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Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fourth Season
R1 - America - Buena Vista Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Pat Pilon (8th October 2008). |
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The Show
 'I get that you're insane.' 'If you're taking me somewhere where I don't need a boa, then I do wanna go.' Before I start, I just want to say that I'm taking for granted that you're familiar with the third season. Now, given the nature of the show, I don't think that should be a problem, but just so you know, that's how I've written the review. Living in the big city is always easy to write about. So many stories, so many eccentric people live in big cities that it's not so hard to think of fun stories to tell. Living in the suburbs, however, needs a bit more thought. Everything seems so perfect and in its place that you have to scratch under the surface to see all the secrets underneath. The show focuses on four sets of families. Susan (Teri Hatcher) and Mike (James Denton) Delfino live together with Susan's daughter Julie (Andrea Bowen). Lynette (Felicity Huffman) and Tom Scavo (Doug Savant) live with Lynette's twins, son and Tom's daughter, Kayla (Rachel G. Fox). Gaby (Eva Longoria Parker) and Carlos (Ricardo Chavira)' love lives intertwine periodically, though she's married to the town mayor, Victor (John Slattery). Bree (Marcia Cross) and Orson (Kyle MacLachlan) have a gay son, much to the dismay of Bree, and a pregnant daughter. There's also Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan), the neighbourhood's promiscuous one, new neighbours Katherine (Dana Delany) and Adam (Nathan Fillion) Mayfair, and Katherine's daughter Dylan (Lyndsy Fonseca), and a gay couple, Lee (Kevin Rahm) and Bob (Tuc Watkins). All of these lives weave in and out, flipping and flopping through various threads of stories. It's a marvel to see everything go around together. 'Desperate Housewives' in its run, has had plenty of time to expose the quirks and sadnesses of the families involved. In the run up to the fourth season, Bree has decided to fake a pregnancy to save the reputation of her daughter, Gaby got married to the town Mayor, Lynette discovered she had cancer, and Edie and Carlos are in a (somewhat) committed relationship, though one of them isn't as happy as the other. For people just jumping in the season, there are many little subplot ideas and references to previous events, and so layers of meaning may be missed. For fans of the show, however, the fourth season starts off with a bang. This is not a show where the episodes end with a nice little bow. Indeed, every episode ends with loose ends and character arcs unfinished. Thanks to the show's very strong writing, this is its greatest strength. It's rare for me to watch a show and actually want to watch the next scene, the next episode. I wanted to watch the outcome of every single plot point, every single character moment. Again, thanks to the strong writing, the show takes some mundane situations and turns them into quirky entertainment. Whether it be putting up a fountain in a front yard, throwing a charade party, or getting a scooter, the show takes the everyday things that make up life into something fun and entertaining. The show has quirky characters that populate this world of Wisetria Lane. In addition to this, every character has secrets. The show has many things to say, many of them having to do with kept secrets and the past coming back to haunt the present. All the secrets may turn out good or bad. Questions like, 'How in the world is Bree going to fake her birth, given she's faking a pregnancy?' and 'What really happened to Katherine and Dylan all those years ago?' abound. The answers are sometimes funny, sometimes surprising, sometimes shocking, but always enthralling. Another strong point in a list of accomplishments in the dialogue. The writing team has a witty sense of humour, and some scathing remarks about both suburban life and life in general. Susan, talking to the new gay neighbours says she understands them because she has cable, to which one of them replies, 'I hope we can live up to your stereotype.' Bree's mother-in-law, talking about Bree's (fake) pregnancy, says, about having a baby, 'Or should I say babies? You know, it's often a sign of twins when a mother's face gets all plump like yours.' The cast is also wonderful. After four years, the actors are very comfortable playing these girls, and though writers often get tired before the actors, this doesn't happen here. The characters stay fresh and new, even after four years, and the actors have a lot of fun playing in these episodes. They still have great enthusiasm and creative ideas when showing these ultimately mundane situations. However, this is not perfect. 'Now I Know, Don't Be Scared', for example, has a weird character twist, but overall, the arcs are very nicely done, sucking you into the season from beginning to end. The entire season is excellent, but 'If There’s Anything I Can't Stand' and 'Mother Said' are standouts. Throughout the season, the word 'desperate' is definitely apt. The funny and serious situations push these characters to do strange things, sometimes funny, sometimes deadly serious. There is always something interesting going on, grabbing you from the beginning. The secrets, back-stabbing, extortion and blackmailing in this season are enough to make one think this is a big movie taking place in the big city. However, these are all things that happen in a small street called Wisteria Lane. Here is a breakdown of the shortened season by disc. Disc 1: 1. Now You Know (43:04) Gaby and Carlos' plans don't go off as they wanted. Susan already worries about her marriage. Lynette doesn't want anybody to know her secret. There's a moving van in the neighbourhood, and trouble is already brewing. 