WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Sort of Welcome

Article first published as WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Review on Seat42F.

NBC tosses another family-centered sitcom into a very crowded field this fall with WELCOME TO THE FAMILY. Valedictorian Junior Hernandez (Joseph Haro, Awkward.) is surprised to learn that his barely-graduated girlfriend, Molly Yoder (Ella Rae Peck, Gossip Girl), is pregnant. But not as surprised as their families are when they finally meet one another.

There is nothing about WELCOME TO THE FAMILY that is original or fresh. It is the melding of two groups of people who dislike each other, rubbing one another the wrong way in a comic style that will soften as the series goes on. The culture-clash and the parent-child relationships are familiar and predictable. Plot “twists” are seen coming from a mile away. And even those that aren’t (such as the big one at the end of the first episode) don’t seem surprising in the context.

Yet, I did find myself enjoying the “Pilot,” despite these glaring flaws. The reason must be the cast, which has oodles of charm, and the writing, which remains amusing, even as it is uninspired. The show goes for the guaranteed laughs, but they’re laughs all the same.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY’s “Pilot” pretty much belongs to the patriarchs. Mike O’Malley (Glee) plays Dan Yoder, the free-wheeling, non-controlling daddy, while Ricardo Chavira (Desperate Housewives) is Chuey Hernandez, the proud papa who fulfills the role of dad his father never did. Unfortunately, the two men get off on the wrong foot before they even realize their kids are dating during a first meeting that seems far too contrived.

Dan and Chuey are the main focus of this premiere. Yes, their kids have to deal with a pregnancy, but they have to deal with one another. The series understands that it has two great male leads who can carry the story on their own, and thus gives them more than their share of the first half hour, banking on their charm and humorous competition with one another to draw viewers. This gamble may just work out for them.

Though, Ricardo and Mike aren’t the show’s only weapons. Despite having much less to do in the “Pilot,” their wives are equally talented actresses. Caroline Yoder (Mary McCormack, In Plain Sight) and Lisette Hernandez (Justina Machado, Private Practice) pretty much get along right away, of course, because the calm, rational wives have to balance their crazy husbands in these types of series, so their subplot is small and uninteresting. However, McCormack and Machado are better than what they get to show in the premiere installment.

For a series to have any legs, the episodes will have to diversify away from the central conflict, and the rest of the ensemble will be required to pull their weight, too. With these particular ladies in the major roles, I have no doubt that it will not be a problem.

I also have to give props to Peck and Haro. Peck stands out, even in such a familiar trope, and earns her own place in the cast, balancing being stupid with actually being aware of her mental limitations. And Haro is appropriately earnest as the boy who wants to do the right thing, even if it means giving up his dreams of college and career, which seem secondary to him right now, just wanting to be happy with his girl.

Both characters are pretty one-sided in the “Pilot,” but surely that will change in later episodes. That good news is, I like them already, and if they have even a little bit of depth in them, they should be OK. In time, they might even be as interesting as their TV parents.

Junior also has a younger brother named Demetrio (Fabrizio Zacharee Guido), but he is mainly set dressing in the “Pilot.”

Also, props to the hashtag #wttf as a way to reference the show. Not super novel, but edgier than I would have given ABC credit for.

In short, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY is nothing that critics will fawn over nor awards will flow to. But it’s a well-made situation comedy about two families coming together, populated with an experienced, highly talented cast. In this, it should do well enough.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY premieres Thursday, October 3^rd, or watch the “Pilot” now on Hulu.

Desperate Housewives final season now available

ABC's Desperate Housewives finally came to an end last May after eight years on the air. The final batch of episodes is now available on DVD in a five-disc set, collecting all 23 episodes, plus bonus features.

As season eight begins, the four titular housewives, Susan (Teri Hatcher), Bree (Marcia Cross), Lynette (Felicity Huffman), and Gabi (Eva Longoria) are covering up the murder of Gabi's abusive step-father, Alejandro (Tony Plano), by Gabi's husband, Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira). They each handle their part in the shared secret burial in different ways. Carlos wants forgiveness from God, Susan becomes withdrawn. Bree is nervous because her detective boyfriend (Jonathan Cake) is on the case. Lynette just wants physical comfort, made difficult by her separation from husband, Tom (Doug Savant). Gabi, alone, is at peace, knowing first hand the atrocities Alejandro committed against her, and feels only peace with his demise.

