Not While I'm Around
Encyclopedia
"Not While I'm Around" is the 59th episode of the ABC
television series, Desperate Housewives
. It was also the twelfth episode of the show's third season. The episode was written by Kevin Murphy
and Kevin Etten
and directed by David Grossman
. It aired on January 14, 2007. Due to time constraints, the opening credits were cut.
, as he knows that she will have something to complain about. Lynette is deeply offended, and they have an argument which results in Tom banning Lynette from the grand opening. Lynette sneaks into his pizzeria while he isn't there, and is very impressed. Andrew, who has been hired as a waiter, tells Lynette that they aren't getting a liquor license
because some of the neighbors will not sign off on it. After getting every other neighbor's signature (off-screen), Lynette tries Harry Gaunt, who won't sign off on it. Lynette tries to convince him to change his mind, but he is insistent. When Lynette learns that Harry likes breasts, she tells him that if he signs off on the liquor license, she'll show him her breasts. He signs, and Lynette shows him her breasts. When Tom learns that Lynette got the license, he is upset because he, wanting to be a "man", wanted to get the license himself. Lynette tells him that she won't do everything for him anymore, but she will help him with his challenges.
After coming home from a date with several men, Gabrielle is shocked to find a woman she doesn't know standing in her living room—only it's not a woman, it's a mannequin
. And on the mannequin is a purple dress—another gift from her secret admirer. Gabrielle fears that the gift sender may be a stalker
, not a secret admirer. Gabrielle is afraid and has Carlos spend the night with her. In the middle of the night, Carlos and Gabrielle catch the man who has been sending her gifts. It's a man named Nicky, but he's not her secret admirer—he is the middle man delivering gifts by demands of his boss, who is the secret admirer. Nicky calls the secret admirer, and the secret admirer asks to speak with Gabrielle. Gabrielle grabs the phone, and the secret admirer asks to go out to lunch. Gabrielle says yes, despite Carlos's objections. Gabrielle waits for him at lunch, and runs into Zach. Gabrielle is shocked to learn that Zach is the secret admirer. Gabrielle is freaked out. Zach tries to reaussure Gabrielle by telling him he is two months older than John Rowland, Gabrielle's teenage gardener and ex-lover. Gabrielle kissed Zach on the forehead and Zach takes advantage of this. He kisses Gabrielle and tells her that he is not giving up. A shocked Gabrielle storms out of the restaurant.
Mike is attacked in prison
. Paul rescues him and later pays the attacker, who he has hired to attack Mike. Mike thanks Paul, as he doesn't remember him at all. One of the officers tells Mike to watch his back, as he saw Paul pay the attacker.
Susan overhears a conversation between Austin and Julie—Julie, fearing she may get pregnant
, wants to start taking birth control pills and Austin wants to start using condom
s. Susan confronts Julie, who assures Susan that she and Austin are not having sex
. Edie tells Austin and Julie that Austin should use condoms, but Julie objects, as she has learned in health class that condoms only work 85% of the time (this is factually inaccurate - see Condoms). Edie agrees, and tells Julie that she should go on the pill. Susan enlists Gabrielle's help to search Julie's bedroom for any evidence that she's sleeping with Austin. Susan is shocked when she finds birth control pills hidden in the VCR in Julie's bedroom. Susan calls the doctor
who prescribed the pill and confronts him. The doctor insists that she was there with Julie. Susan asks what she looked like, and the doctor said that she had blonde hair – the doctor, of course, was thinking of Edie. Susan confronts Edie, who insists to Susan that sex is okay as long as you use protection. Susan and Edie take their argument into Edie's living room, and find Austin and Danielle having sex on the couch. Susan confronts Julie about the pills, but in a gentle matter and also tells her about Austin and Danielle, and Julie is devastated.
Alma moves into the Applewhites' old house, and Orson and Bree are less than thrilled. Orson goes over there to confront her, and Alma warns him that if he ruins her life on Wisteria Lane, she will tell everyone what he "did" to Monique. Alma is still devastated that Orson doesn't love her. She gives him a kiss on the cheek, which Bree sees. She confronts Orson about it, and he assures her that there's nothing going on between him and Alma, but Alma tells her otherwise. Alma has gotten a new parrot
, and she names it Baby, just like her first parrot. Just like the first Baby, it repeats everything Alma says. When Baby says "Don't tell Bree" Bree is so shocked she drops a glass of lemonade. Whilst reaching into the pantry for a dustpan to clean the broken glass, Bree unintentionally uncovers a loose floorboard, under which is a picture of Orson and Monique, along with a bag containing Monique's teeth.
