Remember (Desperate Housewives episode)
Encyclopedia
"Remember" is composed of two episodes (46th and 47th) and is the two-hour season finale of the second season of the ABC
television series, Desperate Housewives
. The episode was written by Marc Cherry
and Jenna Bans
with a story by Tom Spezialy
and Alexandra Cunningham
and was directed by Larry Shaw
. It originally aired on Sunday, May 21, 2006.
and Caleb prepare for their departure from Wisteria Lane in the middle of the night. As they pack, Betty remembers the prior year when Caleb murdered Melanie Foster. Matthew broke up with Melanie. In a desperate bid to win him back, Melanie told him to meet her at the lumberyard later and she would say goodbye as only a bad girl could. Since Matthew didn't want her, Caleb decided to go there, and much to Melanie's chagrin, told her he would be her boyfriend and attempted to kiss her. Melanie then repeatedly struck him with a two-by-four while insulting him. Caleb grabbed the two-by-four from her and struck her back, knocking her to the ground with a bloody head wound and apparently dead. Horrified, he ran home to his mother. In the present, as Betty and Caleb leave their house, the police surround them and they are placed into police cars as the entire neighborhood watches.
Meanwhile, Bree
begins her stay at the psychiatric hospital where she meets up with Susan
's new friend, Orson Hodge, who is visiting a sick friend. Bree is embarrassed and says she is not like the other people there which Orson accepts graciously. Orson then proceeds to talk to his friend who stares out a window. During a therapy session, the doctor finds Bree troubled but has problems to relate to her since Bree will not explain her reasons for admitting herself. Bree receives a phone call from Betty who tells her that she believes Matthew, not Caleb, killed Melanie, and that Bree's daughter, Danielle, is in danger. When Bree attempts to leave she is put into restraints and is forced to remain in bed. During another session, she throws the contents of a miniature Zen sand garden at the doctor and makes a run for the door. Bree is seen by Orson who looks on without intervening.
Gabrielle
plans golf lessons for Carlos
and herself but is upset to learn that Carlos must complete his community service. While taking a break at hole 9, Gabrielle visits the bar and is shocked to learn that Carlos has died after being run over by a car. Gabrielle then returns home and tells a confused Xiao-Mei that Carlos "is dead". Xiao-Mei begs Gabrielle not to kill him, and a confused Gabrielle states he is already dead. Xiao-Mei says Carlos was in the kitchen, and so Gabrielle goes inside, finds Carlos in the kitchen and demands an explanation. Carlos then tells Gabrielle he paid Ralph, the gardener, to be in his place. Gabrielle is relieved but puzzled by the way Xiao-Mei acted outside and the way Carlos is acting inside. She points out to Carlos that the police have his name as the man who was killed doing community service. Convinced Carlos is having an affair, Gabrielle places baby monitors in suspected places. While visiting Lynette
, Penny's baby monitor acquires a frequency coming from the Solis' home which broadcasts Carlos and Xiao-Mei getting it on. Gabrielle rushes over where she sees Carlos and Xiao-Mei making love. Gabrielle then throws Carlos' clothes out the window and recommends he find himself a new living arrangement. When he points out that she told him to have an affair, she retorts, "Yeah, but not with my baby's mother". When Xiao-Mei asks if she can leave, Gabrielle says that she cannot leave until she gives birth to her (Gabrielle's) baby. Xiao-Mei then vents angrily in Chinese and Gabrielle tells her that if she does not comply she will make it the "worst nine months of her life".
Zach Young visits Paul
in jail and is bullied by him to go to his grandfather Noah for money, ostensibly for a car but really for a lawyer for Paul. Zach does not want to do this because he dislikes his grandfather and thinks he's creepy, but does when Paul brings up his deceased mother. Zach fails in his attempt when Noah quickly realizes the money is not for him but for Paul. When Zach becomes distraught, Noah mocks Zach for being weak and tells him he is disinheriting him as he can't abide weakness. Zach then pulls the plug on Noah's ventilator and sits down to watch him die. All of Noah's assets quickly go to Zach who is the heir apparent. When Paul calls and asks about the money, Zach says Noah would not give it to him. Paul becomes verbally abusive and demands that Zach come visit him. Zach says he is busy and hangs up. Zach then hands his phone to his new retainer and tells the man to get him a new phone with a new phone number.