Much of season eight, like other seasons before it, is about a mystery surrounding a murder. One by one, others begin to learn of the housewives' dastardly deed, including the men in their lives. Making this killing so personal, with all of them involved in the coverup, forces more strain and stress between them than in previous stories, in which they could present a mostly united front against whatever danger came to Wisteria Lane. It is fitting that they are tested so severely in the end, allowing them to come out the other end stronger than ever.

That's not to say that there are not costs to this act. There are, as the truth comes out in peaces, and eventually certain things are exposed. Others die. Secrets can never stay hidden for long on Desperate Housewives, and that's what makes it such soapy fun.

Of course, not all twenty-three hours are about Alejandro, as each housewife has additional challenges, one even losing a spouse well before the closing credits. Lynette has a marriage she'd like to save, and along with Susan, faces becoming a grandmother when their grown children hook up. Bree battles depression and suicidal thoughts, egged on by a stalker and the return of her ex, Orson (Kyle MacLachlan). Carlos must kick his alcohol habit. Neighbor Renee (Vanessa Williams) senses sparks between herself and Ben (Charles Mesure), but after he gets involved in the Alejandro story, the lies he tells Renee makes it hard for her to trust him. Plus, Ben is in bed with a loan shark. Fan favorite Karen McCluskey (Kathryn Joosten, who passed away in real life last spring) goes another round with cancer.

These are just some of the big stories in the final year. Each of these characters has shown so much growth, and as they overcome these latest hurdles, there is also a sense of finality, growing stronger near the end of the season, that reminds us that their story is almost over. Up until that point, yes, there are some weak spots, as has plagued Desperate Housewives sporadically over the years. Season eight is not the strongest season. But there are enough gems to satisfy most fans, and that includes the last installments.

I won't spoil the ending, but I thought it was a fitting tribute with the return of many familiar faces, and it concluded exactly how it should have. Wisteria Lane is a hot bed of betrayal and intrigue, and no one who remains there will ever find true happiness.

The DVD is a bit sparse on features, sadly. There is a featurette with those involved reflecting on the time they spent making this show, which is definitely the best inclusion. Creator Marc Cherry does provide an audio commentary for the series finale, and there are bloopers and deleted scenes. These are nice, but I would have liked to have seen more.

Desperate Housewives The Complete Eighth and Final Season is available now.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Article first published as DVD Review: Desperate Housewives The Complete Eighth and Final Season on Blogcritics.

Desperate Housewives desperate no more

As ABC's Desperate Housewives begins its two hour finale last night, there is still a lot going on. Bree (Marcia Cross) is standing trial for murder. Renee (Vanessa Williams) is days away from her wedding. Susan (Teri Hatcher) has to break some big news to her dearest friends. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) is facing a finalized divorce. Gabi's (Eva Longoria) marriage comes under new strain. Karen (Kathryn Joosten) is staring death in the face. And Katherine (Dana Delany) returns, stirring up trouble.

That's a lot to cover in two hours, and yet, Desperate Housewives makes it look effortless. Sweeping through plots without rushing them, building suspense, but not into anything too over the top, the final two hours hit every emotional note they need to hit, leaving viewers with specific impressions about where their favorite characters will be. The show knocks out the tears in the final moments, leaving a refreshing feeling of completeness.

At first glance, the ending is sad. Bree, Lynette, Gabi, and Susan have been through a lot together, and they reflect on this as they play their final hand of cards. They will not grow old together on Wisteria Lane, sharing more memories and moments, even though they were extremely important in each others' lives for so long.

But leaving Wisteria is for the best. The lane is full of gossip and murder, rumors and betrayal. For each of the four main players to live happily ever after, they must escape this cycle. And they all do. Perhaps they need each other to overcome their challenges, but not to sail off into the sunset. By moving away, they prove they are desperate no more, and finally find peace in their lives and marriages.

