• Ep. 501 - You're Going to Love Tomorrow RecapDesperate Housewives Ep. 501 - You're Gonna Love Tomorrow
So, five years after the Season 4 Finale we learn not only the fate of many of the residents of Wisteria Lane, but why these women are as desperate as ever.
Edie is desperate to show the women who froze her out five years ago that she is a happy, well adjusted woman, with a great new husband. Having Edie comment on her appearance makes Gabrielle desperate to change her appearance and that of her daughters. Bree is stealing Kathryn's restaurants for her first cookbook and we learn she is desperate because of Danielle's actions. Susan's guilt over a fatal accident that wasn't her fault has led to a separation from Mike. Lynette's wild twins have grown to be juvenile delinquents who have not yet been caught. And there's one desperate man - Dave, Edie's new husband, whose rage issues have him released from police custody only if he's in a doctor's care and on medication...
The season opener for Desperate Housewives seemed stronger than the past three seasons, not quite as intriguing as Season One, but interesting enough. It is, after all, a soap opera, which means one must toss away disbelief at times. This time, the season opener didn't seem to have anything particularly unrealistic, such as somebody locked in a basement room.
One of the best moments was Edie meeting Mrs. McCluskey at her welcome home/we forgive you party, greeting the senior lady with, "Mrs. McCluskey! You're still alive!" I was almost as happy to see one of my favorite characters on Desperate Housewives. Remember in Season One when she was kind of mean and lonely. Her character development has been one of the best on the series' five years.
Another great moment was Gaby's retort to Edie's comment about her frumpy appearance by telling her, "I have two children - for breakfast." Gabrielle has not lost her sassiness, nor her daring mean streak, which she demonstrated by making her overweight daughter run beside the car to burn off all the cake she ate at a birthday party. Gabrielle is different, though. Still determined, still demanding, still selfish, she has a new softness and a new vulnerability. A perfect mother? No. A loving mother? Yes. And, it seems, a stronger relationship with Carlos, who is still blind. He is still the man of the house.
Bree eating humble pie when Kathryn uses her tactics to show a local television crew that Bree is a fraud were humorous. She fakes a strained wrist. Bree's clumsiness making Kathryn's spun sugar topping causes it to splash and burn the reporter. When Kathryn was satisfied everyone knew, she steps up to complete the recipe. Victorious.
Also funny was Gabrielle's daughter, Juanita, demonstrating some of her mother's feistiness by rebeling from the "game" of running alongside the car, by getting on a bus when her mother wouldn't let her in the car.
One definite flaw was the dialogue and actions of Juanita, who at age 4 1/2 years old, seemed more mature than her age and a little too familiar with the bus system for a preschooler.
Some sad moments included Bree working in her kitchen remembers the day Danielle, recently married to a lawyer, arrives at the house and takes back her son. As Bree begs her to let her continue raising her grandson because he's all she has left, Danielle angrily tells her she'll have to find something else to do. Orson interrupts her memory and asks her to come to bed. She has work to do. He tells her he can't tell her how to run her own business. "It's your baby." Softly, Bree whispers, "Yes, it is." This was more heartbreaking than Susan's anger at Mike over not having a mechanic check the brakes, instead of himself. Apparently, Susan believes that had the brakes been working properly, she could have stopped the car in time and prevented the fatal accident. It seems it wasn't her fault, but the other driver's as she crashed into the Delfinos' car. This is lost on Susan, though, and it ultimately leads to one too many fights for Mike, who walks out on her.
The most romantic moment was when Carlos comforting Gabrielle, sincerely told her how in five years or fifty, she'll always be beautiful.
Kathryn appeared to be just jealous of Bree's approaching fame, until we learn that not only did Bree steal some of her partner's recipes, she hadn't even bothered to learn how to do some of Kathryn's cooking techniques. Do we see a plagerism law suit on the horizon? Or, will Bree do what the honest woman she believes herself to be do and share in the success?
The Scavos' are their same seles, although it's clear their restaurant is successful. Unfortunately, Porter and Preston have been hosting Monday night poker nights without their knowledge. This becomes Lynette's wakeup call - She is running out of time to transform her youngest sons into productive adults. In typical Tom fashion, he agrees to back her discipline descions, but actually finds Porter's and Preston's actions fun and cool. In the end, because he loves her, loves his sons, and knows his wife is right, he comes through with a firm hand. Marc Cherry said earlier this year that he knows many fans like this family and want things to work out for them. He has said he'll honor the fans wishes. Does that include the twins?
