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The second season of the American dramedy-mystery television series ''Desperate Housewives'' commenced airing in the United States on September 25, 2005 and concluded on May 21, 2006. The season continues the story of the Wisteria Lane residents, while their seemingly perfect lives in the suburban neighborhood are shaken by the arrival of the mysterious Betty Applewhite. Broadcast in the Sunday night time slot at 9.00 ET, the season aired twenty-four regular episodes, including a two-part season finale. In addition, three clip shows were produced for the season, in order to put the previous events of the show in perspective. "All the Juicy Details" aired before the eleventh episode, detailing the most memorable events of the season's first half, whereas "The More You Know, The Juicier It Gets", which aired before the twentieth episode, prepared the viewers for the highly anticipated season finale. "Time to Come Clean" aired three weeks before the inception of the third season, and reviewed the previous mysteries of the series before introducing the new story lines. The second season had fourteen roles receiving star billing, out of whom eleven were part of the first season's main cast. The main story lines of the season were Susan Mayer's relationship with her former husband, Gabrielle Solis' upcoming motherhood, Lynette Scavo's return to work and the death of Bree Van de Kamp's husband. The season received mainly negative reviews from television critics, noting Marc Cherry's lack of involvement in the production as one of the main reasons for the series' decreasing quality. Cherry has since said that he regrets most of the second season and that ABC's decision to order an additional episode for the season forced the series to work on an abbreviated schedule.〔(''Desperate Housewives'': 'The truth about my gals of the suburbs' ). ''Variety''. September 28, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2009.〕 However, the main cast members, as well as the guest stars, received critical acclaim, resulting in numerous awards and nominations. The highest rated episode of the season was the season premiere, watched by 28.36 million viewers, with a 10.1 rating,〔 being the series' second highest rated episode to date. Buena Vista Home Entertainment released officially released the season on DVD in the United States and Canada on August 29, 2006. ==Production== Marc Cherry, Tom Spezialy, and Michael Edelstein returned as executive producers for the second season of the series. Screenwriter Kevin Murphy also returned to the series, this season as a co-executive producer alongside George W. Perkins, Chris Black, Joey Murphy and John Pardee.〔(''Desperate Housewives'': Cast & Details ). ''TV Guide''. Retrieved July 29, 2009.〕 All but Edelstein and Pardee also served as writers. Season one writers Alexandra Cunningham, Jenna Bans, Kevin Etten, and Josh Senter were joined by new series writers Bruce Zimmerman, Dahvi Waller, Alan Cross, Ellie Herman, Jim Lincoln, and Scott Sanford Tobis.〔 Bans and Senter also became story editors. Nine directors serviced ''Desperate Housewives'', including season one directors Larry Shaw, David Grossman and Arlene Sanford. Wendey Stanzler, Robert Duncan McNeill, Pam Thomas, Randy Zisk, Stephen Cragg, and Tom Cherones directed episodes of the series for the first time during this season.〔 Cherry left a majority of the season's writing to other staff members, which many critics faulted as the reason for the decreasing quality of the series.〔('Housewives' is dragging desperately ). ''USA Today''. October 10, 2005. Retrieved November 13, 2009.〕 Edelstein left the series after the first thirteen episodes of the season,〔(Ask Ausiello ). ''TV Guide''. September 14, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2009.〕 and Spezialy followed in May 2006.〔(Wisteria Lane's new landscape ). ''USA Today''. May 19, 2005. Retrieved November 14, 2009.〕 Cherry has since said that he regrets most of the second season and that ABC's decision to order an additional episode for the season forced the series to work on an abbreviated schedule.〔 Cast member Teri Hatcher has also mentioned production problems during filming for the series' second season, including incomplete or delayed scripts,〔 whereas fellow cast members Marcia Cross, James Denton, and Felicity Huffman have all expressed concerns of the series' declining quality both with the writing staff and the press.〔 Colonial Street, which is the location of Wisteria Lane set for the series, went through additional changes prior to production on the second season. The cul-de-sac, known as "Circle Drive" by crew members,〔(Colonial Street & Circle Drive Layout 1989-1996 ). The Studio Tour. Retrieved November 10, 2009.〕 was heavily remodeled. Previously unseen in first season, "Circle Drive" contained a church facade, which was replaced by Edie Britt's second home,〔(Colonial Street/Circle Drive - The Church ). The Studio Tour. Retrieved November 10, 2009.〕 and the Colonial Mansion building, which was destroyed and replaced with a park for the series.〔(Colonial Mansion ). The Studio Tour. Retrieved November 10, 2009.