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The Best Episodes of Desperate Housewives

Every episode of Desperate Housewives ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Desperate Housewives!

Binge this in 5d 9h•Peaking at 9.1/10

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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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Desperate Housewives Season 3 Episode 7 - Bang
    9.1/10(8 votes)

    #1 - Bang

    S3:E7

    Everyone's lives on Wisteria Lane are forever changed when Carolyn Bigsby holds shoppers hostage at a local supermarket. Meanwhile, Gabrielle and Carlos finish dividing their assets: Gabrielle gets the house, and Carlos gets everything in it. Susan is preparing to go to Paris with Ian.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writer:Joe Keenan

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  2. Desperate Housewives Season 5 Episode 13 - The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened
    9.1/10(8 votes)

    #2 - The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened

    S5:E13

    When Eli Scruggs (Beau Bridges), the neighborhood handyman, passes away, the residents of Wisteria Lane realize how much he affected their lives.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writers:Bob Daily, Marc Cherry

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  3. Desperate Housewives Season 5 Episode 18 - A Spark. To Pierce the Dark.
    8.9/10(8 votes)

    #3 - A Spark. To Pierce the Dark.

    S5:E18

    Bree contemplates selling her business in order to revive her marriage. Meanwhile, Lynette is threatened at work; Katherine is caught in an unforseen circumstance; and Edie's worst fear begins to come true.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Alexandra Cunningham

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  4. Desperate Housewives Season 4 Episode 1 - Now You Know
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    #4 - Now You Know

    S4:E1

    Susan learns that she is expecting a child while Bree continues to fake her own pregnancy. Gabrielle begins an affair with her ex-husband, Carlos and Lynette tries to conceal her cancer from her friends and children. The episode also introduces Katherine Mayfair, Susan's old friend who returns to the neighborhood after being away for 12 years.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writer:Marc Cherry

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  5. Desperate Housewives Season 4 Episode 6 - Now I Know, Don’t Be Scared
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    #5 - Now I Know, Don’t Be Scared

    S4:E6

    This is the show's first Halloween episode. Edie Britt's biggest fear comes true when Carlos walks out on their relationship. Susan finds Mike's father, who was supposedly dead. Danielle goes into labor right in the middle of the Halloween party... and somebody has to deliver the baby.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writers:Susan Nirah Jaffee, Dahvi Waller

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  6. Desperate Housewives Season 4 Episode 9 - Something's Coming
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    #6 - Something's Coming

    S4:E9

    A tornado comes to Wisteria Lane, forcing residents into basements, cellars and safe rooms, and destroying homes and lives. Meanwhile, Susan ends up at the hospital after falling down the stairs.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writers:Joey Murphy, John Pardee

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Desperate Housewives

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  7. Desperate Housewives Season 5 Episode 19 - Look Into Their Eyes and You See What They Know
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    #7 - Look Into Their Eyes and You See What They Know

    S5:E19

    Edie becomes the subject as the other housewives reminisce about her: with Susan recalling the first time they met; Lynnette remembers an unforgettable night; Gaby remembers an evening of friendly competition; and Bree remembers how thoughtful she was towards Orson.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Desperate Housewives Season 5 Episode 24 - If It's Only in Your Head
    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #8 - If It's Only in Your Head

    S5:E24

    Lynette adapts to Tom's decision to go back to school, Orson takes a beating that Bree cannot comprehend, Gabrielle's niece moves to Wisteria Lane, and Susan and MJ's lives are in grave danger at the hands of Dave.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Jeffrey Richman

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  9. Desperate Housewives Season 4 Episode 16 - The Gun Song
    8.5/10(8 votes)

    #9 - The Gun Song

    S4:E16

    "The Gun Song" is the 86th episode of the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. It is the sixteenth episode of the show's fourth season, and the first half of the two-hour season finale. It aired on May 18, 2008 in the United States.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writer:Bob Daily

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  10. Desperate Housewives Season 5 Episode 8 - City on Fire
    8.5/10(8 votes)