The season premiere set up the storylines through May. Bree's new national career and how it effects her family and Kathryn will be one. Susan and Mike's relationship will be another. Will they reconcile, or will she find her happiness with Jackson, the house painter? Will Lynette and Tom tame their wild brood - and stay married? Will Mrs. McCluskey figure out what Dave is up to?
Which brings us to Edie's new husband. Will Mrs. McCluskey figure out what he's up to? Will he break Edie's heart? What are his rage issues and what did he do that required he be place on medication and in the care of a doctor, with whom he must check in every week? It has something to do with the residents of Wisteria Lane, one in particular. As the mystery begins, I'll venture a guess that somebody on that street did something to his family to hurt him badly. Perhaps when he was younger, so older residents don't recognize him? Perhaps it was to a family member who lived there while he resided somewhere else? Does it have something to do with Bob and Lee. It's rumored they'll be back and there will be a reveal about them later this season.
The theme was the passage of time and how at some point in our lives, we ask ourselves what happened to our lives, whether we're pleased with how things are turning out or whether we're unhappy with our lives.
Time will tell how these stories will be resolved and if the fifth season can continue as strongly as it started.
• Ep. 502 - We're So Happy You're So Happy
• Desperate Housewives Season 5 Episode Guide & Rumors
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The Desperation of Desperate Housewives
Friday, September 26, 2008
Newsletter 09-26-08
Screen Scene Newsletter In This Issue: Kids TV Elections for Kids TV Highlights Sunday, Sept. 28th is a big premiere night. The Amazing Racing returns for its 13th installment, one week after winning its sixth consecutive Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program. The season premiere is 8:00pm e/p on CBS. The action starts in Los Angeles, where the teams begin the first leg of their global journey. They travel to Salvador, Brazil, but must face a frightening Detour. "Glory Days" is the season premiere of Cold Case, 9:00pm e/p on CBS and, in Canada, "A." The 1937 murder of a football player is re-examined when evidence surfaces that he was actually killed later than believed. Bobby Cannavale returns as Narcotics Cop Eddie Saccardo. The season premiere of The Unit follows Cold Case on CBS at 10:00pm e/p. The military team tries to unravel an assassination plot as the women are relocated from the base to safety. ABC broadcasts a two-hour season premiere of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, 7:00-9:00pm e/p. Then, it's the return of Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives at 9:00pm e/p. All the main adult characters are back as the series moves forward five years. The Scavo children are older, so new actors have been cast for their roles. At 10:01pm e/p, the Walkers embark on a dramatic weekend getaway together on the season premiere of Brothers and Sisters. With a full-season order from NBC, things are looking up for Chuck - that is if he can survive Ep. 201! In the season premiere on NBC, Monday, Sept. 29, 8:00pm e/p, "Chuck and the First Date," Academy Award nominee Michael Clarke Duncan guest-stars as Colt, a menacing operative. Chuck prevents Colt from obtaining the Cipher -- a device that would ultimately lead to a new Intersect. With his assignment completed, Chuck asks Sarah out for a date. What he doesn't know is that Casey has other plans for him. Happy Birthday, Barney! Since 1988, the loveable purple dinosaur has entertaining children with songs and dance. But, each episode stresses positive behavior and friendship, as well as learning how to count, recite ABC's, and reading. Because Barney is a stuffed toy that comes to life through a child's imagination to embark on a new adventure, the show also promotes creativity. Many of Barney's first fans are now parents whose own children are drawn to the comforting character. HIT Entertainment, the producers of Barney & Friends, has released a DVD of favorite moments from the twenty years the show has been on video and television, including the very first one - a home movie! The Best of Barney - 20th Anniversary Collectors' Edition >>
Vol. I, Issue No. 5
September 26, 2008
Kids TV - Bindi: The Jungle Girl Season Premiere
Elections for Kids
TV Highlights
Barney: 20th Anniversary Collection DVD Review
Emmy-winning Bindi Irwin returns for a second season of Bindi: The Jungle Girl beginning Sept. 27 at 5:00pm e/p on Discovery Kids Channel. The new episodes begin with "American Road Trip" across U.S. desert states. The colorful video postcard is both funny and informative.
