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This article contains episode summaries for the eighth (and final) season of Desperate Housewives.

Season Summary

In the U.S., original episodes of season eight started airing on September 25, 2011, and finished the original broacast with a 2-hour season finale (consisting of episodes 22 and 23) airing on May 13, 2012.

Cast

Starring

*Credited only in the episodes in which they appear.

**Credited under "starring" through "Putting It Together", and makes uncredited cameo in "Finishing the Hat".

***Credited under "also starring" before "Who Can Say What's True?".

****Credited in two episodes from which she's absent.

Also Starring

*Credited only in the episodes in which they appear.

**Credits can switch.

***Also seen in archive footage in "Give Me the Blame", accounting for a 5th appearance.

****Not credited in "School of Hard Knocks".

*****Also seen in archive footage in "You Take for Granted" and "Give Me the Blame", accounting for 10 appearances.

Recurring Guest Stars

*Also seen in archive footage in "You Take for Granted", accounting for an 8th appearance.

**Also seen in archive footage in "Give Me the Blame", accounting for a 3rd appearance.

***Also seen in archive footage in "Finishing the Hat", accounting for a 3rd appearance.

****Not credited in "Finishing the Hat".

Overview

Carlos' murder of his wife Gabrielle's evil stepfather and the cover-up by the housewives has far-reaching effects, as feelings of guilt begin to overcome everyone in different ways. Gabrielle works to reach out to Carlos while his guilt weighs heavily upon him, and Susan starts to withdraw from her friends and family. As Lynette and Tom are grappling with their disintegrating marriage and impending separation, the former is having trouble making the right choices ever since she participated in the cover-up. And Bree must be especially careful around her new romantic interest, detective Chuck Vance. Meanwhile, a handsome new neighbor, Ben Faulkner, moves to town, and he's Renee's first order of business.

Main Plot Points

  • The women and Carlos all cover up the murder of Alejandro, in which ultimately more people become involved, and the guilt and fear of being caught eats away at them.
  • Bree takes charge in the cover-up, and her world falls apart as she is shunned by her friends and later becomes the target of a police investigation.
  • Gabrielle does her best to shake off the scandalous events regarding the cover-up, and she and Carlos later undergo big changes in their lives when he decides to help the needy.
  • Lynette and Tom undergo a separation, and the former tries to get her life on track without her husband.
  • Renee meets and falls for the hunky new neighbor, Australian Ben Faulkner.
  • Susan is consumed by guilt over the cover-up, goes back to art school, loses Mike and becomes a grandmother.
  • Karen discovers her cancer has returned.

Episodes

01 "Secrets That I Never Want to Know" 09 "Putting It Together" 17 "Women and Death"
02 "Making the Connection" 10 "What's to Discuss, Old Friend?" 18 "Any Moment"
03 "Watch While I Revise the World" 11 "Who Can Say What's True?" 19 "With So Little to Be Sure Of"
04 "School of Hard Knocks" 12 "What's the Good of Being Good?" 20 "Lost My Power"
05 "The Art of Making Art" 13 "Is This What You Call Love?" 21 "The People Will Hear"
06 "Witch's Lament" 14 "Get Out of My Life" 22 "Give Me the Blame"
07 "Always in Control" 15 "She Needs Me" 23 "Finishing the Hat"
08 "Suspicion Song" 16 "You Take for Granted"

Secrets That I Never Want to Know

Desperate Housewives 8x01
See main article: "Secrets That I Never Want to Know"

Original air date: September 25, 2011

Written by: Bob Daily

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: Carlos's murder of his wife Gabrielle's evil stepfather and the cover-up by the housewives has far-reaching effects, as feelings of guilt begin to overcome everyone in different ways. Gabrielle works to reach out to Carlos while his guilt weighs heavily upon him, and Susan starts to withdraw from her friends and family. As Lynette and Tom are grappling with their disintegrating marriage and impending separation, the former is having trouble making the right choices ever since she participated in the cover-up. And Bree must be especially careful around her new romantic interest, detective Chuck Vance. Meanwhile a sexy new neighbor, Ben Faulkner, moves to town, and he's Renee's first order of business.

Recurring Guest Stars: Tony Plana (Alejandro Perez)



Making the Connection

Desperate Housewives 8x02
See main article: "Making the Connection"

Original air date: October 02, 2011

Written by: Matt Berry

Directed by: Tara Nicole Weyr

Plot Synopsis: Susan discovers a dangerously thrilling way to help ease her guilt over being an accessory to the murder of her friend Gabrielle's evil stepfather, whereas Gabby herself plans a sexy surprise for Carlos to help him gain his sexual mojo back. In the meantime, Bree learns an interesting tidbit about Chuck's past after visiting Paul Young in jail, and Lynette and Tom find it hard to say "no" to their kids' sometimes outlandish requests so as to not come off as the "bad guy" as their marriage woes continue. Renee tries to win over hunky new neighbor Ben by finding out his passions.