The beginning of the two hour finale starts with Karen. Her neighbors prove just how much they care about her by allowing her to spend her final days in her own house, with Roy (Orson Bean) by her side. As an ultimate thank you, Karen takes the rap for the murder, allowing Bree and the others to go free. With her failing health, Karen isn't charged with her own trial, and gets to slip peacefully off into the night, a beloved record playing her out. It's sweet and sad, but also celebratory of a life well lived, full of love.

This theme continues with the others. Renee is married to Ben (Charles Mesure), who proves to be an honorable man who will treat her well. While it might have been nice to have seen Renee's future, it isn't strictly necessary because of where she ends things. Besides, she is never as deep into the mire as the rest, anyway.

Bree finds romance once more with Trip (Scott Bakula). They move to Louisville, where Bree is finally surrounded by other ladies like her, and she rules them all. This is a fitting ending for Bree, who deserves a fresh start. What's more, in Trip, Bree may finally have found the perfect man, one who will treat her how she wants to be treated, and be her equal. It comes late in the game, but late is better than never.

Gabi supports her family with a successful business venture, side by side with Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira), bickering all the while. Carlos's comment at Renee's wedding, that they dance a tango instead of a waltz, is fitting. There is a nice throw back to their very first story, involving a gardener, which really highlights where they've been, and what they are now. These two have been through so much together, and have shown the most growth of anyone in Desperate Housewives. They are richly rewarded for this.

Lynette and Tom (Doug Savant) reconnect. How can they not? They belong together. Katherine's last minute offer throws a monkey wrench into their union, but after what they've been through in the past year, anything else is an easy hurdle. What they both realize, with jobs and children stripped away, is that they mean more to each other than anything else. And so they move to New York City, Lynette as a CEO, finally succeeding as more than a wife and mother, and live in a penthouse apartment. Fitting.

Susan gets the least reveal of anyone, but then, her story is the furthest from being over. As Julie (Andrea Bowen) goes into labor on the way to Renee's wedding, Susan once more has to deal with a slapstick emergency, a theme in her life. Unlike the others, Susan's existence will never be calm. But moving in with her daughter, helping to raise her grandchildren, she will find what she is looking for. There may be a number of other challenges, but this cannot be told in a scant few moments, so we're left with the impression that Susan is beginning a new journey instead. She still has a long road ahead, but at least she's on the right path.

These women deserve to be happy. That cannot be said at the beginning of Desperate Housewives. Their trials and tribulations make them work for the joyous ending. But they do so, and they come out stronger because of it. The series is the story of this battle, and how they help each other through it. Now it's time to enjoy the spoils of their rewards, which would make boring television, so it's nice that they end where they do.

The final shot of Susan leaving the street, driving past the ghosts of Wisteria Lane, is powerful. Sans Edie Britt (Nicolette Sheridan), who recently engaged in an ugly court battle with creator Mark Cherry, just about every notable character killed off returns, dressed in white. There's Karl (Richard Burgi) and Rex (Steven Culp) and Chuck (Jonathan Cake) and George (Robert Bart), and even people who aren't Bree's exes, too! Beth (Emily Bergl), Martha Huber (Christine Estabrook), and many more return. And of course, Karen, Mike (James Denton) and Mary Alice (Brenda Strong) are there. It's not everyone, but it's a lot. It's hard to imagine a more perfect tribute, and it certainly will be an image that sticks with one through the years. Awesome.

Thank you to the cast and crew of Desperate Housewives for eight mostly wonderful years. While it was time to end it, you did so well, and you will be missed!

