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Desperate Housewives
S5.E13
All episodesAll
  • Cast & crew
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IMDbPro

The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened

  • Episode aired Jan 18, 2009
  • TV-PG
  • 43m
IMDb RATING
9.3/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
Beau Bridges in Desperate Housewives (2004)
ComedyDramaMysteryRomance

Local handyman Eli Scruggs dies from a heart attack on his last day of work and the housewives remember moments when he affected their lives.Local handyman Eli Scruggs dies from a heart attack on his last day of work and the housewives remember moments when he affected their lives.Local handyman Eli Scruggs dies from a heart attack on his last day of work and the housewives remember moments when he affected their lives.

  • Director
    • Larry Shaw
  • Writers
    • Marc Cherry
    • Bob Daily
    • Jordon Nardino
  • Stars
    • Teri Hatcher
    • Felicity Huffman
    • Marcia Cross
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    9.3/10
    1.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Larry Shaw
    • Writers
      • Marc Cherry
      • Bob Daily
      • Jordon Nardino
    • Stars
      • Teri Hatcher
      • Felicity Huffman
      • Marcia Cross
    • 16User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top Cast24

    Edit
    Teri Hatcher
    Teri Hatcher
    • Susan Mayer
    Felicity Huffman
    Felicity Huffman
    • Lynette Scavo
    Marcia Cross
    Marcia Cross
    • Bree Hodge
    Eva Longoria
    Eva Longoria
    • Gabrielle Solis
    • (as Eva Longoria Parker)
    Nicollette Sheridan
    Nicollette Sheridan
    • Edie Britt
    Ricardo Chavira
    Ricardo Chavira
    • Carlos Solis
    • (as Ricardo Antonio Chavira)
    Doug Savant
    Doug Savant
    • Tom Scavo
    Kyle MacLachlan
    Kyle MacLachlan
    • Orson Hodge
    Dana Delany
    Dana Delany
    • Katherine Mayfair
    Neal McDonough
    Neal McDonough
    • Dave Williams
    Shawn Pyfrom
    Shawn Pyfrom
    • Andrew Van De Kamp
    • (credit only)
    Brenda Strong
    Brenda Strong
    • Mary Alice Young
    James Denton
    James Denton
    • Mike Delfino
    Charlie Carver
    Charlie Carver
    • Porter Scavo
    • (credit only)
    Max Carver
    Max Carver
    • Preston Scavo
    • (credit only)
    Joshua Logan Moore
    Joshua Logan Moore
    • Parker Scavo
    • (credit only)
    Kendall Applegate
    • Penny Scavo
    Kathryn Joosten
    Kathryn Joosten
    • Karen McCluskey
    • Director
      • Larry Shaw
    • Writers
      • Marc Cherry
      • Bob Daily
      • Jordon Nardino
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews16

    9.31.8K
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    Featured reviews

    10MadLane_Original

    Best episode of the entire series and one of the best on TV

    This was without a doubt one of the best episodes i have ever seen, some may disagree but this somehow just touched in such a way that i doubt it can be watched without you going emotional, it truly felt like some great writing and directing you would't normally expect in any besides endings or intro episodes of a season, wish they still made tv series and episodes like this now a days, 10/10 without a shadow of a doubt.
    10jqa_4

    The 2nd time I cried watching Desperate Houswives

    The handiman played by Bo Bridges was tender hearted and sweet. It was a perfect fit for his on screen personality. I have only seen Bridges in a couple of movies, but I remember him from one side of the mountain, and in another incredible performance.. I cried as well. His ability to move emotion.. is a pure natural talent.

    This is one of the most moving episodes in this series thus far, equally matched with Gabbbie and Carlos relationship, which ranges from absolute depth to absolute shallow and tolerance between two very lovable characters. I am at episode 100+ and still have not given up on watching all the episodes.. which says a lot for the writers of this series.
    10cipriantell

    Watching with my girlfriend who introduced DH to me and I cried for the second time watching the show

    If you are a man and have some prejudice about desperate housewives know that these will vanish fast if you give it a chance and this is one of the main episodes that capture that for you, once you get familiar with the characters and what they are about this episode will fill your heart with joy.

    This handyman is the glue of that little community, that watched the people's lives passing by while fixing some things in the house. He is like the father of this community and the one with a kind word and a bushy compassionate look guiding the characters along the string of their very desperate lives!

    DH is surely a show to get closer to your partner watching it!
    10isajademarilyn

    Very moving Beau Bridges

    Writers had imagined an amazing 100th episode, and casting Beau Bridges was brilliant.

    Can you watch this episode without crying?

    They managed the impossible, create a new character and make us care as if he had always been on the show.

    Mary-Alice's memories were the most emotional. When she met Eli, you could feel a genuinely good and sweet man, humble and caring. When she sees her shoe with the tape to hide the hole, and offers him to fix her broken vase.

    "Ma'am, you don't have to do that" Eli replied.

    All the tears, I was fighting to keep inside ... I became an instant fountain.

    Truly one of the best episodes of the show, focused on a unique character, the amazing Beau Bridges.
    10mandy_herron

    Beautiful episode

    Anyone who didn't like this episode must have a heart of stone. Having not watched DH the first time round, I am now binge watching them. This episode is so heartwarming and in my opinion one of my favourites so far, if not the favourite. A story of how one, seemingly insignificant, man touched and affected so many lives for the better. Utter brilliance!

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This is the 100th Episode!
    • Goofs
      Susan gets Eli to change the locks after Karl leaves her, but in Season 2 he lets himself in and tells Julie that he still has his key.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (2009)

    Top picks

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 18, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Stage 3, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Cherry Productions
      • ABC Signature
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 43m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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