Season 1

The first season of Desperate Housewives revolves around the desperate events and situations in the lives of the four main housewives: Susan, Lynette, Bree and Gabrielle as well as related characters. The season follows many themes such as romance, mystery, economic issues, crime and betrayal.

Season Summary[]

In the United States, original episodes of season one aired between October 3, 2004 and May 22, 2005.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Teri Hatcher - Susan Mayer (23/23)
Felicity Huffman - Lynette Scavo (23/23)
Marcia Cross - Bree Van de Kamp (23/23)
Eva Longoria - Gabrielle Solis (23/23)
Nicollette Sheridan - Edie Britt (15/23)
Steven Culp - Rex Van de Kamp (21/23)
Ricardo Antonio Chavira - Carlos Solis (22/23)
Mark Moses - Paul Young (19/23)*
Andrea Bowen - Julie Mayer (22/23)
Jesse Metcalfe - John Rowland (15/23)
Cody Kasch - Zach Young (14/23)
Brenda Strong - Mary Alice Young (23/23)
James Denton - Mike Delfino (20/23)

Note: The billing order for the cast is different in the pilot episode.
*Also featured in archive footage in episode 1.12, accounting for a 20th appearance.

1 Each was credited in but absent from an additional episode.
2 Not credited in "1.04", in which only his voice is featured.

Main Plot Points[]

Mary Alice committing suicide and setting off the first mystery of the series.
Susan's growing relationship with new neighbor, Mike Delfino.
Lynette dealing with her troublesome kids.
Bree's perfect world falling apart right in front of her eyes.
Gabrielle struggling to hide her affair from her fearsome husband, Carlos.
Edie's competing with Susan for Mike's love, with things only getting worse from there.

Episodes[]

