Desperate Housewives: Thanking the Little People

It’s a good thing that shadowy figure showed up towards the end of last night’s episode.

Four episodes in and we haven’t seen nearly enough development on most of the storylines established in the season premiere: we still have no idea what Paul’s plan is (just that it involves snatching up Wisteria Lane properties), Susan is still stripping for her supper with no end in sight, and Bree is still pining away for her handy man Keith. (Though judging from the previews for next week, it looks like she actually gets him.)

The most infuriating of these storylines has to be Paul Young, which is REALLY not good seeing as how he was set up as this year’s Big Bad.

Last night, Beth found out that Paul had purchased his old house (in addition living in the house their currently renting from Susan). He also not-so-subtly suggested to Mrs. McCluskey that she may want to get rid of her home because you never know when you could have an accident. (Shades of Dave Williams temporarily fooling Mrs. McCluskey into thinking she was senile and getting her sent to the hospital.) Later, zzzzz…wake me up when something new or interesting happens.

That’s why I was glad to see that faceless figure pick up the remnants of Susan’s billboard at the end of the episode. (Why would Susan tear it down, but not throw it away or hide it?!) It could be Paul, who could use this information in his diabolical plans. It could be Keith, who HAS to be hiding some sort of secret, no? It could be Mike, who becomes enraged with and feels betrayed by Susan and demands a divorce. Or it could be a random guy who hates litter.

Speaking of Susan, she felt like she had to get out of the domestic porn game after her landlord informed her that the Web site’s owners were expanding their U.S. presence. Of course, that meant billboards of Susan would be popping up all over town. Susan came up with the cash to prevent it from happening, but that put her back in the poor house and in a position where she’s seemingly going to have to do something she doesn’t want to do. (I’m assuming it involves more graphic nudity, as opposed to actual prostitution.)

Also, what’s all the fuss over Brian Austin Green? Obviously, I’m not exactly supposed to be his intended audience, but I’m not even talking looks. Keith isn’t THAT young (certainly not as young as John the Gardener), and, from what we saw in last night’s episode, he’s kind of a dim bulb.

The reason I’m asking is because if Bree and Renee are going to fight so deliciously over a man, the guy should be worth it.

Renee fired the first shot last night when she flew Bree’s daughter (welcome back, Danielle) and grandson into town just for the sole purpose of having the little tyke say “grandma” about 75 times in Bree’s presence. The gag itself wasn’t as funny as imagining Bree at a Black Eyed Peas concert.

After Bree found out what Renee’s weak spot was — little people(!) — she arranged to have a friend from church(?!) stop by and freak Renee out during her dinner date with Keith. My favorite thing about Renee’s freakout was that it was the first time I’ve watched Vanessa Williams on this show and NOT thought of her as Wilhelmina Slater. (Although a little Wilhelmina is just fine here and there — like when she thought Gabby was “Juanita.”)

By the end of the episode, the two had called a truce and Renee let Bree have Keith. I’m glad — this silly feud lasted exactly long enough without feeling tired.

Speaking of feeling tired (segue way!), I can totally understand why Penny was getting up in the middle of the night to feed her baby sister — Lynette WAS a much more pleasant and bearable character when she had help with the baby. Of course, she ended up inadvertently taking advantage of this, which landed her in the (world’s most judgmental) principal’s office.

Lynette asked Tom to hire a babysitter. I seem to remember them having a babysitter in season 1, and that not working out so well after Tom saw her naked by accident and got turned on. Then again, Lynette looks like she has more to deal with these days, so I’m sure she’ll welcome the extra help.

Finally, there was Gabby. She and Carlos tracked down the parents who have been raising her biological daughter and the two met up.

Big thumps up to the casting department for finding a little girl to play Grace, who looks and acts like Gabby’s mini-me. (And, to a lesser extent, for giving us portlier biological parents for Juanita.)

Gabby became instantly and strongly attached to Grace, and over-stepped her boundaries by wanting to give the girl a $1,400 hand bag. The mother balked, but Gabby found a way to give Grace — who reminds Gabby of herself when she was young and had nothing — an expensive trinket.

Eva Longoria Parker continues to be severely underrated for her ability to play a deeply shallow character, yet make us root for her. Grace is a sweetheart, and there’s already tension with her parents…I don’t see how this can possibly end well.

So what’d you think of this episode? What’s the ultimate endgame for Gabby and Carlos’ storyline? Is James Denton awake when he films his scenes? Finally, who do you think the faceless shadowy guy is?