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This article contains episode summaries for the fourth season of Desperate Housewives.

Season summary[]

In the U.S., original episodes of season four aired between September 30, 2007 and May 18, 2008.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Also Starring[]

*Not credited in "Now You Know".

Recurring Guest Stars[]

Main Plot Points[]

  • Susan and Mike are married and expecting a child.
  • Lynette fights cancer, her alcoholic mother and her scheming stepdaughter.
  • Bree conceals both a real and a fake pregnancy and has marital problems with Orson.
  • Gabrielle is trapped in an unhappy marriage with Victor while having an affair with Carlos.
  • Edie tries to secure her relationship with Carlos, and later comes to blows with Bree.
  • Katherine moves back to the lane with a new family and several secrets.

Episode Summaries[]

01 "Now You Know" 07 "You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover" 13 "Hello, Little Girl"
02 "Smiles of a Summer Night " 08 "Distant Past" 14 "Opening Doors"
03 "The Game" 09 "Something's Coming" 15 "Mother Said"
04 "If There's Anything I Can't Stand" 10 "Welcome to Kanagawa" 16 "The Gun Song"
05 "Art Isn't Easy" 11 "Sunday" 17 "Free"
06 "Now I Know, Don't Be Scared" 12 "In Buddy's Eyes"

Now You Know[]

NowYouKnow
See main article: "Now You Know"

Original air date: September 30th 2007

Written by: Marc Cherry

Directed by: Larry Shaw

Plot Synopsis: Edie surives her sucide attempt and gets constant care from Carlos, Katherine Mayfair returns to Wiestra Lane after moving away twelve years ago, Susan gets some unwanted news when she discovers she may have menopause, Bree and Orson continue to lie to their neighbours about the pregnancy, Lynette lies to her friends about her cancer and Gabrielle and Carlos continue their affair.

Recurring Guest Stars: Polly Bergen (Stella Wingfield), Pat Crawford Brown (Ida Greenberg), Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), Kathryn Joosten (Karen McCluskey), John Slattery (Victor Lang)



Smiles of a Summer Night[]

Smiles of a Summer Night
See main article: "Smiles of a Summer Night"

Original air date: October 7th 2007

Written by: Bob Daily and Matt Berry

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: Bree and Katherine come to blows over food and Bree tries to discover one of Katherine's recipies, Susan struggles with choosing between Mike and Julie in situations, Dylan confronts Katherine about her father, Gabrielle tells Lynette about her past and Edie blackmails Carlos.

Recurring Guest Stars: Pat Crawford Brown (Ida Greenberg), Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), Kathryn Joosten (Karen McCluskey)



The Game[]

4x03
See main article: "The Game"

Original air date: October 14th 2007

Written by: Joey Murphy and John Pardee

Directed by: Bethany Rooney

Plot Synopsis: Susan arranges a games night and the other ladies use it as an excuse to get Katherine drunk so they can try and discover her secrets, Stella tries to numb Lynette's pain during her chemo, Edie purposely lets slip about her and Carlos' engagement infront of Gabrielle and Julie and Dylan search the Mayfair house.

Recurring Guest Stars: Polly Bergen (Stella Wingfield), Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), John Slattery (Victor Lang)



If There's Anything I Can't Stand[]

Bree and Phyllis
See main article: "If There's Anything I Can't Stand"

Original air date: October 21st 2007

Written by: Alexandra Cunningham & Lori Kirkland Baker

Directed by: Larry Shaw

Plot Synopsis: Bree is shocked when Phyllis turns up at her baby party, Edie gets some unwanted news which almost leads to Carlos' and Gabrielle's affair being exposed, Katherine's Auntie Lillian comes home to die, Lynette tries to improve her and Tom's sex life and Susan makes a mess of greeting new gay couple, Lee and Bob.

Recurring Guest Stars: Shirley Knight (Phyllis Van de Kamp), Kevin Rahm (Lee McDermott), John Slattery (Victor Lang), Tuc Watkins (Bob Hunter)



Art Isn't Easy[]

Art isnt easy
See main article: "Art Isn't Easy"

Original air date: October 28th 2007

Written by: Jason Ganzel

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: Katherine and Lynette go against each other to become president of the Homeowners Asscociation, Gabrielle gets a suprise when she and Carlos run into her ex-lover John Rowland, Bree and Orson try to get Danielle to come home but Phyllis won't let her go so easilly and Susan once again comes to disagrement with Bob and Lee.

