That’s the answer to the big lingering question about Desperate Housewives, which returns Sunday at 9 p.m. on ABC. Did the five year jump the show took in the fourth season finale work?
I’ve seen the first two episodes of the season and I’m so relieved to report that the show is back on track. The time travel corrects some of the core problems that had stymied the series and returns the series to its season one entertaining combination of mystery, camp, humor and wit. Gabrielle (Eva Longoria Parker) and Susan (Teri Hatcher) benefit the most from the flash forward.
My main complaint with Gabby had been that she needed a purpose in life. Constantly watching her go shopping and get her nails done had turned her into a character that was so shallow it had become challenging to care about what was happening with her. Now a makeup-less Gabby has two children and is adjusting to a life without a social status. In the premiere, Gabby is struggling with the fact that her daughters are overweight. Longoria Parker hits the exact right note of a mother who loves her children but is somewhat selfishly concerned with their appearance. The story line lets Gabby evolve while keeping her true to her character.
Susan’s more serious story line (which I won’t spoil here) strips her of her silly pratfalls but you still feel like you’re watching Susan. And I think that holds true for all the characters. This reset of the timeline propels them forward but does not totally forget their past or make them into completely new characters.
The best best news is the arrival of Neal McDonough’s Dave. He sweeps into Wisteria Lane and brings this season’s mystery right along with him. By now we’ve learned that the season long mystery makes or breaks the show and Dave’s looks like it is going to be a doozy.