Recurring Guest Stars: Mark Moses (Paul Young)



Watch While I Revise the World

Desperate Housewives 8x03
See main article: "Watch While I Revise the World"

Original air date: October 09, 2011

Written by: John Paul Bullock III

Directed by: David Warren

Plot Synopsis: As Susan and Carlos bond over their feelings of guilt at the murder of Gabrielle stepfather, Mike begins to think that the two are having an affair, and Bree suspects that her detective boyfriend, Chuck, may secretly be investigating her. As her marriage continues to crumble, the tables are turned on Lynette when her usually relationship-challenged sister Lydia comes to town and announces she's engaged. Meanwhile, after asking Renee to help his daughter, Jenny, go shopping for her first bra, Lee fears that the child is starting to bond more with Renee and becoming more distant from him.

Recurring Guest Stars: Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis)



School of Hard Knocks

Desperate Housewives 8x04
See main article: "School of Hard Knocks"

Original air date: October 16, 2011

Written by: Marco Pennette

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: After disobeying the rules of student drop-offs at the front of Juanita's school, Gabrielle makes it her mission to get even with a parent volunteer who banishes her to a faraway parking lot. Meanwhile, Bree discovers that her daughter Danielle's new business may not be as wholesome as she first though, and Lynette begins to suspect that Tom may be dating. Susan tries to ease her guilt by taking an art class with no-nonsense instructor Andre Zeller.

Recurring Guest Stars: Michael Dempsey (Detective Murphy), Miguel Ferrer (Andre Zeller), Joy Lauren (Danielle Van de Kamp), Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson)



The Art of Making Art

Desperate Housewives 8x05
See main article: "The Art of Making Art"

Original air date: October 23, 2011

Written by: Dave Flebotte

Directed by: Lonny Price

Plot Synopsis: Susan is mortified but tries her best to comply when her art teacher, Andre Zeller, asks the students to show up to class in the nude in order to help them create from a point of honesty. In the meantime, Bree serves up some delicious, homemade soup for the homeless at the local shelter, but ends up enticing the local hipsters and pushing out those in need. Gabrielle finds herself without a staff to help set up a school event when her lacadaisical approach to her new job as president of the PTA insults the parent volunteers, and Renee helps a reluctant Lynette get back into the dating pool by taking her to a singles bar. Meanwhile, Carlos finds himself hitting rock bottom when the guilt over murdering his wife's stepfather begins to engulf him.

Recurring Guest Stars: Miguel Ferrer (Andre Zeller), Dakin Matthews (Reverend Sikes)



Witch's Lament

Desperate Housewives 8x06
See main article: "Witch's Lament"

Original air date: October 30, 2011

Written by: Annie Weisman

Directed by: Tony Plana

Plot Synopsis: As Halloween approaches, Gabrielle, Bree and Lynette must attempt to exhume and move the body of the former's murdered stepfather after learning that Ben's real estate development excavation is taking place on that very spot. Meanwhile, Susan discovers that being art teacher Andre's intern involves tending to matters that aren't necessarily art-related. Hoping not to be outdone by Tom's new girlfriend, Lynette tries to construct a homemade Halloween costume for Penny, and Renee uses a little enticement to help spice up her first night of romance with Ben.

Recurring Guest Stars: Miguel Ferrer (Andre Zeller), Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson), Tony Plana (Alejandro Perez) (uncredited)



Always in Control

Desperate Housewives 8x07
See main article: "Always in Control"

Original air date: November 6, 2011

Written by: Jeff Greenstein

Directed by: Jeff Greenstein

Plot Synopsis: Bree is stunned when she learns who dug up the body of Gabrielle's stepfather. Jealousy rears its ugly head when Lynette begins to spread lies to Penny about her father's new girlfriend, and Gabrielle and Carlos must convince Bob and Lee that their daughters Juanita and Celia are not the bad seeds that they used to be when they want to name the gay couple in their will as guardians. Meanwhile, Susan desperately searches for her inner self to find what inspires her in order to better her art and impress her hard-to-please art teacher.

