I am just curious, they never seem to give Alfre anything to do unless it comes to the prisoner storyline. Is she going to be a full time regular on the show or will she be phased out once this arc runs it's completion, like how John has barely appeared this season and is out of the opening credits.

Like so far, while Lynette's big storyline this season has been about her return to the office, there have been episodes where her character isn't at work one bit. Every single scene Betty's had has had something to do with her and the prisoner. IMO, either integrate the character into the cast by giving her other things to do as well or do away with her once her storyline completes itself.

Hmm....Well hopefully she'll be gone by season's end. I don't have anything against her, but I think they shold start eliminating some of the cast, so that the "Desperate Housewives" have more time together.

about the big cast as you've noted. Are there budget issues this season since the four leads have had raises? Last season, there were multiple episodes where every opening credits character appeared, this season there's always one or three missing each time.

about the big cast as you've noted. Are there budget issues this season since the four leads have had raises? Last season, there were multiple episodes where every opening credits character appeared, this season there's always one or three missing each time.

I don't think that's as much budget as it is them stretching out storylines, sort of like daytime dramas when not every cast member appears in each episode. As for Alfre, they definitely need to integrate her character better than what they've done so far.