The season hasn't begun yet, of course, but it's no secret that Dana Delany has joined the show as the new neighbor, Katherine Mayfar. It's been announced that she has a six year contract (either with DH exclusively or ABC in general, I don't know) and I'm looking forward to seeing her on the show (she was in one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies, Housesitter, heh).

She was Marc Cherry's original choice for Bree, but turned the role down. Katherine seems to be based on how she would have played Bree:



Link

There's a USA Today video interview here and outtakes here where she gives a lot of plot points away. They are not considered spoilers here because they are mainstream media official interviews, but I warn you - some big plot points particularly in the outtakes related to the mystery the Mayfairs will be anchoring this season.

Marc has described Katherine as a 'love to hate' character and Lynette says this to her in the season premiere (hence the sub-title). I'm looking forward to seeing her cause problems with the rest of the neighborhood! It seems from the various interactions she mentions in the USA Today interview as well as having the season mystery, she should be integrated well enough into the show.

She seems like a bitch from the previews I've seen, but the fun kind of bitch. Where Edie was the one-dimensional bitchy slut, Katherine seems like the usual new neighbor who gets involved with other people and finds out their own secrets, meanwhile keeping her own (kinda like a cross between Betty and Mrs. Huber). I'll have to actually see a few episodes to know, really.

I have a good feeling i will hate this woman with a passion.No one messes with Bree and gets away with it.

Can't wait for this season to begin! I don't think I've ever been this excited about a new neighbor moving onto the lane! I've seen the preview clips on the ABC website and they are delicious. Bree vs. Kat...can't wait to see how this is going to go down!

I am more receptive about Kat's arrival now. I am interested in seeing her go toe-to-toe with Bree. I hope she's a mega-bitch, because the show needs one of them.

Her casting makes me wish that I had seen the show from the start. I did watch some of the recent recap show this weekend. But I don't think that will be enough. I may watch it anyway because I love me some Dana.

Is it just me, or does Dana Delany seem a mite long in the tooth for this role? Mind you, she looks great for 51- but the other wives are 7-10 years younger, and I thought she looked quite a bit older than the husband. Well, whatever. She sure does bring the bitch!

I already hate her once she told Bree to cut down her tree i wanted to kick her butt. i duno but she irks me.

I think he's supposed to be younger since Susan commented on his med school graduation date (It made her feel old). Do we know how old Kat is supposed to be?

Hmm, I wonder what's the bigger mystery--what happened to her daughter or what she puts in her pies? Orange zest, perhaps?

Perhaps we can change the title of her thread to Katherine Mayfair: Culinary Terrorist!

I love her! I love how she's keeping Bree on her toes! How deliciously fun!

Loved the Betty Crocker/Mom line to Bree. I was LMAO!

I still hate this woman, i really hope something aweful happens to her. That would make me rest easy.

Katherine is starting to take over the show. She needs to be supporting. She's not lead. I'm pissed that she got more airtime than Lynette. And Gabby. In fact, EDIE got more airtime than Lynette and Gabby.

There needs to be a firm line drawn between leading and supporting characters on this show.

I didn't mind Katherine having a lot of screentime in the last episode, mostly because it was never really any 'solo' scenes; in other seasons we'd have temporary guest stars like Maisy Gibbons going up against one of the housewives and now we have a regular character doing that - I like it. Perhaps the writers are being so pushy because they're afraid that the Mayfairs will end up like the Applewhites, who seemed to almost live in an entirely different street at times!

However, I wish they'd expand her and Susan's friendship though; it's really hard to picture why she'd be so in the 'clique' already without any scenes as to why Susan actually likes her and would want to include her in their 'gang' so soon. Just a simple gossip scene between just Susan and Katherine in the first episode would've helped a lot!

I guess though Katherine feels like she has the right to be there since she used to be Wistera's Alpha Female before Bree...

It totally agree, Tommie. I love how the writers are integrating the Mayfairs into the ongoings of Wisteria Lane because they totally screwed it up the Applewhites. It really was like they lived in another universe. And even when they got on track with them later in the season, it was like...why should we even care? Ya know?

Kudos the writers for bringing it correctly this time around.

I think every scene of Katherine's included a lead housewife. Sure, this week it was mainly Bree, but Kat is expected to go toe to toe with Gabby and Lynette in the near future. I enjoy her involvement and like how they have introduced her in non-mystery related storylines. The mystery seems very quick paced and her character is very witty.