Recurring Guest Stars: Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis), Miguel Ferrer (Andre Zeller), Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson)



Suspicion Song

Desperate Housewives 8x08
See main article: "Suspicion Song"

Original air date: November 13, 2011

Written by: David Schladweiler

Directed by: Jennifer Getzinger

Plot Synopsis: Detective Chuck Vance begins harassing Bree as his suspicions about her involvement in the disappearance of Alejandro grow. After using the murder of Gabrielle's stepfather as inspiration for her art school projects, Susan must find a way to graciously decline art school teacher Andre's invitation to display and sell her paintings at a gallery showing. When Carlos' drinking gets in the way of his ability to work, his wife goes to the office in an effort to save his business from losing a multi-million dollar account. Meanwhile, on the occasion of their 22-year anniversary, Lynette comes up with a plan to try to salvage her marriage to Tom.

Recurring Guest Stars: Miguel Ferrer (Andre Zeller), Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson)



Putting It Together

Desperate Housewives 8x09
See main article: "Putting It Together"

Original air date: December 4, 2011

Written by: Sheila Lawrence

Directed by: David Warren

Plot Synopsis: Chuck calls Gabrielle, Susan and Lynette individually for questioning about the disappearance - and possible murder - of Alejandro, inciting panic. Bree's life begins to spiral into despair when her friends abandon her after they blame her for scorning Chuck and causing him to take out his revenge on them. Meanwhile, Lynette asks a favor of Tom that could ruin his relationship with Jane, and Susan is made a once-in-a-lifetime proposition to become a real artist.

Recurring Guest Stars: Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson)



What's to Discuss, Old Friend?

Desperate Housewives 8x10
See main article: "What's to Discuss, Old Friend?"

Original air date: January 8, 2012

Written by: Wendy Mericle

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: With a gun at her side, Bree prepares to end it all, now that her friends have abandoned her and her life continues to spiral further into despair. Meanwhile, Gabrielle begins to suspect that Carlos may have had something to do with Detective Chuck Vance's murder. Susan makes up her mind to go to New York to become a true artist - with or without Mike, and an angry Tom cancels his plans to go to Paris with his girlfriend when Lynette confesses that she's an accomplice to murder and may soon be arrested.

Recurring Guest Stars: Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis), Christine Clayburg (Anchor Woman), Michael Dempsey (Detective Murphy)



Who Can Say What's True?

Desperate Housewives 8x11
See main article: "Who Can Say What's True?"

Original air date: January 15, 2012

Written by: Brian Tanen

Directed by: Larry Shaw

Plot Synopsis: With Carlos still in rehab, Gabrielle asks for Lynette's help in wooing a high-stakes company to sign with her husband's firm. Meanwhile, Renee talks Bree into getting out of the house and having some fun at a pick up bar, and Mike discovers some inconsistencies with Ben's real estate project. Lynette tries to get things around the house done all by herself, and Susan pays a covert visit to Alejandro's family to see how they've been holding up since he went missing.

Recurring Guest Stars: Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis), Sal Landi (Loan Shark)



What's the Good of Being Good?

Desperate Housewives 8x12
See main article: "What's the Good of Being Good?"

Original air date: January 22, 2012

Written by: Jason Ganzel

Directed by: Ron Underwood

Plot Synopsis: Bree's life continues to spiral out of control as her alcohol consumption rises - along with her lust for men. In the meantime, Lynette goes out on her first date since separating from Tom... with Renee's hairdresser. Alejandro's current wife suspects foul play is afoot and has a confrontation with Susan, whereas Gabrielle discovers that Alejandro also abused his other step-daughter, Marisa. Ben has special plans in store for Renee.

Recurring Guest Stars: Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis), Sal Landi (Loan Shark), Dakin Matthews (Reverend Sikes)



Is This What You Call Love?

Desperate Housewives 8x13
See main article: "Is This What You Call Love?"

Original air date: February 12, 2012

Written by: David Schladweiler & Valérie A. Brotski

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: Susan is in for a shock when daughter Julie pays a visit and shows up six months pregnant. Meanwhile, Bree's alcohol consumption and lust for men continues to dominate and ruin her life, and Lynette's first sexual encounter since separating from Tom doesn't quite end in fireworks. Gabrielle's attempt to soothe Juanita when she doesn't receive a Valentine's Day card from a boy she has a crush on backfires.