#	Title	Airdate	Directed by	Written by
1	"Pilot"	October 3, 2004	Marc Cherry	Charles McDougall
Looking down on her friends and family isn't a way of life for Mary Alice Young. It's a way of death. One day, in her perfect house, in the loveliest of suburbs, Mary Alice ended it all. Now she's taking us into the lives of her family, friends and neighbors, commenting from her elevated POV. Her husband's acting suspicious, the neighbors are talking, and her girlfriends are wondering why one of their own would do something so rash… and so messy. From her unique vantage point, Mary Alice sees more now than she ever did alive and she's planning to share all the delicious secrets that hide behind every neighbor's closed door in this seemingly perfect American suburb.
2	"Ah, But Underneath"	October 10, 2004	Marc Cherry	Charles McDougall
Mike's dog pays the price when Edie crashes his dinner date with Susan. Susan and Edie are still fighting over Mike. Meanwhile, Gabrielle realizes that her lawnboy is taking their fling to heart - and that Carlos may actually be catching on. Also, Bree goads Rex into therapy, where the doctor may be the one who needs the most help. Lynette resorts to drastic measures to keep her kids in line, but it blows up in her face. Mary Alice's past resurfaces - literally - despite Paul's efforts to keep it buried. Lastly, Susan's secret of accidentally burning down Edie's house may come back to haunt her as the measuring cup she left in Edie's house is found - by Mrs. Huber.
3	"Pretty Little Picture"	October 17, 2004	Oliver Goldstick	Arlene Sanford
The women decide to go ahead with the big dinner party that the late Mary Alice Young had planned to host, despite the more-than-minor disturbances in their own lives. Adulterous Gabrielle finds herself with a nine-year-old blackmailer who catches Gabrielle in the act in her affair with gardener John. Also, Bree struggles to keep her crumbling marriage a secret. Lastly, Susan bares all - in more ways than one - as she confronts her ex-husband.
4	"Who's That Woman?"	October 24, 2004	Marc Cherry and Tom Spezialy	Jeff Melman
Cash-strapped Mrs. Huber (guest star Christine Estabrook) figures out that Susan had something to do with Edie's house fire and tries to blackmail her. Meanwhile, Carlos becomes suspicious that Gabrielle is seeing another man, but targets the wrong suspect - the cable guy instead of gardener John. Also, Lynette balks when the twins' teacher insists the boys have ADD but tries to salvage the matter by separating the boys. Lastly, Bree struggles with her rebellious son Andrew after Rex moves out.
5	"Come In, Stranger"	October 31, 2004	Alexandra Cunningham	Arlene Sanford
A break-in on Wisteria Lane leaves the neighbors feeling vulnerable, especially Susan - who reluctantly accepts a date with a persistent policeman after Mike Delfino appears indifferent to her. Mike Delfino might be found out as the burglar as he accidentally left a screwdriver behind. Rex takes the kids away for the weekend as a lonely Bree, who finds herself bonding with Mary Alice's troubled son, Zach. Meanwhile, Lynette and Tom pull out all the stops to get their uncontrollable twins Porter and Preston accepted at a prestigious private school, and the unexpected arrival of Carlos' mother puts a crimp in Gabrielle's covert love life with gardener John. Things get worse when the two go shopping.
6	"Running to Stand Still"	November 7, 2004	Tracey Stern	Fred Gerber
Lynette locks horns with uber mom Maisy Gibbons (guest star Sharon Lawrence) at the twins' school who is trying to produce a "politically correct" play about "Little Red Riding Hood." Meanwhile, Susan continues to investigate the mystery of Zach's sudden disappearance. She soon finds out his father Paul put him in Seacrest, a mental institution. She and Julie then go to investigate. Mama Solis comes closer to discovering Gabrielle's dirty little secret of her affair, and Bree comes undone when Rex suggests they hire a sex surrogate.
7	"Anything You Can Do"	November 21, 2004	John Pardee and Joey Murphy	Larry Shaw
Susan is miffed when Mike's unexpected - and very sexy - house guest Kendra forces him to postpone their first official "date." Susan and Edie decide to follow him and Kendra on their night out together. Lynette becomes steadily more dependent on the twins' ADD medication. Gabrielle becomes jealous of the "other" woman, Danielle Van De Kamp in John's life. Meanwhile, Bree's kids mutiny when they learn their dad has moved out. Tom is not happy when Lynette tries to take over his concept of new "Spotless Scrubs" to his clients. A man has a heart attack while jogging and lands on Mrs. Huber's lawn, but she dumps him on Bree's lawn so that she'll call the paramedics and they will ruin her lawn instead of hers. Andrew gets into a serious car accident that puts Mama Solis (guest star Lupe Ontiveros) in the hospital, right after she finally busts Gabrielle and John having their affair in Carlos' house. Bree and Rex are called to Andrew's school after he shoves a kid into a locker. Bree learns Rex is serving her with divorce papers. Lastly, the enigmatic Mr. Shaw comes closer to solving one of Wisteria Lane's big mysteries.
8	"Guilty"	November 28, 2004	Kevin Murphy	Fred Gerber
In the aftermath of tragedy with Bree's son Andrew running over Carlos' mother Juanita Solis, the residents of Wisteria Lane take stock of their lives. Meanwhile, Susan grows suspicious of Mike Delfino's real reason for moving to the street. Lynette reaches the breaking point in her addiction to the twins' ADD medication as she tries other measures like acupuncture to release her stress - only to the disturbance of her kids during session. Lynette realizes it's time for drastic measures after she has a disturbing dream with Mary Alice. The mysterious Mr. Shaw gets down to business as he develops a relationship with Edie. He also has a connection to Mary Alice Young as he talks to Paul Young afterwards on the phone. Lastly, Gabrielle confesses her adulterous affair with John to a priest while Carlos' mother Juanita is in the hospital.