I don't think it's that big a deal because it's only been 2 episodes and they have to get viewers interested in Katherine & co, or else no one will care about the secret. A lot of the scenes are group scenes anyway, so airtime is split evenly. And no one ever comments on the lack of airtime Tom or Orson get, and they're only in 1 or 2 scenes per ep while Carlos has multiple storylines with Edie and Gabby. I think people should give Katherine time to find her place in the cast and we'll see whether she is well-liked or not. Then, the according amount of airtime and storylines can be given to her.

I have a deep respect for DD as an actress and the character of Katherine Mayfair itself doesn't annoy me. What it definitely does is the screentime she's getting so far added to the fact I still see her as she's playing Bree V2. I mean it would be ok if Dana Delany would have accepted the role when she was offered 3 years ago but since she declined why on earth bringing her to the show for playing a very similar role to the one talented Marcia Cross masterly portrays? I can stand Katherine with her mystery thing but please don't let her be another wife, that's not fair to the originals imo, we already have five excellent and well defined characters (Lynette, Bree, Gaby, Susan and M.Alice) that deserve more room to explore their own plots. If not...I'm starting to really hate you Katherine Mayfair.

But it's not like DD is getting all this screentime in her own scenes. She usually gets one or two per episode to keep the mystery forward. But usually, the scenes she's in are about the other Housewives--the flashback is really about Susan and Mary Alice; the pie stuff is really about Bree.

Plus, where else can they take Bree, plot-wise? We've already seen Bree's husband Rex die, Andrew's gay, Danielle's pregnant, creepy stalker boyfriend, perfect new husband with secret dark past and murderous mother/psychotic ex...I mean really where else can they take Bree? Having a rival on the show will help her stay fresh and interesting for a few more seasons. Also, I can't say Katherine is Bree 2.0 because Katherine is so much more malicious and bitchy. Totally un-Bree-like. Just like Edie was the anti-Susan back in S1...Katherine is the anti-Bree.

I have to admit, I am really getting drawn into this "mystery". At first, I was thinking everything was obvious...she stole this kid to replace her own. But now I feel something deeper. Plus, DD is a kick ass actress and is selling the scenes with everyone!

ITA. DD is working her a$$ off! She's weaving her character into the fabric of the show so perfectly. Me likey!!

The end, where Catherine was sobbing over the mark she uncovered in Dylan's old room...anyone having any guesses as to what that mark was/means?

My first impression was a bullet, so that got me thinking....(and this is totally unspoiled supposition) Dylan accidentally shot and killed herself while playing with daddy's/someone's gun. Catherine "replaces" her daughter, without hubby's knowledge (which is why he isnt around), but still mourns the death of her baby.

My other thought...Dylan accidentally (or on purpose) killed her father (again playing with a gun) and Katherine covered it up and took off with a psychologically scarred Dylan. I kind of hope this isnt the way we are heading as it's WAY too similar to Zana, but those are my guesses.

Any thoughts from anyone???

I've got a response to this, but I'm posting it on the Dylan thread, because really, this discussion would be going more in the direction of discussing her than her mother.

I actually think DD's doing a pretty bad job so far. I haven't seen her in anything else, but all of her scenes are just so awkward and forced. Whenever the camera zooms in on her face, she looks constipated and confused, and the delivery of her lines are so awkward, as well (that scene with Adam gaping at the girl who wanted a drink from the hose was horrendous). This is the woman Marc Cherry wanted for Bree? Thank God she didn't get the part! Now I did like her in 404 quite a bit, I actually was wondering if they'd replaced the robot! She seemed passionate and serious and dramatic all at once. But yeah, before that though, I was worried. I still kind of am, but her performance in 404 pleased me for a change. But is it true that they're going to try to keep her around for the entire series? If so, they're really not doing a good job at making her likable.

I thought she was fantastic in this past episode, that final scene - the look on her face after Bob and Lee's reveal was amazing and goosebumpy.

One problem I have though is the house: it really looks awful inside, it's so brownish, drab and blah-looking. It was believable that Mike lived there and it made a good fit for him but Katherine should have been given the Applewhite house.

I have to swallow my own words. When season started I thought she was going to steal the other women's screentime but truth be told Katherine has been nothing but a great addition to the show. Ok, I said it!

I admit I am enjoying her, also, actingchief. I really hope we get to see at least a small friendship blossom between Bree and Katherine. I would love to see Bree confess about Rex's affair and the two of them come to an understanding of each other. Of course, I dont expect them to truely become friends because Katherine still has her NotDylan secret and I cant see her trusting anyone with that.

