The "Shameless" Gallagher Family: Waiting for Resolution

By Natalie Wirtz

“I loved you once, I loved you twice, I love you more than beans and rice.” Who knew that these three simple clauses hold the power to bring tears to my eyes? However, in Sunday’s episode of Desperate Housewives, Susan’s (Teri Hatcher) tearful goodbye to husband Mike (James Denton), following his murder, left even me speechless. For a show whose drama is often outlandish and its characters even more unique, this episode brought a perspective that grounded the show back down to Earth.

I have been a moderate fan of the show over the past years. I was intrigued by the premise for a while, but found myself getting frustrated with the cast and difficult storylines in the. However, for the show’s final season I have found myself drawn back in, only to see how the show will come to an end.  

Many were shocked two weeks ago when, in the show’s final season, Mike was killed for protecting Renee (Vanessa William) from thugs. Such a random way to go, especially since most of the characters, including Mike, lived through much more difficult and life-threatening situations.

Funerals make people question their own lives and relationships. The Desperate Housewives are no exception as revealed in Sunday’s episode.

The housewives gather for Mike’s funeral and ponder, through flashbacks, their own relationships and how they evolved to their current state. Past details of the couples are revealed that help the audience understand their current situations and how Mike played a role in each relationship, often as the voice of reason.  

Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria) and Carlos (Ricardo Chavira) have been through the gambit. She started off in their relationship as a selfish model and he was the provider. However, through the years this dynamic has changed and Gabrielle has had to become the emotional support. Will she continue to be there for Carlos as he wants to make a major career change? Can she put her selfishness aside for him, like he always has put her first?

The separation between Lynette (Felicity Huffman) and Tom Scavo (Doug Savant) always seemed ungrounded to me. I thought the show never gave enough introspective into the relationship to warrant their looming divorce. By Tom’s side at the funeral is his new girlfriend—who easily makes it known that Tom is hers. However, as Lynette gazes across the room, their relationship origins are revealed, will they be able to put the pieces back together? Is Lynette willing to makes the first move?

Defining decisions are made and background is revealed about each housewife. Including Bree Van Der Kamp (Marcia Cross) when she is brought in for questioning for murder, yet again.  Two weeks ago, her overbearing ex-husband Orson made a shocking return. Did he plant the evidence and give Bree’s information to the police?

The episode leaves viewers pondering what is to come for not only Susan, but Gabrielle and Carlos, Lynette and Tom, and Bree.

In the final four episodes of the series only time will tell, but this way-ward fan will tune in just to see how the stories will end for the Housewives on Wisteria Lane.