John Rowland (Desperate Housewives)

Last updated

John Rowland
Desperate Housewives character
JohnDH.jpg
Jesse Metcalfe as John Rowland
Portrayed by Jesse Metcalfe
Duration2004–07, 2009
First appearance"Pilot"
1x01, October 3, 2004
Last appearance"The God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues"
6x04, October 18, 2009
Created by Marc Cherry
In-universe information
Occupation
  • Restaurant owner
  • Hotel executive
  • Gardener
FatherBob Rowland
MotherHelen Rowland
Sisters1
SpouseTammy Sinclair
Children1 with Tammy

John Rowland is a fictional character portrayed by actor Jesse Metcalfe and created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives . The character is introduced as the teenage gardener of one of the titular housewives, Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria), with whom she cheats on her husband, Carlos Solis (Ricardo Antonio Chavira).

Contents

Development and casting

Before Jesse Metcalfe was cast as John Rowland, actor Kyle Searles originated the role in the unaired pilot of the show. [1] In June 2004, ABC called for three starring cast members to be recast. [2] Metcalfe replaced Searles as John Rowland, as producers wanted to add more sexual appeal to the role "to justify why (Gabrielle) was having an affair." [3] Metcalfe had previously read for the role during the initial casting process. [4]

Metcalfe was a regular cast member during the first season. However, after the affair is revealed to Carlos in the first season finale by John himself, Metcalfe left the regular cast. Since his departure, he has made several guest appearances in subsequent seasons.

Storylines

Season 1

John Rowland is employed by Gabrielle and Carlos Solis as a gardener. Gabrielle, having become bored with her husband never having time for her, decides to seduce her teenage gardener. The pair embark on an illicit affair, which encounter several difficulties. The most prolific comes when Gabrielle's mother in law, Mama Solis, arrives at Wisteria Lane, called there by her son to discover if Gabrielle is cheating. Juanita digs to learn the truth. However, she is hit by a car driven by Andrew Van de Kamp after she discovers the affair and ends up in a coma. John becomes overwhelmed with guilt, confessing the affair to Father Crowley.

John's mother, Helen Rowland, overhears a conversation between her son and his friend Justin, in which they allude to the fact the John was sleeping with a housewife. Helen suspected Susan Mayer, but then Gabrielle confesses, promising Helen that it is over. Helen tells her that, "It's not even close to being over". Afterward, when the police arrive at the Solis house to arrest Carlos, Gabrielle thinks they have come for her, sent by Helen. Weeks later, in the episode "Your Fault," the Rowlands meet with Gabrielle to tell her John has moved out and that they expect her to help them move back into their house. Gabrielle then meets with John; he proposes to her. Gabrielle is forced to reject him. It is later revealed that Danielle Van de Kamp has a crush on John and wants to give him her virginity, but her mother Bree stops that from happening. John becomes re-entranced by Gabrielle; he may have conceived her unborn child. He demands to see Carlos but Gabrielle refuses, explaining to him that Carlos is the father of the child, no matter what, because Carlos can provide for it.

Instead of backing up, John arrives at Carlos's gay hate trial in the season finale and tells him "he got the wrong guy". "Didn't you think it was strange that you had the only lawn on Wisteria Lane that needed to be mowed three times a week?", he said. Carlos goes mad and attempts to attack John, but it looks like he was attacking Justin – the gay person he beat up previously. Carlos is arrested. While discussing the courtroom scene in which Carlos attacks John, Ricardo Antonio Chavira commented: "People can see the full rage that is in my character. I'm yelling at him, 'I'm gonna kill you' ... Then I broke into Spanish: "Te voy a matar!" ... I just went for it ... Then I looked, and Jesse [Metcalfe] had the most honest look of sheer terror. I think I scared the living shit out of him." [5] Another scene between Gabrielle and John was also cut for time. [6]

Season 2

After what happened at the court in the previous season, Gabrielle breaks up with John. John looks for new housewives to be with intimately and starts having an affair with 41-year-old Joan. Upon finding this out, Gabrielle destroys Joan's garden and shuts John out of her life.