We've updated our guide for the 2008 Presidential race. Find resources that explain the branches of our government, as well as classroom and online activities that encourage children to learn about the candidates and how issues effect campaigns. Both PBS KIDS GO! and Nickelodeon's Nick News with Linda Ellerbee have special episodes or events that demonstrate the electoral process, while encouraging children to participate in discussions. Most of these resources are geared for K-8 students, although some are for secondary school students. Elections for Kids Guide >>
Catch a repeat of The Mentalist Friday, Sept. 26, on CBS at 8:00pm ET, before the Presidential Debate on foreign policy.
Peggy
Family Screen Scene
http://familyscreenscene.com
Monday, September 15, 2008
Halloween DVDs for Kids and Family
Halloween began as a pagen harvest festival and considered the Celtic New Year. As Christianity took root, the Church instituted All Hallows Day, more commonly known in modern times as "All Saints Day," celebrating the lives and miracles of all the Catholic Church's saints. The night before All Hallows Day became known as "All Hallow Even," the evening before All Hallows Day. "Hallowe'en" replaced the Gaelic custom of dressing up as ghosts and spirits on October 31st. They believed a door between our world and the spirit world was opened for that day only. Evil spirits invaded the world to wreck havoc on human beings. The costumes were believed to appease the spirit world, lessening the destruction they brought. Since then, Halloween has become a day of revelry for all ages, and an opportunity to "play dress-up" as adults. Costumed children go begging door-to-door, calling "trick or treat," delighting their neighbors with their costumes, ranging from angels to devils and monster. Thankfully, the "trick" part of this custom is no longer considered acceptable.
Another favorite part of Halloween is watching scary movies, television episodes, and cartoons. Here are some of our old and new favorites for kids and family.
Scholastic and Fox Home Entertainment have released three Goosebumps DVDs based on R. L. Stine's writings: One Day at Horrorland; Monster Blood; and A Night in Terror Tower DVDs. The first title is part of the Stine's HorrorLand series that also includes books and video games. The Goosebumps book and television series receives a great deal of criticism some parents' groups. Nevertheless, they are entertaining scary stories for the preteens who love this genre. Stine's stories seem to be inspired by O'Henry's surprise endings and Twilight Zone's twists and turns.
Each episode of HIT Entertainment's Halloween Spooktacular DVD collection of stories and activities is not scary and written for preschoolers and early elementary age children. The episodes cover a variety of Halloween topics, including choosing a costume, safety carving and handling pumpkins, what to expect while trick-or-treating, good manners for trick-or-treating, owning up to one's mistakes, being a good friend, cooperative play, and slightly spooky ghost stories. Episodes are taken from Barney, Angelina Ballerina, Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, and Bob the Builder. A Fifi and the Flower Tots bonus episode is also included.
Nickelodeon Films and Paramount Pictures finally did justice to a movie adaptation of a children's book series when it released The Spiderwick Chronicles. When his parents separate, Jared Grace, his twin brother Simon, sister Mallory, and his mother, Helen, move from New York to a mysterious old house in the country. It is owned by their great great uncle Arthur Spiderwick and great aunt Lucinda. The brothers and sister soon learn that the Field Guide their elderly uncle wrote isn't a fantasy. These creatures actually exist! The only way a human can see these creatures is through a special seeing stone, or by being spat in the eye by an icky goblin. The Grace children desperately try to keep the key to the Unseen World out of Mulgareth's evil hands. As the Graces develop their powers and face these magical, sometimes frightening beings, they overcome their personal conflicts.
Don Knotts was best known for his roles as the suspicious, bumbling deputy in The Andy Griffiths Show and the suspicious, bumbling apartment manager in Three's Company. But, he also made a name for himself in family comedy movies, the best of which is The Ghost and Mr. Chicken
The magical adventure The Little Vampire is a delightful children's fantasy film, complete with flying cows. Kids will watch as an underdog gains confidence as he helps his new friends overcome a huge obstacle and evade a klutzy vampire hunter. The parents are loving and caring, but bemused at Tony's make-believe vampire friends - until they are introduced. In the end, good conquers evil. Those who were thought to be evil weren't so bad, after all. They were just stuck in a bad situation and needed a little help getting out of it. The acting and writing is remarkably good, compared to many kids' movies of this genre. The story keeps the attention of the kids. And, adults will catch themselves laughing along with the kids.