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy Desperate Housewives DVDs or streaming episodes, please click here. This article was first posted as Desperate Housewives desperate no more on TheTVKing.com

Desperate Housewives are "Putting It Together"

     ABC's Desperate Housewives is done with its fall run, as "Putting It Together" sets up a cliffhanger for the rest of the final season. Chuck (Jonathan Cake) is closing the noose around the girls, calling each in for questioning, except Bree (Marcia Cross). Chuck now even knows that Alejandro (Tony Plana) is Gaby's (Eva Longoria) stepfather. The friends begin to turn on each other under the pressure, and they all abandon Bree. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) asks Tom (Doug Savant) not to go out of town, which may cost him his girlfriend, Jane (Andrea Parker). Susan (Teri Hatcher), on the other hand, considers fleeing the city by taking an amazing job in New York. Bree turns back to alcoholism, and speaks to the dead Mary Alice (Brenda Strong), who says she isn't unhappy on the other side. And Chuck is hit by a car, driven by someone yet to be revealed. 

     Desperate Housewives is really going to a dark place here, putting Bree in similar shoes to Mary Alice in the "Pilot." Will Bree follow in her former neighbor's footsteps and take her own life? One would think, after everything that Bree has been through, and knowing how Mary Alice's suicide hurt everyone so long ago, that she will know better. And yet, Mary Alice, who must be a projection of Bree's own mind, tells her that death isn't unpleasant. This means Bree is considering permanent, drastic measures. Bree is pretty alone right now, with only Ben (Charles Mesure) showing her kindness. If she were ever going to do it, this would be the time.

     But the wives will surely pull back together again. "Putting It Together" doesn't even mark the halfway point of this season. With so many more hours to go, it's not yet time for anyone to get caught. And while various characters have falling outs over the years, they never fail to reconnect when times are tough. Never have times been more tough than they are right now.

     A saving grace for the girls is Chuck's accident. Whether he is dead or just out of commission for awhile, having Chuck get hurt eases the pressure. Clearly Chuck isn't working as part of an investigative team, as he is allowed to toy with the housewives, rather than just arrest them. If other cops were involved, they would not allow such a thing. Chuck is operating on his own personal vendetta against Bree, seeking to hurt her as she hurt him. Which means that all of the important facts of the case that he has, he probably hasn't shared with anyone.

     Renee (Vanessa Williams) catches Ben giving Bree a sympathetic ear in "Putting It Together," and does not take kindly to it. Bree is single, so it might be understandable that Renee would get jealous, seeing her boyfriend gab with the pretty neighbor. And Renee and Bree aren't too close, the murder isolating the four main Desperate Housewives from their other friends to some degree. Ben is in the know, which might hurt his budding relationship with Renee, if she doesn't ruin it herself.

     It's about time that Lynette lets Tom is on the secret in "Putting It Together," as he is the last husband to be in the loop. Her intention is to make sure that someone is around for their kids, but it might also bring the couple closer together, considering that Tom staying in town likely ends things between him and Jane. The problem here is, Ben now helps cover up the murder, Mike (James Denton) buries the body, and Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) is the killer, so adding Tom expands the list of vulnerable people in Desperate Housewives. There are now eight people involved in the conspiracy. If the police ever learn the truth, half of the lane stands to go down for the crime, and no one's children will be taken care of.

     Desperate Housewives continues its final season in January on ABC.

     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 - "Putting It Together" on Blogcritics.

"Witch's Lament" saddens Desperate Housewives

     "Witch's Lament" is the Halloween installment of ABC's Desperate Housewives, and thus is spooky, containing ghosts and dark woods. In the episode, Bree (Marcia Cross) enlists Lynette (Felicity Huffman) and Gaby (Eva Longoria) to help her move Alejandro's (Tony Plana, who also directed this episode) body before Ben (Charles Mesure) disturbs the area with his new condos. Meanwhile, Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) tries to deny his alcoholism, which is triggered by his murder of Alejandro, and growing worse. He meets Allen (Scott Lawrence, JAG), who is willing to be his sponsor, if Carlos will let him.

     Alejandro's murder is the slow-simmering mystery of the final season of Desperate Housewives. It's not a question of who killed the guy, as that is known by viewers and several characters alike. However, when will the other shoe drop? When will Alejandro be found? Will the wives or Carlos pay for his death? Will Chuck Vance (Jonathan Cake) be the one to catch them, or is there something he can do to help? Would he even want to help anymore?

