Tonight marks the return of Jesse Metcalfe to
Desperate Housewives' Wisteria Lane in the role that garnered him the title of cougar prey. Before his return, let's take a look back at his storyline thus far. Back in 2004, Jesse Metcalfe gained acclaim for his portrayal of John Rowland, the sexy but not too bright teenage gardener/lover of Eva Longoria's Gaby Solis on Desperate Housewives. While his character featured prominently during season one, Metcalfe's role was relegated to a few guest appearances in season two, and single appearances in seasons three and four. During season one, John's storyline moved him from teenage plaything for Gaby to guilt-ridden, but unintentional accomplice to murder--it was John who was chasing Gaby's mother-in-law to retrieve a camera that contained proof of their affair when she ran into the street and was struck by drunk driver Andrew Van de Kamp--to Gaby's potential baby-daddy. He confessed his affair with Gaby just as Carlos is on trial and serves time for a hate crime.
As season two began, Gaby apologizes to Carlos for the affair with John. As it turns out, John was not the father of the baby--which Gaby looses after falling down the stairs while being chased by crazy neighbor Caleb Applewhite. When Gaby and Carlos try to adopt, they learn that John's mother, Helen Rowland works for the adoption agency and nips a legal adoption in the bud. John meanwhile begins taking care of a new cougar's gardening needs.
Single appearances during seasons three and four reveal John is married, but not happily, and furthermore, he is still in love with Gaby. They eventually meet at a hotel owned by his father-in-law where Gaby reveals that she is pregnant by Carlos and refuses John's advances.
The circumstances of tonight's return of John Rowland center around yet another chance meeting, this time while Gaby is at dinner. We learn that John and his disenchanted young wife are splitsville. You might think that would open the storyline for a return to the affair with Gaby, but look for a typical Desperate twist. It's not Gaby who goes after John, but her nothing but trouble niece, Ana. Think of it as Desperate's tribute to fellow Disney franchise, The Lion King...it's a whole new take on the Circle of Life, either that or Ana is just hell-bent on getting back at Aunt Gaby.
Also tonight, Karl has a date with someone other than Bree. Bree is upset, but can't say much, as she is trying to honor the friend code with Susan by not pursuing Karl and reluctantly, albeit temporarily with Orson. Even so, seeing that Karl isn't one to wait, she considers a weekend away.
On the Lynette and Tom Eight is Enough front, the Scavo's have a family pow-wow to discuss the additions to the family. With one of the elder twin boys away, at least they have a room available for the new twin babies.
When Julie's suspected attacker, Danny is released from police custody because of lack of evidence, Susan is not happy. This leads to a confrontation with a bat-wielding Angie, played by season six addition, Drea de Matteo. Guess all those years on The Sopranos taught her a thing or two about multiple uses for baseball equipment. Upon Danny's release, we are also introduced to yet another new teenage character as his friend Eddie, played by former KyleXY cast mate, Josh Zuckerman, makes an appearance.
Given the latest developments and additions to the cast, the suspect list for Julie's attacker keeps growing. Even though he is released for lack of evidence, could Danny really be Julie's attacker? With Katherine showing obvious signs of cracking, maybe she did it, either as revenge for Susan's nuptials or thinking it was Susan she was attacking. Maybe it was John's ex-wife in a jealous rage and a case of mistaken addresses. Perhaps it's Eddie because of a yet-to-be revealed connection to Julie or Danny. Rumor has it he relates a story to one of the housewives about meeting a girl while in Paris with his father. Hmmm let's see, Julie's been away for a year, comes back and talks to Lynette about being pregnant, then mysteriously isn't and gets attacked. Maybe Eddie wonders what happened to his baby. With Desperate Housewives, anything's possible.
Only one way to find out for sure, keep watching. Well, OK, two ways, because you know if I find out first, I'll be sure and spill it here.
Bad rumor! Bad rumor!
