"Is That a Black Man in Your Bed?"

Mehcad Brooks. Shirtless. FINALLY.

Yes and no. Only the upper torso and only for a few frames. Instead, we were treated to more of the usual, the camera lingering over Danielle Van De Kamp (Joy Lauren) in a push-up bra. Sure, we were happy to see some pecs and one or two abs—even if it was only just for a millisecond—but poor Bree Van De Kamp was not amused. Last week she discovered her son in bed with another boy and this week she finds a strapping young black man in bed with her daughter. Well, actually, hiding under the bed.

It's refreshing that the producers have decided to inject some new life into the series because the recent story lines—with the exception of gay Andrew—have been stale and predictable. Last night's Desperate Housewives was ROFL from almost the first scene. It was a brilliant move to lead off the episode with the Caleb Applewhite drama and quickly segue into Bree catching Matthew and her daughter Danielle in flagrante. Remember how Danielle asked Matthew if he wanted to go out on a "date"? This little hussy doesn't waste any time; her idea of a "date" is making out with supa-phine Mehcad. Okay, well, that would probably be our idea, too.

Bree's discovery was truly entertaining—it's becoming a weekly feature that while trying to be the perfect mother, she finds her children getting their freak on. Last week, she very thoughtfully brought Andrew some orange juice and croissants and found him in bed with another boy. Last night, she only was trying to collect Danielle's laundry when Matthew's hand appeared from under the bed to help her with a few items that she missed. Too rich, a throwback to the Preston Sturges humor of the 1940s. Of course, her very proper question to Danielle was even more comical: "Is that a black man hiding under your bed?"

Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard) was also not amused. Bree marched the two teenagers to Matthew's home to explain the situation and Alfre Woodard slapped the taste of Danielle out of Mehcad's mouth. Ouch!

But as funny as the situation and scripting may have been, it also raises another uncomfortable issue: Race. Someone finally realized that the Applewhites were black, which has been the 600 pound gorilla that the producers and residents of Wisteria Lane have tried their best to ignore. That may explain why the producers are reluctant to show a fully shirtless Mehcad—why not? most of the other Desperate hunks are always stripping. The camera's odd framing of Danielle and Matthew was schizophrenic. You're wondering if they are afraid to show too much black skin and are reluctant to eroticize Mehcad like they've done with Shawn Pyfrom, Ryan Carnes and Jesse Metcalfe.

Not only did Bree discover a black man under her daughter's bed, but she saw a Caleb Applewhite, a second—possibly more dangerous—black man living on her block. Then, there were hints that Caleb is also lusting after Danielle—which Alfre Woodard shot down by threatening to bitch slap him like she did her with other son. (Why all the fever for Danielle? She's not that cute. Edie Britt is much fiercer.) Now we're starting to tread on dangerous ground. The southern Gothic storyline worked as part of blind casting, but if we're going to have a procession of (dangerous) black men lusting after the local cheerleader, we might have to give this show a break.

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Comments

[hot lunch]

i don't watch DH but i'm surprised to hear that they didn't touch upon the race issue earlier. isn't that one of the main storylines whenever a person of colour is involved? i guess it's kinda nice to think that perhaps it isn't an issue but if it is, why wait till now to address it? I watched an episode of The Book of Daniel and I liked that they're addressing the Asian guy/white girl relationship with her parents not wanting "little Oriental children running around." lol! At least there's no big jade elephant in the middle of that room!!

[meone]

And he's kinda cute, he can jump in my bed anytime

[a different perspective]

Mehcad Brooks was on an episode of "The View" (yes, I've watched the show, lol)and he stated that he is very uncomfortable being on camera with his shirt off and that it is one of the biggest things that he dreads or worries about when he comes to work on the set for Desperate Housewives. That the producers are going to ask him to do a scene with his shirt off.

Maybe the producers and Mehcad have agreed not to show his full torso on camera since he is so uncomfortable with the idea, and not what you suggested as a possible reason.

Don't aske me why he is so uncomforable, ask him!!

[Mad4Mehcad]

He is one piece of eyecandy. I hope we get to see a lot more of him (shirtless would be nice, preferrably nude) in movies. He is starring now in 'Glory Road'.

[Pip]

first off, i love this whole story line. finally the Applewhites are actually interesting to me. i love the way the writers dumped this situation in the van de kamp camp (tee hee). bree is the poster child for repressed WASPs everywhere. i mean, she clearly asked, "is that a BLACK man under your bed?" and with the skeletons that she has from last season...let me just say it again. i love it

[Mr. Prince]

Althought that may be the truth, the race issue, I'm going to keep an open mind and think that the reaction was just because she had a boy in her bedroom.

and Although I love the AndrewxJustin relationship, I hate andy's attitude

[rubold]

I Love the show-It's about time that we of color can be seen as equals-and even give Bree a run for her money in who can upstage whom-did you see the last scene where she lets Bree know about her secret? LOL don't mess with a Sista...Letting them know I have every right to be here in Wisteria Lane...

[Jimmy]

Finally! Storyline IS getting more interesting. I, too was disappointed when they only showed a short bust shot of Mehcad. It "looked" out-of-sync with the rest of the story. I would have expected a medium shot of Matthew and Danielle. I really would like to find out why Mehcad is uncomfortable with his shirt off, as "A different perspective" suggests.

[cena]

i wont to know that is this episod.... cuse i never had seen before.....

[Web Designer]

I agree with Jimmy!