I want to know if Katherine knows Bree was faking her pregnancy... in that case she knows a big secret of Bree's that she hasn't spilled (not yet anyway).

I don't think she does. For one thing, I think, if Katherine DID know, she would have thrown something about it in Bree's face after finding out she had invited psychostalkerchick (whose name escapes me) into her house. Adam seems like the type of guy who would keep his mouth shut, anyway.

Now we know what happened to OldDylan. I had previously thought that Katherine had killed her accidently. As it turned out, she died in a tragic accident. I know why Katherine buried OldDylan secretly in the woods before leaving Fairview (because with Wayne's connections, she would have gone to prision for murder) . What I don't know is why, if she is leaving Fairview-she thinks forever- would she get a replacement daughter. Why get NewDylan?

Could this have been not the original plan for the mystery-and a result of the writer's strike?

This could be explained by extreme grief, remorse (she placed the doll on that armoire after all), and desire to "replace" the child she indirectly and accidentally killed. Was it the healthiest way to deal with it? Maybe not. But hey! That's where the "it's DH" arguement steps in. Folks in Westeria lane have a knack to find complicated and extraordinary ways to deal with life situations.

There were some plot holes in the hole saga though. As pointed in other threads, how is it that we did not hear a noise when the armoire fell on the child?

I wonder if we'll never know what the plan was pre strike. I also wonder if the 5 years jump in time was not influenced by the strike too. Heck the way it is, if something happens they could end the show right there with that finale.

It's going to be interesting seeing how Katherine will settle into normal life on Wisteria Lane now that her mystery is resolved. This is the first time that's ever happened (aside from Orson) because Mary Alice was already long dead when her mystery was over and Betty Applewhite moved away.

I'm a little skeptical of her storyline next season because it looks like it's just going to be Katherine. Dylan's getting married and it doesn't look like Adam's coming back because Nathan Fillion is involved in a pilot for ABC. What plotlines are there for her?

Maybe she hooks up with Edie, who rumor has it will come back as a lesbian. Now THAT would be a plot twist!

Katherine has a clean slate, leaving her storyline possibilities almost endless. Frankly, I'd like to see Adam back, but I doubt we will because of Nathan Fillion's schedule. In terms of what plots she could be involved in, TPTB have already established that she has Bree-type cooking skills, she is single, and she has a fairly good relationship with the other ladies. I think there are plenty of storylines she could be involved in next year, and plenty of parties she could throw to spice up the Lane.


Is that really a rumor? I thought someone said that in the spoiler thread as a joke.

In case Wayne comes to find her, he won't be wondering where his daughter is.

My thought was the same as Geeni's. I figured she got NewDylan because she didn't want to get caught WITHOUT a daughter in tow.

Dana Delany is going to attend the Democratic National Convention that will be held from August 25 to August 28 in Denver, Colorado.

5.1 was a new experience for me - I didn't hate Katherine, I was actually rooting for her. I loved it when she did that Bree humiliation, served her right for stealing a recipe and taking credit.

Katherine was absolutely terrible in 5.1. What a boring, uninspiring, unlikable and cliche character. Oh wow, her and Bree have a cooking rivalry!? That's SOO original.. except... not. You'd think they'd come up with at least one original storyline for her in the premiere. Katherine was the worst thing about the lackluster Season 4, and the fact that she's a regular now is absolutely mortifying. I have no sympathy for her storyline- she was a shitty mother and buried her baby in the backyard to save her own ass. And, I'm sorry, but Dana Delaney is a terrible actress. I haven't seen her on anything else, but her portrayal of Katherine is awful. Mind you, she's being given terrible material to work with, as well. I want Katherine off the show..

Two words: China Beach. For which she won 2 Emmys in the late 80s/early 90s.

Any woman who looks like that at 52 - with no work done, mind you - is welcome on my TV anytime.

I actually kind of am enjoying Katherine now, strangely enough. I mean, I find her generally less aggravating than before, and she's getting a lot of good one-liners and I like most of her character interactions. I'm enjoying Dana Delaney a bit more too but I still don't think she's nearly as good as the rest. I don't want a major focus on her though, she's best just doing ensemble parts, I think- not too little, but not enough to make her take the spot from the others, I guess. I'm glad I like her more now- as you can read from my previous post, I've always loathed her. Seeing her in the role she's in now is much easier to swallow than her trying to carry a season long mystery.