Gale Harold Returns (Sort Of) To "Desperate Housewives"

Will he or won't he? Everyone has been wondering whether Gale Harold, who was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash last October, will return to Desperate Housewives anytime soon.

Well, we didn't see Gale on last night's Desperate Housewives, but we did hear him. His alter ego, Jackson, left a message on his girlfriend Susan's (Teri Hatcher) answering machine, telling her that he was still visiting his alma mater and that they needed to talk.

Later, while visiting a gay bar with her neighbor Lee (Kevin Rahm), Susan explained that Jackson was up at Riverton visiting an old professor who offered him a job. Jackson asked Susan to move there, and while Susan hadn't given Jackson an answer yet, she told Lee she was going to join him.

"You're that serious about this guy?" Lee asked.

"Yeah, sure, why not?" Susan replied.

Lee told her she was settling.

I think what we learned from last night's show is that a) it is clear that Susan is still in love with her ex-husband Mike (James Denton), and b) it is obvious that Gale actually isn't well enough to return to work just yet.

If we get any further updates on his condition, we will let you know, of course.

Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry has said that the door is open for Gale's return, although I worry that the longer he is gone, the less likely it is that his character will be worked back into the show.

Now if we could talk about Susan and Lee for a moment, did anyone else think it was utterly ridiculous that Susan actually thought they had had sex when they woke up in bed together the next morning after having a few too many drinks?

And what about that gay bar they visited? It was the most brightly-lit gay bar I've ever seen.

But let me also praise Desperate Housewives for having four gay characters—Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom) and his fiancé Dr. Cominis (Todd Grinnell) also got lots of air time last night—on the show. That is simply amazing!

Images courtesy Getty

Comments

[Nina]

Firstly, the episode last night was shot weeks ago, before Christmas, so Gale wouldn't have been in it. I've read that he was seen out and about over the holidays and when asked, responded that he would be rejoining the show when they resume shooting. Hope it's true. I've got a BAD case of Gale withdrawal!;-)

[A]

This episode (as well as the next in line) was short in middle of November, while Gale was still recuperating at home. That phone call we heard was the result of the looping Gale did in early December and was inserted into the episode later. So, he has been out and about since this episode was first filmed, and obviously has been feeling better with time, and Billy Masters reported having spoken to Gale in December and that he was planning to be back on the set in January. Here's hoping he continues to heal and gets back to his life soon. Whether that includes DH or not is the least of my concerns. I just want him well. :)

[Erich]

"although I worry that the longer he is gone, the less likely it is that his character will be worked back into the show"

I worry a lot about this also. All the time.

[sirald66]

I appreciate the priority of the actor's health more than the gossip about a show.

[Tim]

Hmmm - judging from the fact "we're" supposed to be eager for this guy's return, I gather he's supposed to be cute? Don't get it. Now, Carlos...

As to brightly lit gay bars - are they generally dark? The ones I've been to are usually fairly lighted, but, then, I've been to three.

[Todd]

He's not the most charismatic actor in the world, I have a hard time getting much worked up about the guy who lacklusteredly played that out-of-shape slutty guy on that show that didn't relate to my life as a gay man in the least. Oops...

[newsnews]

I just love the news on this website. It's so useful to my life!

[ducdebrabant]

I couldn't agree more about the gay bar. I'd have thought they were at a party in a hotel ballroom. Maybe Marc Cherry has never been to a gay club? It was so nice to hear Gale's voice, but it was absurd for Lee to ask Susan if GH (!!!!) were her "2am man." Gale Harold is nobody's 2am man, not even Susan's. I know she's still hung up on Mike, but the man is a god, and for she and Lee to act as if he's only so-so looking was incredibly odd. In real life, she wouldn't be saying Jackson "isn't perfect," she'd be suffering guilt pangs for not wanting him .... because he IS perfect. He's got Brian Kinney's looks, but he's monogamous and sweet. He's too good for her, in fact, not the other way around. Susan should be wondering what's wrong with HER, and that's what Lee should be helping her with (then Lee could get the job of comforting Jackson when Susan has broken his heart).

[kevin]

While we all loved Gale Harold as Brian Kinney his character of Jackson is tame compared to Brian's playboy ways. While its been hinted at, Jackson's player past his character is in a monogomous relationship with Teri Hatcher's character. While some of the fans of QAF may have wanted Brian Kinney to be in a monogomous relationship with Justin(so did Justin at several points) just couldn't see Brian Kinney without all his tricks, in fact Brian Kinney seemed like the type to have tricks until he dies.