Photos
Video
'Desperate Housewives' makes the most out of sweeps
Finally, the big November sweeps event we've been waiting for on Desperate Housewives! Arson, murder, and one rockin' verse of "Mustang Sally" made tonight's episode one to remember. And you know what? I'm still very interested in this season's mystery, which is definitely saying something compared to the last few years.
The episode centers around the Battle of the Bands, starting us off there - where we see a fire break out during the guys' performance, and an arson arrest made the next day (it's unclear who) - and then flashing back to the events that led to that night.
Lynette: This plot means business, y'all. Was anyone else thinking fondly back to the days when the twins were stealing Mrs. McClusky's lawn ornaments when we saw Porter with the gun? Ah, memories. But I'm getting ahead of myself. After Preston rats Porter out, Lynette confronts Ann about the pregnancy. Ann confirms it, describing over Lynette's protests the circumstances that led to the affair in the first place - Porter happened upon the aftermath of Ann's husband beating up on her - and saying that she's glad to be having his baby. It's almost...sweet? Also creepy. Unfortunately, she's overheard by her husband, Warren (owner of the music club where Battle of the Bands is taking place), who shepherds Lynette out of the house and proceeds to wail on his wife. Awful.
Lynette rescues Anne and takes her to the hospital, where Porter finds out what happens and freaks out, attacking Warren at the battle of the bands. Lynette intervenes (props to Felicity Huffman for some great acting tonight) and they leave out of the emergency exit, which Warren then orders locked. Yeeeah, as I'm sure you've guessed, that doesn't turn out too well once the fire breaks out. Outside, we see that Porter had a gun with him. Yikes. Even more yikes: Warren finds him and accuses him of burning down the club.
Gabby: Virginia is back to stalk the Solises - she's gotten Carlos un-fired, and is ready to rejoin the family, despite their little "squabble." Gabby refuses to let her back into their lives...until Carlos mentions that she put them in her will as her sole heirs. Aaaand, she's back in the fam! The family that whores together stays together, I suppose.
However, Virginia quickly steps on Gabby's toes by trying to enroll the girls in a private school an hour away, insisting upon it when Gabby objects. Gabby, more mother than golddigger these days, tells Virginia to keep her money because the girls come first. Wow, I never thought I'd see the day! And instead of letting Virginia die in the fire before she can change her will, Gabby rescues her. And she doesn't even throw Virginia back into the fire when Virginia confirms that the Solises are still out of the will! Oh, Gabby. You've grown so much over the years.
Susan: Doubleyou. Tee. Eff. Julie is dating Steven Weber! Her college professor. Her 40-year-old, thrice married college professor. EWWWW. Susan has the same reaction, and honestly manages to keep it together waaaay better than I would when he tells her that he plans on proposing, and calls her "Mom." EWWWW!
Of course, Susan can't just wait to see what happens (fair enough, in this case), and ruins the surprise when he tries to propose at Battle of the Bands (how romantic...). Julie, however, didn't need the interference. Apparently, she hasn't lost all her sense. She's totally on top of not marrying an old dude she's been dating for three months - or marrying anyone ever, for that matter. I knew I liked that girl. Susan's sad to see that Julie's so soured on marriage, though.
Bree: This plot seemed pretty pointless to me up until the end, but Marcia Cross really sold Bree's final speech. Basically, Bree's got a big interview with a tough reporter, and tries to put on the "perfect family, house, food, and flowers" dog and pony show, but gets busted on having a totally messed up life in reality. The reporter feels like Bree's book is a sham, marketing something unattainable to women, but Bree emotionally says that she doesn't feel too great about herself, and wants to throw a lifeline to other women in her situation so that they can get something right too, even if it's just a casserole. The reporter, predictably, is on board with that angle rather than the hatchet job she had planned.
Dave: Dave's psychiatrist, Dr. Heller, tracks him down at the Battle of the Bands, where he complains that Dave changed his name without telling him, AND moved to Fairview after promising not to. Dave claims that Edie knows the whole story and really wanted to move back to Fairview, and then tries to postpone discussion until after the show. However, the shrink realizes that "he's" in Dave's band after looking at a poster. Dave claims that he and this mystery man have worked through everything, but the shrink insists upon talking to "him," and the police.