The beginning of Gabrielle's affair with John is first seen in the second season finale in flashbacks. After their first sexual encounter, Gabrielle tells John that this was the only time it would ever happen.

Season 3

John is not seen again until early in the third season. According to his dialogue in episode 3.03 ( A Weekend in the Country ) he is doing well, and is very rich and successful with his gardening company. He is engaged to the daughter of the Sinclair Hotel owner, Tammy Sinclair. John and Gabrielle hook up in this episode, but John explains to her after that he is not planning to risk his marriage by continuing to have an affair with her. About six months later, in episode 3.17 ( Dress Big ) Gabrielle tells Edie Britt that John is now married.

Season 4

In the fourth season, John meets Gabrielle at a hotel owned by his father-in-law and realizes that he still loves her. He constantly fights with his wife over the fact that she wants to lead his life. He tries to get back with Gabrielle, but she refuses because his wife is pregnant and she (Gabrielle) is married to Victor Lang, but is having an affair with Carlos. Carlos, who eavesdrops, realizes that he is just like how John used to be; he finally forgives him. The two talk. John asks him if he thinks Gabrielle is happy. Carlos replies "I think she is".

Season 6

John reappears in the sixth season, set six years after the events of the fourth season. He is divorced from Tammy, but managed to get a huge amount of money from the divorce, so he now owns a restaurant. John sees Gabrielle in the restaurant, along with Carlos, their daughters and their niece, Ana Solis. While Gabrielle looks like a mess, John notices how beautiful Ana is and is surprised that she is from Carlos's side of the family. When Gabrielle fixes herself up, Carlos suspects that she still has feeling for John. John offers to hire Ana as a waitress. Gabrielle declines, Carlos saying that this is because she is jealous. After consulting Carlos, John hires Ana.

When Gabrielle sees John dropping her off after work, she is furious with John for flirting with Ana and decides that she will now be picking Ana up from work. Gabrielle then finds out that Ana bought condoms, as she is in love with John, and she goes to the restaurant to tell him to leave Ana alone. John believes that Gabrielle still has feelings for him and kisses her after expressing that he can provide for her now; Gabrielle declines him yet again. Ana sees them kissing. Gabrielle tells her of the affair that happened many years before.

Reception

John Rowland was viewed as a sex symbol for the show during its first season. John, who USA Today described as "buff 'n' sweaty", became popular with mothers who watched the show and helped Metcalfe become established as "the [show's] hottest sex symbol". [3] Longoria attributed John's appeal to the fact that he was seen shirtless in every episode, also describing him as "a really innocent young kid who hasn't been tainted by the world. And I think that's very endearing to people who watch." [3] While reviewing the first season finale, Ann Hodgman of Entertainment Weekly stated that her interest in the Gabrielle and Carlos storyline was ruined by John telling Carlos about the affair rather than Carlos discovering it himself. [7]

Related Research Articles

Next (<i>Desperate Housewives</i>) 1st episode of the 2nd season of Desperate Housewives

"Next" is the second season premiere episode of the American comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives, and the 24th episode overall. It was originally broadcast in the United States on September 25, 2005, on ABC. It was written by Jenna Bans and Kevin Murphy and was directed by Larry Shaw.

"One Wonderful Day" is the 23rd episode and first season finale of the American comedy-drama television series Desperate Housewives. It was originally broadcast in the United States on ABC on May 22, 2005. The episode was directed by Larry Shaw and written by John Pardee, Joey Murphy, series creator Marc Cherry, Tom Spezialy, and Kevin Murphy.

