If you've ever spent a Sunday night glued to the unfolding dramas of Wisteria Lane, you know Desperate Housewives had a knack for keeping you guessing. But when it comes to Desperate Housewives Series 6 Reviews, Ratings & Fan Theories, things get a little... complicated. For many, the sixth season marks a pivotal, often debated, chapter in the lives of our favorite suburbanites, prompting discussions that still echo in fan communities today. Was it the season that started the decline, or a brave attempt to reinvent a beloved formula? Let's dive deep.
At a Glance: Desperate Housewives Season 6
- Critical Reception: Generally more mixed than previous seasons, with some critics noting a dip in quality while others praised its continued entertainment value.
- Audience Ratings: Saw a noticeable, though not catastrophic, decline from its peak, reflecting changing viewing habits and potentially growing audience fatigue.
- Major Storylines: Centered on the mystery of the Bolen family, Bree's illicit affair, Lynette's unexpected pregnancy and a catastrophic plane crash, Susan's financial struggles, and Gaby's evolving motherhood.
- Fan Consensus: Highly divisive. Many fans pinpoint Season 6 as where the series began to falter, citing plot inconsistencies, character regression, and a perceived departure from its original charm. Others defend it as a solid, if flawed, entry.
- Key Discussions: Who attacked Julie? Was the plane crash a necessary shock? Did the Bolens' arc pay off?
When Wisteria Lane Shifted Gears: Season 6's Rocky Start
By its sixth season, Desperate Housewives was a global phenomenon, a show that had perfected the art of blending dark comedy, suburban satire, and genuine melodrama. However, with success comes the challenge of reinvention, and Season 6 certainly tried.
Critics, accustomed to the show's sharp wit and intricate mysteries, began to voice a growing unease. While still capable of delivering compelling moments, some reviews suggested the plot lines felt increasingly convoluted or, worse, repetitive. The initial buzz around the season's overarching mystery – the arrival of the enigmatic Bolen family (Angie, Nick, and Danny) – was high, promising another layer of secrets to peel back. Yet, as the season progressed, opinions diverged. Some critics lauded the new dynamic, particularly Drea de Matteo's performance as the no-nonsense Angie. Others felt the Bolen arc, while intriguing, never quite reached the dramatic heights of previous mysteries, or overshadowed the core housewives' stories too much.
The struggle to maintain the delicate balance between ensemble storytelling and episodic crisis became more apparent. Whereas earlier seasons seamlessly wove together multiple compelling character arcs, Season 6 sometimes felt fragmented, with certain housewives receiving more engaging material than others. This led to a perception that the series was perhaps losing its way, even as it continued to pull in respectable viewership figures.
The Big Storylines that Defined Season 6
Season 6 was nothing if not eventful, packed with enough twists and turns to fill a suburban cul-de-sac. Let's recap some of the major threads that kept viewers talking:
- The Bolen Family Mystery: The new residents of Wisteria Lane, Angie, Nick, and Danny Bolen, arrived under a cloud of secrecy. Angie's past as a former eco-terrorist, her real name, and her connection to a dangerous figure named Patrick Logan formed the backbone of the season's central mystery. It was a darker, more serialized plot than some previous seasons, culminating in a dramatic showdown.
- Bree's Descent into Adultery: Bree Van de Kamp, ever the picture of propriety, found herself in a steamy affair with Susan's ex-husband, Karl Mayer. This scandalous liaison led to hilarious and heartbreaking moments, ultimately ending in tragedy when a plane crashed into the Christmas fair, killing Karl and leaving Orson Hodge, Bree's husband, paralyzed. This storyline deeply impacted Bree, pushing her towards guilt and complicated choices.
- Lynette's Unexpected Pregnancy and the Plane Crash: Just as Lynette Scavo and her husband Tom were navigating financial woes, they discovered they were pregnant with twins. This happy-but-stressful news was dramatically interrupted by the aforementioned plane crash, where Lynette bravely saved Bree's daughter, Danielle, but suffered internal injuries that threatened her unborn children. The crash was a high-stakes, shocking event that left a lasting scar on the residents.
- Susan's Financial Woes and the Return to Fairview: Susan Mayer, always a magnet for misfortune, found herself in dire financial straits, leading her to sell her beloved house on Wisteria Lane. She moved back into an apartment in Fairview with Mike, attempting to rebuild their lives and their finances, often through comedic and sometimes questionable means (like webcam work). This forced a shift in her dynamics with the other women.
- Gaby's Motherhood and Ana's Presence: Gaby Solis continued to grapple with the challenges and joys of motherhood with Juanita and Celia. The season also saw her taking in her niece, Ana, a beautiful and rebellious teenager who stirred up trouble and ultimately pursued a modeling career with Gaby's reluctant support. This storyline explored Gaby's journey from self-absorbed model to a fiercely protective, if still flamboyant, mother figure.
