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Season 5 – Desperate Housewives

Play trailer Poster for Season 5 – Desperate Housewives Sep 2008 Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Behind the facade of a postcard-perfect subdivision live four women whose lives are anything but idyllic. Klutzy Susan is divorced and the mother of teenage Julie. Lynette is married to Tom and the frazzled mother of four rambunctious children. Bree is the neighborhood's Martha Stewart, whose perfection masks major dysfunction. Ex-model Gabrielle, married to handsome and successful Carlos, wants to have her cake and eat it too. Looking down on it all is Mary Alice, who took her own life but comments on the lives of her former neighbors.
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Desperate Housewives — Season 5

Desperate Housewives — Season 5

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Critics Consensus

Desperate Housewives' fifth season fast-forwards five years, ringing in a new chapter of life (and drama) on Wisteria Lane that is bound to captivate most, but perhaps not all.

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Critics Reviews

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Tanner Stransky Entertainment Weekly 09/20/2018
The five-year fast-forward was a stroke of genius, effectively increasing our insight into these ladies' world by twofold. Go to Full Review
Barry Garron The Hollywood Reporter 09/19/2018
[The season 5 premiere] has the wit and bite that made the series a standout, but it has jettisoned much of the dramatic baggage that had begun to weigh the show down. Go to Full Review
Thomas Sutcliffe Independent (UK) 09/18/2018
I found myself checking my watch and wondering why time wasn't passing more quickly. Go to Full Review
Tom Gliatto People Magazine 01/17/2020
Housewives creator Marc Cherry took an unusual gamble with the new season, spinning the plot forward five years. This might seem a desperate way to freshen up an aging show in need of a little Botox, but it's paying off beautifully. Go to Full Review
Scotsman Staff Scotsman 09/24/2018
The programme has unaccountably jumped forward in time, presumably because the writers couldn't think of anything more to do with their dizzy characters that didn't involve drastic changes. Go to Full Review
Kelly West CinemaBlend 09/20/2018
3.5/5
With so many crazy things going on in their lives, the move ahead will hopefully refresh the series and make room for new story arcs and more crazy (and often dark) drama to play out in the little cul-de-sac. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Test T @TestTest1 Mar 6 I watched this on DVD recently, having not seen the other seasons. After a cautious start, the more I watch it, the more I enjoyed it. I found the characters interesting, and the story lines very entertaining. I don't like the twee background music at all, but as the episodes racked up I learned to ignore it! The narration scenes, which enclose each episode are excellent, and I found the judgemental but impartial summary very satisfying. Previously, I really enjoyed watching Cougar Town, so at first I thought this was a little too serious, but now I've watched more of it I realise that the drama is foremost here, and the comedy has to be more restrained to make it work. The most noticable thing about Desperate Housewives Season 5 is the unrelentingly high quality. The story, characters, cast, dialog, acting, locations... are all first rate. It's a formula which I found very hard to resist watching several episodes each evening until the season finished. I can't wait to start watching season 6 soon. I can highly reccomend Desperate Housewives Season 5 to anyone looking for a high quality absorbing show with a hint of comedy. See more Jules N 08/13/2024 Une saison un peu moins percutante que les précédentes comme par exemple l'épisode catastrophe de l'incendie qui n'est pas vraiment bouleversant. La mort d'Eddie en revanche provoque un grand choc et va laisser réellement un vide dans la série. See more 05/05/2019 When you produce two great seasons and two good seasons, it is not always a guarantee the fifth one will be as good as the last four. That's what happened in season five of Desperate Housewives. It starts out five years into the future from when we left off at season four's finale. Viewers weren't welcomed back by a season that takes breaths away or even captivates you. No, season five's start is about as boring as the series gets, and not only for an episode or two. Season five's slumpy beginning only ends at the season's disaster episode, this time being the eight episode. With the exception of the flashback episode "Mirror, Mirror", season five definitely serves dull and unneccessary episodes in its first third. Things definitely pick up starting with the disaster episode, but the damage has been done. After finally delivering a great episode, season five yet again falls victim to slow pacing. Like at the start, a few episodes start somwhat boring. And even after a yet another great episode, this time centering around Edie, the following episode yet again comes off as unneccessary. Of course, from there on, things only get better and a good finale is brought. But after great finales of seasons one, two and four, the fifth is probably one of the worse. The reason for such a mediocre fifth season is probably the sheer greatness of season four and I can't help but list this slow season to the bottom of my ranking list of this series' seasons. See more 12/31/2017 This show has hit my heart on so many level's... but David Dash, he was my biggest heart break in the show and his performance is phenomenal. See more Read all reviews
Desperate Housewives — Season 5