2. Smiles of a Summer Night (42:30) This episode opens with the best 'crime wave' I think I've ever seen. The girls gossip about Katherine's daughter. A rivalry between Bree and Katherine starts blooming. It's also Edie's birthday. Carlos does something he may someday regret. More than that, Katherine upstages Bree's pie. 3. The Game (42:53) Susan is hosting a party, and everybody wants Katherine there to find out about her past. Meanwhile, Gaby and Carlos have to get their plan back on track. At the party, everybody gets their wish, though not the result they wanted. 4. If There’s Anything I Can't Stand (42:58) The mystery of Katherine's past deepens, as her aunt wants to square away her life on her deathbed. There are more new neighbours. Edie has a special surprise that she probably doesn't want to know, making life harder for a few people. Also, Katherine's aunt wants to come clean but has some problems with that. Bree's family secrets are revealed. Disc 2: 5. Art Isn't Easy (41:39) A new arty fountain brings on the disdain of the neighbourhood. Bree's daughter goes missing a few weeks before the baby is born, but Bree wants her daughter to buy a dictionary. A new homeowner's association is formed, with the goal of 'cleaning up' the neighbourhood. Susan puts her foot in her mouth, this time in a bigger way than usual. 6. Now I Know, Don't Be Scared (42:55) Carlos is going to be in a lot of trouble soon, it seems. It's also Halloween in Wisteria Lane. Lynette discovers she has possum problems, and Susan learns something about her husband's family. Gaby and Carlos' plans change again, regardless of what both of them feel about this. Edie also seems to have problems with Carlos. 7. You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover (43:00) Gaby has some serious problems to deal with now, as Victor has plans of her own. Bree's husband has a hilarious but really creepy early memory. Katherine's daughter wants to find out about her dad. Bree meddles in Mike's affairs, while Bree's husband meddles in hers. One of these ends in comedy, the other in drama. 8. Distant Past (42:59) The ending of the previous episode has repercussions and the search begins. Lynn also has to try to find her missing mother. Through a weird coincidence, Susan tries to set up her daughter with Mike’s dealer. Memories of Chicago comes back to haunt the Mayfairs. Lynette's family history comes back, as well. Disc 3: 9. Something's Coming (42:45) Gaby has some sad news for the girls. As the opening narration says, one of these will lose a husband. Bree finds out about Chicago. Susan and Mike confronts their problem, with serious consequences. Edie learns the secrets to Carlos' money. Then, the tornado hits. 10. Welcome to Kanagawa (42:42) The clean-up begins, in many ways. Susan takes Bree and her family into her home, Gaby's father-in-law threatens her, and Lynette has to come to terms with what happened in the basement. Gaby also has to find the information she lost in the tornado. 11. Sunday (44:59) Katherine's past is the focus, as she has to think about her mistakes. Edie learns new things about Carlos' condition. Dylan is digging deeper into her dad's past. Susan's cousin comes to town and is interested in Dylan. Lynn wants to find her spiritual side. 12. In Buddy's Eyes (42:56) Mike and Orson have a man to man talk, of sorts. Carlos, and Gaby, have to adjust to his new condition. Orson's memories make him feel uneasy, and he says things he may not want others to hear. Susan sees Orson naked in his kitchen, while Katherine and Bree plan the Founder's Ball together. Lastly, Lynette's husband may not be the nicest man in town. Disc 4 13. Hello, Little Girl (42:56) Carlos and Gaby get a new dog, who doesn't like Gaby too much. Orson's secret makes its way to Mike's ears, which probably isn’t what he wanted, and they have another man-to-man talk. Dylan learns something she never thought possible and decides it's probably best to keep the secret from her mother. 14. Opening Doors (42:57) Carlos and Gaby take on a new lodger to help their financial woes. The new renter seems nice but she may get her money in less-than-honest ways. The Scavos have to deal with what happened a couple of episodes back. Susan meets her ex-husband again, with less-than-desirable results. Lynette also has big trouble with her stepdaughter. 15. Mother Said (42:56) Katherine has some scary things to say to her husband. Carlos and Gaby learn some interesting things about their new lodger. Edie has some fun news for Bree concerning the baby, which ends up very badly for somebody. Bree finally comes clean with her friends. Disc 5: 16. The Gun Song (42:42) Lynette still has problems with her stepdaughter and now it's getting really serious. The story of Carlos and Gaby's lodger is soon coming to an end. Katherine's web of deception gets deeper. Susan and Mike have to pick a name for their new baby. Reverend Green has some things to say about Bree during his sermon, which Orson objects to. 17. Free (42:56) Everything in this season comes to a head, making this an excellent episode to the end of a great season.
Video
1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. Like the audio, the picture is strong. The picture quality is consistent throughout the season, and doesn't dip or excel in any particular episode. The show's palette is very diverse, showing the full range of colours. Blacks are very strong, showing nice contrast during darker scenes. Skin tones are accurate and even Lynn's pallor shows through very nicely early on in the season. The compression is also very good, showing no pixelation. Few scenes have very little haloing but on most diplays this won't be seen. The picture is a little soft, though, creating the picture's only real problem. Otherwise, it's a pretty strong transfer.
