Much like creator Marc Cherry’s hit ABC series Desperate Housewives, Lifetime’s Devious Maids suffered a sophomore slump. The second season’s central mystery wasn’t as compelling as the first, and the new characters were a bit loathsome and difficult to connect with.
Fortunately, Maids‘ new cycle recaptures the magic spark the primetime sudser had in its record-breaking inaugural season.
The opener, titled “Awakenings,” quickly reveals the aftermath of the deadly shooting at Rosie and Spence’s wedding, finally answering the question: “Who Got Shot?”
After a four-month time jump, the drama escalates for the maids as well as their Beverly Hills employers. Among them, one housewife makes a pair of horrific discoveries in her garden, a maid receives shocking paternity results, and another realizes not only that she’s being followed, but why.
Familiar faces return in the form of Taylor and Michael Stappord, and they do not arrive alone. Along with their newly adopted daughter Katy, a deep dark secret and a heap of baggage accompany them back to Beverly Hills.
New maid Blanca (Glee‘s Naya Rivera) finds employment with the Stappord’s, and is quickly thrust into what is sure to become the show’s central season-long mystery. Taylor Stappord’s portrayer, Brianna Brown, tells OMFGTV that drama and mystery is what Season 3 is all about.
“This is by far the best year yet, filled with unexpected twists and turns, and of course no shortage of laughter!” Brown says. “Viewers can expect to see new friendships, new targets, and a whole lot of drama!”
From what we’ve seen so far, the premiere lives up to those statements. Evelyn Powell doesn’t miss a beat with her hilarious and quotable one-liners. The welcome addition of newcomer Naya Rivera adds a fun new dynamic to the show. We hope she gets promoted to a regular in the series stat!
“Awakenings” has a good handful of OMFG moments, and the final few scenes of tonight’s return are gruesome! We can’t wait to see where and how the story continues.
Bottom Line: Devious Maids, summer’s sexiest cable series, is back and better than ever. If the rest of the season is as strong and thrilling as the premiere, then viewers will be in for a wild — and BLOODY — ride.
Devious Maids Season 3 premieres tonight at 9|8c on Lifetime.