    #10 - City on Fire

    S5:E8

    Susan's daughter Julie comes to visit with her surprising new boyfriend. Gabrielle learns that Mrs. Hildebrand has made her and Carlos heirs of her entire fortune. A reporter looks to expose Bree's imperfections. Lynette learns Porter and Anne Schilling plan to leave Fairview and disappear. Finally, everyone has gathered at a club to see the guys play in the annual "Battle of the Bands" when a fire erupts, threatening the lives of those in attendance. Some will fall as a hero will rise.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Bob Daily

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  11. Desperate Housewives Season 6 Episode 10 - Boom Crunch
    8.5/10(8 votes)

    #11 - Boom Crunch

    S6:E10

    Gabrielle and Lynette's friendship is on the brink of collapse, whereas Bree and Orson come to an agreement about their marriage. Meanwhile, Susan hatches a plan to help an irrational Katherine, and Danny's vital mistake might cost Angie her freedom. In the meantime, Christmas cheer is curtailed when disaster strikes, as a plane crashes down on Wisteria Lane, putting lives in peril.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writers:Joey Murphy, John Pardee

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  12. Desperate Housewives Season 6 Episode 20 - Epiphany
    8.5/10(8 votes)

    #12 - Epiphany

    S6:E20

    The Fairview strangler has been living among the women of Wisteria Lane. He once caught Gabrielle and Carlos in an intimate moment. Bree offered him a job and some dating advice. Susan encouraged his passion for art. Lynette will show him kindness and generosity. But... who is he?

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Marc Cherry

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  13. Desperate Housewives Season 2 Episode 9 - That's Good, That's Bad
    8.4/10(12 votes)

    #13 - That's Good, That's Bad

    S2:E9

    George stalks Bree, despite her efforts to break up with him. Lynette takes charge of office politics. Carlos is paroled from prison and returns a new man, and Gabrielle is jealous of his new 'holier-than-thou' confidante. Susan meets her birth father and tries to begin a relationship with him.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writer:Kevin Murphy

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  14. Desperate Housewives Season 3 Episode 15 - The Little Things You Do Together
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #14 - The Little Things You Do Together

    S3:E15

    All of Wisteria Lane gathers at Pizzeria Scavo for the grand opening event, while one resident meets an untimely fate and another accepts a marriage proposal.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writers:Marc Cherry, Joe Keenan

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  15. Desperate Housewives Season 3 Episode 17 - Dress Big
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #15 - Dress Big

    S3:E17

    Susan meets her in-laws and finds out some family. Victor is still taking his chances with Gabrielle, while she has a devastating catastrophe at her home. Lynette is encountering new problems at the pizzeria while an unexpected relationship develops on Wisteria Lane.

    Director:Matthew Diamond
    Writers:Susan Nirah Jaffee, Kevin Etten

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  16. Desperate Housewives Season 4 Episode 3 - The Game
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #16 - The Game

    S4:E3

    Bree informs the housewives of what she overheard in the Mayfair house. Stella makes some special brownies to help Lynette through chemotherapy. Susan throws a charades party for the whole neighborhood.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writers:Joey Murphy, John Pardee

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  17. Desperate Housewives Season 5 Episode 5 - Mirror, Mirror
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #17 - Mirror, Mirror

    S5:E5

    Driven by a hidden agenda, Dave convinces Susan to throw Mrs. McCluskey a surprise party for her 70th birthday. Jackson wants to take his relationship with Susan to the next level. Gabrielle's concerned she might be pregnant. Tom tells Lynette he's sold the pizzeria. A startling reason for the bond between Bree and Katherine is revealed. And finally, an outraged Mrs. McCluskey has the entire neighborhood questioning her sanity.

