ABC's Desperate Housewives has arguably undergone more changes in the first two episodes of this season than at any other time, with the exception of the five year leap forward in time a few years ago. There are new characters arriving, old characters leaving, and some unexpectedly familiar faces popping back up in big ways. Plus, there is an air of danger and mystery that has been absent from the series for some time now. The show has still been strong and interesting for awhile, but these turn of events are refreshing, and has raised the bar once more for Housewives, which has just begun it's seventh season.
The biggest news is that former full-time character Paul Young (Mark Moses, Mad Men), who went to jail way back near the beginning of the series for murdering Felicia Tilman (Harriet Sansom Harris) has been released, and has once more been signed to star in the show. Felicia was found alive and well, and is now serving what will likely be an eighteen month sentence for framing Paul. Meanwhile, with his large settlement check in hand, Paul has moved back to Wisteria Lane in a rental, while angling to buy his old home back. He has not come alone. While incarcerated, he met penpal Beth (Emily Bergl, Southland, Men in Trees), who now finds herself living with a man she never thought that she's see except through the jail bars. It's a weird dynamic to be sure, and one that is far from played out.
The second biggest change is the inclusion of Vanessa Williams, seemingly snapped up by Housewives as soon as Ugly Betty was canceled. Williams plays Renee Perry, and old college friend of Lynette's (Felicity Huffman). After being dumped by her baseball playing husband, Renee turns to Lynette for comfort, and decides to stay. Although she and Lynette's husband Tom (Doug Savant) has a past that they're keeping under wraps, I don't feel like she's a threat to their marriage. She has moved into the late Edie's (Nicollette Sheridan) house, though, and it's obvious that the two have a few things in common. Her inclusion in the neighborhood won't be a quiet one. By next week, she will already by competing with Bree (Marcia Cross) for a man.
Article comments
1 - NancyGail
Paul might be a threat to Beth, but I don't get the impression he's one to anybody else.
2 - Jerome Wetzel
Really? Because he sure seemed bitter when he was talking about how the neighbors abandoned him. I think he came back with a sinister plan.