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The Best Episodes of Desperate Housewives Season 1

Every episode of Desperate Housewives Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Desperate Housewives Season 1!

Binge this in 16h 29m•Peaking at 8.8/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 23 - One Wonderful Day
    8.8/10(1136 votes)

    S1:E23

    Bree confides that she feels guilty because she and Rex were having a fight when he had his heart attack and that now he needs a pacemaker. Lynette's marriage takes a dramatic turn after an upset Tom vows that it is now her turn to go back to work and he'll be staying home with the kids. Carlos finally learns that John and Gabrielle have been lovers for a while, and vows revenge as he is carted off to jail. Mike takes Paul out to a deserted quarry, intending to shoot him.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writers:Katie Ford, Joey Murphy, Tom Spezialy, Marc Cherry, John Pardee, Kevin Murphy

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  2. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.4/10(1942 votes)

    S1:E1

    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.

    Director:Charles McDougall
    Writer:Marc Cherry

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  3. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 8 - Guilty
    8.4/10(1127 votes)

    S1:E8

    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'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. The mysterious Mr. Shaw gets down to business as he develops a relationship with Edie. Lastly, Gabrielle confesses her adulterous affair to a priest while Carlos' mother Juanita is in the hospital.

    Directors:Larry Shaw, Fred Gerber
    Writer:Kevin Murphy

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  4. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 7 - Anything You Can Do
    8.1/10(1098 votes)

    S1:E7

    Susan and Edie decide to follow Mike and his houseguest Kendra on their night out together. Lynette becomes steadily more dependent on the twins' ADD medication. In the meantime Gabrielle becomes jealous of the "other" woman in John's life. And 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.

    Directors:Larry Shaw, Fred Gerber
    Writers:Joey Murphy, Tracey Stern, John Pardee

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  5. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 22 - Goodbye for Now
    8.1/10(959 votes)

    S1:E22

    Susan and Mike decide to move in together, much to Edie's displeasure. Meanwhile, Lynette takes steps to make sure Annabel doesn't come between her and Tom. Also, Bree comes to a realization about her "buddy" George the pharmacist who continues to interfere in her and Rex's lives. Carlos' legal problems take a turn for the worse, when Gabrielle decides to leave him. Mrs. Huber's journal reveals some secrets. Lastly, two new faces arrive on Wisteria Lane.

    Directors:David Grossman, Jeff Melman
    Writers:Josh Senter, Adam Barr

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  6. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 9 - Suspicious Minds
    8.0/10(1043 votes)

    S1:E9

    Looking to give her life a purpose, Gabrielle decides to organize a glamorous Halston fashion show for charity highlighting the ladies of Wisteria Lane. Bree and Rex are at odds on how to punish Andrew for putting Mrs. Solis in the hospital and finding drugs in his room. The police investigate a toy chest that Paul Young dumped in the river. Lastly, Lynette uses her business acumen to poach a nanny, Claire, but ends up getting involved between her current employer, Alexis.

    Directors:Larry Shaw, Fred Gerber
    Writers:Jenna Bans, Kevin Murphy

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  7. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 10 - Come Back to Me
    8.0/10(1026 votes)

    S1:E10

    Uber mom Maisy Gibbons returns, and her secret life intersects with Bree's. Meanwhile Gabrielle's predicament worsens as she gets a taste of her own medicine, courtesy of Carlos's 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 sends Zach Young back home to his father, who makes a startling admission of his own.

    Directors:Larry Shaw, Fred Gerber
    Writers:Jenna Bans, Patty Lin

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  8. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 14 - Love Is in the Air
    8.0/10(988 votes)

    S1:E14

    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, until she learns a surprising fact about her favorite plumber. Meanwhile, after reconciling their relationship, Bree discovers something new about her husband Rex when it comes to his sexual needs. Lynette's 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.

    Directors:Jeff Melman, Arlene Sanford
    Writers:Tom Spezialy, Kevin Etten

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  9. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 15 - Impossible
    8.0/10(978 votes)

    S1:E15

    Mike Delfino is questioned about Mrs. Huber's murder by police and is arrested. John's friend, Justin attempts to blackmail Gabrielle with his knowledge of their affair. 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. Zach Young plans a pool party for the teens on Wisteria Lane, and things get out of hand. Finally, someone comes out of the closet.

    Directors:Jeff Melman, Larry Shaw
    Writers:Tom Spezialy, Marc Cherry

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  10. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 2 - Ah, But Underneath
    7.9/10(1340 votes)

    S1:E2

    Mike's dog pays the price when Edie crashes his dinner date with Susan. 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.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writer:Marc Cherry

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  11. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 3 - Pretty Little Picture
    7.9/10(1273 votes)

    S1:E3

    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.