- Julie's Attack: A shocking and early season mystery involved Julie Mayer being attacked and left for dead. The identity of her assailant became a recurring question, creating tension and leading to suspicion falling on various characters, including the new resident, Danny Bolen. This incident underscored the continued danger lurking beneath Wisteria Lane's pristine facade.
For a deeper dive into the ins and outs of this dramatic period, you might want to Explore Desperate Housewives Series 6 in more detail.
Ratings Report: Did Viewers Stick Around?
When we talk about the ratings for Desperate Housewives Season 6, it's essential to look at the broader television landscape of the late 2000s. The golden age of network television's dominance was starting to wane, with cable and later streaming services beginning to siphon off audiences.
Season 6 saw a noticeable dip in overall viewership compared to its earlier, blockbuster seasons. While still pulling in a healthy audience, averaging around 11-12 million viewers per episode in the US, this was down from the 14-16 million of Seasons 4 and 5, and significantly lower than the 20+ million viewers it commanded in its inaugural seasons. The premiere episode of Season 6 drew roughly 13.6 million viewers, a solid start but indicative of the overall trend.
This decline wasn't necessarily a unique indictment of Season 6's quality alone. Many long-running shows experience audience attrition over time as storylines evolve, new competition emerges, and viewer tastes shift. However, for a show with such a fervent fanbase, any dip in ratings often fuels the "has it lost its sparkle?" debate. The growing sentiment among some viewers that the show was becoming less compelling likely contributed to this trend.
The "Downhill" Debate: Was Season 6 Really the Beginning of the End?
This is perhaps the most fervent discussion point among Desperate Housewives fans, and a perspective often seen in online forums: was Season 6 where the series started to go downhill?
Arguments for the "Downhill" Theory:
- Plot Over-Complication: Some fans felt the mysteries, particularly the Bolen arc, became too convoluted and less character-driven than previous seasons. The show's earlier strength lay in how mysteries revealed deeper truths about the housewives; here, the mystery often felt external.
- Character Inconsistencies: There's a common complaint that characters, particularly Susan and Gaby, sometimes regressed or acted out of character for the sake of plot. Bree's affair with Karl, while dramatic, also felt like a significant deviation from her established moral code to some.
- Loss of Satirical Edge: The show's initial brilliance lay in its sharp satire of suburban life. By Season 6, some viewers felt this edge had dulled, replaced by more straightforward melodrama that occasionally bordered on the absurd.
- Repetitive Tropes: After six seasons, some plots, like financial woes or relationship drama, began to feel like rehashes, leading to a sense of predictability.
Arguments Against the "Downhill" Theory (or for its continued quality): - Continued Entertainment Value: Even with flaws, Desperate Housewives still delivered engaging television. The plane crash, for instance, was a genuinely shocking and well-executed sequence.
- Strong Performances: The core cast, including Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria, and Teri Hatcher, remained stellar, often elevating even weaker material. Drea de Matteo was praised for bringing a fresh energy as Angie Bolen.
- Addressing Life Changes: The season tackled realistic challenges of mid-life for women – unexpected pregnancies, financial crises, marital strife, and evolving family dynamics – in ways that resonated with many viewers.
- Setting Up Future Arcs: Season 6 laid important groundwork for later seasons, particularly with the lingering effects of the plane crash on Orson and Bree, and Lynette's challenging motherhood journey.
Ultimately, whether Season 6 marked a decline is subjective. What's undeniable is that it represented a shift, and not every fan or critic was on board for the ride. It challenged the audience to adapt to new narrative styles and character trajectories.
Unpacking the Fan Theories: What Really Happened and What Could Have Been?
Desperate Housewives was a show that thrived on speculation, and Season 6 certainly provided ample fodder for fan theories. The biggest questions often revolved around:
- Who Attacked Julie Mayer? This was a major "whodunit" early in the season, and while the show eventually revealed the culprit (Eddie Orlofsky, a character connected to the larger serial killer arc in later seasons), many fans had their own intricate theories involving the Bolens, disgruntled neighbors, or even a returning character. Some felt the eventual reveal was a bit of a letdown, disconnected from the core mysteries.
- The Bolens' True Intentions: Before their full backstory unfolded, there was much debate about the Bolen family. Were they mob-connected? Witness protection? Undercover agents? Fans meticulously scoured every glance and cryptic comment, trying to piece together their puzzle. The reveal of Angie's past as an eco-terrorist and her complicated history with Patrick Logan was a unique twist, departing from previous seasons' "dark secret" tropes.
- The Plane Crash: Symbolism and Setup: Beyond the immediate tragedy, fans discussed the deeper meaning of the plane crash. Was it a metaphor for the escalating chaos in the women's lives? A necessary reset button for certain characters? Many debated its impact on character development, particularly for Bree and Orson, and Lynette, predicting its long-term psychological and physical consequences.
