Pilot (Devious Maids)

File:Ana Ortiz 2012.jpg plays Marisol, the central character of the show.]]

In the opening scene, Evelyn Powell (Rebecca Wisocky) gives her maid Flora (Paula Garces) the following warning "I think what you people do is heroic ... You wash clothes you can't afford. You polish silver you will never dine with. ... I am in awe of your determination to succeed in this great country of ours. That said, if you don't stop screwing my husband, I'm going to have you deported." Subsequently, a season-long story arc around which the show revolves begins with Flora's murder.

Flora was stabbed by a mysterious figure while scrawling a rape claim that accuses Evelyn's husband Adrian Powell (Tom Irwin). She manages to drag herself to the pool during a lavish party and falls in. At her funeral, her four maid friends Zoila (Judy Reyes), Valentina (Edy Ganem), Rosie (Dania Ramirez) and Carmen (Roselyn Sanchez) agree not to divulge their knowledge of the infidelity and its circumstances.

The employer of Zoila and her daughter Valentina, Genevieve Delatour (Susan Lucci), is enduring emotional distress. For both personal reasons and out of concern for Genevieve, Valentina comes up with the idea that Genevieve's son Remi (Drew Van Acker) should return to live at home rather than University of Southern California campus housing in order to help stabilize his mother. Zoila eventually recognizes and tries to temper Valentina's romantic interest in Remi.

Meanwhile, Rosie is fighting for her young son to join her from Mexico while working for the self-absorbed Spence (Grant Show) and Peri (Mariana Klaveno). Along with Sam Alexander (Wolé Parks) and Odessa Burakov (Melinda Page Hamilton) Carmen is a staff member for Latino music star Alejandro Rubio (Matt Cedeño) who she is trying to convince to help her start her music career. Marisol (Ana Ortiz), who is not really a maid, successfully interviews to be the fifth maid for the show as an employee of second wife Taylor (Brianna Brown) and Michael (Brett Cullen), who hires her despite objections from Taylor.

The teleplay and story were written by series creator Marc Cherry,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/01/marc-cherrys-devious-maids-michael-greens-gotham-get-green-light-at-abc-223829/|title=Update: ABC Picks Up 4 Drama Pilots From Marc Cherry, Melissa Rosenberg, Michael Green & Paul Scheuring|access-date=October 22, 2013|date=January 31, 2013|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}} and the episode was directed by Paul McGuigan.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/susan-lucci-marc-cherry-devious-maids-298184|title=Susan Lucci to Star in Marc Cherry's Soapy ABC Pilot|access-date=October 22, 2013|date=March 9, 2012|work=The Hollywood Reporter|author=Goldberg, Lesley}} Most filming occurred in and around Los Angeles. Cherry created the show with a multiple female lead dynamic that was similar to his previous success, Desperate Housewives. His first job in Hollywood was as a personal assistant, allowing him to relate to the maid characters to some degree. He felt that Devious Maids provided a vehicle to deal with themes that Desperate Housewives did not, while being very different than the similarly themed Downton Abbey, due to Downton's historic nature.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/marc-cherry-devious-maids-focuses-bonds-latina-housekeepers-article-1.1377921|title=Marc Cherry's 'Devious Maids' focuses on a group of Latina housekeepers|access-date=October 24, 2013|date=June 23, 2013|work=Daily News|author=Hinckley, David}} The format of the show that was pitched to ABC was as a spinoff of Desperate Housewives.{{cite web|url=http://www.macleans.ca/2013/06/22/they-clean-they-spy-they-sleep-around/|title=Devious Maids: They clean, they spy, they sleep around: Is a show about sexy, scheming Latina maids one of the more progressive shows on TV?|access-date=October 24, 2013|date=June 22, 2013|work=Maclean's|author=Weinman, Jaime}} While Roselyn Sanchez's character Carmen appeared as a gardener in the final episode of Desperate Housewives, "Finishing the Hat",{{cite magazine|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/05/14/desperate-housewives-series-finale-how-it-ended/|title='Desperate Housewives' series finale: How it all ended |access-date=October 24, 2013|date=May 14, 2012|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|author=Bierly, Mandi}} the final version that was produced is not strictly a spinoff.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10896314|title=TV picks of the week: Maids debunk stereotype|access-date=October 24, 2013|date=July 11, 2013|work=The New Zealand Herald|author=}}

