Please note: English is not my first language.
Hello fellow readers and contributors, I'll introduce myself a little bit before I delve into reviewing Devious Maids. I'm Rama van der Garde, deaf and 26 years old and from The Netherlands. I watch many shows as possible. Right now, there's 18 shows that I watch. It surely looks a lot (or not). Most of these are CW shows with some mix of ABC and HBO shows in there.
And one little gem in the list is the show Devious Maids. When I heard about this show, I was happy to at least see some continuation of the Desperate Housewives universe (miss the housewives). Although it's a little more soapy (and differently filmed), it feels like I delved back into this world. This show is a guilty pleasure and easy on the mind from the get go. Since I did binge watch Devious Maids Season 1 in one day, I may not remember all the details, but I'll try to review this and upcoming episodes in context.
Well, let's get started.
We start the episode with Valentina and Ethan making out. Personally I think Ethan complements Valentina. Back then, They annoyed each other immediately at first meeting, I thought those two couldn't be together for a while. But personally, I thought Ethan was honest from the get-go, which is refreshing and different from Remy who was hesitant in the beginning and a little secretive. Remy will be for me always the one for Valentina, but I think that Ethan (if he pulls through) might make a great obstacle for Remy. Valentina then stops making out with Ethan in order to get her work done. Then Ethan suddenly says the g-word. He almost corrects himself until Valentina says that it's okay. Cue obstacle Genevieve who rings the doorbell, saying that Remy is flown back home and asked for Valentina immediately. Oh boy, doesn't Valentina deserve at least a rest with her love life for a week at least once? But that wouldn't make Devious Maids Devious Maids. And the opening just rolled.
Lucinda gets annoyed by Miguel's new toy car while making her new sculpture, given to him by Mr. Kenneth. She tells Rosie that Miguel can't play his toy car in the house anymore. From the few episodes I know Lucinda, I don't like her so much. But per usual DH/DM fashion, there's more on this woman than she let on.
Evelyn is in the bed with Tony and says that she so loves being with a man who is masculine and virile and wants to buy him something pretty. Tony doesn't want anything except moving into the main house. Evelyn objects because Valentina might catch them. Tony isn't still satisfied.
Next on Carmen, Spence has his nephew coming over for a few days because his sister didn't want to leave him alone while going on a business trip. This all because of his nephew trying to commit suicide. I didn't make the connection until he showed up at the house. Way to go, to get this storyline more tangled up than it was. It's surely going to be interesting how this storyline is going to play out.
Genevieve brings Valentina to Remy and they hugs. Genevieve snaps into her Erica Kane mode and says that it's so romantic. I love Genevieve, but can't she just hold her tongue when the moment calls for. Anyway, when Remy affectionately says "Val", I felt surely my heart drop. Remy is very sorry for all what happened in Africa and wants her back. Before Valentina can answer, Remy coughs and Genevieve says that Remy needs the rest. Before Valentina leaves, Remy says I love you. In response, Val says: Okay. Ouch! This harkens me all the way back to the O.C. to the most classic I love you moment. Marissa said I love you to Ryan and Ryan responded with thank you. I didn't think there could be a worser neutral answer than that. Well, here it is. Okay is much more worse! So sorry, Remy!
At the end the staircase, Genevieve asks why Val is so distant and Val comments that she is sort of together with Ethan while Zoila overhears this. Genevieve then forbids her from seeing Remy while he's sick.
Marisol is/was my favorite character (jury is still deliberating on this) on DM. Back in Season 1, she was graceful, snoopy only when needed. But I feel she's a bit dumbed down a little bit for the storyline sake with Opal and everything. I still not feel her marriage to the "prestigious" Nicholas Deering. The Marisol Duarte (Not Suarez!) that I know would never do this, not after a few months. So, there you have it. Alright, I'll get on the storyline! Nicholas comes home from the office cause he forgot his papers. Then he quickly gets jealous by seeing Marisol so cozy and laughing with her book editor (No, I won't learn his name!). Although Nicholas was going to get back to his office with the papers, he just stays which in turn makes Marisol nervous and makes at least some space between her and the editor.
Later on in the night, Nicholas thinks that the editor is going after Marisol, which Marisol doesn't think so. She's going to invite the editor for dinner and then Nicholas will be great friends with him. (Oh no, Marisol! Haven't you learned Detective 101?!)(And where is Opal when you need her to slap some senses into Marisol?!)
Miguel still plays his toy car in the house and Lucinda won't have it so she gives a little pat on his butt. Rosie, of course, doesn't like it and won't have Lucinda do it again. Then she makes some comments about having children, then Lucinda can do what she wants but not with Miguel. Lucinda says that was very cruel to hear that. Hmm, the plot thickens.
Zoila is cleaning when Val comes in and she quickly apologize/forgives Zoila for everything. Then she asks for an advice concerning Ethan and Remy. Zoila gracefully declines. She finally learned from her mistakes.
