Randomramblings

I have seen the complete first season of Desperate Housewives and have read the recaps of the second season. At first I liked the idea of a soap opera that combined comedy, suspense or even thriller and a modern take on housewives - women who are less than perfect while they strive to become that blend of everything perfect - a mother, wife and daughter who exceeds everyone's expectations. But as the story unfolded the main characters started taking actions which were without foundation (and underexplained), events took place which surprized me and every character became a type.

Susan is clumsy and has the ability to expose herself to ridicule of others, she is about as prone to most bizarre accidents as Bridget Jones is. Bridget is funny and desperate and overweight and has every reason to be frustrated, but she remains optimistic despite her faults. Whereas Susan is paranoid (without foundation), treats her daughter (who is far more mature than Susan) as a child, needing her guidance and control and sets rules only to break them herself. She is romantic to the point where it's doing her harm, almost pathologically can't decide about Mike (her sexy single neighbour) and is almost more nosy than Mrs. Huber. It's funny how it's always Susan who discovers clues (Mike's gun, Dana, sounds coming from Betty's cellar) that take the story further. Susan, in short, has nothing to recommend herself but being incurably suspicious, prone to bizarre accidents and helplessly immature. All I can do is wonder how she was selected as the most fascinating wousewife.

Bree is one of the characters that probably makes most sense, is most consistent and very seldom (if ever) acts in a way you wouldn't expect her to. (Perhaps the funeral thing with the tie was out of control, but then again Bree likes to have it her own way). The part I don't understand about her is how her vindictiveness clashes with her choice to keep things private. She doesn't even tell her best friends that Rex wants a divorce, she didn't tell them about his infidelity, about her own feelings for George, but she does go as far as to comment Rex's ejaculation in public. Talk about a private woman. But still, she at least makes sense.

My pet peeve is Gabrielle, the ex-model. When she starts her relationship with John, it's obvious that she's doing it solely to get her revenge (because her husband pays little attention to her and she realizes she's already got all the gifts she wanted to have). A few episodes later she even realizes John's falling for her, but chooses not to act on this cue. Later (and there's no evidence in the acting of the said actress) she apparently starts to warm for John, but is aware that she couldn't be happy without all the material possessions Carlos (the husband) provides for her. She breaks up with John and from then on things get messy. One moment John knows she's playing with him and distances himself from her, the next moment she comes to his apartment, literally begging him to be with her again. After a few episodes of this constant alteration, one loses grip on reality. Whatever. I don't even care about her character anymore.

If I had to pick a favourite character in the series it would be Lynette. She knows she can't tame her children and that perhaps (just perhaps) it was wrong of her to assume that because she was a good business-woman she would make a good mother, too. She will not let herself be overlooked or looked down on, she can't suppress her concerns and she openly faces her husband about them. Now, she might have her faults. The most obvious of which would be that she has no idea (no idea in the least) how to raise children. If they get out of hand, she just starts screaming and issuing all sorts of threats, but it doesn't get her far. In her desperate attempt to control her children she starts blackmailing them ("And I'll let Santa know you want SOCKS for Christmas!") and plays a (what she calls) psychological war with them. She has her faults enough, but at least her character has consistency, is funny, believable and (where it's needed) shows reasons behind actions.

This show might be called good by some, but not by me. In Desperate Housewives one has to take actions and events at face value. It's the kind of soap opera (I don't know what else I expected!) where the course of actions and the reasons behind them are never explained and you just have to take them for what they are. I refuse, therefore I choose not to watch this anymore.

Labels: random ramblings