Recurring Guest Stars: Pat Crawford Brown (Ida Greenberg), Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), Kathryn Joosten (Karen McCluskey), Shirley Knight (Phyllis Van de Kamp), Jesse Metcalfe (John Rowland), Kevin Rahm (Lee McDermott), Tuc Watkins (Bob Hunter)



Now I Know, Don't Be Scared[]

Now I Know, Don't Be Scared
See main article: "Now I Know, Don't Be Scared"

Original air date: November 4th 2007

Written by: Susan Nirah Jaffee and Dahvi Waller

Directed by: Larry Shaw

Plot Synopsis: Susan finds out that Mike's father, Nick, isn't really dead but in prison for murder. Lynette finds out she's been cured of her cancer. Danielle gives birth to a baby boy. Gabrielle is upset that Carlos hid money from her while they were getting divorced. Carlos dumps Edie. Gabby tells Victor that she's leaving him.

Recurring Guest Stars: Polly Bergen (Stella Wingfield), Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), Kathryn Joosten (Karen McCluskey), Kevin Rahm (Lee McDermott), John Slattery (Victor Lang), Tuc Watkins (Bob Hunter)



You Can't Judge a Book by its Cover[]

Desperate-Housewives-4x07
See main article: "You Can't Judge a Book By its Cover"

Original air date: November 11th 2007

Written by: Chuck Ranberg and Anne Flett-Giordano

Directed by: David Warren

Plot Synopsis: Bree tells Susan that Mike has a drug problem. Stella leaves after learning none of her daughters want her to live with them. Bree gets her grandson, Benjamin, circumcised despite Orson's objections. The question of Victor's survival becomes a cliffhanger after Gabrielle knocks him off his boat.

Recurring Guest Stars: Polly Bergen (Stella Wingfield), John Slattery (Victor Lang)



Distant Past[]

Distant Past
See main article: "Distant Past"

Original air date: November 25th 2007

Written by: Chuck Ranberg and Anne Flett-Giordano

Directed by: David Warren

Plot Synopsis: Adam's surprised by a stalker from his past. Susan spies on Julie as Julie kisses her tattooed boyfriend. Detectives question Gabrielle about Victor. Lynette's reunited with her stepfather Glen. Bree and Orson face marital problems.

Recurring Guest Stars: Polly Bergen (Stella Wingfield), Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), Billy Mayo (Detective Lyons), John Slattery (Victor Lang)



Something's Coming[]

Something's Coming
See main article: "Something's Coming"

Original air date: December 2nd 2007

Written by: Joey Murphy and John Pardee

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: A tornado’s on the way. Carlos and Gabrielle are packing to move. Susan confronts Orson in his office for giving Mike pain pills. At least four people die in the tornado.

Recurring Guest Stars: Pat Crawford Brown (Ida Greenberg), Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), Kathryn Joosten (Karen McCluskey), John Slattery (Victor Lang)



Welcome to Kanagawa[]

Welcome to Kanagawa
See main article: "Welcome to Kanagawa"

Original air date: January 6th, 2008

Written by: Jamie Gorenberg and Jordon Nardino

Directed by: Larry Shaw

Plot Synopsis: Lynette and Karen spread Ida's ashes, Gabrielle visits a blind Carlos in hospital, Bree fixes Andrew up with a gay builder to try and get him to work on her roof, Susan and Julie enjoy Bree staying at there house and Dylan and Adam discover a shocking secret about Katherine.

Recurring Guest Stars: Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), Kathryn Joosten (Karen McCluskey), Kevin Rahm (Lee McDermott), Tuc Watkins (Bob Hunter)



Sunday[]

Desperate-Housewives-4x11
See main article: "Sunday"

Original air date: April 13, 2008

Written by: Alexandra Cunningham and Lori Kirkland Baker

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: Two weeks after the tornado, Mike is about to finish rehab. Gabrielle learns from Edie that Carlos's blindness is permanent. Susan's hunky young male cousin reveals more than expected. A surprise wedding ceremony has its share of secrets.

Recurring Guest Stars: Gary Cole (Wayne Davis), Jeff Doucette (Father Crowley), Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), Kathryn Joosten (Karen McCluskey), Dakin Matthews (Reverend Sikes)



In Buddy's Eyes[]

In Buddy's Eyes
See main article: "In Buddy's Eyes"

Original air date: April 20, 2008

Written by: Jeff Greenstein

Directed by: Larry Shaw

Plot Synopsis: Gabby struggles with the reality of having a blind husband, Lynette is surprised when someone from her past (Rick) shows up at Scavo pizzeria. Bree and Katherine join forces to plan the Founders Day Ball.