9	"Suspicious Minds"	December 12, 2004	Jenna Bans	Larry Shaw
Looking to give her life a purpose, Gabrielle decides to organize a glamorous Halston fashion show for charity highlighting the ladies of Wisteria Lane. But Susan is less than charitable toward her friend when she discovers Gabrielle's shocking secret. Gabrielle and John consider getting back together in their affair. John's mother, Helen Rowland, thinks her son is sleeping with Susan and not with Gabrielle, but soon Gabrielle confesses to Helen that she's been sleeping with her son. Before Carlos can find out about all of this, he is arrested. Bree and Rex are at odds on how to punish Andrew for putting Mama Solis in the hospital and finding drugs in his room, but Bree decides to take Andrew's out-of-control behavior into her own hands. Police investigate a toy chest that Paul Young dumped in the river, but don't exactly know it's him yet. Lastly, Lynette uses her business acumen to poach a nanny, Claire.
10	"Come Back to Me"	December 19, 2004	Patty Lin	Fred Gerber
Uber mom Maisy Gibbons returns, and her secret life intersects with Bree's. Bree unleashes her inner "woman scorned" after Rex's sordid dabblings nearly kill him. Meanwhile Gabrielle's predicament worsens as she gets a taste of her own medicine, courtesy of Carlos' jailhouse confession. Susan plans to take her relationship with Mike to the next level, and Lynette, suspicious (and a little jealous) of her new nanny, decides to secretly videotape her. Lastly, Susan betrays Julie by sending Zach Young back home to his father, who makes a startling admission of his own.
11	"Move On"	January 9, 2005	David Schulner	John David Coles
Edie organizes a neighborhood search for the missing Mrs. Huber, just as the absent busybody's sister Felicia Tilman (guest star Harriet Sansom Harris) arrives on Wisteria Lane. Meanwhile, Bree resigns herself to her marital state and asks an attractive pharmacist on a date; Susan's ex, Karl, suddenly reappears in her life; Lynette fears that Tom is attracted to the new nanny; and Gabrielle sinks to new depths - she gets a job.
12	"Every Day a Little Death"	January 16, 2005	Chris Black	David Grossman
The residents of Wisteria Lane finally learn Martha Huber's fate, and the truth has unexpected consequences for Susan. After learning that Mrs. Huber left behind a journal, Susan is forced to confess to Edie about her role in the fire that burned down Edie's house. Meanwhile Bree finds her new beau, George, getting a little too close for comfort. . The receptionist sees Parker's shaven head and believes that Parker has cancer, and allows Lynette's children in the day care, while Lynette does yoga. Lastly, Carlos returns, but his homecoming isn't quite what Gabrielle had in mind. He is under house arrest, making it difficult for either of them to make money.
13	"Your Fault"	January 23, 2005	Kevin Etten	Arlene Sanford
When Lynette's father-in-law pays a visit to the family, she unwittingly learns a family secret - that he's been consistently cheating on his wife. Meanwhile, Susan is disturbed by Julie's growing romance with Zach. Rex attempts to reconcile with Bree as she tries to play hard-to-get. Lastly, Gabrielle is shocked when John's parents ask her for a favor in convincing John to move back home as he officially turned eighteen and no longer wants to live at home and trying to pursue a relationship with Gabrielle.
14	"Love is in the Air"	February 13, 2005	Tom Spezialy	Jeff Melman
It's Valentine's Day on Wisteria Lane, and love is all around (sort of), as Susan looks forward to a romantic date with Mike Delfino, until she learns a surprising fact about her favorite plumber. Also, Mike breaks into a neighbors house and is shot and tries to hide it from Susan. Meanwhile, after reconciling their relationship, Bree discovers something new about her husband Rex when it comes to his sexual needs. Lynette's cranky and lonely old neighbor accuses the Scavo twins of thievery as Lynette tries her best to handle the situation. Lastly, Gabrielle's work adventures continue as she gets a gig as a mattress model for the "Siesta King".
15	"Impossible"	February 20, 2005	Marc Cherry andTom Spezialy	Larry Shaw
Mike Delfino is questioned about Mrs. Huber's murder by the police and is temporarily arrested. John's friend, Justin, attempts to blackmail Gabrielle with his knowledge of their affair and becoming her new gardener - but things are not what they may seem for both in the situation. Meanwhile, Tom wants a big promotion, but Lynette fears that she'd be home alone with the kids more than ever and tries her best in discouraging him in taking the job. Also, Bree is shocked when she finds a condom---and even more so when she learns whom it belongs to when Rex admits it is not him, but their daughter Danielle. Zach Young plans a pool party for the teens on Wisteria Lane, and things get out of hand.
16	"The Ladies Who Lunch"	March 27, 2005	Alexandra Cunningham	Arlene Sanford
Maisy Gibbons' series of unfortunate events shock the residents of Wisteria Lane when she is finally caught and arrested for prostitution. This leaves unexpected consequences for Bree and Rex when Maisy's little black book becomes public of all her clients -including Rex for all the neighbors to see. Gabrielle and Carlos also face a crisis of their own when the sewer system goes out at their house and they don't have the money to fix it. Also, Lynette braves a scandal herself when it's rumored that the twins started the school's head lice epidemic. Meanwhile, as Susan sinks into depression over her breakup with Mike, she finds a surprising ally - Edie.
17	"There Won't Be Trumpets"	April 3, 2005	John Pardee and Joey Murphy	Jeff Melman
