Desperate Housewives Episode 8.17 Women and Death

The women of Wisteria Lane drop what they are doing the instant they hear the shot that gunned down Mike Delfino. They rush to a devastated Susan as she clutches her true love's lifeless body in her arms. A few days later, the entire neighborhood prepares to say goodbye to a husband, father and friend who will be missed more than words can say. At least, that's how Susan feels which is why she won't be speaking at the funeral. As for the other women, they recall how their good friend Mike influenced their lives.

Gaby thinks back to a time before she married Carlos. It was the day Mama Solis tried to get her future hubby to not spend a small fortune on her wedding dress. Gaby is thrilled when she overhears Carlos defending her. He promises to do whatever it takes to make her happy. Years later, Gaby recalls the time Mike clued her in as to how worried Carlos was while he was in rehab because he wasn't able to provide for her. That's why she encourages her husband to quit his job if that's what will make him truly happy.

Tom flies back to town the moment he gets the news about Mike. After Lynette breaks down in his arms, she reminisces about her first date with her future love. Tom remembered that she mentioned her affection for white picket fences. That's why he made sure there was one at the dream house he bought for his new wife on Wisteria Lane. Lynette also recalls Mike telling her to fight for her marriage before it's too late. It appears she may now be ready to do that.

A homicide detective asks Bree to come down to the police station shortly before Mike's funeral services. While in the interrogation room, she recalls how her mother taught her all about "the mask." That's the face you wear when you don't want people to know how you're feeling. Bree wore it with Rex whenever he was being less than sensitive. She again puts on the mask as the detective questions her about Alejandro. The cops can't get a read on Bree, but they do lift her fingerprints off the coffee mug she used.

As Susan listens to the kind words the minister says about Mike, she thinks back to their wedding night. Her husband was never a big word guy, but he did give in to his wife's request for a poem. Mike said, "I love you once, I love you twice, I love you more than beans and rice." Hey, it's the best he could do. Susan also recalls how uncomfortable she felt when they made out their wills until Mike put her at ease.

Susan fondly remembers a trip to a diner where the subject of heaven came up in conversation. Mike explained to MJ precisely where this mystical place is. It's in the diner where they enjoy tasty cheeseburgers as a family. It's that place by the waterfall where they fish. It's watching football together while Mom brings them both snacks. Mike says, "If heaven is supposed to be the happiest place you can be, don't all those places sound like it to you?" The man had a point.

Remember how we said Susan wasn't going to talk at Mike funeral? Well, that's not quite true. She steps up before her friends to let everyone know that her husband is in a place where he's eating cheeseburgers with his family, fishing by a waterfall and watching football with his son. That's why she has to say goodbye to him now. Susan says, "I love you once, I love you twice, I love you more than beans and rice."

Renee's beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace" is heard as friends and family make their way out of the church. All those who loved Mike Delfino gather at the cemetery. Susan places a rose atop the coffin. MJ sets his dad's baseball glove right next to it. The crowd eventually disperses so that Susan can have one last moment with her beloved husband.

Back home, Susan worries about all the things Mike handled for the family. Gaby, Lynette and Bree assure her that they will be there to hold her up. That's what friends do. They are always there for each other. That's good news for Bree. She'll need her friends now that her fingerprints have been matched to the dead guy the cops just dug up.