Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the storylines of this nighttime soap opera (an English-language telenovela) deal with violence, deceit, betrayal, and casual sex. Characters, for the most part, are terrible role models who will do anything to accomplish their own ends. Adults and older teens may find it a guilty pleasure, but children too young to understand the ins and outs of adult romantic relationships -- as well as viewers upset by scenes involving gunfire and explosions -- should tune out. It's campy and over the top, but it's still pretty mature content.
Families can discuss relationships and the sticky situations that often accompany them. What happens when two friends like the same person? Is there a right way and a wrong way to manage things? What should someone do when a friend wants to date their ex? Also, are any of the characters in this show admirable in any way? Why or why not? Families can also talk about the telenovela format in general. How is this show similar to and different from the hugely popular Spanish telenovelas? Do you think it's going to catch on the way those shows do?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Lucy Maher
DESIRE (along with sister show Fashion House), marks the advent of a new experiment in English-language primetime programming: It's MyNetworkTV's take on the hugely popular Spanish-language "telenovelas" -- addictive, guilty-pleasure nighttime soap operas that air six nights a week for several weeks (13 in this case) and are then done.
Desire follows two brothers on the run from the mob who find themselves falling for the same woman ... who has a sordid past of her own. Alex (Zack Silva) and Louis Thomas (Nate Haden) were raised by their single mother, Rita (Eliana Alexander). They flee with her to California after their fledgling New Jersey restaurant is burned to the ground by mob boss Joey Gamarra (Chris DeRose) -- who was looking to get back at Louis for his late-night hookup with Gamarra's daughter, Cara (Kelly Albanese).
On the West Coast, the Thomas brothers are presented to their long-lost father, Peter Evans (Al Bandiero), who gives them jobs in the popular restaurant he manages. Here, Alex and Louis meet Andrea Zavatti (Michelle Belegrin), the beautiful daughter of the restaurant's owner. Both brothers are taken with her and soon start spending their time competing for her affections and fending off the advances of her spurned lover, George Marston (Tomy Dunster).
Like any good soap, Desire is jam-packed with intrigue. Viewers find out that behind George's suave exterior is a man whose only goal is to be with Andrea for her money. And then there's Andrea's best friend, Vivian (Suzy Edwards), a conniver who wants George for herself; Andrea's scheming sister, Victoria (Sofia Milos); and the ongoing story of Joey Gamarra -- who won't rest until he makes his revenge against Louis completely final.
Unlike daytime soaps, Desire is better produced and better acted. It's fast-paced and often feels like a Danielle Steele novel come to life. If viewers expect only titillation from it, they won't be disappointed. But parents wary of poor values and role models should proceed with caution -- the show is packed with implied nudity, one-night stands, back-stabbing characters, and violence.
Fans in the mood for a more serious mob drama might enjoy The Sopranos. But if a guilty-pleasure soap is what you're after, try classic sudsers Dallas and Dynasty, both available on DVD.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentSuggested nudity and lots of affairs and one-night stands. Lots of skimpy outfits. A love triangle is the central plot device. |
 |
|
 |
|
ViolenceA central character is a mob boss; gunfire and planned explosions. |
 |
|
|
|
LanguageRelatively mild: "son of a bitch," "hell," etc. |
|
|
|
|
Message |
|
|
|
|
Social BehaviorSoap opera characters are rarely models of good behavior, and these folks are no exception. They're conniving, boyfriend-stealing types who have no problem being deceitful and cunning and treating others poorly as long as they end up on top. A few characters stand up for themselves and generally do what's right, but they're in the minority. |
 |
 |
|
|
Commercialism |
 |
|
|
|
Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoSocial drinking. |
 |
|
|
|