〕 While developing storylines for the second season, series creator Marc Cherry stated, "I want to keep finding new ways to talk about issues that relate to everyday women," explaining that the show needs to focus on "small, real, everyday issues" in order to keep the audience interested.〔Keck, William (May 5, 2005). ("'Housewives' in suspense" ). ''USA Today''. Retrieved October 18, 2011.〕 Cherry cited the Lynette storyline as an example of this strategy: "Lynette will be returning to her advertising roots next season, so I want to address how difficult it is to go to work all day and then come home and be expected to also take care of your house."〔 Huffman recognized that her character's storylines needed a change of pace, but hoped that Lynette's domestic life would still play an integral role this season. "My hope is to not get lost in the corporate world; that it's still a home and family/husband and children story," she explained. "But how many times can you go, 'Kids, clear your plates!'"〔Keck, William (May 5, 2005). ("Cast members reveal 'Desperate' hopes" ). ''USA Today''. Retrieved October 18, 2011.〕 The season premiere introduced Lynette's new boss, Nina Fletcher, portrayed by Joely Fisher who describes her character as "nasty", elaborating: "Lynette suddenly has to come up against this tiger lady who never stops reminding Lynette that she's childless by choice. Even though Nina is not a housewife, she is desperate in her own way."〔Keck, William (September 29, 2005). ("Desperate to do some damage" ). ''USA Today''. Retrieved October 18, 2011.〕 Due to the death of his character, Steven Culp did not return to the series for the second season,〔Jensen, Jeff (May 27, 2005). ("The Opposite of Rex" ). ''Entertainment Weekly''. Retrieved October 20, 2011.〕 but provided his face for the open casket scene in the season premiere, which saw the producers create a life mask of the actor.〔Keck, William (September 22, 2005). ("Not quite so desperate" ). ''USA Today''. Retrieved October 20, 2011.〕 Doug Savant was promoted to series regular after appearing as a recurring guest star throughout the first season.〔Rudolph, Ileane (February 25, 2005). ("Desperate Hubby Here to Stay" ). ''TV Guide''. Retrieved October 20, 2011.〕 The season saw the promotion of Alfre Woodard and Mehcad Brooks to series regulars, after they were introduced in the final two episodes of the first season.〔〔Susman, Gary (April 11, 2005). ("Block Party" ). ''Entertainment Weekly''. Retrieved October 18, 2011.〕 Woodard played Betty Applewhite, a "deeply religious, overbearing single mother" while Mehcad portrayed her son, Matthew.〔Kaplan, Don (April 13, 2005). ("Alfre Woodard Joins 'Desperate Housewives'" ). ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 18, 2011.〕 In regards to the characters and their mystery storyline, Cherry stated: "They come on the street; they seem like nice people — but they've got a secret. And it's pretty gothic. It's real and human and awful all at the same time."〔 Woodard commented that her character "never means harm... Let's just say she has flaws. She had to make some really tough decisions quick and if the law ever catches up with her, she'll have to serve time... But they'll never catch her."〔Keck, William (September 29, 2005). ("Alfre Woodard has a secret" ). ''USA Today''. Retrieved October 18, 2011.〕 The final scene in which Betty and Matthew bring food to the prisoner in their basement was originally intended for the first season finale but saved for "Next" instead.〔Audio commentary on "One Wonderful Day" with Marc Cherry and Larry Shaw. ''Desperate Housewives'': The Complete First Season. (). Touchstone Pictures. Retrieved July 31, 2011.〕 While the Applewhites are regarded as the first major black characters on the series,〔〔Cooper, Gael Fashingbauer (September 26, 2005). ("Now that's a 'Desperate Housewives'" ). ''MSNBC''. Retrieved October 20, 2011.〕 Cherry stated that the role of Betty was originally offered to two white film actresses, both of whom turned it down due to financial and time commitment issues.〔 He clarified: "There's nothing strategically black about her character. Her color is incidental."〔Mitchell, Sean (September 24, 2005). ("With the Secrets Revealed, 'Housewives' Turns to New Mysteries" ). ''The New York Times''. Retrieved October 29, 2011.〕 Woodard stated that she had never seen the show before accepting the role, something that led the producers to send her fifteen episodes of the show, which she divided amongst various family members. After they compared storylines, Woodard recalled that she became "instantly hooked" on the series.〔 Woodard reported experiencing heavy media attention after accepting the role.〔Rice, Lynette (September 2, 2005). ("Desperate Housewives" ). ''Entertainment Weekly''. Retrieved October 29, 2011.〕 Both Brooks and his brother, Billy, auditioned for the role of Matthew. The final decision came down to both brothers as well as two other actors. According to Cherry, Brooks was cast because he exuded a "dangerous" element, as well as "a combination of this wholesome, sweet quality and a dark, brooding quality."〔Keck, William (May 19, 2005). ("Wisteria welcomes Brooks" ). ''USA Today''. Retrieved October 18, 2011.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Desperate Housewives (season 2)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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