DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES 6.13 – "How About A Friendly Shrink?"

WRITER: Jason Ganzel
DIRECTOR: Lonny Price
GUEST STARS: Vince Cefula, Jane Leeves, John Rubinstein, Mackenzie Smith, Richard Gilliland, Wendy Benson-Landes, Patricia Bethune, Aedin Mincks & Candance Brown II

[SPOILERS] For the most part, things seem to have settled down again in Fairview after the tragic, large-scale plane crash in "Boom Crunch". As this week's episode title alludes, we are back to observing collisions of a more private nature: relationship drama, petty squabbles, childish backbiting and mind games all feature in lashes. Not that I'm complaining, however, as "How About a Friendly Shrink?" still packed an explosive punch, fizzing with a quirky energy unique to Wisteria Lane's extrovert residents.

It was good to see fringe characters Bob Hunter (Tuc Watkins) and Lee McDermott (Kevin Rahm) get some more substantial screen time, as they are always good for a bitchy snipe and some colourfully witty banter -- even if it occasionally verges on the stereotypical -- and it is always a shame when they are pushed to the background or reduced to a line an episode. It is at a dinner party with the Scavo's that the gay partners disclose that they are in couple's therapy, with over-emotional Lee keeping a feelings journal which he works through at each session.

Following the loss of one of their unborn twins, Tom Scavo (Doug Savant) is instantly keen on working through his rough patch with Lynette (Felicity Huffman) in the same way, but his reticent wife is having none of it -- until she discovers he has been visiting therapist Dr. Graham (Jane Leeves) on his own and keeping a feelings journal. It was obvious that a nose around Dr. Graham's office would result in Lynette being won over, but I was surprised that the usually volatile housewife was so tolerable of her husband seeing a therapist in the first place. It was, however, amusing to see fellow Brit Jane Leeves hand out the counselling for once -- Frasier's Daphne has followed in her employer's footsteps, huh?

Juanita Solis (Madison De La Garza) has started at her new school -- coincidentally the same school Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher) teaches at, and her son, MJ (Mason Vale Cotton), attends. It is smiles all round until it emerges that Juanita and MJ are in different animal groups for maths; their designation based on their ability. So, what are better: leopards or giraffes? Let the battle of the competitive parent's commence! It was fun to see Gaby and Susan squabble over such a inconsequential subject, and become the petulant kids they don't want their children to be – including a role-reversing visit to the principal's office -- but isn't it stretched credibility somewhat that even the teachers at the school are kept in the dark about pupil abilities?

Somebody still plagued by the life-changing injuries he picked up in the plane crash is the now wheelchair-bound Orson Hodge (Kyle MacLachlan), who continues his fiendish manipulation of repenting wife Bree's (Marcia Cross) good intentions. He is still hurt by her affair with the now deceased Karl -- at one point he shockingly brandishes her a "whore" -- and thus blames Bree for his disabled state. I am not entirely convinced Bree wheeling Orson outside, covering him in washing up liquid and hosing the shower-resistant man on the front lawn was quite the most subtle or sympathetic action to take, but as I said last week, his snide and treacherous nature do make him a hard character to empathize with, even at his lowest ebb. I cannot see how their marriage can survive this, but Bree is one stubborn housewife...

Taking time out from worrying about being on the run and avoiding a life in prison (as you do), Angie Bolen (Drea De Matteo) is not happy with son Danny's (Beau Mirchoff) new girlfriend Ana Solis (Maiara Walsh). Determined to split the odd couple up, she tries to speak with the frank and opinionated Ana, who is resolute in standing by her sensitive man. I am glad Ana is getting more screen time of late, however I am not convinced the writers know which direction to take her character. Is she meant to be a typically rebellious, blunt and defiant teen, or a loyal, lonely girl with a kind heart? She currently seems to be displaying both facets, leading to a somewhat incongruent character. Will she end up hurting Danny?

Considering her suicidal breakdown just weeks ago, Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delaney) has made a remarkably speedy turn around in the mental hospital. She is clearly still fazed by it all -- no doubt due to the powerful medication she is on – but she has confessed her imagined romance with former love Mike Delfino (James Denton) to physiatrist Dr. Avedon (Richard Gilliland). As the camera panned around a subdued Katherine recounting her mistakes on the couch, I was fully expecting her delusion of Mike to be revealed sitting next to her, but kudos to the writer for not playing this predictably kooky card. Clearly Katherine is beyond that now, though hardly relishing a return to Wisteria Lane.

Karen McCluskey (Kathryn Joosten) played the familiar role of friend to the friendless by making regular visits to the hospital, keen to show a stubborn Katherine that she is missed. It was a conventional and over-sentimental conclusion, but I will fully admit to being touched when the housewives -- including rival Susan -- rallied around their despairing friend ready to forgive and forget, full of smiles, hugs and gossip. Bless.

28 APRIL 2010: CHANNEL 4/HD, 9PM