    Directors:David Grossman, Scott Ellis
    Writers:Joey Murphy, Jeff Greenstein, John Pardee

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  18. Desperate Housewives Season 5 Episode 10 - A Vision's Just a Vision
    8.4/10(7 votes)

    #18 - A Vision's Just a Vision

    S5:E10

    Lynette takes extreme measures to protect her son. Carlos realizes the extent of Gaby's sacrifices for their family. Bree wants to prove to Andrew that she has accepted him for who he is. Katherine finds happiness, as Susan and Mike recognize the fate of their relationship. Meanwhile, Dave starts to lose his grip.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writer:David Flebotte

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  19. Desperate Housewives Season 1 Episode 23 - One Wonderful Day
    8.3/10(18 votes)

    #19 - One Wonderful Day

    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:Joey Murphy, Tom Spezialy, Kevin Murphy, Katie Ford, Marc Cherry, John Pardee

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  20. Desperate Housewives Season 2 Episode 21 - I Know Things Now
    8.3/10(10 votes)

    #20 - I Know Things Now

    S2:E21

    Bree and Andrew finally reach an impasse in their relationship as tension has finally reached a critical point. Meanwhile, Ed finally fires Tom with the pressure from his wife. Lastly, Edie's private detective begins to uncover numerous details of Karl and Susan's relationship as of recently. Gabrielle is having a tough time keeping her servant in the country.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writers:Bruce Zimmerman, Kevin Etten

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  21. Desperate Housewives Season 2 Episode 22 - No One Is Alone
    8.3/10(10 votes)

    #21 - No One Is Alone

    S2:E22

    Reaching the end of her rope, Bree checks herself into the Fairview psychiatric hospital. Lynette suspects that Tom is cheating on her, so she follows him to Atlantic City. Susan must start over. Felicia Tilman has more in store for Paul Young, resulting in their war reaching its final battle. Gaby and Carlos get Xiao-Mei pregnant.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writers:Kevin Murphy, Chris Black

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  22. Desperate Housewives Season 2 Episode 23 - Remember
    8.3/10(10 votes)

    #22 - Remember

    S2:E23

    Flashbacks take us back to to moving-in day on Wisteria Lane for Bree, Lynette, Susan and Gabrielle and how Mary Alice brought them all together. Back in the present, Bree gets some frightening news. Susan moves into a trailer after her house was burnt down. Lynette and the kids are staying at a hotel. After seeing a report on the news, Gabrielle believes Carlos died. Paul begs Zach to get him a good lawyer via Noah.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writers:Alexandra Cunningham, Tom Spezialy, Marc Cherry, Jenna Bans

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  23. Desperate Housewives Season 3 Episode 20 - Gossip
    8.3/10(9 votes)

    #23 - Gossip

    S3:E20

    Susan goes to the therapist and realizes she must choose between Ian and Mike. Travers is having a birthday party which only spells trouble for Mrs. McCluskey, Gabrielle's engagement party is upstaged by an unexpected announcement and the neighborhood is full of gossip about the dead body found on Wisteria Lane.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writers:Joey Murphy, John Pardee

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  24. Desperate Housewives Season 6 Episode 23 - I Guess This Is Goodbye
    8.3/10(7 votes)

    #24 - I Guess This Is Goodbye

    S6:E23

    Gaby risks her safety to help Angie; Lynette's fate and that of her unborn child lie in the hands of Eddie; Susan comes to grips with her financial woes; Bree considers confessing a secret she's harbored for years; and Angie must submit to Patrick's demands in order to protect her son.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Alexandra Cunningham

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  25. Desperate Housewives Season 2 Episode 3 - You'll Never Get Away from Me
    8.2/10(13 votes)

    #25 - You'll Never Get Away from Me

    S2:E3

    Susan tries bravely to accept Edie’s new role in Julie’s life, while Lynette’s demanding boss makes her miss Parker’s first day of kindergarten. Bree later on takes a polygraph test to prove her innocence in Rex's death and realizes she has feelings for George. Gabrielle finally comes to the truth about Carlos and John after seeing John with another woman.

    Director:Arlene Sanford
    Writers:Tom Spezialy, Ellie Herman

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Best Episodes Summary

"Bang" is the best rated episode of "Desperate Housewives". It scored 9.1/10 based on 8 votes. Directed by Larry Shaw and written by Joe Keenan, it aired on 11/5/2006. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened".