20 years ago, a TV series titled “Desperate Housewives” debuted on Wisteria Lane, where we follow the lives of several housewives as they navigate through their personal struggles, career shifts, health issues, and intense dramatic events that sometimes resemble a soap opera, yet other times take on the tone of a sitcom. Each episode left fans eagerly anticipating the next installment. However, the eagerness of the audience pales in comparison to the turmoil faced by the characters themselves.
In anticipation of the revival of the beloved series “Desperate Housewives “, known as “Wisteria Lane“, we’ve arranged a list of the primary housewives according to the degree of desperation that defined their personalities. This ranking takes into account how desperation influenced their actions, relationships, and in some cases, led to their fall from grace.
7
Bree
Initially, the character of Bree (played by Marcia Cross), portrayed as one of the most distressed housewives, yearns for her family to embody her notion of “perfection.” Yet, this ideal is unattainable due to her daughter’s rebellious nature, her son’s emerging sexuality, and ongoing marital strife with her husband. As the series unfolds, Bree undergoes significant character development, learning to embrace her children and forging a path of independence outside romantic entanglements. She eventually ventures into entrepreneurship by establishing her own business and embarks on a political career.
An Imperfect Ending
As the series draws to a close, Bree’s despair soars to unprecedented levels, driven by a variety of unusual circumstances. Her friends accuse her of botching a murder cover-up, and she comes dangerously close to being charged for the actual crime. This ordeal pushes her into alcoholism, promiscuity, and even self-harm, behaviors rooted in her desperation. While it might seem unjust to place her high on such a list for these actions, it’s important to note that her desperation stemmed primarily from the extreme situations she found herself in, rather than being an inherent part of who she was before.
6
Lynette
In the series, Lynette (played by Felicity Huffman) was constantly seeking harmony, assistance, and self-determination. At home, she yearned for aid as she pursued her profession, but once established in her career, she longed to be with her children again. Contrary to other characters on the list, Lynette’s difficulties were mainly rooted in competing desires. Nevertheless, there were external factors that intensified her later desperation.
A Reasonable Response
For Lynette, the battle against cancer was a significant stressor not only for her but also for her family. Yet, it surprisingly strengthened her bond with Tom, whom she had been quarreling with due to accusations of infidelity beforehand. On the other hand, Leanne’s conflicts with Tom’s daughter, Kayla, pushed her into extreme measures. While these actions of desperation are not defining traits of Leanne’s character, they can be seen as understandable reactions to challenging circumstances, similar to Bree’s situation.
5
Gabby
At first glance, it seemed like Gabby (Eva Longoria) was primarily driven by a need for attention due to her past as a model and the absence of her husband. However, delving deeper, it became clear that Gabby’s initial desperation wasn’t about wealth, material possessions, or being in the spotlight. Instead, she yearned for stability – financial, emotional, and romantic security. This is what she truly sought, what she lacked, what she craved intensely.
A Traumatic Past
Throughout the series, Gabby faced numerous trials, like when Carlos lost his sight and when she discovered that Juanita wasn’t biologically related to her. Although she didn’t always respond elegantly in these challenging situations, they demonstrated her inner strength and resilience, which were hidden beneath her materialistic exterior. Simultaneously, the scars from her stepfather’s past abuse often haunted her, driving her to seek stability, status, and security that had been withheld from her during her childhood.
4
Katherine
Previously residing on Wisteria Lane was a woman named Katherine (played by Dana Delany). For reasons that were initially unclear, she left the neighborhood and returned later, causing suspicion among her former neighbors Susan and Julie. As Julie grew closer to Katherine’s daughter Dylan, she sensed something wasn’t quite right. The truth eventually emerged: Katherine had fled an abusive marriage, but tragically lost her biological child in an accident. Desperate, she adopted another girl who is now known as Dylan. Although these events may appear excessive and desperate, they ultimately led Katherine to hit rock bottom, finally revealing her true character.