ABC ordered the pilot based on the Mexican telenovela Ellas son la Alegría del Hogar (translation: "They Are the Home's Joy", which is sometimes referred to as The Disorderly Maids Of The Neighborhood), on January 31, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvline.com/2012/01/pilot-abc-orders-marc-cherry-gotham-penoza-zero-hour |title=Pilot Scoop: ABC Orders Four Dramas, Including New Marc Cherry Soap and Magical Cop Saga |last=Masters |first=Megan |publisher=TV Line |date=January 31, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2012 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305193611/http://www.tvline.com/2012/01/pilot-abc-orders-marc-cherry-gotham-penoza-zero-hour/ |url-status=dead }} Dania Ramirez was the first lead cast member to be cast, being announced on February 15.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2012/02/marc-cherrys-devious-maids-cast-heroes-alumna-dania-ramirez-as-first-lead/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217094208/http://www.deadline.com/2012/02/marc-cherrys-devious-maids-cast-heroes-alumna-dania-ramirez-as-first-lead/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 17, 2012|title=Marc Cherry's 'Devious Maids' Casts 'Heroes' Alumna Dania Ramirez As First Lead|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=February 15, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}} Ana Ortiz joined the cast as the central character on February 17.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2012/02/ana-ortiz-to-lead-the-cast-of-marc-cherrys-abc-pilot-devious-maids/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218214645/http://www.deadline.com/2012/02/ana-ortiz-to-lead-the-cast-of-marc-cherrys-abc-pilot-devious-maids/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 18, 2012|title=Ana Ortiz To Lead The Cast Of Marc Cherry's ABC Pilot 'Devious Maids'|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=February 17, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}} On February 23, both Sanchez and Judy Reyes were added to the cast.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/02/roselyn-sanchez-lands-lead-in-marc-cherrys-abc-pilot-devious-maids-235106/|title=Roselyn Sanchez Lands Lead In Marc Cherry's ABC Pilot 'Devious Maids'|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=February 23, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/02/judy-reyes-lands-lead-in-devious-maids-jay-hernandez-set-as-male-lead-in-trooper-235293/|title=Judy Reyes Lands Lead In 'Devious Maids', Jay Hernandez Set As Male Lead In 'Trooper'|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=February 23, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}} When Edy Ganem was announced in the cast on March 2 the show was still described as centering on the other four maids (Ortiz, Reyes, Sanchez and Ramirez).{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/03/judd-hirsch-pan-ams-karine-vanasse-among-latest-broadcast-pilots-additions-238822/|title=Judd Hirsch, 'Pan Am's' Karine Vanasse Among Latest Broadcast Pilots Additions|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=March 2, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}}

File:Dania Ramirez at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.jpg plays Rosie.]]

Rebecca Wisocky, who joined the cast on February 23,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/02/several-more-actors-board-broadcast-pilots-234832/|title=Several More Actors Board Broadcast Pilots|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=February 23, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}} had previously guest starred on Desperate Housewives as Bree Van de Kamp's mother.{{cite web|url=http://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/08/york_actress_rebecca_wisocky_b.html|title=York actress Rebecca Wisocky brings experience as a villain to Lifetime's 'Devious Maids'|access-date=October 24, 2013|date=August 11, 2013|work=Pennlive.com|publisher=The Patriot-News|author=Zelko, Abbey}} She had shot the final season episode, "Women and Death" less than a month before testing for Devious Maids.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/devious-maids-rebecca-wisocky-1069180.aspx|title=Keck's Exclusives: Devious Maids' Rebecca Wisocky Teases What's Ahead|access-date=October 24, 2013|date=August 14, 2013|author=Keck, William|work=TV Guide}} Most of the other supporting roles were filled in during March: Brianna Brown (March 6);{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/general-hospital-brianna-brown-marc-cherry-devious-maids-pilot-297105|title='General Hospital' Alum Joins Marc Cherry's 'Devious Maids' (Exclusive)|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=March 6, 2012|work=The Hollywood Reporter|author=Goldberg, Lesley}} Susan Lucci, Drew Van Acker and Brett Cullen (all March 9);{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/03/susan-lucci-co-star-devious-maidsmarc-cherry-abc-pilot-devious-maids-242092/|title=Susan Lucci To Co-Star In Marc Cherry's ABC Pilot 'Devious Maids'|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=March 9, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/03/abc-pilots-add-quarter-of-actors-241909/|title=ABC Pilots Add Quartet Of Actors|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=March 9, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}} Mariana Klaveno and Grant Show (both March 12);{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/abc-grant-show-mariana-klaveno-devious-maids-pilot-1044681.aspx|title=Pilot Season: Melrose Place's Grant Show, True Blood Star Join Devious Maids|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=March 12, 2012|work=TV Guide|author=Andreeva, Nellie}} and Tom Irwin (March 16);{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/03/dennis-miller-pablo-schreiber-tom-irwin-cast-in-broadcast-pilots-245353/|title=Dennis Miller, Pablo Schreiber & Tom Irwin Cast In Broadcast Pilots|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=March 16, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}} Brown was considered for the show after she impressed executive producer Sabrina Wind with her 2011 season 1 guest appearance on Homeland.{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/212197381.html|title=Twin Cities actress takes on 'Devious Maids' in new Lifetime series|access-date=October 24, 2013|date=June 19, 2013|author=Justin, Neal|work=Star Tribune}}