), and Parker Scavo (Zane Huett
) do not appear in this episode. Mary Alice (Brenda Strong
) was due to make an appearance in the form of a flashback in this episode, but due to time constraints, her scenes with Gabrielle (Eva Longoria
) were cut.
makes an appearance as Zach.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
television series, Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
. It was also the twelfth episode of the show's third season. The episode was written by Kevin Murphy
Kevin Murphy (screenwriter)
Kevin Murphy is an American screenwriter, television producer, lyricist and composer. He wrote the book and lyrics of the musical Reefer Madness, as well as its television adaptation...
and Kevin Etten
Kevin Etten
Kevin Etten is an American screenwriter and television producer.Beginning as a writer for The Late Show with David Letterman, Etten has since been a part of the crews of the dramedies Ed and Desperate Housewives, the latter for which he also served as a producer.In 2011, Etten began as executive...
and directed by David Grossman
David Grossman (director)
David Grossman is an American film and television director known most notably for his work on the ABC series, Desperate Housewives which he also serves as co-executive producer, his first series as a producer....
. It aired on January 14, 2007. Due to time constraints, the opening credits were cut.
Plot
Tom tells Lynette that he doesn't want her seeing his pizzeria until the grand openingGrand opening
Grand opening is a term used when a business, public office, or private association wishes to announce the official opening of a new location. This differs from just opening the doors on the first day, in that a grand opening is more of a celebration event, not just the first day having the doors...
, as he knows that she will have something to complain about. Lynette is deeply offended, and they have an argument which results in Tom banning Lynette from the grand opening. Lynette sneaks into his pizzeria while he isn't there, and is very impressed. Andrew, who has been hired as a waiter, tells Lynette that they aren't getting a liquor license
Liquor license
-Alberta:In Alberta, liquor licences are issued by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.-United Kingdom:Throughout the United Kingdom, the sale of alcohol is restricted—pubs, restaurants, shops and other premises must be licensed by the local authority. The individual responsible for the...
because some of the neighbors will not sign off on it. After getting every other neighbor's signature (off-screen), Lynette tries Harry Gaunt, who won't sign off on it. Lynette tries to convince him to change his mind, but he is insistent. When Lynette learns that Harry likes breasts, she tells him that if he signs off on the liquor license, she'll show him her breasts. He signs, and Lynette shows him her breasts. When Tom learns that Lynette got the license, he is upset because he, wanting to be a "man", wanted to get the license himself. Lynette tells him that she won't do everything for him anymore, but she will help him with his challenges.
After coming home from a date with several men, Gabrielle is shocked to find a woman she doesn't know standing in her living room—only it's not a woman, it's a mannequin
Mannequin
A mannequin is an often articulated doll used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, and others especially to display or fit clothing...
. And on the mannequin is a purple dress—another gift from her secret admirer. Gabrielle fears that the gift sender may be a stalker
Stalking
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
, not a secret admirer. Gabrielle is afraid and has Carlos spend the night with her. In the middle of the night, Carlos and Gabrielle catch the man who has been sending her gifts. It's a man named Nicky, but he's not her secret admirer—he is the middle man delivering gifts by demands of his boss, who is the secret admirer. Nicky calls the secret admirer, and the secret admirer asks to speak with Gabrielle. Gabrielle grabs the phone, and the secret admirer asks to go out to lunch. Gabrielle says yes, despite Carlos's objections. Gabrielle waits for him at lunch, and runs into Zach. Gabrielle is shocked to learn that Zach is the secret admirer. Gabrielle is freaked out. Zach tries to reaussure Gabrielle by telling him he is two months older than John Rowland, Gabrielle's teenage gardener and ex-lover. Gabrielle kissed Zach on the forehead and Zach takes advantage of this. He kisses Gabrielle and tells her that he is not giving up. A shocked Gabrielle storms out of the restaurant.
Mike is attacked in prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
. Paul rescues him and later pays the attacker, who he has hired to attack Mike. Mike thanks Paul, as he doesn't remember him at all. One of the officers tells Mike to watch his back, as he saw Paul pay the attacker.