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 28, 2008 You're Gonna Love Tomorrow Things have changed in the five years since Katherine shot her ex-husband: Katherine is jealous as her business partner Bree is on the verge of publishing her own cookbook; Susan tries to hide her new relationship; Gaby doubts her abilities as a mom. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 5, 2008 We're So Happy You're So Happy Lynette discovers the softer side of her son Porter; Gaby tries to downplay her decline in social stature; the men in Susan's life meet; Bree feels the pressure of balancing motherhood and a career. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 12, 2008 Kids Ain't Like Everybody Else Danielle, Bree's estranged daughter, returns to Wisteria Lane and is overwhelmed with criticism; Susan and Gaby end up in a catfight; Lynette is annoyed when she finds out that Tom and Dave have formed a garage band. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 19, 2008 Back in Business The women of Wisteria Lane are envious of Bree's cookbook and her entrepreneurial success; Lynette weighs in on Bree's marketing plan; Mike feels that he is not enough of a presence in his son's life. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 26, 2008 Mirror, Mirror Driven by a hidden agenda, Dave convinces Susan to throw Mrs. McCluskey a surprise birthday party; Jackson wants to take his relationship with Susan to the next level; Mrs. McCluskey has the neighborhood questioning her sanity. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 2, 2008 There's Always a Woman Gaby is excited when Carlos' client makes them an irresistible offer; Lynette thinks Tom is cheating on her; Bree and Katherine continue to bond; Mrs. McCluskey asks her sister to help dig up dirt on Dave. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 9, 2008 What More Do I Need? Lynette and Tom find that one of their worst fears has come true; Katherine's secret is revealed; Susan discovers Jackson's true passion; Mrs. McCluskey's sister uncovers a disturbing fact about Dave. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 16, 2008 City on Fire Susan's daughter comes to visit with her new boyfriend; Gaby discovers the truth about Mrs. Hildebrand's past; a reporter tries to expose Bree's imperfections; a deadly fire breaks out. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 30, 2008 Me and My Town The citizens of Fairview attempt to recover from a deadly fire; for Carlos and Gaby, injuries sustained in the fire lead to a happy discovery; Tom and Lynette vow to protect Porter. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 7, 2008 A Vision's Just a Vision 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; Susan and Mike recognize the fate of their relationship. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 4, 2009 Home Is the Place A competition begins when Bree meets Andrew's future mother-in-law; Susan spends time with Lee; Edie grows tired of Dave as he continues to behave strangely. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 11, 2009 Connect! Connect! Susan and Edie accidentally lock themselves in a basement; the search for Porter leads Lynette to her mother; Mike and Katherine define their relationship; Dave gets closer to exacting revenge. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 18, 2009 The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened When Eli Scruggs (Beau Bridges), the neighborhood handyman, passes away, the residents of Wisteria Lane realize how much he affected their lives. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 8, 2009 Mama Spent Money When She Had None Bree treats herself to a new car; Susan wants to send M.J. to the best school even though she and Mike can't afford it; Gaby tries to get back into shape; Lee wonders if he should tell Tom and Lynette some disturbing facts about Dave. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 14, 2009 In a World Where the Kings Are Employers Susan gets a new job; Lynette tells Tom they need to sell Scavo's Pizzeria; Gaby discovers that Carlos' boss has a dirty little secret; Orson confronts Bree after discovering she has given Andrew a raise. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 8, 2009 Crime Doesn't Pay Bree tells Lynette she will help Tom find a job; Carlos' adulterous boss puts Gaby in a precarious situation; after a chance encounter with an old acquaintance, Edie looks into Dave's past. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 15, 2009 The Story of Lucy and Jessie Susan tries to impress a teacher at work; Gaby talks Carlos into hiring Lynette; Edie continues to look into Dave's past. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 22, 2009 A Spark. To Pierce the Dark Bree thinks about sacrificing her business to save her marriage; Lynette is threatened by her new boss; Katherine is caught in unexpected circumstances; Edie's worst fears are realized. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 19, 2009 Look Into Their Eyes and You See What They Know Susan looks back on her first meeting with Edie; Lynette reflects on a memorable night out she shared with Edie; Bree remembers Edie's thoughtfulness toward Orson; Gaby fondly recalls a night of friendly competition with Edie. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 26, 2009 Rose's Turn Carlos finds Lynette in a precarious position; Gabrielle hastily covers for Tom's coy behavior; Orson tries to hide the truth about his wounds from Bree; Katherine confesses to Mike; Susan reveals her dark secret to Dave. Details Episode 21 Aired May 3, 2009 Bargaining Bree tries to retain the best lawyer; Gaby makes a deal that puts her vanity to the test; Jackson returns to Wisteria Lane with a proposal for Susan. Details Episode 22 Aired May 10, 2009 Marry Me a Little Bree hides her true intentions from Orson; Tom tries to look younger; Katherine hides the truth from Mike; a key witness to Dave's misdeeds surfaces. Details Episode 23 Aired May 17, 2009 Everybody Says Don't Gaby meets up with an old acquaintance who has lost everything; Lynette is upset about Tom's latest bright idea; Orson threatens to blackmail Bree; Gaby's niece moves to Wisteria Lane; Susan and M.J. are in grave danger. Details Episode 24 Aired May 17, 2009 If It's Only in Your Head Gaby meets up with an old acquaintance who has lost everything; Lynette is upset about Tom's latest bright idea; Orson threatens to blackmail Bree; Gaby's niece moves to Wisteria Lane; Susan and M.J. are in grave danger. Details
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Season Info

Director
Larry Shaw, David Grossman, Scott Ellis, Bethany Rooney, David Warren
Executive Producer
Charles Pratt Jr., Marc Cherry, Tom Spezialy, Michael Edelstein
Screenwriter
Jordon Nardino, Alexandra Cunningham, John Pardee, Jamie Gorenberg, Matt Berry, Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, Jason Ganzel, Lori Kirkland Baker, David Flebotte, Joey Murphy
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-14 (V|D|L|S)
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 28, 2008