Then we get to the DH-stylized "round table" with al the four leading ladies. Nothing comes out of this except squabbling about how abuse or something. (I didn't really watch closely).
Evelyn finds Tony in her house unpacking some clothes. Evelyn then tells Tony she won't have it. But Tony pushes through and says that if Evelyn likes a real man, then that is it she's gonna have. Price for passion Evelyn retorts. They kiss passionately. Back at Carmen, the nephew (sorry, can't find his name right now) is a little bit sulky. So Carmen says that he can invite a few friends over for relaxing while Carmen is going to get chips and dips. I immediately knew that this called for a unwanted party in the house.
Marisol and Nicholas have dinner with the editor. The editor wants to talk about book tours and how they should be on the road for a few weeks alone. Nicholas snaps into jealous fiancee mode. Marisol gets uneasy and asks where's the wife been. The editor comments that he and she only talks via attorneys. Marisol tries to steer him back to his wife, but he won't have it. He prefers brunette over blondes now. Nicholas almost laughs maniacally while Marisol sips from her wine.
Carmen returns and sees a big party going on. And here, i finally learned the nephew's name Tyler. Tyler plays the suicide card while Carmen wants to pull the plug out of this party. Carmen won't have it so Tyler says that he wants to have fun after all. In a classic Gabrielle Solis move, Carmen calls the police from the outside.
At the Powells, Ethan finds Valentina and says that he understands why she won't return his calls cause of Remy. Then he swoops in, knight with shining armor style, with his comments about Remy and Valentina and that he will back off if that's what she wants. As just with that, my heart dropped further and bounced back. Way to go, Ethan! And Valentina felt that too, cause she just kissed him as I watch on.
Evelyn is at dinner with Tony. They've just finished and Evelyn expects Tony to pay the 900 dollar bill cause he wants to be the man. I love how Evelyn handles her matters. Tony can't pay this, so Evelyn calls for her old friend who's had some vague history with men who won't pay. Tony backs off and will behave. I got a dominatrix feel all over this. But uhm, wasn't Tony from the army or something? That man doesn't look he could beat Tony. Ah well, this scene was fun. So moving on.
The police finally arrives and Carmen uses the opportunity to shut the party down. But they arrest Tyler because he's minor. Carmen gets arrested too because she slapped the police officer. This cracked me up. Especially seeing Carmen's face when the jail door slides shut. In jail, Tyler worries about Spence and plays the suicide card again. Carmen retorts with her story of her last few months. Tyler quickly realizes what he's gotten himself into and says that he's really sorry for everything that happened.
At house Deering, Nicholas tells Marisol that Dahlia had an affair and that's why he's so mistrusting Marisol about this. Marisol says that she's not Dahlia and won't be cheating. Never. Nicholas is happy and kisses her, but it quickly gets a bit too harsh so Marisol pulls out of the kiss. Nicholas just leaves. Hmm, see I there a little hint of season 1 Marisol?
Valentina finally tells Remy about Ethan and that's she sorry. Remy says it's okay and he hopes that Ethan treats her well.
Rosie is cleaning until Miguel distracts her, Rosie accidentally pushes the sculpture over. Lucinda arrives to see Rosie on the ground with the sculpture. She says Rosie was lucky that it was Miguel or she would be fired and expects Rosie to give Miguel a pat. Rosie solves this by talking in Spanish very loudly but with sweet words. That was really funny. A good way to save your face!
Remy comes out of bed with almost newfound confidence. He even shaved off his beard! Well, hello Remy! Remy then asks Zoila if she could talk with Valentina. Zoila again declines and leaves. Genevieve asks Remy if that is really what he wants, even if Val is with Ethan? Remy noddingly says yes. Genevieve then answers that she will get her back for him. Gen may be sometimes too shallow or dumb, but she surely loves her son and protect/gives him no matter what the cost.
Spence and Tyler is cleaning the apartment until Ethan shows up. Even Ethan acts different. I quickly made the connection. Wow, I didn't expect that! And too soon to be honest. It would be more effective if they waited with this at least a few more episodes in. Ethan isn't the murderer, but it's the same for me because Ethan threatens to place the murder on him if Tyler won't comply. Now I'm all the way back to Camp Remy.
Overall, this episode was fun and enjoyable for me. I hope the writers can get back to the Opal storyline soon!
Well, that's my first review for now!
What did you think of this episode? Share your opinion in the comments!
Notes:
- The Valentina love triangle storyline was the best this week while it's a tie between Rosie and Marisol for worst storyline.
- Do you think this review is too long?
- Do you think I use the word "comments" too often?
- Best snappy oneliner: Tony: I'm not a dog in cage! Evelyn: I respect you completely. I'm going to get champagne out of the house. Stay.
- Camp REMY!!!
