatcher) collapses in the episode before this, and this week her doctor does not have good news. Dialysis isn't working, and she needs a donor soon. She and Mike (James Denton) go on a picnic to celebrate their anniversary a few months early, as Susan worries she may not be up to it, if she is even still around, when the real date rolls around. Everything that can go wrong does, and Mike gets angrier and angrier. His anger isn't merely at the comedy of errors, which always follows Susan around, but at the disease, and what he perceives as Susan's give-up attitude. She the convinces him she intends to keep fighting.

     I like that we finally get to see what Mike is feeling. So far, as with most guys until you really get to know them, Mike has kept a strong front throughout. He surely has been struggling internally, and his private scenes with Susan finally allowed him to let some steam out. They are a very compatible couple, and while it feels a little voyeuristic to watch them interact this way, it is also darn good writing and acting, and a side of the issue that we really need to see. Good job!

     I've honestly found Susan's kidney disease arc a little exhausting. Susan's character is better suited to comedy than drama, and this season has brought her more of the latter than before. How many scenes can we take of seeing Susan being strong for her loved ones while a disease eats away at her? That being said, since the writers chose to go down this route, it's been handled as well as it can be. While perhaps sped up a bit to confine it to one television season, the twists and turns have been realistic, and there is emotion to be felt for her.

     My favorite story this week was the end of Beth's (Emily Bergl) tenure on the lane. Beth is clearly a weak personality, easily manipulated and led to do others' bidding. It happens with her mother, Felicia (Harriet Sansom Harris), and it happens again with her husband, Paul (Mark Moses). What makes Beth such a tragedy is that she has no one in her life to support her. After failing both Felicia and Paul, they cast her aside, with no concern whatsoever for her once she is past her usefulness to their schemes.

     Beth's struggle to find who she is is great storytelling, of the sort that crops up now and again on Desperate Housewives when you least expect it. The show has shown genius at throwing curveballs, and Beth's realization of her place in life was one that should have been seen coming from a mile away, and yet I haven't really realized it until it happened. Having Beth choose to fill out the kidney donation paperwork for Susan and then end her own life is brilliant. Beth still serves another person, even in death, but this time by her own free choice. She makes the ultimate sacrifice. My only regret is that I adore Bergl and wish the actress could have stuck around, though her character is being given a perfect finale.

     I was also surprised when Gaby's (Eva Longoria) plot took a turn late in this episode. For most of the hour, it is easy to believe Gaby is back to her old, selfish self. This is not unwelcome after a long, spectacular run at some of the best acting of Longoria's career, as she has coped with hurdle after hurdle this season, allowing her some wonderful range and showcase for her talent. So I had no complaints about Gaby hiding Juanita's (Madison De La Garza) tap shoes when it was clear the young girl's routine might have embarrassed her mother, even though it is a pretty low thing to do.

     Then, suddenly, Gaby's selfish woman routine gives way to her selfless mother. It's a role Gaby embraces more and more these days, and is the reason I believe she has been the most dynamic of all the series's leads. Gaby learns from watching a new father that pride in child is the greatest joy she can find in life, so she embraces it. Gaby does a bad thing, but she makes it right in the end. That is not something she would have done a couple of years ago.

     Rather than let Bree (Marcia Cross) tread water for an episode after her romance story ended last week, Bree has a crisis of faith. She feels useless, and needs a new mission. It is suggested to her that she pursue helping others, and so she goes on a tear down the street looking for a donor for Susan. The neighbors are surprisingly reticent to be tested, so in true Bree fashion, she locks them in at a brunch and forces it upon them. Two donors are found, including herself.

     I guess I was a bit confused as to why Bree hasn't already been tested prior to her mission. I would think she would have done that first and foremost, before beginning her crusade. Other than that, though, I like her independent, forceful spirit. Despite no longer having her business, Bree continues to have the capacity to get things done. I hope that is the focus on Bree moving forward. She should be starting a new entrepreneurial experiment, perhaps something in the charity field.

     The final plot this week involved Renee (Vanessa Williams) wanting a baby. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) lets her babysit, and then publicly humiliates her into accepting she is not cut out to be a mother. Cruel? Yes, but then, that is probably the only way Lynette can get through to Renee. Renee is a stubborn woman not used to being told no, and so she doesn't readily accept a negative answer.

     Williams has meshed magically with the long-time cast this season. She is a more complex version of a few former characters merged together. Renee can be a diva, and often is, but she also has a compassionate heart. She was an old friend of Lynette's, and I enjoy their scenes together, but I also really love the dynamics of the Renee and Susan pairing, as has been done a few times already. I look forward next to a good Renee-Bree or Renee-Gaby story, and hope she sticks around long enough to work her way into the lives of all of our characters.


     Desperate Housewives is taking a break, but will soon return Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Article first published as TV Review: Desperate Housewives - "Searching" on Blogcritics.

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