- Could Orson Have Been Redeemed? After his paralysis and growing bitterness, fans wondered if Orson, once a beloved character, could truly be redeemed. His arc in Season 6 was dark, and sparked discussions about whether his character was salvageable or if he was destined for a more villainous turn.
- Relationship Endgame Speculation: With Susan and Mike back together, and Bree and Lynette facing their respective challenges, fans were always theorizing about the ultimate romantic pairings and family futures, especially for Gaby and Carlos, whose relationship had seen so many ups and downs.
These theories weren't just about predicting plots; they were about fans engaging deeply with the characters and the world of Wisteria Lane, showing just how invested they were.
Behind the Scenes Whispers: Production Challenges and Creative Choices
For any show reaching its sixth season, the production landscape is a complex one. Maintaining creative freshness while managing a large ensemble cast, intricate sets, and the demands of network television is no small feat.
While specific "behind-the-scenes whispers" about Season 6 aren't widely documented as major scandals, typical challenges for a show of this magnitude would include:
- Budget Management: As seasons progress, actor salaries tend to rise, and production costs can escalate, forcing creative decisions around set pieces or special effects (like the plane crash).
- Actor Burnout/Contract Negotiations: Long-running shows can sometimes see actors looking for new challenges or negotiating new terms, which can subtly influence character screen time or storylines.
- Writer's Room Pressures: Crafting 20+ episodes a season, year after year, puts immense pressure on writers to continually invent fresh, compelling narratives without betraying established character traits or resorting to repetitive plots. The push to introduce high-stakes events (like the plane crash) can be a creative solution to keep viewers engaged.
- Network Interference: Networks often have input on storylines, character arcs, and overall tone, which can sometimes clash with the creative vision of the showrunners.
These factors, while not always visible to the audience, can subtly shape the direction and perceived quality of a season. The creative choices made in Season 6 – introducing a darker mystery, putting core characters in extreme situations – were likely attempts to keep the show vibrant and relevant in a competitive television market.
What Endures: Season 6's Lasting Impact on Wisteria Lane Lore
Despite the mixed reviews and fan debates, Season 6 undeniably left its mark on the Desperate Housewives saga. Its events reverberated through the remaining seasons, shaping character trajectories and plot developments.
- The Scars of the Plane Crash: The most dramatic event of the season, the plane crash, had profound, lasting consequences. Orson's paralysis completely changed his dynamic with Bree, leading to a breakdown in their marriage and pushing Bree towards a new kind of independence and resilience. Lynette's struggle with her high-risk pregnancy and the guilt she felt over saving Danielle but potentially harming her own babies provided deep emotional fodder for her character.
- Angie Bolen's Unique Exit: While not a long-term housewife, Angie Bolen's character brought a refreshing, no-nonsense energy to Wisteria Lane. Her eventual escape from her past, rather than a tragic demise, was a satisfying conclusion for many and demonstrated the show's ability to introduce and successfully conclude a compelling new family arc within a single season.
- Susan's Journey Beyond the Lane: Susan's forced move off Wisteria Lane, even temporarily, represented a significant shift. It pushed her out of her comfort zone and highlighted her financial vulnerability, a departure from her often more whimsical problems. This allowed for new interactions and a fresh perspective on her character's enduring struggle to find stability.
- Gaby's Evolving Motherhood: Gaby's journey with Juanita, Celia, and Ana solidified her transformation from the self-centered model into a more complex, fiercely protective, and often hilariously flawed mother. This foundation continued to define her character in later seasons, showcasing her growth in unexpected ways.
Even for those who felt Season 6 was a dip, it provided essential narrative building blocks, ensuring that the characters continued to evolve and face new, often life-altering, challenges.
Revisiting Season 6: A Fresh Look for New and Old Fans
So, should you revisit or jump into Desperate Housewives Season 6? Absolutely. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer exploring Wisteria Lane for the first time, approaching Season 6 with an open mind can offer a rewarding experience.
For returning fans, try to set aside past criticisms and look for the moments of brilliance that are undeniably present. Observe the nuanced performances, appreciate the darker humor, and consider how the major events of this season truly set the stage for everything that followed. You might find new appreciation for the risks the show took.
For new viewers, consider Season 6 as part of a larger, evolving narrative. Understand that like any long-running series, Desperate Housewives wasn't afraid to experiment, to push its characters into uncomfortable, often dramatic, territory. It's a season that highlights the show's enduring ability to balance suburban charm with shocking twists, even if the recipe wasn't always universally loved.
Season 6, with all its controversies and captivating storylines, remains an integral part of the Desperate Housewives legacy. It's a testament to a show that dared to evolve, even if that evolution sparked fervent debate among its most loyal viewers.