Me and My Town

"Me and My Town" is the 96th episode of the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. It is the ninth episode of the show's fifth season and aired on November 30 2008.

Guest Starring

Roy Werner (Dr. Sage)
Bob Ross (Doctor)
Annalise Basso (Denise)
Gail O'Grady (Anne Schilling)
David M. Fabrizio (Detective Collins)

Plot

For Gaby and Carlos, injuries sustained in the fire lead to a fortunate discovery. But for most, the consequences are less forgiving. Lynette and Tom vow to protect their son, Porter, at any cost. Susan must learn to let go of the man she loves. Orson's attempt at a good night's sleep puts Bree in a most precarious, though amusing, position on the day of her big cooking demonstration.

Mary Alice tells us that something awful has happened to Gaby Solis- she's lost her looks- and she's reminded of it all the time: looking in the mirror, seeing old photos, and walking past an unnoticing man. She goes to the hospital to visit Carlos and tries to look on the bright side wondering how pretty she needs to be for a blind man. Carlos is getting a clean bill of health from the doctor after the fire. Turns out that there's a bone fragment impinging on his optic nerve. If they remove it, it could restore his vision. Surgery could happen in as soon as a month. Carlos and Gaby are thrilled, but Gaby is also nervous about how she will look when Carlos can see.

We see a newspaper headline about the fire sitting on a table in the waiting room at the hospital where, Mary Alice tells us, the injured have come to recover. (Also the paper says six people died and dozens more were injured.)

In the ICU we see burnt victims and broken bone victims. Mary Alice tells us that everyone is recovering except the man who started the fire, as we see Dave walking the halls. Apparently, his problems are just starting. A couple of cops stop him to ask a few questions about the fire. They ask him about being onstage when the fire started. The cops say they know it was arson and that the body in the storage room is as yet unidentifiable. One cop asks him about going back to save Mike. They tell him he's a hero and he should be proud of himself. He answers "if you say so."

Katherine brought Mike cookies. He also wants a kiss. She's worried someone will see them. He realizes she hasn't told Susan yet. She says she's looking for the right time. He says okay.

She walks out and runs into Susan, who says Jackson is just getting a few stitches and wonders who Katherine is visiting. She says everyone, since it affected the whole neighborhood. Susan goes into Mike's room and wonders where the cookies came from. He says a friend. She eats one and spits it out since it has macadamia nuts in it. She asks again who made them. He's evasive. She wonders if it's a "woman" friend. She gets all interested. She says she cares because it makes her happy when people find love and wants to know who she's happy for. Mike won't tell her since "she" wants to tell you herself. Susan figures out she knows her and gets snippy and says she has to know. He won't tell.

Bree is chatting with the doctor who says Orson should be released today. She goes in and he's sleeping and snoring. He's snoring more "robustly" now since the injury to his septum from the fire and Bree is aghast. The doctor says a simple surgical procedure, which can happen in a few weeks, will take care of it.

Dave goes to visit Mike. Mike wants to thank him for saving his life. Dave said everyone did what they had to do, just like Mike going back in after Jackson. But since he passed out he's an idiot and Dave's a hero, so he thanks him again and offers him free plumbing for the rest of his life. Mike wants Dave to let him do something to thank him. Dave says since his brother died he's been down one really good friend. Could Mike handle that? Mike says he can.

Another doctor is telling Tom his stitches should be out in a few days. Lynette is with him. The cops come in to ask a few more questions, specifically regarding the fight between the club owner Schilling and Porter. Did Porter threaten to kill him? Lynette says no. They wonder if she's sure. She says absolutely. They seem skeptical, but leave. Tom says he gets the feeling she was lying. Lynette says nothing. Tom gets mad.

Gaby is crying on the porch to Susan, who thinks Gaby should be thrilled not sad. Gaby says since he's been such a champion for five years Carlos deserves to open his eyes to a wife who doesn't tuck her boobs into her pants. Susan says most women would kill to look like her. Edie runs up excited about the news about Carlos. She admits her first thought was worrying about Gaby's looks too. Edie tells her to stop whining, she's got a month to diet and exercise. Susan agrees.

