Much like the 100th episode celebration, the April 19th episode of “Desperate Housewives” is all about reveling in the precious moments of Wisteria Lane. There’s really only one major plot point you need to know for this episode to make an impact: Edie Britt dies, and it’s going to stick this time.
After the terrible (and over the top) accident, Edit Britt ultimately bites the dust. This causes all our housewives to come together and honor their dear “friend.” For the most part, the episode comprises of one flashback from every housewife, all featuring our dear vixen. Like the 100th, it elaborates on tidbits of our ladies’ lives that we’ve yet to see, and gives us an overviewing look of Edie Britt’s life on Wisteria Lane. I would expect nothing less than this for Edie, the housewife we love to hate.
The thing we love about Edie is her complete honesty with her flaws. The flashbacks work extra time to make Edie as unforgettable as possible (like that is really an issue); in fact, they make her downright likeable at times. The episode makes a nice conjecture about a person’s life; when you look back, it’s going to be filled with mistakes, regrets and joy. Edie epitomizes that above everyone else on the show.
By the same token, the episode also gives us more Edie than perhaps all 5 seasons combined. It’s an obvious choice to give deceased characters redemption, but here’s the problem. My first thought after watching episode was, wow, wouldn’t it have been great to see these sides of Edie before she died? And then I thought, well, duh, they save the best parts for last. And then you go, but, she’s dead…
And the circle continues.
The feeling the episode leaves with the audience is entirely appropriate. You feel bittersweet. Sweet because it is a memorial for someone we’ve come to know; bitter because you wish she was given more screentime over the years. It’s no secret that Nicolette Sheridan was let go due to budgetary reasons, which makes the whole affair even more somber. Considering the newest addition, Katherine Mayfair, has not really been put to good use this season, it’s hard for me to decide whether this decision is sound, but the episode gets one message across clear and simple. Edie Britt will be missed.
Rating: 4.5/5
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