Eva Longoria was announced as an executive producer on March 26.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/eva-longoria-devious-maids-cherry-1045313.aspx|title=Pilot Season: Eva Longoria's First Post-Desperate Housewives Gig Is….|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=March 26, 2012|work=TV Guide|author=Stanhope, Kate}} She had worked previously with Cherry on Desperate Housewives, and was hired to add perspective to the Latina roles.{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/431137/eva-longoria-talks-master-s-degree-producing-lifetime-s-devious-maids-watch|title=Eva Longoria Talks Master's Degree, Producing Lifetime's Devious Maids—Watch!|access-date=October 24, 2013|date=June 18, 2013|work=E! News|author=Grossberg, Josh}} ABC Studios gave Cherry permission to start making senior staffing offers for the show on May 1, which was perceived as an indication that the show would be picked up.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/05/abc-pilot-devious-maids-starts-making-staffing-offers-265199/|title=ABC Pilot 'Devious Maids' Starts Making Staffing Offers|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=May 1, 2012|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Andreeva, Nellie}}

File:JudyReyesApr2011.jpg plays Zoila.]]

On May 14, 2012, the pilot was not picked up by ABC for the 2012–13 United States network schedule.{{cite web|url=http://www.latina.com/entertainment/tv/devious-maids-pilot-fall-2012-tv-lineup|title='Devious Maids' Never Makes It On The Air — Would It Have Hurt Latinos? |last=Palomares |first=Sugey|work=Latina|date=May 16, 2012|access-date=May 17, 2012}} On June 22, Lifetime picked up the pilot with a thirteen-episode order.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Lifetime-Marc-Cherry-Devious-Maids-1049149.aspx |title=Lifetime Picks Up Marc Cherry's Devious Maids |last=Schneider|first=Michael|work=TV Guide|date=June 22, 2012|access-date=June 22, 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/marc-cherrys-devious-maids-ana-ortiz-lifetime-341185|title=Marc Cherry's ABC Pilot 'Devious Maids' Lands at Lifetime With Series Order|last=Rose|first=Lacey |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 22, 2012|access-date=June 22, 2012}} The network stated that they were "thrilled to be getting into business with one of entertainment’s true visionaries. This show and Marc Cherry’s unique story telling voice perfectly articulate Lifetime’s strategy of attracting top-tier creatives with their most original and exciting projects."{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/22/devious-maids-lifetime-marc-cherry-susan-lucci_n_1619859.html |title='Devious Maids': Lifetime Orders Marc Cherry Series Starring Susan Lucci |work=The Huffington Post |date=June 22, 2012 |access-date=October 22, 2013}} Wolé Parks was added to the cast in a regular role on November 21.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/wole-parks-books-series-regular-role-on-lifetimes-upcoming-new-series-devious-maids|title=Wolé Parks Books Series Regular Role On Lifetime's Upcoming New Series 'Devious Maids'|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=November 21, 2012|work=IndieWire|author=Obenson, Tambay A.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021075044/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/wole-parks-books-series-regular-role-on-lifetimes-upcoming-new-series-devious-maids|archive-date=October 21, 2013|url-status=dead}} Melinda Page Hamilton and Matt Cedeño were added to the cast in recurring roles with the promise of promotion if the show got picked up for a second season on November 26. Both were expected to appear in the pilot episode.{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/melinda-page-hamilton-matt-cedeno-join-lifetime-devious-maids-49745.html|title=Melinda Page Hamilton And Matt Cedeno Join Lifetime's Devious Maids|access-date=October 21, 2013|date=November 26, 2012|work=TV Blend|publisher=Cinema Blend LLC|author=Kasperowicz, Leslie|archive-date=October 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021065408/http://www.cinemablend.com/television/melinda-page-hamilton-matt-cedeno-join-lifetime-devious-maids-49745.html|url-status=dead}}