Audio
The only audio track for the show is an English Dolby Digital 5.1 track. The track is very good, creating a very good atmosphere. The dialogue is clear throughout the season, and the score is light and airy. The score isn't loud enough to obscure any of the dialogue. The various effects also mixed in pretty well, creating a good environment. Though a lot of the show is dialogue, the side and rear speakers add a nice touch, with lawnmowers, passing cars and mingling people during the various scenes. The whole mix creates a nice soundfield, and gives the show a good sound. English (HoH), French and Spanish subtitles are present.
Extras
As with the other seasons, Buena Vista is very generous when it comes with extras. First up are seven audio commentaries spread throughout the season. Disc one sees the a commentary on 'Now You Know' by creator/episode writer/executive producer Marc Cherry, executive producer Bob Daily and consulting producer Jeff Greenstein. Disc two has a couples commentary on 'Now I Know, Don't Be Scared', by Marcia Cross and Kyle MacLachlan, and one on 'Distant Past' with Dana Delany and Nathan Fillion. Disc three has couples commentaries, one on 'Something's Coming' by Eva Longoria Parker and Ricardo Antonio Chavira, and one on 'Welcome to Kanagawa' by Felicity Huffman and Doug Savant. Disc four has a couples commentary on 'Mother Said’ by Teri Hatcher and James Denton, and a regular audio commentary, also on 'Mother said', by creator/executive producer Marc Cherry, actress Nicollette Sheridan and episode director David Warren. All the commentaries are very nice, though some of the couples track can be a bit slow. The one with Nathan Fillion is livelier than the rest, but all of them are nice enough if you give them a chance. The two track with Marc Cherry are a bit more informative, as he had more to do with the creative aspect of the show than the actors. The various participants talk about the various locations, actors, sets, storylines and plot points. Again, these are decent commenataries and worth a listen. Also, a few Start-up Trailers appear before the main menu on disc one only. 'Private Practice: The Complete First Season' (1:00), 'Samantha Who?: The Complete First Season' (1:50), 'Grey's Anatomy' (0:37), 'Lost: The Complete Fourth Season' (1:04) Disc five sees the video extras. First up is the Getting Desperate: From Beginning to End (26:38) featurette that focuses entirely on the tornado episode, 'Something's Coming'. The making-of is very thorough, and you hear how the episode came about. Then there's a lot of talk about the shooting and effects of the episode. Then, the music and narration are explored. This is a very nice look at the making of 'most expensive' episode of the series. There's also the Spare Time: Hanging with the Men of Wisteria Lane (8:36) featurette. The men of the series have fun while playing a game of bowling. They talk about the season, about all the characters killed off, about the women, and about the series in general. It's a lot of fun to watch them and they seem to be having a lot of fun playing the game. Cherry-Picked: Creator Marc Cherry's Favorite Scenes is just what it seems. These are Mr. Cherry's six favorite scenes. You can watch them with or without commentary by Mr. Cherry. In the commentary, Mr. Cherry talks about why these are his favorite scenes, and what the intention was in these scenes. He also talks about the actors and the composer. His comments are nice. The scenes are: 'Trick Fork' (1:24), 'New Doctor' (1:30), 'Secret Ingredient' (2:29), 'Test Results' (2:32), 'Primo Spot' (2:03) and 'Katherine & Wayne' (4:27). There's also a two-minute Alternate Ending. It's similar to the show's original ending, though has more dialogue and is less interesting than what's in the show. Marc Cherry also has a commentary, where he discusses why he changed the ending to what's in the show as it is. A few Deleted Scenes follow. None of them really add much to the show. They usually just reiterate things that are already in the episodes. Some of them explain things that aren't really important, so cutting them out doesn't take anything away. I will say that the first scene is kind of cute, and could have been left in. The commentary by Mr. Cherry is very nice. With a television show, time is always important, so it's okay that most of these scenes were cut for time. Mr. Cherry also explains the reasoning behind the scenes and the reasons for cutting them (other than for time). The scenes are: 'Charades’ (0:20), 'Good at This' (0:39), 'Suspicious' (1:16), 'Calm & Rational' (1:35), 'Invitation' (0:40), 'Disaster' (1:43), 'Deception' (0:33), 'Ooh, Aah, Eat' (0:26), 'Clean-Up' (0:26), 'Lucky Gaby' (1:04), 'Secrets' (0:46) and 'Gossip & Speculations' (1:28). Some Bloopers (4:41) are next. Lastly, a few Sneak Peeks finish out the disc. 'Dirty Sexy Money: The Complete First Season’ (1:45), 'Brothers and Sisters: The Complete Second Season' (1:17), 'Ugly Betty: The Complete Second Season' (1:09), Miramax Films (2:36), 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' (2:07) and 'Wall-E' (2:32) are here, as are other trailer for 'Dirty Sexy Money' (0:31) and 'Brothers and Sisters' (0:31).
Overall
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