The essential episodes of Desperate Housewives
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Desperate Housewives — each pick states its reason.
- 01
One day in the suburb of Wisteria Lane, residents are shaken up by the sudden suicide of Mary Alice Young. At her wake, her four close friends and the main characters, Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo, Bree Van de Kamp and Gabrielle Solis, are introduced. All of them lead seemingly perfect lives, trying to keep their problems from each other. Susan and Edie Britt fight over the new neighborhood resident and plumber Mike Delfino. Lynette's children cause a ruckus in the Youngs' pool, putting her in an embarrassing position. Gabrielle is having an affair with her teenage gardener John Rowland, because she is neglected and treated condescendingly by her busy husband, Carlos. Bree's husband Rex collapses from an allergic reaction at a diner, shortly after asking her for a divorce. Susan accidentally burns Edie's house down, after going over to see if she was with Mike. While the ladies put away Mary Alice's belongings, they discover a mysterious blackmail note addressed to her, leaving them to wonder what she had done.
- 02
The ladies contemplate telling Mary Alice's husband Paul about the blackmail note, while he retrieves a mysterious toy chest from underneath his pool. Gabrielle suspects Carlos is catching onto her affair, and that John may be falling in love with her. Bree suggests to Rex that they should enroll in marriage counselling. While helping Edie salvage her belongings, Martha Huber finds a piece of evidence that might implicate Susan – her measuring cup. Edie and Susan continue to fight over Mike's affections as he invites both of them over for dinner, with his dog having to pay the price. Frustrated by her children's behavior, Lynette resorts to an extreme discipline technique, which ultimately backfires. Rex blames Bree for their marital problems in their first counselling session with Dr. Goldfine. Paul throws the toy chest into the town lake.
- 03
At Susan's urging, the ladies decide to throw a dinner party in Mary Alice's honor. A little girl catches Gabrielle kissing John and blackmails her into buying her gifts. Lynette's husband Tom volunteers to babysit the kids while she is at the party. Meanwhile, Mary Alice's son, Zach, finds the revolver his mother used to kill herself. Dr. Goldfine suggests private sessions for the Van de Kamps, at the reluctance of Bree. Susan calls her ex-husband Karl over to talk about their problems, which eventually results in her locking herself out of her house naked. At the party, Rex tells everyone about their marriage counselling sessions. In anger, Bree humiliates him in front of the others, causing Rex to move out on her. Susan tells Karl that she is over him, with his lover, Brandi apologizing to her about her involvement in ending their marriage. Bree raids Dr Goldfine's tapes to find out what Rex had said in his session, finding a tape with Mary Alice's name instead. Paul puts up the Youngs' house for sale.
- 04
Lynette denies that her twins have attention deficit disorder, but proposes a solution by asking for them to be separated. The housewives listen to Mary Alice's session tape and find out about her real name. Edie attempts to arouse Mike by seductively washing her car, however Susan wins him over when he asks her out. Martha Huber uses Susan's measuring cup as her involvement in Edie's house fire to blackmail her, causing her to compromise her relationship with Mike. She gets her daughter, Julie, to sneak into Martha's house and retrieve the cup. Carlos becomes suspicious that Gabrielle is cheating on him, but goes after the wrong man. Bree struggles with her rebellious son, Andrew, who is angry about Rex moving out. After, the ladies finally tell Paul about the blackmail note, he hires a private investigator named Mr. Shaw to track down who sent it.
- 05
A break-in at Wisteria Lane causes distress among the neighbors. Susan is asked out on a date by a police officer, which she accepts after Mike acts coldly towards her. Gabrielle's mother-in-law, Juanita, arrives after being called by Carlos, who wanted her to help him find out if Gabrielle is cheating on him. Unknown to the residents, Mike is revealed to be the burglar, as he left his screwdriver behind. Lynette and Tom consider enrolling the twins into Barcliff Academy, a private school. Lynette tries to tire them out so that they will appear docile when they are brought in for observation. As Rex takes the children away for the weekend, Bree bonds with Zach after inviting him over for dinner, and he reveals to her that he may know why his mother killed herself.
- 06
The housewives discuss the sudden disappearance of Zach, who is later revealed to have been checked into a juvenile rehabilitation facility by Paul. Carlos, with his mother's help, becomes desperate to find out with whom Gabrielle is having affair. Lynette argues with another mother named Maisy Gibbons at Barcliff Academy about her decision to make a "politically correct" play about Little Red Riding Hood. Gabrielle worries that John may be losing interest in her when she sees him with Bree's daughter, Danielle. Susan investigates more into the mystery surrounding the Young family. Dr. Goldfine suggests that the Van de Kamps hire a "sex surrogate", much to Bree's disbelief. Gabrielle takes advantage of Juanita's gambling problem to spend more time with John. Lynette take some of the twins' ADD medication to help her prepare the costumes for the play. Julie helps Susan by breaking in to Zach's ward, where he mentions the name "Dana".
- 07
Tom and Lynette learn more about their new neighbors; Gaby reminisces with old friends; Bree has a big question to answer; and Betty suffers a major loss.
- 08
Listen to the Rain on the Roof
Mike is still in a coma after being run over by Orson---who proposes to Bree. Meanwhile, Susan, who has been lovingly caring for Mike, meets Ian, who has been lovingly caring for his comatose wife; the pregnant Xiao-Mei is very demanding of Gaby, who's divorcing Carlos; and Lynette tries to embrace stepmotherhood, but Nora isn't making it easy.
- 09
A tornado strikes Wisteria Lane, forcing residents into basements, cellars and safe rooms, and destroying homes and lives. Meanwhile, Katherine learns the truth about the relationship between Adam and his stalker.
- 10
Lynette suspects that Tom is having an affair; Susan tries to surprise Jackson; Mrs. McCluskey enlists her sister (Lily Tomlin) to dig up dirt on Dave; one of Carlos' clients makes him an offer; and the bond grows between Bree and Katherine.
- 11
The Best Thing That Could Have Happened
When neighborhood handyman Eli Scruggs dies, the housewives realize just how much he affected their lives. Gaby recalls how Eli helped her make friends when she arrived; Lynette remembers how he came to her aid when she was overwhelmed and neglecting Penny; Susan reflects on how he lent her his shoulder to cry on each time a man walked out on her; Edie looks back on their special friendship; and Bree thinks fondly of his small gesture that had a big effect.
- 12
A plane crashes on Wisteria Lane, endangering lives. Meanwhile, Gaby and Lynette's friendship founders; Bree and Orson reach an agreement about their marriage; Danny's mistake may prove costly for Angie; and Susan plans to help Katherine.
- 13
Paul's nefarious plan for Wisteria Lane takes effect; Juanita discovers Gaby's secret; Bree invites Keith to move in with her; and Tom is confronted about a past indiscretion with Renee.
- 14
Part 1 of 2: The flashback-filled series finale begins with Bree on trial for Alejandro's murder; Gaby busy at work—too busy to have time for Carlos; Renee and Ben preparing to wed, and Tom preparing to divorce Lynette; Susan planning to leave the lane to help Julie raise her soon-to-be-born baby; and Mrs. McCluskey about to enter a hospice.
- 15
The conclusion of the series finale.
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