Desperate Housewives

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 3, 2004
Season #: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
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Critic Reviews

  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    Jun 20, 2013
    60
    "Desperate Housewives" is entertaining, but it turns the clock back to pre-Betty Friedan America, lampooning four bored, frustrated, white upper-middle-class ladies who lunch.
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    Jun 20, 2013
    50
    What is this, 1961? Who portrays women as non-productive mooches, hellbent on doing nothing besides living off their hard-working husbands and sleeping with the help? [30 Sep 2004]
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  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Jun 20, 2013
    40
    It delivers mixed signals. Because the language is elevated, the production assured and the acting fine, it can feel that something important is happening. But perhaps there is less here than meets the eye; maybe it's just a tricked-up mystery show. It comes on like satire, but it's too scattershot, too inconsistent, too over the top to make any significant points.
  5. Slate
    Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    Jun 20, 2013
    40
    There's something lazy about this show's refusal to choose a target. It's easy to feel feminist when you're deploring the plight of '50s-style birds in a gilded cage. But why do we need to invoke this simplified formula to be interested in exploring women's lives?

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best TV Season of 2004
6
#6 Most Discussed TV Season of 2004
10
#10 Most Shared TV Season of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 132 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 122 out of 132
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 132
  3. Negative: 6 out of 132
  1. All_ButTrU4
    Sep 18, 2022
    7
    Salacious, gripping and undeniably quick witted. The first season of this soap opera plays like a well planned out tragedy, unraveling slowlySalacious, gripping and undeniably quick witted. The first season of this soap opera plays like a well planned out tragedy, unraveling slowly over the 22 episode's. It's ensemble cast is formidable with Gloria's selfish adulterer or the performance highlight of the show Marcia whose Bree is a perplexing uptight WASP with undiagnosed OCD. Nothing is ever what it seems and the secrets tend to keep them than the other way round. Some episode's do border on filller but they never end that way,a cliffhanger always sending off the episode. Truly enjoyed binging this.… Full Review »
  2. idontknowher
    Dec 22, 2016
    10
    Sin duda, la mejor serie que ha podido existir en la televisión, realmente es muy buena, yo la recomiendo. Además de que el tema central es elSin duda, la mejor serie que ha podido existir en la televisión, realmente es muy buena, yo la recomiendo. Además de que el tema central es el misterio a lo largo de la temporada se desenvuelven muchos otros temas que encajan perfectamente con lo que quiere decir cada capítulo. Al ver un episodio y que termine con suspenso, te deja totalmente con ganas de seguir viendo. Es muy original y sin duda genial.… Full Review »
  3. drlowdon
    Oct 30, 2014
    9
    Desperate Housewives was undeniably uneven throughout its eight season run but this first season was great viewing. Yes, it is outlandish andDesperate Housewives was undeniably uneven throughout its eight season run but this first season was great viewing. Yes, it is outlandish and unrealistic, but it was always fun to watch and the central mystery surrounding the suicide of (narrator) Mary Alice Young certainly made sure I came back episode after episode.… Full Review »
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