In the Scavo house Lynette admits to Tom that Porter threatened Schilling. He refuses to believe Porter would resort to arson. Lynette reminds him about Rick's restaurant. Tom says that was five years ago and no one got hurt. Lynette says "yes that time the building was empty." Tom wonders if she's telling him that Porter is a murderer. She says she heard him threaten Schilling and doesn't know what happened next. Tom worries someone saw him or he left behind evidence. Lynette says they will protect their son. Even if he killed six people asks Tom? "We're going to protect our son," repeats Lynette.

Gaby, in her new quest for health food, is getting pushback from the girls on fish and broccoli. She then tries it, and also finds it distasteful. Juanita whines for macaroni. Gaby admits she's trying to lose weight and she needs their help. They decline to help. She blames them for making her fat, supposedly humorously but kind of really mean. They eat the fish.

Dave is watching news about the fire. The death toll has risen to 7. Edie is worried that Dave is obsessed with the fire and is not okay. He does seem to be freaking out. Edie says she heard the police are looking at Porter Scavo. Dave wonders why. Edie explains about the fight and says she's always thought Porter was trouble and she's a really good judge of character.

In the Van de Kamp-Hodge house Bree is folding linens from her sleep on the couch. She informs Orson about his new snoring problem. She tells him about the "routine" surgical procedure. He says no way, he had a friend who died during a "routine" procedure. She says it's absolutely necessary, she's under a lot of stress with the launch of her book. She points out not sharing a bed will affect the intimacy of their marriage. He points out that his death will have the same effect.

Lynette visits Anne Schilling at the hospital. Anne's not going home. Lynette tells her that her husband is blaming Porter. Anne says Porter would never do something like that. Lynette hands Anne a big wad of cash in an envelope, to go away. Anne wonders what happens if she's not ready to leave. Lynette says she can then face statutory rape charges without it. Anne goes to count it and Lynette snatches it back saying she'll drop her off at the bus station later tonight and Anne can count it then. Anne smiles.

Susan goes to Katherine for a little girlfriend time. Susan explains she's upset that a friend of hers is dating Mike. Katherine, who is baking cookies with macadamia nuts, is about to spill when Susan surmises it's Lisa Wallace. Katherine acts shocked and outraged. Katherine says in Lisa's defense maybe she thinks Susan is over Mike, since she's said that. Susan says it doesn't matter, Lisa should've come to her and discussed it first. Katherine says Susan's not always available and maybe Lisa wanted to see where it's going first. Susan, who is now poised to eat a cookie, says that's stuff they can discuss while she's knocking her teeth out with a pool cue. Susan says it's sad when you can't trust a friend, or maybe she wasn't a friend to begin with. She eats the cookie, spits out the nut and stalks out. Katherine charges after her and apologizes and says she should've listened to Bree. Susan, trying to avoid the issue, stalks off to Bree's house.

Bree, looking haggard from her lack of sleep, says she didn't think it was her place to tell Susan and that Katherine should tell her. Susan says that's not good enough and not telling is the same thing as lying to her face. She says she thought she could at least trust Bree for honesty. So Bree brings the honesty saying that Susan isn't really mad at her, Katherine, or Mike. She's mad at herself for letting her marriage fall apart during a rough patch, since she obviously still loves Mike. That stings but hits home. Susan wonders what she's supposed to do. Bree says tell Mike how she feels or move on, because that's what Mike is trying to do and it's not fair to try and stop him.

In his hospital bed Carlos says he knows the doctor said not to get their hopes up. But his hopes are up. He's says he can tell Gaby, who's doing tricep dips on a chair in his room, is excited too from her huffing and puffing. The doctor enters with the good news that the surgeon had a cancellation and they can fit Carlos in this Friday. Carlos is psyched. Gaby? Not so much. Gaby tries to convince Carlos that Friday surgery can be dangerous since surgeons are thinking about weekend plans and that it's expensive. The doctor says there's a foundation to help people in this situation. Carlos says they have insurance and puts his foot down. Gaby returns to her dips.

Orson comes into the bedroom begging Bree to let him sleep in his bed. She says no. He promises not to snore. How? Chamomile tea is supposed to help prevent it. She says okay. He makes two cups and puts sleeping pills in Bree's. He brings her the tea and then she spills that she already took a sleeping pill. He grabs the tea back from her. She goes to sleep.