An Incomplete Arc
As viewers got to know Katherine better, it became clear that her distress stemmed from a longing for family life and normalcy. This was evident when she developed an unhealthy obsession with Mike, going as far as trying on Susan’s wedding dress after their breakup, demanding an apology from Susan in her vows, and even having a mental breakdown where she falsely accused Mike of attacking her. After being hospitalized, she started dating Robin and eventually relocated to Paris with her. However, toward the end of the series, they had split up, and Katherine returned to Fairview with a job offer for Lynette. Sadly, this ending didn’t provide closure, and while Katherine wasn’t at her most desperate in the final episode, her storyline remained unresolved.
3
Susan
Among the housewives, Susan (played by Teri Hatcher) stood out as the most emotional character. Her journey to find her perfect match played a crucial role in shaping her character and personality. Following her divorce from Karl, Susan went through a difficult period, causing her daughter, Julie, to assume a more nurturing role. Subsequently, Susan got married and divorced multiple times, often impulsively entering into these relationships due to an intense longing for love. This constant search for romance has left many viewers seeing her as somewhat desperate, which might have contributed to lower popularity ratings.
An Unromantic Outcome
Without a doubt, Susan’s storyline wasn’t confined to romance alone, but it played a significant role in most of her experiences. For example, when she unintentionally sets fire to Edie’s house, it stemmed from her suspicions about Mike’s relationship with Edie. It’s also worth noting that Susan can be associated with various characteristics like an artist, mother, or clumsy individual. Nevertheless, the central theme of this character revolves around a deep yearning for romantic love, which unfortunately came to an end in the series finale.
2
Mary Alice
Initially known as Angela Forrest, Mary Alice Young (played by Brenda Strong) served as the central enigma in Season 1 following her self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. As the season progressed, it was revealed that this act was a desperate attempt to conceal a heinous truth. Many years prior, Mary Alice had been entrusted with Zach (originally named Dana), who was Zach’s biological mother Deirdre’s son. At the time, Deirdre was struggling with drug addiction, and Mary Alice took custody of the boy. However, when Deirdre managed to overcome her addiction, she sought to reclaim her son. In a tragic turn of events, Mary Alice ended Deirdre’s life to safeguard her family, but her desperate action ultimately failed to keep her secret buried indefinitely.
A Deadly Secret
From my perspective, it’s quite challenging to compare Mary Alice’s character with others on the list, given the premature end to her storyline. The series didn’t fully unfold her character until after her suicide, leaving viewers with a deeper understanding of her primarily through her tragic circumstances and the reasons leading up to them.
However, it appears reasonable to note that Mary Alice’s longing for a child transformed into an overwhelming need to conceal her secret, positioning her in a parallel narrative arc as Katherine. The distinction lies in the fact that Mary Alice chose to sacrifice her life to protect her secret, whereas Katherine’s secret was exposed earlier, and she persevered.
1
Edie
In the series, Nicollette Sheridan’s character, Edie, would have abhorred being labeled as desperate. She appeared self-assured and knew her desires, although this was merely a facade. Beneath this exterior, she was painfully lonely, flitting from one relationship to another due to an unfulfilled longing for genuine friendship. Regrettably, other women in the show frequently shunned her, refusing to aid in scattering Martha’s ashes (apparently her dearest friend), insulting her, and generally displaying indifference towards her. However, Edie feigned disinterest, and there were numerous instances where her true feelings of deep affection became evident throughout the series.
A Momentary Bond
When Edie passes away, she revels in the moment, claiming she’s departing life just as she lived: always the focal point. However, it makes us ponder if her smile was really about the attention or if it was because, at last, other women appeared to care for her. Granted, we could easily conclude that she was shallow and craved attention above all – but seeking attention isn’t so dissimilar from being acknowledged, and ultimately, I believe that’s what Edie yearned for deeply.
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2025-06-01 22:06