In short, the best episode of television I think I've ever seen. This episode, like most of the episodes of Desperate Housewives, does not require previous knowledge of the characters for it to work, although it certainly helps. What's so marvelous about this series is how well each episode works with the one before it and still manages to have its own story arc. This episode is no exception, but here, it just so happens to be the best written one provided by the series so far. The episode starts by giving viewers a taste of things to come, but then backs up one day to start a typical action to action quickly paced comedic episode of Housewives. However, when things catch up to what we saw at the beginning, time slows down. The audience is then given the greatest expose on the characters in front of us we could possibly ask for. Without spoiling the content of the show, I'll go on to say this. This episode jerks at you because nothing about it is disposable. Unlike shows where your supporting characters are merely background music and kill fodder, this show uses nothing but characters you know on both good sides and bad. Buy the entire season on DVD if you have to, it's one of the few gems that television ever sees.
13 Reviews
Excellent!
migrjo12 November 2006
This is easily one of the finest hours of television I have ever seen. And this is coming from a man who has given up on commercial television. (I watched this episode in rerun at the request of a friend who had seen it in its original time slot.)
The writing, the directing, the acting...ALL superb. The interplay of comedy and drama without either element being cheated. (This, I imagine, is not easy to do.)
Bravo, "Desperate Housewives"!
And shame on commercial television for not rising to this level of excellence more often!
M.
The writing, the directing, the acting...ALL superb. The interplay of comedy and drama without either element being cheated. (This, I imagine, is not easy to do.)
Bravo, "Desperate Housewives"!
And shame on commercial television for not rising to this level of excellence more often!
M.
It doesn't get any more "housewife-ish" than this!!!
cristbsas6 November 2006
So far, the most brilliant episode ever in all 3 seasons up to this point. Feels like inspired on Almodovar's "Women At The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown". The sequence of situations and environments capture the essence of the show's tittle like never before. The proposed absurdities develop exquisitely. The extreme contrasts between the tension and the drama within a salute to vaudeville comedy takes the show to never before reached rocket-high levels of entertaining hysteria. All to finally wrap-up in cherry-on-top tear-triggering impeccable emotional epilogue that leaves the viewer floating in an ecstasy of a roller coaster of emotions throughout a 44 minute long TV masterpiece. Standing ovation for Joe Keenan or whoever were the brain factories behind the creation of this episode. It should become one of the reference models for developing all further plots and stories of the show.
This episode has restored my faith in commercial television.
PWNYCNY6 April 2009
Shockingly, amazingly, surprisingly, astonishingly, this is one of the best episodes ever shown in a TV series of any genre. When one is reasonably expecting fluff and instead is presented with high, and well-acted, drama, well, that is indeed a pleasant surprise. Not only does this series reach for something more than just the usual comedic fare, it achieves it. Lori Metcalf was great! the interactions between all the characters, wonderful and the story itself serious and substantive without becoming melodramatic. But what makes this particular episode so enjoyable is the way that all of the characters and all of the actors interact in a manner that heightens the drama and makes the story that much more interesting for the audience. Congratulations to all involved in this production.
Absolute perfection on TV Soap history!!!!
gingko27 May 2007
I was shocked to core when I watched it first time. I mean I haven't cried that long for any movie as alone for a TV soap?
The plot, editing, directing, music, acting all top quality!!
The more amazing thing is I went back to watch it over and over from time to time, a little embarrassed to admit that I cried each time, and felt heart broken and grateful at the same time.
It is the ultimate depressing and greedy heeling formula, whenever you feel life has been a little rocky and people around you give you a hard time, make them watching this with you. Everyone should get some little heart felt moments from this simple show.
The plot, editing, directing, music, acting all top quality!!
The more amazing thing is I went back to watch it over and over from time to time, a little embarrassed to admit that I cried each time, and felt heart broken and grateful at the same time.
It is the ultimate depressing and greedy heeling formula, whenever you feel life has been a little rocky and people around you give you a hard time, make them watching this with you. Everyone should get some little heart felt moments from this simple show.
if you only want to see one episode then this must be it
oxid_1911 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
OK, this show is excellent -- i think you all know that :) Of course not all the episodes are perfect but most of them are. I was caught by the great story and telling of the first season and remained fan of the whole show. The second season was a step back, then the 3rd and 4th again good.
This part (Bang) was a long awaited breath(after the 2nd season), artistic and glorious example of perfection. Great acting, story driving, picture, music and denouement. And the last scene... i can't say i am an emotional person but my tears came out at the end. Man, when Lynette and Mary Alice are together in a scene that is a true blessing.
Lynette: "No, you're not. I can tell. Please, tell me what's wrong. Let me save you." Mary Alice: "You can't." Lynette: "Why not?" Mary Alice: "Sweetie, we can't prevent what we can't predict." Lynette: "Isn't there anything I can do?" Mary Alice: "Yes. Yes. You can enjoy this beautiful day. We get so few of them."
The last sentence may be with you.
The best episode of the whole show.
Take care.
This part (Bang) was a long awaited breath(after the 2nd season), artistic and glorious example of perfection. Great acting, story driving, picture, music and denouement. And the last scene... i can't say i am an emotional person but my tears came out at the end. Man, when Lynette and Mary Alice are together in a scene that is a true blessing.
Lynette: "No, you're not. I can tell. Please, tell me what's wrong. Let me save you." Mary Alice: "You can't." Lynette: "Why not?" Mary Alice: "Sweetie, we can't prevent what we can't predict." Lynette: "Isn't there anything I can do?" Mary Alice: "Yes. Yes. You can enjoy this beautiful day. We get so few of them."