Lynette drops off Anne at the bus station. Anne asks Lynette to tell Porter that she does love him. She knows Lynette doesn't want to hear this but says Porter was very sweet to her and kindness has always been a weakness of hers. Lynette hands her the money with a curt "good luck." As Anne gets out Lynette tells her to not contact Porter when the baby comes but herself or Tom and they will do what they can from a distance. Anne admits there's no baby and there never was one and waves the wad of cash at Lynette in farewell.

The next morning Orson intercepts a call from Andrew at the department store, where Bree was supposed to be ten minutes previously for the cooking demonstration. As she and Orson rush about she drinks the tea that was still on her bedside table. Cut to Bree wobbling to the dept. store demo with Orson with a coffee at the ready. The triple espresso is not working. She's totally loopy and calls him Rex. She walks up to the demo kitchen to applause and thanks the host for having her to her lovely home. Bree explains about her book goofily and says it's all about mothers cooking with daughters except her daughter isn't here since she grew up and stole her baby. Orson winces but lets it continue.

Susan calls Katherine and gives her the okay to date Mike. Katherine is surprised and grateful that she hasn't lost her friend. Susan tells her to treat him well. Katherine invites her over for a capuccino. Susan declines.

Porter is leaving a message for someone, presumably Anne. Lynette enters and tells him they need to talk. She asks him if he burned down the club. She says before he answers, if he did and he admits it she and Tom will stand behind him. But if he lies and she finds out he lied she'll still love him but she won't believe in him. She gets choked up saying they have to tell each other the truth from here on out. He says he didn't do it. She hugs him and says of course he didn't and that everything is going to be okay, as long as HE keeps telling the truth. He says there is one thing he lied about. He says when she walked in he was leaving a message for Anne and does she have any idea where she is. Without a beat, she says "no, sweetie I don't."

Carlos is talking about being excited about seeing Christmas lights. Gaby moans as she gets into bed and explains it's her hamstring from working out. She tells him to be prepared about her looks. He says he's told her he will always think she's beautiful. That was when he thought he was going to be blind forever she points out. He rubs her hamstring and talks about the moment that he knew he would be with her forever: when she ordered up and plowed into a huge plate of ribs on an early date. He recalls she pulled out a mirror and when she saw herself covered in BBQ sauce she let out a huge, unrestrained laugh and he thought that was a sound he wanted to hear for the rest of his life. He says it had nothing to do with her looks. It's very sweet. She admits that she decided she wanted to be with him forever about two seconds ago.

In the doctor's office Bree says Orson has agreed to the surgery. The doctor gives them an appointment in two weeks. The doctor senses Orson is apprehensive. Bree says he's terrified but she doesn't care, since he owes her one. The doctor wonders what's going on. Bree asks if he's married. The doctor says he isn't but just moved in with someone. Bree explains about the balance of power in a marriage. The doctor says he doesn't understand. Bree says he will. The doctor calls his live in lover and makes them promise that they won't grow into one of those couples that makes each other crazy. His lover replies that Dr. Kaminus already makes him crazy. The lover? Andrew, who's lying on their newly communal bed.

At the hospital we wend through the hallways as Mary Alice tells us about all sorts of people trying to recover as we see: Orson at the elevator with Bree (a husband licking his wounds after a marital battle); Tom, Lynette, and Porter (two parents rallying from an attack of doubt); Gaby with Carlos getting his eyes looked at (a wife cured of low self-esteem); Katherine and Mike walking with their arms around each other as Edie gapes (a couple who've decided honesty is the best medicine). You will also find poor souls afflicted from a condition they will never recover from says Mary Alice as Dave walks up to the cops and explains he remembered seeing Porter coming out from back near the storage room on the night of the fire.

Notes

Although credited, Preston Scavo (Max Carver), Parker Scavo (Joshua Logan Moore) and Penny Scavo (Kendall Applegate) do not appear in this epispde.
Due to Gale Harold's motorcycle accident, and his lack of relevance to Susan's storyline for the episode, his character Jackson was conveniently written out of the episode