Susan overhears a conversation between Austin and Julie—Julie, fearing she may get pregnant
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
, wants to start taking birth control pills and Austin wants to start using condom
Condom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
s. Susan confronts Julie, who assures Susan that she and Austin are not having sex
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
. Edie tells Austin and Julie that Austin should use condoms, but Julie objects, as she has learned in health class that condoms only work 85% of the time (this is factually inaccurate - see Condoms). Edie agrees, and tells Julie that she should go on the pill. Susan enlists Gabrielle's help to search Julie's bedroom for any evidence that she's sleeping with Austin. Susan is shocked when she finds birth control pills hidden in the VCR in Julie's bedroom. Susan calls the doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
who prescribed the pill and confronts him. The doctor insists that she was there with Julie. Susan asks what she looked like, and the doctor said that she had blonde hair – the doctor, of course, was thinking of Edie. Susan confronts Edie, who insists to Susan that sex is okay as long as you use protection. Susan and Edie take their argument into Edie's living room, and find Austin and Danielle having sex on the couch. Susan confronts Julie about the pills, but in a gentle matter and also tells her about Austin and Danielle, and Julie is devastated.
Alma moves into the Applewhites' old house, and Orson and Bree are less than thrilled. Orson goes over there to confront her, and Alma warns him that if he ruins her life on Wisteria Lane, she will tell everyone what he "did" to Monique. Alma is still devastated that Orson doesn't love her. She gives him a kiss on the cheek, which Bree sees. She confronts Orson about it, and he assures her that there's nothing going on between him and Alma, but Alma tells her otherwise. Alma has gotten a new parrot
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
, and she names it Baby, just like her first parrot. Just like the first Baby, it repeats everything Alma says. When Baby says "Don't tell Bree" Bree is so shocked she drops a glass of lemonade. Whilst reaching into the pantry for a dustpan to clean the broken glass, Bree unintentionally uncovers a loose floorboard, under which is a picture of Orson and Monique, along with a bag containing Monique's teeth.
Cast
Although credited, Preston Scavo (Brent Kinsman), Porter Scavo (Shane KinsmanShane Kinsman
Shane Kinsman is an American child actor who typically plays a rambunctious twin alongside his identical twin brother Brent. He played Kyle Baker in the 2003 film Cheaper by the Dozen and its 2005 sequel Cheaper by the Dozen 2...
), and Parker Scavo (Zane Huett
Zane Huett
Zane Alexander Huett is an American child actor.Zane is most famous for his featured role on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives playing the role of Parker Scavo, the younger son of Lynette and Tom Scavo. He plays the youngest Scavo boy, yet is older by six months than the actors Brent...
) do not appear in this episode. Mary Alice (Brenda Strong
Brenda Strong
Brenda Lee Strong is an American actress and yoga instructor, known for her roles as as Capt. Deladier in the 1997 hit movie Starship Troopers and Mary Alice Young on the television show Desperate Housewives....
) was due to make an appearance in the form of a flashback in this episode, but due to time constraints, her scenes with Gabrielle (Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria
Eva Jacqueline Longoria is an American actress, best known for portraying Gabrielle Solis on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives...
) were cut.
Series continuity
This is the first time in season three that Cody KaschCody Kasch
-Early life:Kasch was born of Scottish heritage in Santa Monica, California and raised in Ojai, California on a working ranch until he was nearly fourteen, when he moved to Camarillo, California.-Movie career:...
makes an appearance as Zach.
Title reference
- The episode title, Not While I'm Around is a song taken from the Stephen SondheimStephen SondheimStephen Joshua Sondheim is an American composer and lyricist for stage and film. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award...
musical, Sweeney ToddSweeney Todd (musical)Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a 1979 musical thriller with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and libretto by Hugh Wheeler. The musical is based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond....
.
International titles
- French: Un sentiment de sécurité (A feeling of security)
- French (Canada): Se sentir en sécurité (To Feel Safe)
- German: Geheime Liebschaften (Secret Affairs)
- Hebrew: על גופתי המתה (Al Gufati HaMeta; Over My Dead Body)
- Hungarian: Csak a testemen keresztül (Over My Dead Body)
- Italian: Non finché ci sono io (Not As Long As I Am Here)
- Spanish: No Mientas,Yo Sigo Aquí (Don't Lie I'm Still Here)
Awards Notes
- Richard HerdRichard HerdRichard Herd, Jr. is an American actor in television and film. He is well known in the science fiction community for his role in the 1983 NBC miniseries V and the 1984 sequel V: The Final Battle, as John, the Visitors' Supreme Commander...
submitted this episode for consideration in the category of "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy SeriesPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor - Comedy SeriesThis is a list of winners of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.-1980s:Outstanding Guest Performer In A Comedy Series*1986: Roscoe Lee Browne – The Cosby Show as Dr...
" on his behalf for the 2007 Emmy Awards59th Primetime Emmy AwardsThe 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on September 16, 2007 and were televised live on Fox at 8:00 p.m. EDT for the first time in high definition...
.