     In "Witch's Lament," this plot takes a huge twist when Bree, Lynette, and Gaby discover that someone has already dug up Alejandro. Many questions remain, such as who found the body? What did they do with it? Will Alejandro be turned over to law enforcement or used as blackmail? Is there any solid evidence to connect the main characters to the crime? Who is the man chasing them near the grave site?

     Of course, Carlos should have just called the police in the first place. The circumstances and witnesses, his friends, would have likely been enough to clear him on the ground of self-defense. Yet, he didn't, and now it's far too late. Once the truth comes out, and at this point it seems almost certain that it will, someone will pay. Whether it will be just Carlos, who actually killed the man, or all of the wives, too, for helping to cover it up, remains to be seen.

     Carlos is taking the murder harder than anyone, which is to be expected. He is, at heart, a good guy and a religious man, which causes him to feel deep guilt. Although the alcoholic plot has already been covered by Bree in an earlier season, it feels fresh when repeated under these circumstances. Anyone in his position would need some kind of escape from the pain and feeling of responsibility plaguing him, and alcohol is a handy balancer.

     Now there is simply a wait to see what will happen. Can Carlos ever start to feel better without confessing? Alcohol may hurt him, but he is also seeking some sort of punishment. Not as blatantly as Susan (Teri Hatcher) does for her involvement, but the self-destructive path makes sense. If the law doesn't catch him, then he will make sure he pays in another way. This story isn't going away anytime soon, so much is still very up in the air.

     Susan is completely oblivious to all of the major developments this week. She, instead, interns for Andre (Miguel Ferrer, Crossing Jordan), which basically means she has to watch his kid, Jasper (Mason Cook, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D). Susan is trying to get Andre to like her, so she does whatever he asks. But after seeing how he doesn't even like his son, she makes it her new mission to bring father and son closer together. This fails, too. Susan's intentions are good, but she can't change Andre. He is a personality that she just does not understand at all, which makes it impossible for her to reach him.

     More importantly, though, Andre warns Susan that, to be an artist, she will have to be like him, and there may not be anything she can do to stop it. He seems to scare Susan a little bit, but he's just talking crazy. Susan has been an artist since long before the series began. Even though she is pursuing the interest with renewed energy now, that doesn't mean her approach will be drastically different than it has been all of these years. For Andre to suggest that she's going to lose herself and her family because of an artistic drive at this point in her life seems highly unlikely. This is a plot better suited to someone just out of high school, not close to middle age.

     Lynette also has family problems. Jane (Andrea Parker, The Pretender, Less Than Perfect) offers to make Penny (Darcy Rose Byrnes) a Halloween costume, making Lynette feel like she is being replaced. And she sort of is. Tom (Doug Savant) is getting serious with Jane, who wants to be there for their kids. Lynette scrambles to find Penny a costume, pretending to make it. In the end, Jane must save the day when the costume Lynette gets, giving it to her daughter without first inspecting it, is too slutty.

     Predictably, there is a nice bonding moment between Lynette and Jane as they understand each other, and Jane shows sympathy. But then things take a darker turn as Lynette tells Jane to stop trying to steal her family. Lynette's accusations, at first sounding mean, prove founded when Jane vows to fight for Tom. Tom and Lynette are separated, so it's understandable that Jane would think Tom is available. But she has never tangled with Lynette before, so she doesn't realize just how fierce this mama grizzly can be. Lynette and Tom will probably end up back together in the end, but Jane brings a new threat that will not be easily shoved aside, and is far more interesting than expected.

     Lastly, Renee (Vanessa Williams) makes a fool of herself when taking Chinese sex drugs before a date with Ben. While the pair get off to a rocky start this season, they are relatively solid now. Ben accompanies her to the hospital when Renee has a reaction to the drug, and obviously isn't too bothered. The feelings they share are growing, and won't fall apart without good reason. With this being the final season, and both not being as central as other characters, look for the couple to not have too many obstacles to overcome. Everyone likes a happy ending.


     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.

Article first published as TV Review: Desperate Housewives - "Witch's Lament" 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.