Recurring Guest Stars: Jason Gedrick (Rick Coletti)



Hello, Little Girl[]

Hello, Little Girl
See main article: "Hello, Little Girl"

Original air date: April 27, 2008

Written by: Susan Nirah Jaffee & Jamie Gorenberg

Directed by: Bethany Rooney

Plot Synopsis: Carlos is getting a seeing eye dog. Gabrielle wants to train the dog to find her keys and turn off the radio. Unhappy with the dog, she secretly returns it to the trainer. Rick's restaurant was set on fire while Lynette and Tom were at the Founders Ball. Tom was missing for part of the time, but Lynette tells the police she followed Tom to the car and saw him listening to a basketball game on the radio. This alibi is enough for the police, but perhaps not enough for Rick.

Recurring Guest Stars: Gary Cole (Wayne Davis), Jason Gedrick (Rick Coletti)



Opening Doors[]

Opening Doors
See main article: "Opening Doors"

Original air date: May 4, 2008

Written by: Dahvi Waller & Jordon Nardino

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: Gabrielle is surprised to find Ellie has a man in her bedroom. Lynette brings Kayla to a psychiatrist, but Lynette and Kayla settle the problem while they're in the waiting room. Susan visits Lamaze class with Julie, where she's surprised to see Karl with his very pregnant wife. Susan regrets coming in her old clothes. At the next class, Susan brings Mike and they both dress up. Karl masks a smile upon learning Mike has been free of drugs for over a month.

Recurring Guest Stars: Justine Bateman (Ellie Leonard), Richard Burgi (Karl Mayer), Gary Cole (Wayne Davis), Kathryn Joosten (Karen McCluskey), Kevin Rahm (Lee McDermott), Tuc Watkins (Bob Hunter)



Mother Said[]

Mother Said
See main article: "Mother Said"

Original air date: May 11, 2008

Written by: Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano

Directed by: David Warren

Plot Synopsis: Adele Delfino, Susan's mother-in-law, arrives for a visit. Carlos and Gabrielle find out their tenant, Ellie, has a dark secret. A full scale war erupts between Bree and Edie.

Recurring Guest Stars: Justine Bateman (Ellie Leonard), Gary Cole (Wayne Davis), Kathryn Joosten (Karen McCluskey)



The Gun Song[]

The Gun Song
See main article: "The Gun Song"

Original air date: May 18, 2008

Written by: Bob Daily and Matt Berry

Directed by: Bethany Rooney

Plot Synopsis: The ladies of Wisteria Lane meet Susan and Mike's new baby, and Susan tries to change the name from Maynard to Conner. Gaby forms a strong bond with their new tenant, Ellie, who happens to be a drug dealer. Lynette is accused of child abuse, since Kayla called and told a doctor.

Recurring Guest Stars: Justine Bateman (Ellie Leonard), Gary Cole (Wayne Davis), Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), Kevin Rahm (Lee McDermott), Tuc Watkins (Bob Hunter)



Free[]

HousewivesPoker
See main article: "Free"

Original air date: May 18, 2008

Written by: Jeff Greenstein

Directed by: David Grossman

Plot Synopsis: Several residents of Wisteria Lane are faced with deadly threats when Katherine's ex-husband wants to see his daughter again. Susan realizes she will soon lose her daughter when she goes off to college early, and Katherine Mayfair's secrets are finally revealed. In the closing moments of the season finale, the show flashed ahead five years, which brought many surprising changes in the lives of the Housewives.

Recurring Guest Stars: Daniella Baltodano (Celia Solis), Justine Bateman (Ellie Leonard), Gary Cole (Wayne Davis), Nathan Fillion (Adam Mayfair), Kathryn Joosten (Karen McCluskey), Kevin Rahm (Lee McDermott), Tuc Watkins (Bob Hunter)



Notes[]

  • The characters of Susan Delfino, Lynette Scavo, Bree Hodge, Gabrielle Solis, Carlos Solis, Tom Scavo and Orson Hodge are the only ones to be physically seen in every single episode of the season. In addition to them, Mary Alice Young provides voice-overs for all 17 episodes, and is physically seen in 2 of them.
  • In the fourth season, Austin and Danielle were supposed to return to Wisteria Lane to take away their illegitimate son, Benjamin from Bree and her then-husband, Orson. However this idea was scrapped out because of the writer’s revolt and the decline in the number of episodes of that season. Austin, hence, never made a comeback.
  • This is the only season to feature the characters of Dylan Mayfair and Kayla Scavo as series regulars. It is also the last season to feature Danielle Van de Kamp as a regular.
  • This season is the shortest of all seasons, with only 17 episodes. All other seasons comprised 23-24 episodes. The shortening of season 4 came as a result of the Writers Guild of America strike of 2007-08.
  • Originally, Danielle and Austin were meant to return to take Benjamin back, but this was scrapped due to the writers strike.
  • This is the last season to be sponsored by Sprite.

See Also[]

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