" One Wonderful Day " is the season one finale of Desperate Housewives , originally airing on May 22, 2005. It is widely considered one of the most successful television finales of its era, drawing over 30 million viewers and ranking #55 on TV Guide’s "100 Best TV Episodes of All Time".
: Mary Alice committed suicide because Martha Huber discovered this secret and began blackmailing her. Character Arcs & Finales Ending Status Key Moment Bree Van de Kamp 💔 Devastated [S1E23] One Wonderful Day
: In 1990, a drug addict named Deirdre sold her baby to Mary Alice and Paul Young. " One Wonderful Day " is the season
: The final flashback of the women's first meeting with Mary Alice reinforces the loss the neighborhood felt, making the central tragedy feel grounded. Weaknesses Character Arcs & Finales Ending Status Key Moment
: Marcia Cross’s performance is often cited as the episode's highlight. The irony of the "perfect housewife" being framed for murder by her dying husband is considered a masterstroke of dark comedy.
After reconciling with Rex, he dies believing she was poisoning him, leaving a note of "forgiveness" that breaks her. ⚖️ In Limbo
After sabotaging Tom’s promotion, Tom forces a "deal" where she returns to work while he becomes a stay-at-home dad. 🔫 In Peril