Desperate Housewives The Complete Seventh Season out on DVD

     Coming to DVD this Tuesday, August 30th from ABC Studios is Desperate Housewives The Complete Seventh Season. Subtitled "Wild, Wild Westeria Edition," just because, as all of the DH DVDs have 'edition' titles, it contains all twenty-three episodes of the hit dramedy's penultimate season. Getting back to the show's roots, the seventh season returns some characters not seen in quite awhile, and tries valiantly to recapture the original tone. Couples fall in and out of love, and secrets get darker. This DVD set is a must-watch for anyone who hasn't seen the series yet. And like other ABC shows, it is only available on DVD, not Blu-ray.

     As season seven begins, Paul Young (Mark Moses, Mad Men), fresh out of prison, moves back to Wisteria Lane, determined to get even with the neighbors who abandon him after his trial. He brings along a new wife, Beth (Emily Bergl, Southland, Men in Trees), who also has a dark secret of her own. Beth is actually Felicia Tilman's (Harriet Sansom Harris, Frasier) daughter, there to get revenge on Paul, who murders Felicia's sister, Beth's aunt, in season one. As both Paul and Beth try to carry out their plots, emotion gets in the way, and Paul soon finds unexpected compassion from one of his old friends. It's a great throwback to what is arguably the best storyline from the entire series, even though it happened at the very beginning.

     Joining the cast in season seven is the amazing Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) as Renee Perry, an old friend of Lynette's (Felicity Huffman) who moves to town. Renee stirs up trouble and shakes up the dynamic of the housewives in deliciously interesting ways. Williams manages to hold her own against the long-time stars, and actually carves herself a nice little niche that she will sadly get to occupy only one more year, before the series goes dark forever.

     Also appearing in an arc throughout much of season seven is Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills, 90210 and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) as Keith, a much younger love interest for Bree (Marcia Cross) after Orson (Kyle MacLachlan) finally moves out. MacLachlan is missed, but Green is also great, in a totally new-flavor way. John Schneider (Smallville, Dukes of Hazard) plays Keith's dad, who takes an interest in Bree, too, a more age appropriate, albeit wrong, choice. Both are gone by season's end, but then Jonathan Cake comes along as Chuck Vance, Bree's newest love interest, so it's safe to assume that Bree's bed won't remain empty for long.

     The seventh season of Desperate Housewives ends with quite the cliffhanger, and a beautiful set up for the final season. All of the housewives, and one of the men, are involved in a murder and the cover up of said murder. For those who haven't seen the episode, I won't spoil the twist with too many details, but needless to say, their actions are not evil. But this does set up a very intriguing final season plot where the four women have to band together as never before to protect each other and stay out of prison. Making matters even more complicated, Bree's new guy, Chuck, is a homicide detective. Talk about a conflict of interest!

     Of course, the real soul of Desperate Housewives is provided by the four main women, all of whom undergo major upheavals in their lives in season seven prior to the awesome finale. Bree not only searches for a new man, but also helps son Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom) deal with the alcoholism he inherited from her. Susan (Teri Hatcher) faces her own mortality. She and Mike (James Denton) also face money problems, and have to temporarily move off of Wisteria Lane. While Mike goes out of town to find work, Susan becomes a sexy online cleaning lady for her landlord, Maxine (Lainie Kazan, My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) discovers her and Carlos's (Ricardo Chavira) eldest daughter, Juanita (Madison De La Garza), was switched at birth in the hospital, and their biological child is being raised by illegal immigrants who must flee authorities. It's an Emmy-worthy performance for Longoria, though she is not nominated.

     Lynette faces the possible end of her very long marriage to Tom (Doug Savant), the most stable relationship on the series, up until now. This is a very sad state of affairs. While Mike and Susan have had extremely rocky patches over the years, and Gabi and Carlos even divorce for a time, Lynette and Tom have always been rock solid. With that foundation crumbling, and the threat of a permanent divorce looming, it's going to take much effort to come back from the brink. Given the final season status, a reconciliation would seem to be a no-brainer. But seeing how bad things are as season seven ends, it won't be an easy fix, either.