Um, probably would've been better to just go ahead and do those things, rather than announcing your intentions to a psychopath with a rage problem. Too late for that, though, as Dave strangles Dr. Heller with his bare hands in a stockroom. Wow. And then douses the body in gasoline and sets it on fire. Wow. And then locks Jackson in a nearby bathroom when Jackson stumbles upon him leaving the stockroom. Wow.
He then heads out to rejoin his bandmates just in time for them to play their faithful rendition of "Mustang Sally." Don't you usually have to do original songs for Battle of the Bands? Also, can we discuss the matching band t-shirts? Because they really don't help with the rock and roll image. At any rate, Mike has a great voice, which isn't surprising considering James Denton is in a band. Possibly the greatest band ever, in fact. Hugh Laurie and Greg Grunberg! Awesomeness. Anyway, the stage catches on fire almost immediately, which kind of kills the mood.
As everyone tries to flee, people are trampled in the chaos. Dave breaks a window to let everyone out, but Jackson is still missing, obviously. Mike tells Susan to leave and runs back to get him, but succumbs to smoke when he gets into the bathroom and can't find Jackson, who's made it out on his own. Dave goes in after Mike, almost getting killed in the process. What a hero? His last words to Mike before he gets loaded into the ambulance: "Hang in there...I'm not done with you yet." Dun dun duuuuuun!!!
So, does this mean that Mike is definitely Dave's target, or is Mike just a way for Dave to get at his real target? Is Porter the person the police arrested the next day? Are you liking the way this mystery is progressing?
It was an excellent episode and I loved Lynette's/Felicity's acting and wasn't annoyed by her (finally). I'm glad she saved Anne from evil husband.
OMG, those band t-shirts were so ridiculous! They're only in their 40's, not old enough to be that out of it.
It was definitely icky that Julie was dating Steven Weber but he's really only 16 years older than her. It's just that we've known Julie since her teenager days so it's weird. Glad she said no though but why bring him home to mom unless they were serious?
Dave is downright evil. Murder, mayhem and fake heroism. I was afraid Mike was doomed for a moment though. It's gotta be him if Dave said that last thing about not being done with him yet. But maybe not with all the DH twists. Too many jailbirds on this show.
Ally | Nov 16, 2008 9:20:10 PM | #Was it gasoline that Dave used to start the fire? I thought it was alcohol, which would make more sense since it was the storage room of a bar rather than a garage, but I could be mistaken.
Still think Mike's the target and Dave wants to torture him a bit more or get some information from him before he gets his final revenge.
Porter might be arrested, but I think the police will drop him as a suspect after they find Dr. Heller's body and discover the fire was set to cover up a murder. Still he should get into trouble for carrying a concealed and unregistered firearm.
I'm pretty sure Dave started the fire with alcohol that was on the shelves in the back. He walked out with a bottle in his hand too. And the Julie/Steven thing was weird. They're nearly 30 years apart in real life...glad Susan butted her way into that one although she usually gets on my nerves. Kudos to great acting by Felicity H tonight!
ELizabeth | Nov 16, 2008 10:10:12 PM | #Good episode. I'm a tad bemused by three different rescues by people who loathed the person they saved: Lynette when Anne was being beaten, Gaby saved Virginia during the fire, and Dave saved Mike.
I'm pretty sure that Porter was wearing plaid pants, per the person we saw handcuffed. No sense of style.
Maureen | Nov 16, 2008 11:48:33 PM | #So WHO died??
As usual they say two people die, but who???
Finally, a GREAT episode!! Nothing to complain about. Except, who died? The doctor guy, and then who else? Julie's boyfriend? lol
That was seriously pretty gross about Julie dating the old man. But I was glad to see Susan finally having a good storyline. I hope they keep Julie 'cause Susan by her self is annoying. And seriously, where's MJ? lol.