Pilot (<i>Desperate Housewives</i>) 1st episode of the 1st season of Desperate Housewives

"Pilot" is the first episode of the American dramedy-mystery series Desperate Housewives. It premiered on October 3, 2004, on the ABC network. It was written by series creator Marc Cherry and directed by Charles McDougall. The pilot introduces the residents of the suburban neighborhood of Wisteria Lane. Following the suicide of an outwardly successful neighbor, her friends begin to deal with the problems in their personal lives. Susan Mayer competes for the attention of a new plumber who has moved across the street; Bree Van de Kamp struggles with her failing marriage and ungrateful family; Gabrielle Solis continues an affair with her sixteen-year-old gardener; and Lynette Scavo copes with life as a stay-at-home mother of four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rex Van de Kamp</span> Fictional character on Desperate Housewives.

Dr. Rex Van de Kamp is a fictional character on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. He is portrayed by Steven Culp, and is the first and late husband of one of the series' protagonists, Bree Van de Kamp. Culp was part of the main cast only during the first season due to Rex's death in the season 1 season finale, but made numerous guest appearances for the rest of the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabrielle Solis</span> Fictional character from Desperate Housewives

Gabrielle "Gaby" Solis is a fictional character portrayed by Eva Longoria on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. Longoria was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy for her performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Solis</span> Television fictional character

Carlos Solis is a fictional character portrayed by Ricardo Chavira on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. He is, for most of the series, the husband of Gabrielle Solis, portrayed by Eva Longoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edie Britt</span> Fictional character on Desperate Housewives

Edie Britt is a fictional character created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. Nicollette Sheridan portrayed Edie from her debut in the pilot episode of the series until the character's death in the fifth season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Alice Young</span> Fictional character from the television series Desperate Housewives

Mary Alice Young is a fictional character from the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character was created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry and is portrayed by Brenda Strong, who also serves as the narrator of the series from beyond the grave; the character's suicide in the pilot episode served as the catalyst of the series. The narration provided by Mary Alice is essential to the tale of Wisteria Lane, as the series revolves around her sharing the secrets of her friends and neighbors. Her narration technique is akin in style to Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology (1915).

"Bang" is the seventh episode of the third season of the ABC television series Desperate Housewives, and the 54th overall episode of the series. The episode was written by Joe Keenan and directed by Larry Shaw, and was first broadcast on November 5, 2006.

"Now You Know" is the fourth season premiere episode of the American comedy-drama series, Desperate Housewives, and the 71st episode overall. The episode premiered on American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 30, 2007. It was written by series creator Marc Cherry and directed by Larry Shaw.

<i>Desperate Housewives</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of Desperate Housewives, an American television series created by Marc Cherry, premiered on September 30, 2007, on ABC. Filming for the series was interrupted by the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike in November 2007, after production on the two-episode tornado storyline wrapped. The first part, "Something's Coming", aired on December 2, 2007. "Welcome to Kanagawa", the second part and the last episode filmed before the strike, was originally going to be aired after the strike's resolution, but aired on January 6, 2008. Seven additional episodes were produced for the fourth season after the strike, the first of which aired on April 13, 2008. The final two episodes served as a two-part finale and were aired consecutively on May 18, 2008. A total of 17 episodes aired as part of the season, with one recap special airing on September 23, 2007.

<i>Desperate Housewives</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the American dramedy-mystery television series Desperate Housewives commenced airing in the United States on September 25, 2005, and concluded on May 21, 2006. The season continues the story of the Wisteria Lane residents, while their seemingly perfect lives in the suburban neighborhood are shaken by the arrival of the mysterious Betty Applewhite. Broadcast in the Sunday night time slot at 9.00 ET, the season aired twenty-four regular episodes, including a two-part season finale. In addition, three clip shows were produced for the season, in order to put the previous events of the show in perspective. "All the Juicy Details" aired before the eleventh episode, detailing the most memorable events of the season's first half, whereas "The More You Know, The Juicier It Gets", which aired before the twentieth episode, prepared the viewers for the highly anticipated season finale. "Time to Come Clean" aired three weeks before the inception of the third season, and reviewed the previous mysteries of the series before introducing the new story lines. The second season had fourteen roles receiving star billing, out of whom eleven were part of the first season's main cast. The main story lines of the season were Susan Mayer's relationship with her former husband, Gabrielle Solis' upcoming motherhood, Lynette Scavo's return to work and the death of Bree Van de Kamp's husband.