     On Desperate Housewives The Complete Seventh Season, there are an average number of bonus features for an ABC release, but they are mostly worthwhile extras. Twelve deleted scenes are interesting, but don't add much. Most are from the episode "Assassins." More than four minutes of bloopers seem like too much, yet they are pretty entertaining. A five-minute feature called "Desperate for Trivia" finds the four main women, their three steady men, and Mark Moses answering trivia questions pertaining to all seven seasons of the show. It's hilarious to see who knows what. For instance, did you know that the episode titles in Desperate Housewives are all Stephen Sondheim references? Ricardo Chavira does! Though it's also easy to understand how just being on a series doesn't mean you retain every intimate detail.

     The best bonus feature is "Growing Up On Wisteria Lane." In it, a number of the child actors, especially those who grew up on the series and were never recast, talk about what it's like to be on the set. Some of the adults also provide insight about working with these particular kids. It's a poignant retrospective, appropriate with the end so close. It's also touching that the children, who are forgotten about from time to time, get their very own ten minutes of focus among so few other features. A very worthy addition!

     Make sure you check out Desperate Housewives The Complete Seventh Season, on sale this Tuesday, August 30th.


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

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Article first published as DVD Review: Desperate Housewives The Complete Seventh Season on Blogcritics.

Desperate Housewives - "And Lots of Security...; Come On Over for Dinner"

     Seven seasons in, ABC's Desperate Housewives doesn't need the big finale build up. In fact, despite the fact that the season finale is billed as a two hour special event, unlike in the past, both hours are separate episodes, with their own arcs and stories. In the first, "And Lots of Security...," the Paul Young (Mark Moses) / Felicia Tillman (Harriet Sansom Harris) feud is resolved once and for all. In the second, "Come On Over for Dinner," a new intrigue begins after Carlos (Ricardo Chavira) kills Gaby's (Eva Longoria) sexually abusive stepfather, Alejandro (Tony Plana, Ugly Betty), and Bree (Marcia Cross), Susan (Teri Hatcher), and Lynette (Felicity Huffman) help him cover it up.

     After seven seasons and various murders and secrets, it is fitting that Desperate Housewives moves into what will likely be its final season with all of the main women engaged in a cover up together. It is a justified murder, done in the name of protecting an innocent woman from her long-time tormentor. While police should have been called immediately, that would take away from a concept that has been ripe for quite awhile, and thus, it is time for it to happen. This will cement their deep friendship, as well as right things between Carlos and Bree, who have not been on good terms lately. It will be interesting to see if, one by one, all of the other neighbors eventually become complicit, or the secret will stay confined to five individuals. Both possibilities could be good.

     There is little doubt none of the five will break, but that doesn't mean there won't be an investigation. Plenty of the neighbors have to have seen Alejandro sneaking around, and there will be evidence that leads back to Carlos and Gaby. The question is, is this a good enough mystery to sustain a full season of plot, or will it be one of those stories gone, then quickly forgotten?

     It is not likely to be forgotten because of season seven's themes of the past catching up to people. Paul returns to Wisteria Lane to settle an old score, getting even with the neighbors for their perceived disrespect of him. Felicia follows him to get revenge on Paul killing her sister. Paul tells Susan in the penultimate hour that the past always has a way of coming back, and he ends up confessing to the police for Martha's murder, an event that happened all the way back in season one. It would be folly, just after such a story, to abandon the new arc now, without finding out what the consequences of the housewives' deception are.

     Hopefully, the lead investigator will be Detective Chuck Vance (Jonathan Cake), the recently introduced love interest for Bree. Poor Bree has gone through a couple of husbands and several lovers, but it would be only too appropriate that a happy ending will be out of reach for her because she covers up a murder from the man she is currently seeing. Chuck's presence is what leads the ladies to hide the body in the first place, rather than discussing a more rational plan. Will Bree be able to cope with the stress such an omission can put on a serious relationship?

     It seems that Tom (Doug Savant) and Lynette are finally over. The series's only steady couple who have been together since before day one have found their recent arguments unwinnable, and the pair can barely stand to be in the same room together anymore, let alone spend any time alone. It's a sad, sad end to an era as they separate, and something is profoundly unfair that not one couple on Desperate Housewives manages to go the distance. The only hope is that resolution can be found before divorce is finalized.