The best storyline was Lynnete's. Sure, the whole porter with a gun thing was kinda lame, but whole thing worked overall. I figured it was Porter who was arrested when the show started, but I don't see why.
Bree's storyline was fun, and I'm glad it wasn't a Bree and Katherine storyline again!
I'm glad they didn't go with the 'Carlos blamed of Sexual Harrasment' angle for the Gaby storyline! That would've been so BORING!
Didn't miss McKlusky.
eahilbert | Nov 17, 2008 2:16:02 AM | #I'm a little peeved. While I thought the show had some realy high points--Lynette finally has something to bite her chops into instead of the waste of storylines they've given the character as of late and Gaby really showed some evolution--but the fire itself ("the big event") was a bust. Reminds me of the Moldavian massacre on Dynasty when two characters of which we had not vested interest in were the only ones that died--I'm guessing it's the doc and Weber's character. I thought for sure it would have been Jackson, which would have been right on track with Susan's lovelife record.
Also, I'm not sure it's just Mike that Dave is after. If you notice on playback, when Carlos fell off of the stage and Tom and Orson jumped down to help him, someone--Dave I think--ran between Orson and Carlos and Tom and punched Orson so hard he flew back to the stage. I'm convinced that the mystery relates to when Orson knew Mike in prison and that they are both the targets.
All in all, I think the episode was great and I'm loving this season but with all of the hype about the special effects and the fire being "the big event," I think it was more a match and less a bonfire.
CraiginMD | Nov 17, 2008 3:31:48 AM | #My bad, definitely could've been alcohol that he used to start the fire. But either way, what a psychopath!
Liz | Nov 17, 2008 4:58:20 AM | #i really hope dave's not after mike. why would he keep him alive if he could've let him die in the fire? is he that evil? is he planning to so something so horrible to him? gaaahhh...
porter was the one arrested in the beginning. he was the only one wearing a baby blue tshirt. it wasn't that noticeable in the end because he was wearing a jacket over it.
now that carlos will be getting his vision back, to what purpose will this benefit for his storyline?...unless this may have to do with dave's mystery. i'm still hoping dave's after carlos. that would be an interesting plot twist: carlos gaining his vision back, somehow recognizes dave from prison (assuming he and his brother steve spent time together in prison). carlos wouldn't have recognized dave now because of his name change....
...which by the way, i'm wondering what his actual last name is. maybe...hildebrand???? ehh...now i'm talking nonsense.
Interesting point about Carlos. And it goes with what I said about someone punching Orson when he tried to help Tom get Carlos out...interesting....
CraiginMD | Nov 17, 2008 7:00:44 AM | #CraiginMD -
Orson wasn't in prison with Mike. He tried to kill Mike because of the whole fiasco with Orson's ex-wife, of which Mike was kind of a witness. Then Orson went to jail long after that. No shared prison time for them.
And it's definitely Porter who was getting arrested... it's pretty clear to tell those are young hands, not belonging to a 40-something year old man.
Tony | Nov 17, 2008 7:11:09 AM | #Great episode!!! I wonder if this will be the last of Virginia. I loved how Gabby told her she has no right telling her what to do w/ her children! Intesting on Carlos..would make sense he would be the target since hes blind and w/ Dave's name change. Kudos to Lynette for going back in the house. I was shocked when the hubby was kicking his wife...wow! Did they mentioned while she was in the hospital if she lost the baby? I dont remember if that was mentioned.
Danielle | Nov 17, 2008 7:49:03 AM | #The doctor's dead, who else? I first thought Orson but since I seem to be the only one, I assume he was seen somewhere and I just missed him. Probably Julie's guy or the reporter or were they also seen somewhere?
Great episode, but in a way I'll be a little disappointed if no one important dies, just like in the tornado. Although I wouldn't really want anyone important to die either..
I don't want Dave to be after Mike and I don't think he is. Too many mysteries for one guy. (Although it is quite surprising how many mysteries and murder stories there can be on just one street.) I'd say Carlos.