Lynette checks into a motel with the children but they soon become impatient that their father never arrives. Porter becomes truculent when Lynette tells him he cannot go in the pool again. As he defiantly evades Lynette, he stradles the balcony's railing and falls over the side. Porter is then rushed to the hospital where Tom meets them. Lynette informs Tom that Porter only has an arm injury. Tom then asks Lynette why she left and apologizes for his actions. Tom then reveals to Lynette that years prior before they met, Tom inadvertently impregnated a woman on a cruise and lost contact with her. The woman, Nora, has an 11-year-old daughter named Kayla who lives in Atlantic City. Lynette then shoves Tom into a row of chairs and agrees to meet the woman. Quickly, the two are at odds and have nothing in common. Nora then threatens to sue Tom for years of child support. Lynette and Tom quickly come up with a settlement, however, Nora is still not happy. Nora surprisingly announces that she has purchased a home in Fairview and will be moving in. Nora then tries to settle her animosity with Lynette who is still angry with her.
Susan moves into a motor home with Julie temporarily until she can get her home fixed. Karl soon learns that Susan is living in a trailer and attempts to help "his girls" by persuading Susan to move into something much more liveable. One morning, Karl breaks into the trailer and drives them to a house which Karl has purchased for them, which Susan, after waffling for a little, accepts. Mike
soon finds out and gets into a fight with Karl since Karl knew he planned to propose to Susan. When Susan appears to be more concerned with Karl than with him, he becomes upset with Susan that she would accept a house from Karl when she would not accept an offer to stay at his place. Susan decides not to move into the house after the news that Mike was going to propose. Instead, she invites him for a romantic dinner where she will propose. On his way to meet Susan, he is followed by Orson who purposefully runs over him after he stops to buy roses. He is left lying in the road, unconscious.
At the police station, Betty is shown a picture of Melanie's dead body. Betty quickly notices Matthew's jacket on her body and warns the police that the jacket belongs to her other son. A flashback then shows Matthew arriving to find Melanie alive and conscious. When Melanie vindictively tells Matthew that she will go to the police and have Caleb put away, Matthew picks up the two-by-four and finishes Melanie off. Later, Matthew and Danielle, in need of money, return to Wisteria Lane to rob Bree's safe. When Danielle learns that the combination has been changed, Matthew returns to his home for a sledge hammer. Matthew is soon confronted by Betty who knows that it was he killed Melanie, not Caleb. Matthew leaves and breaks into the safe while Betty calls the police. Bree soon catches both of them and warns Danielle that Matthew is a killer. Danielle just takes this as more of her mom's craziness. Matthew then puts Bree at gunpoint and threatens to kill her if she does not move. Bree comes closer and tells him that if that's what it takes to show her daughter what he is, then fine. Before Matthew pulls the trigger, he is shot by a police squad and killed. Matthew's body is then wheeled into an ambulance as the neighborhood watches. The following morning, Betty and Caleb leave Wisteria Lane for good. Bree is then visited by Orson who presents her with flowers and congratulates her on the escape. Pleased with his kind gestures, Bree invites Orson into her home. As the door closes behind them, the view turns toward the sky as ominous music begins to play.
The episode also flashes back to other pivotal moments in the lives of the wives prior to Mary Alice's suicide:
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...