There's a change in Mama Solis' condition for the better as she finally wakes up from her coma, but it doesn't last long. The residents of Wisteria Lane all attend the unfortunate funeral of Juanita Solis as Carlos and Gabrielle fret over their financial and court issues. Lynette befriends a deaf woman, Alisa Stevens, whose children also attend Barcliff Academy with Porter and Preston, but her newfound friendship is tested when she butts into her disturbed marital problems of her husband saying things behind her back. Meanwhile, Bree encounters more trouble with her son Andrew when it comes to disciplining him and tries to convince Rex that he needs serious help. Lastly, Susan finds herself attracted to Edie's hunky new contractor who's sticking around the neighborhood, but Edie doesn't want her to go with him as a favor to their fragile friendship.
18	"Children Will Listen"	April 10, 2005	Kevin Murphy	Larry Shaw
Susan's mother, Sophie, pays an unannounced visit to Wisteria Lane after she and her boyfriend break up. Meanwhile, Gabrielle faces Carlos' wrath after he learns about the hospital settlement and tries to change their pre-nuptial agreement in order to keep Gabrielle in check while he serves his jail sentence. Lynette and Bree experience a chill in their friendship after Bree babysits Lynette's kids and dares to discipline Porter. Also, Bree and Rex visit Andrew at the teen rehab camp where they learn some shocking news about their son. Lastly, Felicia gets closer to Zach and reveals some disturbing details about his family's past.
19	"Live Alone and Like It"	April 17, 2005	Jenna Bans	Arlene Sanford
Lynette learns that no good deed goes unpunished when she momentarily befriends the mean Mrs. McCluskey. Susan's mother decides to try and jump start her and her daughter's love lives. Susan later finds her mother in her kitchen with a man she picked up, and Susan asks her mother to get rid of him. Andrew talks to a priest about his feelings, and tells him of his shocking plans for his mother, Bree. Carlos sends Gabrielle a big message about what will happen if she leaves him for another man, and John offers to take care of her. Meanwhile, Mike makes some shocking discoveries about the disappearance of his former girlfriend... and the involvement of the Young family in her disappearance.
20	"Fear No More"	May 1, 2005	Adam Barr	Jeff Melman
Gabrielle plans a big party to bid farewell to Carlos, who is about to head off to jail for eight months. Meanwhile George Williams resurfaces in Bree's life, much to Rex's displeasure as he knows George wants to steal her away from him. Also, Lynette is shocked to learn that Tom's old girlfriend Annabel Foster who he dumped for Lynette has been hired at his firm again. A desperate Lynette turns to Edie for advice on how to deal with the situation. Susan and Julie encounter less-than-neighborly behavior from the Young family as Zach continues to stalk Julie. Paul interrogates Edie about breaking into his house, and she ends up telling him that Susan was behind it. Paul decides to lie to Susan again in order to cover. Mike tries to separate Susan from Mary Alice's past secrets. Lastly, housewife Gabrielle is suspecting that she's pregnant. She's also looking to buy a new car, which doesn't go so well while at the dealership which begins her suspicions. When finding out that Carlos tampered with her birth control pills Gabrielle retaliates in rage.
21	"Sunday in the Park with George"	May 8, 2005	Katie Ford	Larry Shaw
George Williams continues to worm his way into Bree's life. After Edie spies Bree with George at a restaurant, Bree begins to feel guilty about sharing her intimate feelings with George; Rex's health continues to depreciate. Lynette tries to spice things up with Tom who, she fears, is losing interest. Meanwhile, Mr. Shaw consults with Paul, and ends up lying to Susan about Mary Alice and Dana. However, he does come through with the goods on Mike, but Susan is not convinced that Mike is a bad guy. After talking with Kendra (who Susan recognized from a picture in the file she received on Mike), Susan learns that Mike killed a cop in self-defense, and forgives him. Carlos lies to Gabrielle, and tells her that Mama tampered with her birth control; Gabrielle tells John that she is pregnant, and John doesn't take the news well. Lastly, Felicia takes action to help Zach, and to get rid of Paul for good.
22	"Goodbye for Now"	May 15, 2005	Josh Senter	David Grossman
Susan and Mike decide to move in together, much to Edie's displeasure, who schemes against them using Susan's friends. Meanwhile, Lynette takes steps to make sure Annabel doesn't come between her and Tom, and the consequences land Tom out of work. Bree comes to a realization about her "buddy" George the pharmacist. Rex has another heart attack, though prior to it, it seems George has permanently put in a wrench in Bree and Rex's relationship. Carlos' legal problems take a turn for the worse, when Gabrielle decides to leave him after discovering the truth about the birth control. Carlos' subsequent actions increases his jail time to eight years. Mike goes after Paul thanks to Felicia, and Susan goes after Mike, though she doesn't find him. Mrs. Huber's journal reveals some secrets. Lastly, two new faces arrive on Wisteria Lane.
23	"One Wonderful Day"	May 22, 2005	Marc Cherry, John Pardee, Joey Murphy, Tom Spezialy and Kevin Murphy	Larry Shaw
In the first season finale, Bree and Rex make amends but tragedy hits the Van De Kamp family again, Zach learns what happened to his father, Edie meets the new residents of Wisteria Lane, Gabrielle testifies for Carlos, Tom decides what to do with his life - and his wife's, Susan is held hostage and the reasons to why Mary Alice Young commited suicide are finally revealed.

Notes[]

Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo, Bree Van de Kamp and Gabrielle Solis are the only ones who physically appear in every single episode of the season. Mary Alice Young provides voice-overs for all 23 episodes as well, and is physically seen in 5 of them.
This is the only season to feature Rex Van de Kamp and John Rowland as series regulars.
The first four seasons were sponsored by Sprite.
The first ten episodes aired on the Disney Channel on December 24, 2004 alongside the first thirteen episodes of Complete Savages as part of a one-night event.