Jenny | Nov 17, 2008 7:57:23 AM | #Isn't Dave supposed to be a motivational speaker? That takes a history and some celebrity. It's surprising that his psychiatrist didn't know about his new name.
I watched the show on Canadian TV, and it ended abruptly, no usual summation. Was something left out that mentioned two people dead? I'd go with the brutal husband because he's Most Deserving, and because Porter's arrest would make most sense if he were dead.
And how about the doors at the night club? Washroom doors that lock people inside? An exit door with the fittings for an internal padlock?
The Fire Department seemed awfully restrained. Nobody even went after Dave when he rushed into the burning club.
Maureen | Nov 17, 2008 7:59:40 AM | #We saw the club owner fighting outside after the fire so I'm guessing he's not dead, assuming Parker/Porter/Preston didn't shoot him afterwards.
Jenny | Nov 17, 2008 8:09:13 AM | #I thought I heard on next week's previews that 6 people died. The preview went something like this.
Lynette: I will protect our son.
Tom: Even if he killed 6 people?
Anyone else hear that?
alia | Nov 17, 2008 8:19:29 AM | #Alia:
I heard the same thing..."Even if he killed 6 people?"
They did say 6 people died. And it was alcohol used to start the fire, doesn't anyone notice details like Dave picking up the bottle in the bar's storeroom? And there is no way a storeroom like that would be left unlocked for any bar patron to wander in and steal liquor. And what was the reason the doctor went off with Dave in the first place? If he was stupid enough to go into a dark storeroom with his psycho patient, then he deserved to die. And, does anyone remember when the twins set another fire at the competing pizza restaurant? Also, the special effects for the fire were as fake as the ones for the tornado.
Wondering?!?! | Nov 17, 2008 9:53:56 AM | #I would like to know who the other dead people are as well . . . probably no one.
As far as Lynette defending her kid - I would hope that she would - sure Porter has set a fire before, but wasn't she with him for a good portion of the evening?
Also - where are the other Scavo kids? Don't they have 3 boys and a girl? Funny that the other kids just aren't around basically. I think it would be interesting if Tom's daughter came back as well - could have some fun there.
Wags | Nov 17, 2008 10:59:32 AM | #Anyone else think it was in bad taste to have a nightclub fire while a band was playing, along with locked exits? Does the fire at The Station with Great White playing sound familiar? I thought I even saw a sign on the wall saying something about "Great White."
And this is the second arson fire on the show...
doug | Nov 17, 2008 11:08:23 AM | #I'm almost sure it's not Julie's boyfriend; when Jack rushes over to Susan after the fire, I can just make out Julie and some guy behind them, and I think said some-guy is her boyfriend. He was touching her shoulder or something.
Though, I wish he did die, didn't like him much~
Bebel | Nov 17, 2008 11:09:16 AM | #I thought it was a good episode. I do think Mike is Dave's target. Somehow, I think Edie will get wrapped up in it all. I hope Lynette can save her son from the clutches of the older, unscrupulous woman.
Tracy | Nov 17, 2008 11:25:45 AM | #Yeah, the best part of this exciting episode was that lots happened, and it served to advance the big mystery, but still it did not reveal the big answers just yet. We still get to unravel what Dave is after.
Frank | Nov 17, 2008 11:48:46 AM | #I am always so amazed that people continue to harp on the fact that the entire Scavo family is never seen. Do the Scavo offspring have to be in each and every episode in order to satisfy some people?
The series has a large cast and it should be assumed that not every character is going to be featured in each episode. Besides, its not like we ever saw a lot of the Scavo kids before the time leap, except when they were doing something bad or illegal.
Maybe ABC should spin the Scavo's off into a sitcom so that these rabid Scavo Family fans will finally be happy.
I'm thinking the only reason Porter is arrested is that the cops find the gun on him. Otherwise, a mere accusation that he burned down the club would not be probabl cause for the arrest.
Bean | Nov 17, 2008 11:52:25 AM | #
Zap2it Twitter Talk
