Stray observations:
1. Season one is perfect. The writing is exceptional for a TV show in every way, from plotting to dialogue. It was so smart and innovative.
2. Old network series seasons were LONG! 23-24 episodes feels epic compared with 8-10 episode Netflix/Amazon/Hulu shows.
3. All of the actresses were VERY good. I don’t know if it was unusually good directing or what, but their performances were great—even the destested Teri H. She was really good in her role.
4. Nicollette Sheridan was a magic ingredient who stole every scene even though her character was the least well written.
5. I know it was ambiguous on purpose that Wisteria Lane was in “Fairview, USA,” in the “Eagle State,” but I am really bugged by not knowing where it is. Throughout seasons one and two, there are lots of references to Utah as a neighboring state, as if it’s a half hour or so away. Other references seem southern-ish, but it seems distinctly midwestern. There’s a mention in season two or three by Mary Alice that it never snows in Fairview, and while Wisteria Lane looks like a temperate Anywhere, USA, with deciduous trees, there’s a scene in which drunk Bree is pulled over in season two and palm trees are visible on the side of the road.
6. Season one was A+ but then it fell off a cliff. Susan’s and Mike’s romance in particular just became irredeemably annoying.
7. As of season five, I LOVE the arc with Andrew! He went from being a sociopathic closeted gay kid with Mommy issues who was resented by Mommy for being gay, to being thrown out onto the street and turning tricks to ultimately becoming business partners with Bree and seemingly stabilizing her. It was so well done for its time.
8. Everyone on the show ranges from very conservative to moderately conservative, and there are *some* mentions (mainly by Bree or her husbands) of church but religion is not depicted at all, except for the dramatic convenience of Gabby in confessional booths. Are we supposed to associate the conservative people with Mormons, who were never mentioned except indirectly as “Utah” to avoid a backlash?
That’s all for now. I am rewatching to avoid Trump news!