. The episode was written by Marc Cherry
Marc Cherry
Marc Cherry is an American writer and producer, best known for creating the show Desperate Housewives.-Early life and career:...
and Jenna Bans
Jenna Bans
Jenna Bans is an American Writers Guild of America Award nominated screenwriter.Originally intended as a staff writer for Jerry Bruckheimer's cancelled action series Fearless, Bans became a part of the crew of Desperate Housewives in 2004...
with a story by Tom Spezialy
Tom Spezialy
Tom Spezialy is an American television producer, director and screen writer. In 2007, began serving as executive producer of Reaper.-Career:Spezialy began his career in 1989 writing for the CBS television series Doctor Doctor...
and Alexandra Cunningham
Alexandra Cunningham
Alexandra Cunningham is an American screenwriter and television producer, most known as a writer and producer for ABC Studios' dramedy Desperate Housewives, having written more episodes of the show than any other writer besides showrunner Marc Cherry....
and was directed by Larry Shaw
Larry Shaw (director)
Larry Shaw is an American film and television director.He is currently a regular director on the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives, where he also serves as a co-executive producer for the show...
. It originally aired on Sunday, May 21, 2006.
Plot
Betty ApplewhiteBetty Applewhite
Betty Applewhite is a fictional character on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character is portrayed by actress Alfre Woodard, and is the center of the mystery of the series' second season.-Season 1:...
and Caleb prepare for their departure from Wisteria Lane in the middle of the night. As they pack, Betty remembers the prior year when Caleb murdered Melanie Foster. Matthew broke up with Melanie. In a desperate bid to win him back, Melanie told him to meet her at the lumberyard later and she would say goodbye as only a bad girl could. Since Matthew didn't want her, Caleb decided to go there, and much to Melanie's chagrin, told her he would be her boyfriend and attempted to kiss her. Melanie then repeatedly struck him with a two-by-four while insulting him. Caleb grabbed the two-by-four from her and struck her back, knocking her to the ground with a bloody head wound and apparently dead. Horrified, he ran home to his mother. In the present, as Betty and Caleb leave their house, the police surround them and they are placed into police cars as the entire neighborhood watches.
Meanwhile, Bree
Bree Van De Kamp
Bree Van de Kamp is a fictional character on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives, played by Marcia Cross. Actress Marcia Cross was nominated from 2005 to 2007 for a Golden Globe Award in the category of Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy...
begins her stay at the psychiatric hospital where she meets up with Susan
Susan Mayer
Susan Delfino is a fictional character played by Teri Hatcher on the American Broadcasting Company television series Desperate Housewives. The character was created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry and first appeared in the pilot episode of the series on October 3, 2004...
's new friend, Orson Hodge, who is visiting a sick friend. Bree is embarrassed and says she is not like the other people there which Orson accepts graciously. Orson then proceeds to talk to his friend who stares out a window. During a therapy session, the doctor finds Bree troubled but has problems to relate to her since Bree will not explain her reasons for admitting herself. Bree receives a phone call from Betty who tells her that she believes Matthew, not Caleb, killed Melanie, and that Bree's daughter, Danielle, is in danger. When Bree attempts to leave she is put into restraints and is forced to remain in bed. During another session, she throws the contents of a miniature Zen sand garden at the doctor and makes a run for the door. Bree is seen by Orson who looks on without intervening.
Gabrielle
Gabrielle Solis
Gabrielle Solís is one of four main characters on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. She is portrayed by Eva Longoria...
plans golf lessons for Carlos
Carlos Solis
Carlos Solis is a fictional character on the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. The character is played by actor Ricardo Antonio Chavira.-Early life:Carlos was born in Guadalajara, Mexico to Juanita and Diego Solis...
and herself but is upset to learn that Carlos must complete his community service. While taking a break at hole 9, Gabrielle visits the bar and is shocked to learn that Carlos has died after being run over by a car. Gabrielle then returns home and tells a confused Xiao-Mei that Carlos "is dead". Xiao-Mei begs Gabrielle not to kill him, and a confused Gabrielle states he is already dead. Xiao-Mei says Carlos was in the kitchen, and so Gabrielle goes inside, finds Carlos in the kitchen and demands an explanation. Carlos then tells Gabrielle he paid Ralph, the gardener, to be in his place. Gabrielle is relieved but puzzled by the way Xiao-Mei acted outside and the way Carlos is acting inside. She points out to Carlos that the police have his name as the man who was killed doing community service. Convinced Carlos is having an affair, Gabrielle places baby monitors in suspected places. While visiting Lynette
Lynette Scavo
Lynette Scavo is a fictional character on the series Desperate Housewives. The character is playedby actress Felicity Huffman, who won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 2005, and was nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series...
