If you have the attention, interest, desire and action, and would like to study for your test tomorrow, here are some ideas. You can re-view clips of the pilot episode, or episode two of Desperate Housewives (Season One) online. I have linked to a small section, with some interesting subtitles. Unfortunately I can't find any clips from The Socratic Method.

You can also comment/ask questions of your peers. You may like to explore relevant conventions and techniques and how they show issues, values and themes of the text.


Are there any interesting symbols in the pilot? How do they show key themes or attitudes in the text?

Dialogue Discussion

Question: Explain how dialogue/voiceover constructs a character and reveals key themes of the episode.

Try and use at least two quotations and link to other filmic techniques where possible. Endeavour to incorporate your quotation into your discussion. Paste your comment after this post. I have put a sample paragraph here and if you want to look further at the structure I have followed, visit our page at the PC Portal.

Bree bristles with perfectionism in the first episode of Desperate Housewives; she is constructed as a woman devoted to projecting an image of success. Through the dialogue between Bree and her husband, we learn of the unhappiness beneath the surface, illuminating the theme of the differences between appearances and reality. When Bree's husband abruptly announces "I want a divorce" the viewer is shocked by the abrupt shattering of the domestic ideal. More telling though is Bree's reaction - she ignores him - suggesting her power and determination to cling to the role of the domestic paragon. Her husband announces, “I just can’t live in this detergent commercial anymore” highlighting the superficial strain of their relationship. Indeed, the idea of a "detergent commercial" suggests that Bree has constructed a polished world, with a veneer of success and domestic virtue. As the viewer has seen earlier from her rehearsed speech and uptight deportment at the wake, Bree's role is entirely performative. Overly attentive but often neglectful of others' emotional needs, she appears to control and manipulate her family's behaviour. Classical music from the kitchen of the Van de Kamps echoes the dining scenes from American Beauty where the highly composed pieces reflect the uptight desire of Carolyn to control the domestic setting. The scene from Desperate Housewives closes on a private moment of Bree sobbing, alone, actions which don’t necessarily arouse sympathy but instead reinforce the quiet desperation of the life of yet another housewife. Surfaces shimmer brightly on Wisteria Lane, masking family dysfunction and pain as illustrated in the tense discussions of the Van De Kamps.

Created by Marc Cherry

The details for Desperate Housewives are listed here. As the show has many directors, just refer to the creator and producer Marc Cherry in your responses/assessments. I have also copied the key cast from IMDB below, or alternatively you can visit the site for some visuals.

Cast (Series Cast Summary - 18 of 298)

Teri Hatcher ... Susan Mayer / ... (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Felicity Huffman ... Lynette Scavo (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Marcia Cross ... Bree Van De Kamp / ... (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Eva Longoria ... Gabrielle Solis / ... (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Ricardo Chavira ... Carlos Solis (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Brenda Strong ... Mary Alice Young (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
James Denton ... Mike Delfino (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Doug Savant ... Tom Scavo (154 episodes, 2004-2011)
Nicollette Sheridan ... Edie Britt (112 episodes, 2004-2009)
Shawn Pyfrom ... Andrew Van De Kamp (111 episodes, 2004-2011)
Andrea Bowen ... Julie Mayer (99 episodes, 2004-2011)
Kyle MacLachlan ... Orson Hodge (93 episodes, 2006-2011)
Brent Kinsman ... Preston Scavo (88 episodes, 2004-2011)
Shane Kinsman.. Porter Scavo (88 episodes, 2004-2011)
Zane Huett ... Parker Scavo (81 episodes, 2004-2010)
Kathryn Joosten ... Karen McCluskey (77 episodes, 2005-2011)
Mark Moses ... Paul Young (75 episodes, 2004-2011)
Dana Delany ... Katherine Mayfair (65 episodes, 2007-2011)

The Question

How does the exposition of Desperate Housewives (episode one, series one) comment on American values and lifestyle?

One paragraph (you may do more if you wish) due Thursday. Use relevant dialogue, filmic techniques and so forth to illuminate your discussion of the text.

For the girls at ONSITE, you may view the first six minutes of the exposition, as shown in the link posted earlier.

For the rest of the class, you could even post some of these lifestyle aspects/attitudes here (see your notes) for their benefit.

Desperate Housewives

Here is part of the first episode of Desperate Housewives. We'll be looking at this early next week, as another text to discuss in your essay on television drama (coming up next week).