     Tom and Lynette's problems have been happening for years, but they've always managed to demonstrate good communication skills and work through whatever happens to them. This time, neither even really try, both choosing to be selfish. Lynette's controlling manner has been a source of contention, but once Tom gets money, he demands more control. She is unwilling to give up even a little. Lynette has trouble with humility, but now, so does Tom, and two egos do not a good marriage make.

    Thankfully, the other couples are as solid as ever. Susan and Mike (James Denton) finally have their home back, and have returned to Wisteria Lane. Susan is past her health issues, and Mike's business seems to be recovering. Gaby and Carlos, too, have found financial and household stability. While neither couple has been married the entire series (Susan spent years wooing Mike, and both couples were divorced for a middle portion of the series), they have been together quite a while. Perhaps monogamy is not a total bust.

     What remains to be seen is if Bree will find a romantic happy ending, as well as new neighbor Renee (Vanessa Williams), who, after a mere one season, has gotten closer to breaking into the main group than anyone else up til this point. Many have tried, some with varying degrees of success. Renee has befriended all four leads, without being too abrasive.

     Renee works because she is an interesting, lively character, who balances bitchiness with heart. She also wants to be part of the group and have lady friends, since up until now, she has defined her life by her marriage. Here is a woman approaching middle age who is just learning who she is and what she wants out of life. Williams has delivered an excellent performance this year, and hopefully she will give an even better one next season.

     Desperate Housewives has already been renewed, and will return next fall to ABC.

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Article first published as TV Review: Desperate Housewives - "And Lots of Security...; Come On Over for Dinner" on Blogcritics.

Housewives leaves on another cliffhanger

     ABC's Desperate Housewives bowed out for the calendar year last night with a 'big event'.  Though reports of a place crash were prevalent on the internet ahead of time, it was not a large liner (as indicated by an early false rumor that it might be an Oceanic Airlines plane that came down) that landed in the street, but a small two-seater.  This must be the most unlucky block in the country, already hit by a tornado, multiple murders, suicide, hit and runs, etc.  Predictably, it took out the woman about to cause huge issues for one of the housewives, newcomer Angie (Joey's Drea de Matteo).  It also killed at least one other in the Santa house, but of course, Mark Cherry will leave us hanging until January to find out who.  It is unlikely that Bree (Marcia Cross) died, but Orson (Kyle MacLachlan, Sex and the City), or more likely, Karl (Richard Burgi), has also bitten the dust.  After the tornado cliffhanger, its more frustrating than exciting waiting to find out for sure.

     This season has only been all right so far.  On the good side, the fued between the Scavos (Felicity Huffman and Doug Savant) and the Soliss (Eva Longoria Parker and Ricardo Chavira) has been handled in such a way where no one is demonized, but you can still see how they would have had such a falling out.  The suspense has been built, with both sides acting in reasonable manners, but still managing to make things worse.  Surely, this fight will be over post-crash, especially since Lynette (Huffman) saved the Solis daughter as the plane came down.  Also, the addition of the new neighbors (de Matteo and Jeffrey Nordling) has been interesting and mysterious.  The couple is likable, and hopefully whatever their issues are, they will be able to work them out and stay on the block.  Plus, Karen (Kathryn Joosten, The West Wing) is appearing more than ever, and even has a love interest!

     On the other hand, the return full time of Julie (Andrea Bowen) has been less than satisfactory.  The wise teenager who parented her mother has turned into a whiny adulterer.  The delightfully complex Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom) is gone with almost no explanation.  And Katherine (Dana Delany), the first new housewife that could have rivaled the originals, has sunk into a dark, sad, depression-fueled mental condition.  It's sad, really.  So much wasted potential in that character.  There have also been mini-episodes during the commercials, but they have been completely uninteresting.

     Will the show pick back up in January?  It looks like many of the plots of this year are resolved or close to it, but there is plenty more to come.  Given the ratings and long term contracts, it looks like Wisteria Lane has plenty more chances to get things right, as they have done more often than not in the past.