    Director:Arlene Sanford
    Writer:Oliver Goldstick

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  12. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 11 - Move On
    7.9/10(1008 votes)

    S1:E11

    Edie organizes a neighborhood search for the missing Mrs. Huber, just as the absent busybody's sister Felicia Tilman 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, and Lynette fears that Tom is attracted to the new nanny. Lastly, Gabrielle sinks to new depths.. she gets a job.

    Directors:John David Coles, Fred Gerber
    Writers:Patty Lin, David Schulner

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  13. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 12 - Every Day a Little Death
    7.9/10(1008 votes)

    S1:E12

    The residents of Wisteria Lane finally learn Martha Huber's fate. 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. 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.

    Directors:David Grossman, John David Coles
    Writers:David Schulner, Chris Black

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  14. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 16 - The Ladies Who Lunch
    7.9/10(975 votes)

    S1:E16

    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 Maisys' little black book becomes public of all her clients. Gabrielle and Carlos also face a crisis of their own when the sewer system goes out at their house. 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.

    Directors:Larry Shaw, Arlene Sanford
    Writer:Alexandra Cunningham

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  15. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 20 - Fear No More
    7.9/10(951 votes)

    S1:E20

    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. 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. Meanwhile, Zach continues to stalk Julie while Mike tries to separate Susan from Mary Alice's past secrets. Lastly, housewife Gabrielle is suspecting that she's pregnant.

    Directors:Jeff Melman, Arlene Sanford
    Writers:Jenna Bans, Adam Barr

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  16. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 4 - Who's That Woman?
    7.8/10(1192 votes)

    S1:E4

    Cash-strapped Mrs. Huber 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 seprating the boys. Lastly, Bree struggles with her rebellious son Andrew after Rex moves out.

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writers:Tom Spezialy, Marc Cherry

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  17. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 6 - Running to Stand Still
    7.8/10(1100 votes)

    S1:E6

    Lynette locks horns with officious mom Maisy Gibbons 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.

    Directors:Arlene Sanford, Fred Gerber
    Writers:Tracey Stern, Alexandra Cunningham

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  18. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 17 - There Won't Be Trumpets
    7.8/10(1000 votes)

    S1:E17

    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 quickly put to the test. Meanwhile, Bree encounters more trouble with her son Andrew when it comes to disciplining him and lastly, Susan finds herself attracted to Edie's hunky new contractor, but Edie doesn't want her to go with him as a favor to their fragile friendship.

    Directors:Jeff Melman, Arlene Sanford
    Writers:Joey Murphy, John Pardee, Alexandra Cunningham

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  19. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 18 - Children Will Listen
    7.8/10(977 votes)

    S1:E18

    Susan's mom pays an unannounced visit to Wisteria Lane after she and her boyfriend call it quits. Meanwhile, Gabrielle faces Carlos' wrath after he learns about the hospital settlement and tries to change their prenuptial 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 in the past.

    Directors:Jeff Melman, Larry Shaw
    Writer:Kevin Murphy

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  20. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 21 - Sunday in the Park with George
    7.8/10(945 votes)

    S1:E21

    Bree begins to feel guilty about her friendship with George while 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. After talking with Kendra Susan learns what Mike did. 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.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writer:Katie Ford

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  21. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 5 - Come In, Stranger
    7.7/10(1132 votes)

    S1:E5

    A break-in on Wisteria Lane leaves the neighbors feeling vulnerable, especially Susan, who reluctantly accepts a date with a persistent policeman after Mike appears indifferent to her. Rex takes the kids away for the weekend as a lonely Bree finds herself bonding with 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.

    Directors:Jeff Melman, Arlene Sanford
    Writer:Alexandra Cunningham

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  22. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 13 - Your Fault
    7.7/10(986 votes)

    S1:E13

    When Lynette's father-in-law pays a visit to to the family, she unwittingly learns a family secret. 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.

    Directors:David Grossman, Arlene Sanford
    Writers:Chris Black, Kevin Etten

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  23. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 19 - Live Alone and Like It
    7.7/10(970 votes)

    S1:E19

    Lynette learns that no good deed goes unpunished when she momentarily befriends the mean Mrs. McClusky. Susan's mother decides to try and jump start her and her daughter's love lives. Andrew talks to a priest about his feelings, and tells him of his shocking plans for his mother, Bree. Gabrielle has her credit card declined in an upscale restaurant, and Carlos sends Gabrielle a big message about what will happen if she leaves him.

    Directors:Larry Shaw, Arlene Sanford
    Writers:Jenna Bans, Kevin Murphy

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"One Wonderful Day" is the best rated episode of "Desperate Housewives" season 1. It scored 8.8/10 based on 1136 votes. Directed by Larry Shaw and written by Katie Ford, Joey Murphy, Tom Spezialy, Marc Cherry, John Pardee, Kevin Murphy, it aired on 5/22/2005. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Pilot".