The episode was marketed as an important milestone in television history because it was the debut of the first television show with an all Latina leading cast. However, in the days leading up to the debut, there was controversy surrounding the concept of having Latina actresses glorify the stereotypical roles of maids, nannies and gardeners. On May 3, Tanisha Ramirez criticized the show in The Huffington Post as a wasted opportunity,{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/tanisha-l-ramirez/eva-longorias-devious-maids_b_3210204.html|title=Eva Longoria's Devious Maids Is a Wasted Opportunity|access-date=October 22, 2013|date=May 3, 2013|work=The Huffington Post|author=Ramirez, Tanisha L.}} but executive producer Longoria countered that the show presents "modern day woman's view on universal themes."{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/eva-longoria/theres-no-such-thing_b_3233346.html|title=There's No Such Thing as a Wasted Opportunity |access-date=October 22, 2013|date=May 7, 2013|work=The Huffington Post|author=Longoria, Eva}} Cosmopolitan for Latinas editor Michelle Herrera Mulligan responded to Longoria by calling the show an "insulting disgrace".{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelle-herrera-mulligan/devious-maids-eva-longoria_b_3248787.html|title=Devious Maids Misrepresents Latinas |access-date=October 22, 2013|date=May 9, 2013|work=The Huffington Post|author=Mulligan, Michelle Herrera}} Cherry defended the show for its substantive themes: "Devious Maids deals with themes of racism, classism and immigration. These women all work in the homes of rich people, but they have goals and dreams that are much greater than the people they work for realize."{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/devious-maids-lifetime-marc-cherry-1067019.aspx|title=Meet the Domestic Divas of Lifetime's Devious Maids|access-date=October 23, 2013|date=June 21, 2013|work=TV Guide|author=Keck, William}}

The pilot episode was released online in both Spanish and English on June 9, 2013, before its television debut on a variety of platforms, including myLifetime.com and the Lifetime video watch app. The first two episodes were available on Lifetime.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CoxComm/status/344867566361116672|title=@CoxComm status update|access-date=October 22, 2013|date=June 12, 2013|publisher=Twitter}} In the weeks before its June 23 premiere, the cast members were scheduled to host screenings around the country: Ramirez and Sanchez on June 4 in Miami, Reyes and Ganem on June 6 in Dallas, and Ortiz and Lucci on June 11 in Chicago.{{cite web|url=http://nglc.biz/2013/05/28/lifetimes-devious-maids-advanced-screenings-mia-dal-chi/|title=Lifetime's Devious Maids – Advanced Screenings (MIA, DAL, CHI)|publisher=New Generation Latino Consortium|date=May 28, 2013|access-date=October 22, 2013}} The show's premier party was held in Los Angeles on June 17.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DeviousMaids/status/346770579166199808|title=@DeviousMaids status update|access-date=October 22, 2013|date=June 17, 2013|publisher=Twitter}}

The episode first aired on June 23, 2013, in the United States,{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/10/lifetime-sets-june-23-premiere-date-for-devious-maids/177307/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719073911/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/04/10/lifetime-sets-june-23-premiere-date-for-devious-maids/177307/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 19, 2013 | title=Lifetime Sets June 23 Premiere Date for 'Devious Maids' | publisher=TV by the Numbers | date=April 10, 2013 | access-date=June 3, 2013 | author=Kondolojy, Amandltmpressreleasea}} debuting with a 1.99 rating in the 10PM (Eastern Time Zone) time slot. In the adults 18-49 viewer demographic, Devious Maids posted a 0.65 rating, which lagged the 0.74 rating for The Client List's season finale the week before in the same time slot for Lifetime. Cable television shows in the same time slot included the Mad Men season 6 finale, "In Care Of", on AMC (which drew a 2.69 rating), Falling Skies on TNT (3.59 rating). The shows ratings were modest compared to other Lifetime drama series debuts such as Drop Dead Diva, The Client List and Army Wives, which all had ratings close to 3 million.{{cite magazine|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/06/24/devious-maids-ratings/|title='Devious Maids' ratings not so bueno|access-date=July 3, 2013|date=June 24, 2013|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|author=Hibberd, James}} Approximately one third of the Devious Maids viewership for the pilot (662,000) were from the Lifetime network's target demographic of women ages 25–54.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/devious-maids-debut-draws-2-million-for-lifetime-on-sunday-1200501248/|title='Devious Maids' Debut Draws 2 Million for Lifetime on Sunday|access-date=July 3, 2013|date=June 24, 2013|work=Variety|author=Kissell, Rick}} The pilot attracted higher ratings in subsequent weeks.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/07/02/sunday-cable-ratings-bet-awards-wins-night-true-blood-dexter-keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-falling-skies-more/189924|title=Sunday Cable Ratings: 'BET Awards' Wins Night + 'True Blood', 'Dexter', 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Falling Skies' & More|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=July 2, 2013|access-date=July 2, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705041029/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/07/02/sunday-cable-ratings-bet-awards-wins-night-true-blood-dexter-keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-falling-skies-more/189924/|archive-date=July 5, 2013|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/07/10/sunday-cable-ratingstrue-blood-wins-night-keeping-up-with-theh-kardashians-dexter-falling-skies-devious-maids-the-killing-more/190770|title=Sunday Cable Ratings:'True Blood' Wins Night, 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Dexter', 'Falling Skies', 'Devious Maids', 'The Killing' & More|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=July 10, 2013|access-date=July 10, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713222729/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/07/10/sunday-cable-ratingstrue-blood-wins-night-keeping-up-with-theh-kardashians-dexter-falling-skies-devious-maids-the-killing-more/190770/|archive-date=July 13, 2013|df=mdy-all}}