The last sentence may be with you.
The best episode of the whole show.
Take care.
A perfect DH episode
jacobnoble-025247 October 2020
This has to be my favourite episode of the series. It provides all the elements of perfect TV: comedy, drama, emotional moments and incredible writing and acting. The character interactions are top tier with witty dialogue and heartfelt moments. The way the flash forward at the start of the episode all falls in to place throughout the episode really adds to the quality of the story telling. I really wish there were more DW episodes as good as this one.
WoW!!!
issral6 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
It's just incredible! One of the best episodes in the whole show. I'm shocked! As expected Felicity Huffman's acting is unique! I love her character.
I have to confess I cried, the episode is incredible. I liked how it develops and how the characters react through the situation.
It's completely unexpected the whole thing...I was starting to think that 3rd season was kind of a remake from the first one but this episode states a real development in the characters lives and evolution through the plot. Strenghting up 3rd season and keeping the show on top. I don't want to say more..you have to watch it!
I have to confess I cried, the episode is incredible. I liked how it develops and how the characters react through the situation.
It's completely unexpected the whole thing...I was starting to think that 3rd season was kind of a remake from the first one but this episode states a real development in the characters lives and evolution through the plot. Strenghting up 3rd season and keeping the show on top. I don't want to say more..you have to watch it!
Can one episode bring me back to watching "Housewives"? Maybe.
GMJames7 November 2006
I spent more than a few hours reading posts from other IMDb users praising this particular episode of Desperate Housewives. I believe the praise is justified. When I first saw the show two seasons ago, I loved the show's dark humor and the mystery that kept me interested through the first season. The second season was marred by poor creative choices.
This episode, appropriately titled "Bang", is one of the strongest episodes in the three seasons Desperate Housewives has been on the air. It hearkens back to creator Marc Cherry's dark vision of suburbia and how one person's desperate act affects everyone in the neighborhood. The comic and tragic elements were a better balance here than previous episodes. One of my favorite TV scriptwriters is Frasier veteran Joe Keenan, who wrote this particular episode.
There were strong performances all around. Specifically, regular Felicity Huffman as Lynette, Kiersten Warren as Nora the woman who had a baby with Lynette's husband and Laurie Metcalf as the unstable woman who tries to confront her unfaithful store manager husband but ends up taking customers hostage. The conclusion of the episode with Huffman and Brenda Strong as Mary Alice certainly provided some food for thought.
When it comes to long-term creativity, not too many television shows are able to keep a consistent pace. Some shows tend to fall in a rut after a few seasons. Arguably, some shows may recover from that hole. With "Bang", I hope Desperate Housewives will be able to continue their creative recovery.
This episode, appropriately titled "Bang", is one of the strongest episodes in the three seasons Desperate Housewives has been on the air. It hearkens back to creator Marc Cherry's dark vision of suburbia and how one person's desperate act affects everyone in the neighborhood. The comic and tragic elements were a better balance here than previous episodes. One of my favorite TV scriptwriters is Frasier veteran Joe Keenan, who wrote this particular episode.
There were strong performances all around. Specifically, regular Felicity Huffman as Lynette, Kiersten Warren as Nora the woman who had a baby with Lynette's husband and Laurie Metcalf as the unstable woman who tries to confront her unfaithful store manager husband but ends up taking customers hostage. The conclusion of the episode with Huffman and Brenda Strong as Mary Alice certainly provided some food for thought.
When it comes to long-term creativity, not too many television shows are able to keep a consistent pace. Some shows tend to fall in a rut after a few seasons. Arguably, some shows may recover from that hole. With "Bang", I hope Desperate Housewives will be able to continue their creative recovery.
Best episode so far!
abdullabuhamad4 June 2020
Greatest episode of the whole series
ozjeremy6 August 2022
After all these years, I still remember this episode. And when I watched it again, I still cried a river...
Life is too short... we should definitely enjoy every day, every second, treat others nicely and treat ourselves well.
Suburban "Falling Down"
emptydeb11 August 2019
This episode looks like a suburban "Falling Down" only with different protagonist - Caroline instead of William Foster. Her occupation of taking care of the house, shopping, gardening replaced office job of William, which puts as much pressure on the woman. Her unappreciated work leads her to the breaking point, forcing her to take the gun and keep 10 people hostage in order to revenge her cheating husband.
Very good, but also very overrated.
m-4782631 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Like I said, take away the situation comedy, and the season would have awful characters, being awful to each other, all the time. As funny as season 3 can be, the characterizations suck. In Bang, the show does its own version of an hostage taking situation, with a shooter that is none other than one of the « desperate housewives ». Laurie Metcalf shines in those psycho women parts, and added just the right amount of vulnerability to the Caroline Bigsby character, to sell her « vilain » once again. And mastered great comedic timing too. The tone of the episode is both tragic and grotesque, and event though one of the main characters died, it was clear this death scene was for the best, because a) Nora overstayed her welcome and b) it was the right thing to do to shake things up and show how serious it was. Though the acting was great, and the writing alternated drama and comedy, masterfully. I could've done without Susan's usual clowning... the tension buildup was nicely put too, only the ending felt rushed. Lynette's dream sequences were bits that stood out the most. They added the heartfelt aspect the episode needed, and were satisfying callbacks to the first mystery, as well as more « live cameos » of Brenda Strong on the show. It's an emotional episode, but also part of a season where I can barely stand anybody, and is a little too « well organized » to be surprising.
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