, Penny's baby monitor acquires a frequency coming from the Solis' home which broadcasts Carlos and Xiao-Mei getting it on. Gabrielle rushes over where she sees Carlos and Xiao-Mei making love. Gabrielle then throws Carlos' clothes out the window and recommends he find himself a new living arrangement. When he points out that she told him to have an affair, she retorts, "Yeah, but not with my baby's mother". When Xiao-Mei asks if she can leave, Gabrielle says that she cannot leave until she gives birth to her (Gabrielle's) baby. Xiao-Mei then vents angrily in Chinese and Gabrielle tells her that if she does not comply she will make it the "worst nine months of her life".
Zach Young visits Paul
Paul Young (Desperate Housewives)
Paul Young is a fictional character on ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character is played by actor Mark Moses. He is the widower of Mary Alice Young, the show's narrator, as well as the widower of Beth Young....
in jail and is bullied by him to go to his grandfather Noah for money, ostensibly for a car but really for a lawyer for Paul. Zach does not want to do this because he dislikes his grandfather and thinks he's creepy, but does when Paul brings up his deceased mother. Zach fails in his attempt when Noah quickly realizes the money is not for him but for Paul. When Zach becomes distraught, Noah mocks Zach for being weak and tells him he is disinheriting him as he can't abide weakness. Zach then pulls the plug on Noah's ventilator and sits down to watch him die. All of Noah's assets quickly go to Zach who is the heir apparent. When Paul calls and asks about the money, Zach says Noah would not give it to him. Paul becomes verbally abusive and demands that Zach come visit him. Zach says he is busy and hangs up. Zach then hands his phone to his new retainer and tells the man to get him a new phone with a new phone number.
Lynette checks into a motel with the children but they soon become impatient that their father never arrives. Porter becomes truculent when Lynette tells him he cannot go in the pool again. As he defiantly evades Lynette, he stradles the balcony's railing and falls over the side. Porter is then rushed to the hospital where Tom meets them. Lynette informs Tom that Porter only has an arm injury. Tom then asks Lynette why she left and apologizes for his actions. Tom then reveals to Lynette that years prior before they met, Tom inadvertently impregnated a woman on a cruise and lost contact with her. The woman, Nora, has an 11-year-old daughter named Kayla who lives in Atlantic City. Lynette then shoves Tom into a row of chairs and agrees to meet the woman. Quickly, the two are at odds and have nothing in common. Nora then threatens to sue Tom for years of child support. Lynette and Tom quickly come up with a settlement, however, Nora is still not happy. Nora surprisingly announces that she has purchased a home in Fairview and will be moving in. Nora then tries to settle her animosity with Lynette who is still angry with her.
Susan moves into a motor home with Julie temporarily until she can get her home fixed. Karl soon learns that Susan is living in a trailer and attempts to help "his girls" by persuading Susan to move into something much more liveable. One morning, Karl breaks into the trailer and drives them to a house which Karl has purchased for them, which Susan, after waffling for a little, accepts. Mike
Mike Delfino
Michael "Mike" Delfino is the name of a fictional character on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character is played by actor James Denton.- Season 1 :...
soon finds out and gets into a fight with Karl since Karl knew he planned to propose to Susan. When Susan appears to be more concerned with Karl than with him, he becomes upset with Susan that she would accept a house from Karl when she would not accept an offer to stay at his place. Susan decides not to move into the house after the news that Mike was going to propose. Instead, she invites him for a romantic dinner where she will propose. On his way to meet Susan, he is followed by Orson who purposefully runs over him after he stops to buy roses. He is left lying in the road, unconscious.