Recurring Guest Stars: Andrea Bowen (Julie Mayer), Kyle MacLachlan (Orson Hodge), John Rubinstein (Principal Hobson)



Get Out of My Life

Desperate Housewives 8x14
See main article: "Get Out of My Life"

Original air date: February 19, 2012

Written by: Cindy Appel

Directed by: James Hayman

Plot Synopsis: Susan discovers the identity of the father of Julie's baby, and Orson makes it his duty to nurse Bree back to health. When Mrs. McCluskey throws Roy out of the house, Gabrielle takes him in and is reluctant to help get them back together when he proves to be an invaluable disciplinarian to her kids. Meanwhile, after getting used to her alone time, Lynette is furious when Porter and Preston are evicted from their apartment and try to move back home, and Mike informs Renee of Ben's dire circumstances with a loan shark.

Recurring Guest Stars: Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis), Orson Bean (Roy Bender), Andrea Bowen (Julie Mayer), Max Carver (Preston Scavo), Sal Landi (Donny), Kyle MacLachlan (Orson Hodge)



She Needs Me

Desperate Housewives 8x15
See main article: "She Needs Me"

Original air date: March 4, 2012

Written by: Jason Ganzel

Directed by: Randy Zisk

Plot Synopsis: After Lynette refuses to help raise Porter and Julie's baby, Susan offers to assist by setting up a nursery. Meanwhile, Orson talks Bree into going to Maine with him, and Karen asks Gabrielle to keep a secret.

Recurring Guest Stars: Orson Bean (Roy Bender), Sal Landi (Donny), Kyle MacLachlan (Orson Hodge)



You Take for Granted

Desperate Housewives 8x16
See main article: "You Take for Granted"

Original air date: March 11, 2012

Written by: Matt Berry

Directed by: Jeff Greenstein

Plot Synopsis: Susan convinces Mike to go to the police when she discovers that Ben's loan shark is out to get him, which could have dire results. Meanwhile, Gabrielle is justifiably concerned when Carlos exhibits some strange behavior on his first day back to work, and Tom's girlfriend, Jane, drops a bombshell on Lynette during Penny's birthday party. In the meantime, Mrs. McCluskey, who is suffering from terminal cancer, asks Bree to help put an end to her life.

Recurring Guest Stars: Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis), Orson Bean (Roy Bender), Michael Dempsey (Detective Murphy), Sal Landi (Donny), Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson)



Women and Death

Desperate Housewives 8x17
See main article: "Women and Death"

Original air date: March 18, 2012

Written by: Annie Weisman

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: On the day of the funeral of a beloved Wisteria Lane resident, each of the ladies thinks back on how this person had affected their lives. Meanwhile, believing that the investigation died with Chuck Vance, Bree is stunned when she is called in for questioning about the murder of Gabrielle's stepfather, Alejandro.

Recurring Guest Stars: Andrea Bowen (Julie Mayer), Steven Culp (Rex Van de Kamp), Michael Dempsey (Detective Murphy), Lupe Ontiveros (Juanita "Mama" Solis), Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson)



Any Moment

Desperate Housewives 8x18
See main article: "Any Moment"

Original air date: March 25, 2012

Written by: Sheila Lawrence

Directed by: Randy Zisk

Plot Synopsis: Julie becomes concerned over Susan's parenting skills when she begins to allow MJ to do whatever he feels like doing. Meanwhile, with Carlos resigning from his high-paying job, Gabrielle tries to land her own high-powered position in order to keep up her extravagant lifestyle. Bree is suspicious of Andrew's intentions when he announces that he's getting married, and Lynette puts a plan into action in the hopes of winning Tom back, while Ben finally properly proposes to Renee.

Recurring Guest Stars: Andrea Bowen (Julie Mayer), Michael Dempsey (Detective Murphy), Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson), Shawn Pyfrom (Andrew Van de Kamp)



With So Little to Be Sure Of

Desperate Housewives 8x19
See main article: "With So Little to Be Sure Of"

Original air date: April 1, 2012

Written by: Marco Pennette

Directed by: Tara Nicole Weyr

Plot Synopsis: Susan discovers that Mike had been hiding a secret from her for years, and Gabrielle discovers a sexy way to earn a bigger commission at her new job as a personal shopper. Meanwhile, while Lynette continues to try and win Tom back, his girlfriend Jane does everything in her power to ensure that the two carry through with their divorce. Bree attempts to hire a high-powered attorney when she becomes the prime suspect in the murder of Gaby's stepfather.

