[4][5] Following the casting announcement, Williams admitted to having been a fan of the series during its first year, but stopped watching because of the racially insensitive second season mystery storyline.
It focused on Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard), the series' first black main character.
I think it was just so implausible and just an image that Black folks don't want to see their child chained and shackled in the basement.
Renee ruffles the other women's feathers with her passive-aggressive behaviour initially but eventually becomes friends with her neighbours.
Renee speaks of her exciting life as the rich wife of professional baseball player Doug Perry (Reggie Austin).
Renee has Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria) over for drinks to celebrate her $8 million divorce settlement.
Susan Delfino (Teri Hatcher) overhears Renee crying and feeling sorry for her invites her to dinner.
Later that night, when Renee is drunk and about to fall asleep, she tells Susan that Tom Scavo is the guy.
Renee is next furious that Bob Hunter and Lee McDermott (respectively Tuc Watkins and Kevin Rahm) did not hire her as their new interior designer after they announced plans to renovate a room for their adoptive daughter.
While babysitting Paige Scavo, Renee goes on a date and pays the waitress to take care of the baby.
When Beth Young (Emily Bergl) shoots herself, Renee insists on going through with a party despite everyone saying it's in poor taste.
Renee explains that she holds the party every year on the same day to show that she chooses life.
When a new neighbor, Ben Faulkner (Charles Mesure) moves into town, Renee sets her sights on him.
That night, Renee takes a few swigs from a bottle of love potion and just when things are heating up on the couch, her throat starts to close up.
The severe rash on her face then scares away young trick-or-treaters, and finally Ben takes her to the hospital.
Mike Delfino (James Denton) tells Renee that Ben borrowed money from a loan shark, but cannot pay him back.
In the limo, Julie Mayer's (Andrea Bowen) water breaks and ruins Renee's wedding dress.
Williams's portrayal of Renee Perry received mostly positive reviews among critics and fans.
Following the eventual cancellation of Williams's previous show Ugly Betty where she starred as villain Wilhelmina Slater, it was immediately announced that Williams will be joining Desperate Housewives in its seventh season, many fans of the show anticipated her appearance shortly afterwards.
[22][23][24][25] When the character finally made her debut appearance in the seventh season premiere "Remember Paul?
Tanner Stransky of Entertainment Weekly praised Williams' performance, stating that she brought back a "brand of bitchery" that had been missing from the series since Nicollette Sheridan's departure; additionally, he favorably compared the performance to Williams's portrayal of Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty.
Neal Justin of the Star Tribune commented that Vanessa Williams gave "a repeat performance" of her character on Ugly Betty.
[26] Isabelle Carreau of TV Squad praised Williams' performance, writing: "The banter between Lynette and Renee was priceless!
"[27] Damian Holbrook of TV Guide also drew a comparison between Williams' performances in the episode and on Ugly Betty, stating the two characters "have the same stiletto-sharp tongue and prickly chemistry with everyone who enters her orbit.
"[28] John Griffiths of Us Weekly gave the character a negative review, commenting that Williams delivered an underwhelming performance.