The show resembles Desperate Housewives in many ways, including having a "pilot" that revolves around a death, according to Daily News critic David Hinckley.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/devious-maids-tv-review-article-1.1377074|title='Devious Maids,' TV review |access-date=July 3, 2013|date=June 20, 2013|work=Daily News|author=Hinckley, David}} Hinckley states that the pilot presents each of the five main characters in a way that makes them intriguing, while tackling contemporary issues with a mix of comedy and drama. Hinckley lauded the show by saying "... a Cherry drama rises or falls on the pretty simple test of whether it’s fun, and 'Devious Maids' has the right stuff to get to there." Alessandra Stanley, the chief television critic for The New York Times, at first described the show as a "landmark" where the rich "Beverly Hills employers are mere foils for the real heroines, who are poor, Hispanic and striving: desperate housekeepers."{{cite web|url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2013/06/22/arts/television/devious-maids-with-ana-ortiz-on-lifetime.html|title=The Women Who Really Run the House|access-date=July 3, 2013|date=June 21, 2013|work=The New York Times|author=Stanley, Alessandra}} Stanley felt that servant heroines are a bit of an overused perspective in 2013 as is the use of tongue-in-cheek humor. After describing the evolution of maid, butler and nanny roles on television, Stanley notes that this was not a show that depicts "how the other half really lives", but rather "an over-the-top dramedy".

Robert Bianco of USA Today felt the show benefited from not being picked up by ABC, where it would have been in the shadow of Desperate Housewives, and from being scheduled as summer television, where its competition was weak.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2013/06/21/bianco-review-devious-maids-june-21/2442175/ |title='Devious Maids' makes for delicious summer TV |access-date=July 3, 2013 |date=June 21, 2013 |work=USA Today |author=Bianco, Robert |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628021927/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2013/06/21/bianco-review-devious-maids-june-21/2442175/ |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Bianco believed that the various storylines were gracefully woven together in the scenes of the episode. Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette described the show as a guilty pleasure.{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/tv-radio/tuned-in-marc-cherry-serves-up-another-guilty-pleasure-692488/|title=Tuned In: Marc Cherry serves up another guilty pleasure|access-date=July 3, 2013|date=June 21, 2013|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|author=Owen, Rob}} Owen stated that although the show was not original for following Desperate Housewives{{'}} path, it was good summer entertainment that managed to slip in a bit of "social satire". Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times panned the show's pilot, describing it as "a silly, hyperactive version of Downton Abbey", although she acknowledged that the episode had elements of The Great Gatsby (the opening murder) and West Side Story (the schoolgirl crush).{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-devious-maids-review,0,1408907.story|title=Review: 'Devious Maids' are sexy, scheming and stereotypical|access-date=July 5, 2013|date=June 22, 2013|work=Los Angeles Times|author=McNamara, Mary }} San Francisco Chronicle critic David Wiegand said "the pilot episode may not break any new ground, but it's energetic and funny". He also noted that "it's a hoot the first time we see the maids get the better of their shallow, self-absorbed bosses...", but he felt that this theme might lack the depth to retain audience interest.{{cite web|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/tv/article/Devious-Maids-review-Help-is-on-the-way-4603994.php|title='Devious Maids' review: Help is on the way|access-date=July 15, 2013|date=June 17, 2013|work=San Francisco Chronicle|author=Wiegand, David}}

{{reflist|33em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130712220945/http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/devious-maids/video/season-1/episode-1/episode-1-pilot "Pilot"] on Lifetime
• {{IMDb episode|2254788|Pilot}}

{{Devious Maids}}

Category:2013 American television episodes

Devious Maids