As one of the most addictive guilty pleasures on TV comes to a close in America this weekend and in the UK on E4 next month, it’s worth reflecting on what made it such a success.
Of course, there was the drama, the cat fights and the secrets (not to mention the sex and scandal)… but what ensured that we truly cared about the residents of Wisteria Lane was the vulnerable, human side that we gradually saw emerge from each and every one of them.
Susan might be ditzy, clumsy and slapstick gold, but she also has a heart of gold that belongs solely to Mike Delfino. Bree might seem like the plastic vision of ‘50s housewife perfection, but under the surface she is ruthless and passionate. Gaby might be shallow, materialistic and frequently selfish, but when push comes to shove, she has a maternal instinct and a selflessness that no one could have guessed. And Lynette’s big, dysfunctional family might stretch her to breaking point, but she would give her life to protect them.
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After balancing a winning mix of hilarious antics, delicious gossip and poignant, emotional scenes for eight years, here are ten pivotal moments that really showed the power of Desperate Housewives…
10. Gabby’s adopted baby is taken away (Season 2)
For two seasons we know Gabrielle as the selfish, self-obsessed, vain woman who never ever wanted children. Cut forward to the 20th episode of Season 2 to witness Gaby screaming after a car, her words drowned in sobs as she watches the birth mother of her adopted child drive away, having reclaimed her baby.
This is when we finally see the real Gabrielle; insecure and incredibly vulnerable, yet more caring and motherly than she ever realised.
9. Bree abandons Andrew (Season 2)
As if coping with the death of her husband, an imposing mother-in-law, a psychotic new boyfriend and alcoholism wasn’t enough, the hardest problem for Bree to deal with in Season 2 is her disrespectful, vindictive and downright hurtful son Andrew.
The climactic, incredibly shocking scene where a worn-down, exhausted Bree drives Andrew to a service station and leaves him there to fend for himself is the final nail in the coffin of Bree’s once “perfect life”.
8. Edie dies (Season 5)
The death scene itself was sudden, unexpected and actually surprisingly anticlimactic, but Edie was an integral part to Desperate Housewives, so the sight of her lying dead on the road, surrounded by all those who loved to hate her, is still an iconic one.
Despite the admirable efforts of Katherine and Renee subsequently, no one quite delivered a hilarious, dry one liner quite like Edie Britt. And as she lies lifeless, she looks strangely content; whether it be character or actor, she knew as well as us that there would never be another Edie.
7. Lynette’s reaction to the tornado destruction (Season 4)
The women of Wisteria lane love to scream, whether it be at a rat or at the sight of a dead loved one. But the most blood curdling scream of the entire eight seasons has got to go to Lynette, on seeing the house her family were taking refuge in reduced to rubble.
It’s a sound the fans never forget, and frighteningly good acting by the always reliable Felicity Huffman.
6. Bree’s reaction to Rex’s death (Season 1)
In the opening minute of this scene, it is unclear as to whether Bree will react at all to the news of her husband’s passing. She reacts coolly and calmly as she receives the news, “like a lady should”, despite seeming stunned and disbelieving at first. She even thanks the doctor before she hangs up, and finishes her chores in composed silence.
Then she stands perfectly still for a second, before you gradually see the awful news hit her. She collapses into a chair, begins to sob, and then as the camera pans out, she howls, her head falling to the table. Perfectly pitched and achingly realistic, Marcia Cross gives her performance of the series.
5. Susan runs after Mike in a wedding dress (Season 2)
If any scene in Desperate Housewives truly lives up to the show’s title then it is this one. Susan finally believes she has met the one, after being unlucky all her life, so her breakdown and desperation as she begs Mike not to go is particularly heartbreaking.
There’s also something deliciously melodramatic about her collapsing in tears in the middle of the street, as every other housewife swoops in from their respective houses to comfort their friend, the tragic bride.
4. Bree shoots George’s van with shotgun (Season 2)
One of the best traits about Bree is her skilled gunmanship, and when the pesky George comes begging to be taken back (by, amusingly, singing a medley of love songs outside her house), Bree’s reaction is the ultimate proof that you don’t interrupt a housewife whilst she is throwing a dinner party.
The most iconic shot? Bree’s furious look as she pulls out her shotgun and cocks it muscularly.
3. Gaby mows lawn in evening gown (Season 1)
Another genuine “desperate housewife” moment here. In an attempt to hide from Carlos the fact that her teenage gardener hadn’t mowed the lawn due to, er, other commitments, Gaby sneaks out from a cocktail party they attend to do the job herself.
The sight of her tottering along in a long dress and stilettos is priceless, and from that moment on, we know that Gaby might be spoilt and high-maintenance, but she won’t hesitate to get her hands dirty to hide things from her husband.
2. Lynette has emotional breakdown (Season 1)
If at any point you doubted the ‘drama’ aspect of Desperate Housewives, Felicity Huffman’s performance in the eighth episode of Season 1 would have stopped you in your tracks. At an all time low with controlling her hyperactive, disobedient children, Lynette fantasises about wrecking her house and shooting herself in the head. It is all a dream, but it makes her realise she is at the end of her tether.
The aftermath scene where she confides in Bree and Susan about the trials of motherhood is heartbreaking and moving, and one of the first times we really understand why these women are best friends.
1. Susan locks herself out… naked. (Season 1)
Yes, it’s this scene, the scene that we all know, the scene that’s always brought up when the show is mentioned, whenever Teri Hatcher is interviewed about the show… but it still has to be the most iconic moment in the show’s history.
Not only is it one of the funniest, offering one of the best one liners ever in the show (“I locked myself out… naked… so how are you?”), it introduced us to our protagonist, our single-gal heroine, for whom nothing ever goes right: the clumsy, unlucky, unendingly desperate Susan. We love ’em all, but Susan was undoubtedly the face of the show to begin with, the one who we all rooted for. She is the original desperate housewife.
What’s your all-time favourite Desperate Housewives moment? Let us know below…