What I’m Watching: Desperate Housewives

Desperate Housewives: Season 8, Episode 10 “What’s To Discuss, Old Friend?” (B-)

This episode was a mixed bag, but better than some of the recent installments because it emphasized the comical moments in a way that didn’t transition unexpectedly into devastating dramatic endings. Renee breaking down Bree’s motel door because she thought that Bree was sleeping with Ben led to a rather hilarious takeover of Bree’s life by the ever-vigilant Renee, highlighted by an unfortunately honest remark from Bree that she and Renee weren’t really friends. Renee’s confession about her mother having committed suicide was unexpected and a rare peak into her personal life, strengthening, if not creating for the first time, a true bond between the two women. Chuck’s death is a shame, since he was a great character and now he’s just gone. Could anyone other than Ben really have done it? The amusing diagram about who knows should have pointed everyone right to him. The revelation that Carlos went to the police station drunk to confess was entertaining for the subsequent cover story that Gabby tried to spin about them beating each other. Lynette’s slight reconciliation with Tom is on shaky ground, but it’s good because she’s finally letting him go, which of course is likely to ultimately send him back into her arms. Susan going to Oklahoma is just about the worst idea possible, and I can’t imagine how she’s going to dig herself out of this new hole. Escaping Mike in the middle of the night is going to be the least of her worries as she may singlehandedly destroy the fragile peace created by Chuck’s death.