Has Desperate Housewives Jumped the Shark?

[Ontir]

I searched for a similar thread, and found none, so here goes:

I've missed a good deal of DH this season, but caught bits and pieces, now and again, and what I'm seeing has me scratching my head. Season One, this was a great show. Now, while I love Dana Delaney, she's a duplicate of Bree. Mike's son, the one raised by the ghostly Mary Alice is completely out of the picture, as is his "adoptive" dad - who's in jail awaiting trial. Maybe it's me, but if I were a ghostly narrator, I'd be more interested in my husband and son, than the neighbours!

They also forgot, until last week, that Susan illustrates children's books. I always liked this, because the idea that such a klutz could create beautiful illustrations was a nice irony. The only control and serenity she's ever known is in isolated creation. Put her with people and all hell breaks loose. Forgetting Susan's career is significant because all of the women were strong, driven, and independent in different ways. Bree built Rex from scratch and kept him running - maybe into the grave. Lynette was a career woman with a great husband, making a great team. Gabrielle had been a successful model, whose marriage was a corporate merger, beneficial for both, while Susan, unable to make her marriage work, had built a good solid life for she and her daughter. In subsequent seasons, they've chipped away at almost all of this, with no real direction. Edie, ever present, is always on the verge of being driven off, or offing herself, while other characters arrive and exit leaving me wondering why anyone bothered.

September's got some proving to do!

[Jared]

DH lost me about a third of the way into Season 2. I just couldn't care about the new mysteries.

[titanfan]

I actually think it jumped the shark Season 2, but actually got back on the tracks this season.

It's not quite Season 1 again (and I'm not sure it ever will be), but it's definitely on an upswing.

The Dana Delany character is just the season long neighbor that moves in at the start of every season and then will leave at the end. I like that she's a foil for Bree.

Mike's son will be back to win over Julie with his millions of dollars one day.

[mattx110]

Has it ever been on the not-yet-jumping side of the shark at all? I thought that was the point.

[Ontir]

I actually think it jumped the shark Season 2, but actually got back on the tracks this season.

It's not quite Season 1 again (and I'm not sure it ever will be), but it's definitely on an upswing.

The Dana Delany character is just the season long neighbor that moves in at the start of every season and then will leave at the end. I like that she's a foil for Bree.

Mike's son will be back to win over Julie with his millions of dollars one day.

2 was off the rails, largely because Cherry was writing every line of dialogue for Bree, because the story of she and her son was he and his mom. That's why the Applewhite storyline fell apart. He wasn't able to oversee it, and correct course in time to save the characters.

I liked the tornado storyline, as well as the aftermath, but when it comes to strong character driven stuff with the main cast, it feels like they're out of ideas.

I'd like to see Mike's son come back, especially now that he's got a half-brother, as well as a step-sister. They need to sort things out with his dad, too. I like the actor, and I'd like to see him show up, completely free, with everyone wondering what he's going to do next.

I still don't think Rex is really dead, either.

[La Fea]

Well if the season ender wasn't a jump the shark moment, then it very well may be, but I am now super excited about the upcoming season! The seasons have become a bit typical (guest-stars end up dead, new neighbor's secrets are revealed--though hopefully Katherine sticks around) but I still lovelovelove this show as a guilty pleasure. I love following around their lives as it constantly changes even if it means plots are dropped (though unless there are issues with the actors I don't expect them to never be brought back to light ever again).

I really wish we could rid ourselves of Orson, though. He is just too much of a male Bree. The conflict between them is never as exciting as hers was with Rex. Same with Mike, he's definitely become a bore as he final settled down with Susan.

[Ontir]

I started to watch the first hour, and was so bored I went to el Pollo Loco for a burrito. When I got back, because it took for-friggin-ever, hour 2 was just beginning. It was rather typical, but I LOVED the bit when Tom told the guys off about what it takes to be married, and Lynnette's reaction. Now THAT'S an old-school DH moment.

Then, we got the Five Years Later... and I've no idea if that's a tease, or next season they're going to have jumped the years or not, but... it's a perfect opportunity to have Julie back from college, and perhaps living in her own Wisteria Lane home. I was thrilled to see Andrew (I know Pyfrom's actually straight, and he's way too young anyway, but I do adore Andrew!), and it makes sense that Bree would be a "Martha Stewart." I loved that Lynnette and Tom's problems never seem to end, and I knew from what she was wearing that something big had happened to Gaby - note the absence of Carlos - and enjoyed her being the harried Mom. Going into Susan's wrap-up, I figured it couldn't be Mike, but I did NOT see Gale Harold coming! If he's in, come September, I'll be watching!!!

[saintsaucey]

What was Delaney's actuall secret. I caught bitz and peices of this season but didn't watch it regularly. I don't watch it anyways but this season sorta peeked an interest.

[Pach!]

What was Delaney's actuall secret. I caught bitz and peices of this season but didn't watch it regularly. I don't watch it anyways but this season sorta peeked an interest.

the cop used to hit her so she ran away. One time when Mary Alice was babysitting Dylan, the cop found her and gave her a doll. Delaney got scared and started packing again, but before she could leave her husband tracked her down. During the packing she took the doll from her daughter (who was sleeping) and placed on top of a dresser. She then confronted her husband in the living room and managed to scare him away. During that time, Dylan woke up and tried to reach her doll but the dresser fell on top of her killing her. So Delaney (I can't remember her name..Katherine? I 'll just assume it's Katherine) buried her daughter and adopted a similar girl from Romania

[saintsaucey]

the cop used to hit her so she ran away. One time when Mary Alice was babysitting Dylan, the cop found her and gave her a doll. Delaney got scared and started packing again, but before she could leave her husband tracked her down. During the packing she took the doll from her daughter (who was sleeping) and placed on top of a dresser. She then confronted her husband in the living room and managed to scare him away. During that time, Dylan woke up and tried to reach her doll but the dresser fell on top of her killing her. So Delaney (I can't remember her name..Katherine? I 'll just assume it's Katherine) buried her daughter and adopted a similar girl from Romania


I assumed it was something with the daughter not being who they thought she was, but I wasn't sure

[Ilash]

I don't know, I don't think it was all that good to begin with but it really turned to crap with season 2.

[mgs]

I had no idea this show was even still on.... O.O


for me, it's jumped the shark, been toasted a dozen times, parked in the garage and had it's oil changed. now it's rusting away because gas is too expensive...

[Omega Alpha]

DH lost me about a third of the way into Season 2. I just couldn't care about the new mysteries.

Same here. It jumped the shark a long time ago.

[Ontir]

I'm not sure the show will make it past next year yet, but I think last night they were more on-track than they've been in awhile. Bree's attempt to show Andrew how cool she was with him and his new boyfriend nearly backfired, but in the end the relationship between she and Andrew, which I think is extremely close to that of Cherry and his own mother, has become one of the best parts of the show.

Finally, we learn what Neil McDonough's character is really about and after, which is why Lynnette is so screwed. I just think bad things are ahead for Preston and God only knows where Porter's gotten to, or what he'll get up to next.

[Pixie_Solanas]

Hey, I think this Obama guy really has a shot!

Uh, oh wait. You mean this thread ISN'T from 2006???

[pitbull in a skirt]

Aw, it was from May.

As for DH, I never watched. just can't look at Teri Hatcher's face, it makes me sad.

[Donald M.]

This show jumped the shark on day one, but that's part of its charm.

[Ontir]

So have any of you watched the show recently, or read what I added on today?