At the police station, Betty is shown a picture of Melanie's dead body. Betty quickly notices Matthew's jacket on her body and warns the police that the jacket belongs to her other son. A flashback then shows Matthew arriving to find Melanie alive and conscious. When Melanie vindictively tells Matthew that she will go to the police and have Caleb put away, Matthew picks up the two-by-four and finishes Melanie off. Later, Matthew and Danielle, in need of money, return to Wisteria Lane to rob Bree's safe. When Danielle learns that the combination has been changed, Matthew returns to his home for a sledge hammer. Matthew is soon confronted by Betty who knows that it was he killed Melanie, not Caleb. Matthew leaves and breaks into the safe while Betty calls the police. Bree soon catches both of them and warns Danielle that Matthew is a killer. Danielle just takes this as more of her mom's craziness. Matthew then puts Bree at gunpoint and threatens to kill her if she does not move. Bree comes closer and tells him that if that's what it takes to show her daughter what he is, then fine. Before Matthew pulls the trigger, he is shot by a police squad and killed. Matthew's body is then wheeled into an ambulance as the neighborhood watches. The following morning, Betty and Caleb leave Wisteria Lane for good. Bree is then visited by Orson who presents her with flowers and congratulates her on the escape. Pleased with his kind gestures, Bree invites Orson into her home. As the door closes behind them, the view turns toward the sky as ominous music begins to play.
Flashbacks
The episode also features several flashbacks to the women on the day they moved to the neighborhood. They include:- 1990: Mary Alice and husband Paul (formerly Angela and Todd Forrest) move to Wisteria Lane with baby Zach. (as revealed in "One Wonderful Day")
- 1992: Susan Mayer and her husband Karl along with 2 year-old Julie move to Wisteria Lane. While taking boxes out of the truck, she locks herself in as baby Julie watches from her stroller. Susan then tries to yell for help and meets Mary Alice Young who invites her in for coffee.
- 1994: Bree Van de Kamp and her husband Rex move in with children Andrew (6) and Danielle (5). Bree then introduces herself to Mary Alice and forces her son Andrew to apologize when he stole a garden frog statue.
- 1998: A pregnant Lynette Scavo and husband Tom quarrel while bringing baby items into their home. When the other ladies introduce themselves, they quickly become friends with Lynette since they fear her as an enemy.
- 2003: Newlyweds Gabrielle and Carlos Solis move in. They are then greeted by the other wives while Gabrielle unpacks in her underwear. The situation becomes awkward when Carlos recommends he and Gabrielle have sex in the kitchen.
The episode also flashes back to other pivotal moments in the lives of the wives prior to Mary Alice's suicide:
- 2001: Rex has his prescriptions filled by his pharmacist (and future murderer) George Williams. Bree compliments George for having a solid upbringing as she argues with Rex about Danielle's hair color.
- 2004: Penny Scavo, Tom and Lynette's fourth child, is born.
- 2004: Gabrielle successfully seduces John Rowland, her gardener after being angered at Carlos's continued absences.
- 2005: Betty Applewhite prepares to flee from Chicago after discovering that Caleb supposedly murdered Melanie Foster; Matthew murders Melanie.
Title reference
- The episode title Remember is the title of a song sung by the quintet in 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, A Little Night MusicA Little Night MusicA Little Night Music is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. Inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, it involves the romantic lives of several couples. Its title is a literal English translation of the German name for Mozart's Serenade...
.
International titles
- French: Rebondissements à Wisteria Lane [1 & 2/2] (Reboundings in Wisteria Lane [1 & 2/2])
- German: Erinnerungen (Memories)
- Italian: Ricordare (Remember)
- Hungarian: Emlékezz! (Remember)
- Polish: Pamięć (Memory)