Recurring Guest Stars: Scott Bakula (Trip Weston), Andrea Bowen (Julie Mayer), Michael Dempsey (Detective Murphy), Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson)



Lost My Power

Desperate Housewives 8x20
See main article: "Lost My Power"

Original air date: April 29, 2012

Written by: Wendy Mericle

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: With Mike gone, Susan attempts to build a car for MJ's father-and-son school soapbox derby, while Bree's attorney, Trip Weston, learns of her previous drunken sexual spree and needs her to come clean about it in order to help strengthen her case. Lynette tries to cause some negative friction between Tom and his girlfriend, Jane, by flirting with his boss and getting him to pile more work on her estranged husband. Meanwhile, Gabrielle is furious with Carlos when he tries to poach one of her rich, personal shopper clients and talk her into helping with his newly formed charity organization, and Renee discovers that Ben is keeping a secret from her about his involvement with Bree - and the body found at his work site.

Recurring Guest Stars: Scott Bakula (Trip Weston), Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis), Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson)



The People Will Hear

Desperate Housewives 8x21
See main article: "The People Will Hear"

Original air date: May 6, 2012

Written by: Brian Tanen

Directed by: David Warren

Plot Synopsis: As her trial nears, Bree begins to fall for her attorney, Trip Weston, and the ladies are shocked about Gabrielle's nonchalant attitude as Bree continues to stand trial and take the fall for Carlos in the murder of Alejandro. Meanwhile, Susan becomes concerned when Julie doubts Porter's commitment to be a hands-on father to their unborn baby, and, as Tom gets closer to being transferred to India for his job - thanks to Lynette - she begins to have second thoughts and tries to convince his boss to rescind the move.

Recurring Guest Stars: Scott Bakula (Trip Weston), Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis), Andrea Bowen (Julie Mayer), Max Carver (Preston Scavo), Andrea Parker (Jane Carlson)



Give Me the Blame

Desperate Housewives 8x22
See main article: "Give Me the Blame"

Original air date: May 13, 2012

Written by: Bob Daily

Directed by: Larry Shaw

Plot Synopsis: Trip begs Bree to tell him what really happened the night of Alejandro's murder as her trial begins to go south and it looks like she's about to be convicted. Gabrielle tries to come up with a solution that will take the burden off of Bree, and Susan tries to keep the sale of her house private until she's had a chance to break the news to the ladies. Meanwhile, Renee is shocked to discover that, as their wedding nears, Ben has been arrested and thrown in jail.

Recurring Guest Stars: Scott Bakula (Trip Weston), Orson Bean (Roy Bender)



Finishing the Hat

Desperate Housewives 8x23
See main article: "Finishing the Hat"

Original air date: May 13, 2012

Written by: Marc Cherry

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: Katherine Mayfair returns to Wisteria Lane and offers Lynette an intriguing job opportunity - which could end her chances of reconciling with Tom. The women all agree to take care of Mrs. McCluskey when they discover that she wants to die with dignity at home, and Susan finds herself at wits end when Julie goes into labor at the most inopportune time.

Recurring Guest Stars: Scott Bakula (Trip Weston), Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis), Roger Bart (George Williams) (uncredited), Justine Bateman (Ellie Leonard) (uncredited), Orson Bean (Roy Bender), Emily Bergl (Beth Young) (uncredited), Andrea Bowen (Julie Mayer), Richard Burgi (Karl Mayer) (uncredited), Jonathan Cake (Chuck Vance) (uncredited), Maria Cominis (Mona Clarke) (uncredited), Steven Culp (Rex Van de Kamp) (uncredited), Christine Estabrook (Martha Huber), Valerie Mahaffey (Alma Hodge) (uncredited), Lupe Ontiveros (Juanita "Mama" Solis) (uncredited), Kiersten Warren (Nora Huntington) (uncredited)



Production

Marc Cherry announced the possibility of there being an 8th of Desperate Housewives. He had stated that if he could get all four lead actresses to renew their contracts for an extra 2 seasons, ABC would allow them two more seasons. However, it was announced on August 7th that the eighth season would be the last, as decided by both Cherry and ABC head Paul Lee.

Reception

Notes

External links

See Also

  • Let Them Stare by Julia Carin, the song used in the promotions for episodes 8x02 to 8x05. [1]
  • Holy Moses by Washington, the song used in the promotion for episode 8x06. [2]
  • I'm A Bad Girl by Marc Lane, the song used in the promotion for episode 8x07. [3]
  • Liar Liar by Rachel Barror, the song used in the promotion for episode 8x08. [4]
  • Unstoppable by Kat DeLuna and Lil' Wayne, the song used in the promotion for episodes 8x10 and 8x11. [5]
  • Bad Karma by Ida Maria, the song used in the promotion for episode 8x14. [6]
  • Amazing Grace by Vanessa Williams (Renee Perry), the song used in the promotion for episode 8x17, which is also featured in the episode. [7]
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