That's Good, That's Bad

"That's Good, That's Bad" is the 32nd episode of Desperate Housewives.

Previously on Desperate Housewives
"''Susan found her real father. Lynette met her new boss. Carlos promised to change his old ways. While Bree discovered George's true colors."

- Mary Alice Young

Teaser
"''Anyone who'd ever been to a party of Bree Van de Kamp's thought of her as the perfect hostess, because Bree knew how to take care of her guests. Her dinners were always served properly, her liquor always flowed freely, and her anecdotes were always enjoyable. But on this night, the perfect hostess was about to find herself in a very imperfect predicament."

- Mary Alice Young Bree's dinner party is interrupted by George singing Don't Give Up On Us into a karaoke machine outside her house in an attempt to amend their relationship. She tells her guests who look concerned to return to their seats as dessert is about to be served. George continues to sing, so Bree grabs her rifle and shoots the speaker."''Yes. Bree knew how to take care of her guests. Especially those who weren't invited.""

- Mary Alice Young

Gabrielle
Carlos is a new man after having been paroled, and Gabrielle discovers his letters to a nun, Sister Mary Bernard, who helped push up his parole case. At first Gabrielle thinks it's good that he has become more faithful, but when she sees Mary, she is no longer supportive, claiming Sister Mary is "young and hot". Carlos assures Gabrielle that their relationship is platonic and that Sister Mary is helping him become a more spiritual person. Gabrielle wants to make sure that Carlos is doing just that when she invites Mary over the following day for lunch. There Mary explains her ministry and how Carlos is becoming more moral and spiritual through their ministry. When Carlos tells Mary that he would like to donate his car to her charity, Gabrielle becomes offended since she will have to share her Aston Martin. Carlos also tells Gabrielle that her shopping privileges will be cut down as well. While Carlos goes to look for the deed to his car, Gabrielle excuses herself from the dining room. Gabrielle manages to stall Carlos by seducing him. The two make love with Mary downstairs. Gabrielle returns downstairs to tell Mary that they had an enjoyable lunch, but Carlos will not be giving up his car and that she should back off. Mary tells Gabrielle that she has no intentions of leaving since Carlos is still prone to violence and crime. Mary advises Gabrielle and Carlos to get an annulment. Gabrielle asks Mary, "What kind of nun are you?" and gives Mary a threat that she will bring her down if she comes between Gabrielle and Carlos. Mary tells her that if she wants to give a threat she will have to do better than that.

Lynette
After an unsuccessful pitch to Nina and Ed, Lynette is forced to go back to the drawing board with her idea. When she forgets something from her office, she returns to find Stu, the receptionist, and Nina having sex. The next morning, Lynette tells Nina that sleeping with Stu can get her fired. Nina offers Lynette a variety of options so she won't tell Ed about her and Stu. Lynette refuses them all and asks that she only be nicer when it comes to her work attitude. When Nina fires Stu, Lynette assumes it was because of their consensual affair. She invites Stu to her home, telling him that Nina could get fired if Ed found out what happened. Lynette adds that Stu would also be entitled to money if he takes the case to court. Stu decides that he will talk to Ed the following day. The next day at work, Lynette finds Ed firing several of her co-workers, including Nina. Ed tells her that Stu was going to file a sexual harassment lawsuit against the firm if the firm didn't settle. As a result, a majority of the workers must be fired in order for the accounts to remain stable. Ed likes Lynette and decides to elevate her to Vice President of accounts. Nina congratulates Lynette but tells her to "say goodbye to her kids," since she will probably never see them anymore.

Susan
Susan meets her father, Addison Prudy who owns a hardware store. Susan decides at first not to tell Addison who she really is since she did not want to shock him. Instead she decides to fill out an application for a job but when he sees that she is overqualified he thinks his wife put her up to this. Susan quickly tells him that she is his daughter and explains to him the situation. Addison leaves for his store room and collapses. Susan quickly calls 911. At the hospital, Addison explains to Susan that he had given Sophie money years prior and told her to keep their affair private. Addison tells Susan she is going to have to leave since his wife and children are coming and that Susan is not considered part of his family. Susan understands this and does not expect a lot, she just wants a father figure. The two are interrupted by Addison's wife, Carol who introduces herself and asks who Susan is. Susan explains to Carol that she is Addison's guardian angel since she was a customer in the store when he collapsed. She gave him CPR and called an ambulance. Carol thanks her for her noble deed. Susan then kisses her father on the cheek and whispers in his ear that she is not giving up.

Bree
After the dinner party, Bree is stalked by George who wants to rekindle their engagement. Bree asks him to leave and drives off. While visiting Dr. Goldfine in the hospital, Bree discovers that George may be his attacker. Bree takes no time in calling the police who begin to search George's home for evidence. When George comes home from the grocery shopping, he is shocked to find a police squad searching his home. George drops his groceries in horror and calls Bree. Bree refuses to answer causing George to leave a very worrisome message. Bree finally picks up the phone to tell George that she knows that he attacked Dr. Goldfine. George hangs up and runs away. Later, George checks into a hotel where Bree is co-chairing a charity event. George sends a message down with the bellhop informing Bree that he is attempting suicide by drug overdose, and if she really loves him she will come up and save him. Bree calls Detective Barton who tells her that there is evidence that George poisoned and killed Rex. On the way up to George's room, Bree breaks down in the elevator and pulls the emergency stop button. When she finally calms down, Bree walks to George's room, where she demands answers. She tells George she knows what he did to Dr. Goldfine, but poisoning Rex was a true blow. George denies both accusations, but says that whatever he does, he does for her. George warns Bree that he is in peril and needs help. Bree assures him that she has called an ambulance (when in reality she has not) and quietly waits until George dies.

Trivia

 * Although credited, Alfre Woodard (Betty Applewhite), Mark Moses (Paul Young), Doug Savant (Tom Scavo), Cody Kasch (Zach Young), Richard Burgi (Karl Mayer), James Denton (Mike Delfino), Shawn Pyfrom (Andrew Van de Kamp), Joy Lauren (Danielle Van de Kamp), Mehcad Brooks (Matthew Applewhite), Brent Kinsman (Preston Scavo), Shane Kinsman (Porter Scavo), Zane Huett (Parker Scavo) and NaShawn Kearse (Caleb Applewhite) are absent from this episode.
 * This episode is notable for being the one in season 2 to feature the lowest number of series regulars, with only one "also starring" castmember (Bart) appearing. Ironically, it was the last billed actor.
 * Actor NaShawn Kearse is incorrectly billed as "Nashawn".
 * Due to time constraints, the opening credits were cut.
 * What happens to the Applewhites on the next episode, "Coming Home", was originally supposed to happen on this episode, but they reshot the scenes featuring Page Kennedy with NaShawn Kearse so they delayed it for the next episode.

Episode Title

 * The episode's title, "That's Good, That's Bad", is a song in the Mary Rodgers musical Hot Spot. Stephen Sondheim is given co-writing credit for this song's music and lyrics.
 * French Title: La Nonne, la brune et l'ex-truand (The Nun, the Brunette and the Ex-Gangster)
 * German Title: Die Guten und die Bösen (The Good Guys and the Bad Guys)
 * Italian Title: Il Bene E Il Male (The Good and the Bad)
 * Hungarian Title: A jó, a rossz és a többiek (The Good Guys, the Bad Guys and the Others)
 * Polish Title: To dobre, to złe (That's Good, That's Bad)