<i>Desperate Housewives</i> season 6 Season of television series

The sixth season of Desperate Housewives, a television series created by Marc Cherry, began airing on September 27, 2009, and concluded on May 16, 2010. The season consists of 23 episodes. The deceased Mary Alice Young continues to narrate the events in the lives of her friends and Wisteria Lane residents, Susan Delfino, Lynette Scavo, Bree Hodge, Gabrielle Solis and Katherine Mayfair. Angie Bolen and her family are the focus of this season's mystery.

"Nice Is Different Than Good" is the sixth-season premiere episode of the American comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives, and the 112th overall episode of the series. It originally aired in the United States on September 27, 2009, on ABC. In the episode, Mike marries Susan and Angie Bolen and her family move onto Wisteria Lane as they attempt to escape their sordid past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angie Bolen</span> Fictional character on Desperate Housewives

Angela Bolen is a fictional character played by Drea de Matteo on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character was created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry and appeared throughout the series' sixth season from September 27, 2009, to May 16, 2010. Cherry describes Angie as a "loving but tough Italian woman." Her gritty and blunt demeanor contrasts from the domesticated leading characters.

Lovely (<i>Desperate Housewives</i>) 15th episode of the 6th season of Desperate Housewives

"Lovely" is the fifteenth episode of the sixth season of the American comedy-drama series, Desperate Housewives, and the 126th overall episode of the series. It originally aired on ABC in the United States on February 21, 2010. In the episode, former stripper Robin Gallagher interacts with each of the women of Wisteria Lane, drastically affecting their lives. She grows particularly close to Katherine Mayfair, with whom she shares a kiss during a bar outing.

"The Chase" is the sixteenth episode of the sixth season of the American comedy-drama series, Desperate Housewives, and the 127th overall episode of the series. It originally aired on ABC in the United States on February 28, 2010. In the episode, Gabrielle gets a break from the children when one of them catches chickenpox, Lynette forgets her daughter's birthday, and Katherine continues to explore her feelings of lesbianism.

"Remember Paul?" is the seventh season premiere episode of the American comedy-drama television series Desperate Housewives, and the 135th overall episode of the series. It was originally broadcast in the United States on September 26, 2010, on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). In the episode, Paul announces his return to Wisteria Lane while Carlos learns that his daughter was accidentally switched with another baby at the hospital eight years earlier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secrets That I Never Want to Know</span> 1st episode of the 8th season of Desperate Housewives

"Secrets That I Never Want to Know" is the eighth-season premiere episode of the American comedy-drama television series Desperate Housewives, and the 158th overall episode of the series. It was originally broadcast in the United States on September 25, 2011, on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The episode focuses on the aftermath and cover-up of an accidental killing.

References

  1. ↑ “Development Update: March 4”. The Futon Critic. March 4, 2004. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  2. ↑ McDougall, Charles (January 5, 2005). "Desperately seeking a ratings hit". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 Keck, William. "Desperately seeking Metcalfe". USA Today . November 18, 2004.
  4. ↑ Touchstone Television, p. 67
  5. ↑ Touchstone Television (2005). Desperate Housewives: Behind Closed Doors . New York City: Hyperion. pp.  142–143. ISBN   1-4013-0826-0.
  6. ↑ Audio commentary on "One Wonderful Day" with Marc Cherry and Larry Shaw. Desperate Housewives: The Complete First Season. [DVD]. Touchstone Pictures.
  7. ↑ Hodgman, Ann (May 23, 2005). "Tidy Endings". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved July 11, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.