I thought this particular episode was outstanding. In fact it had me crying through half of the show. Yes it is true that this episode did not add to the regular plot theme of the 2009 season but it was in my opinion one of the most highly memorable episodes of the entire show. It was just so touching. It follows the life of one particular man who is not a regular on the series, and how he has touched the lives of most of the women who are regulars on the show. I thought Beau Bridges did an excellent job with the part and also, while all the women gave great performances I particularly liked that of "Susan." The scene where she is crying on her home staircase after going through yet another failed marriage is just heart-rending and the dialogue between her and the handy-man is something that will stay with you long after the show ends. Both turned in excellent performances not just in delivering the dialogue but to watch the change come over "Susan" when she hears how the handy-man views her and to watch the subtle change come over her face when she is pulled into a different realization. The episode is meant more as a story to reflect upon. It deals with the importance of each person's life but also how each person can have such a great impact on touching the lives of others.
Desperate Housewives (TV Series)
The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (2009)
User Reviews
Review this title15 Reviews
Best episode ever, in my opinion.
Mike Carroll28 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I was completely blown away by this episode. Desperate Housewives has consistently been good - often excellent - but this episode was one of the most moving things I've seen on TV in a very long time.
In the space of around forty minutes they introduced a new character and made us believe that he'd been an important part of Wisteria Lane for years. The way he touched everyone's lives - and, ultimately, the way his own life was touched by theirs - was presented and handled with remarkable skill and sensitivity.
The writers deserve an Emmy - at the very least - for this one, a stand-out episode in an already stand-out season (skipping ahead five years seemed like a gimmick at the end of last season: to successfully pull off something like that takes genuine talent, but they managed it!).
But most of the praise has to go to Beau Bridges as Eli Scruggs. Frequently an overlooked actor stuck with minor roles and bit parts (though his occasional appearance as Carl Hickey in My Name is Earl is always a joy), his performance here proves that he is at least his brother's equal.
I know it's easy to dismiss Desperate Housewives as just a soap opera with a bigger budget, but episodes like "The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened" clearly illustrate why it's much, much more than that.
In the space of around forty minutes they introduced a new character and made us believe that he'd been an important part of Wisteria Lane for years. The way he touched everyone's lives - and, ultimately, the way his own life was touched by theirs - was presented and handled with remarkable skill and sensitivity.
The writers deserve an Emmy - at the very least - for this one, a stand-out episode in an already stand-out season (skipping ahead five years seemed like a gimmick at the end of last season: to successfully pull off something like that takes genuine talent, but they managed it!).
But most of the praise has to go to Beau Bridges as Eli Scruggs. Frequently an overlooked actor stuck with minor roles and bit parts (though his occasional appearance as Carl Hickey in My Name is Earl is always a joy), his performance here proves that he is at least his brother's equal.
I know it's easy to dismiss Desperate Housewives as just a soap opera with a bigger budget, but episodes like "The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened" clearly illustrate why it's much, much more than that.
Very Impressed
wevemoved3 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I like DHW but do not watch it consistently. I could not believe how great this episode was. The flashbacks were perfect. The way Eli was an integral part of everyone's life was outstanding. Once in a while an episode of TV blows your socks off, if you know the basic story of these ladies to see this episode is an absolute pleasure. Thanks to the writers for coming up with this one. I do not give 10's willy nilly, this was one of my favorite episodes of anything ever.
It turns out I need to add some lines to get this posted, to summarize how I feel about TV there was one episode of Chicago Hope that also blew me away, when the two Arkin's were in the same episode. When you watch a show you like and then one episode stands out from the others, I just need to comment. Congrats to the DHW writers for this one.
It turns out I need to add some lines to get this posted, to summarize how I feel about TV there was one episode of Chicago Hope that also blew me away, when the two Arkin's were in the same episode. When you watch a show you like and then one episode stands out from the others, I just need to comment. Congrats to the DHW writers for this one.
The 2nd time I cried watching Desperate Houswives
jqa_415 September 2013
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.
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.
Very moving Beau Bridges
isajademarilyn29 June 2021
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.
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.
Beautiful episode
mandy_herron31 July 2021
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!
Touching episode - one of the best
perrycs-4915227 July 2021
This episode is wonderful. As a 51 year old guy, I still find myself tearing up about the life of this person. How 1 person with kindness can reach out and touch lives in so many ways.
Not rich in money, but rich in personality, character, integrity, compassion, and a hard worker.
He touched so many lives and left a lasting impression in each of their lives. And what was he? A repairman... and so much more.
What a great episode. I don't understand how people can't like an episode like this. Maybe they lack the ability to relate to someone elses life. This is a wonderful episode...
One of the best touching episodes I have ever watched. :)
Not rich in money, but rich in personality, character, integrity, compassion, and a hard worker.
He touched so many lives and left a lasting impression in each of their lives. And what was he? A repairman... and so much more.
What a great episode. I don't understand how people can't like an episode like this. Maybe they lack the ability to relate to someone elses life. This is a wonderful episode...
One of the best touching episodes I have ever watched. :)
Best episode of the entire series and one of the best on TV
MadLane_Original4 May 2022
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.
An Epic Episode: Unforgettable Eli
pgnbssb1 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
One of the absolute best episodes of Desperate Housewives! This episode had me on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish.
Eli Scruggs is a brand new character in this series, but man, did the writers do an incredible job making us feel like we've known him forever. They connect him to each character in such a seamless and mind-blowing way. It's like he's been a part of the story since day one!
Even though this episode dropped over 14 years ago, it still holds up as one of my absolute favorites. The writing is top-notch, delivering a story that lingers in your mind long after you've finished watching. This one is a true gem.
If you're in the mood for an episode that will tug at your heartstrings and make you feel all the feels, look no further than Desperate Housewives season 5 episode 13. It's a must-watch that will leave you emotionally invested and wanting more.
Eli Scruggs is a brand new character in this series, but man, did the writers do an incredible job making us feel like we've known him forever. They connect him to each character in such a seamless and mind-blowing way. It's like he's been a part of the story since day one!
Even though this episode dropped over 14 years ago, it still holds up as one of my absolute favorites. The writing is top-notch, delivering a story that lingers in your mind long after you've finished watching. This one is a true gem.
If you're in the mood for an episode that will tug at your heartstrings and make you feel all the feels, look no further than Desperate Housewives season 5 episode 13. It's a must-watch that will leave you emotionally invested and wanting more.
Tissue time
annieroob17 January 2024
When a neighborhood handyman, named Eli Scruggs, suddenly passes from a heart attack away one day before his retirement, the residents of Wisteria Lane come to realize just how much he affected their lives. Gabrielle recalls how Eli helped her make new friends when she first moved in, including her friendship with the late Mary Alice Young. Lynette remembers how Eli came to her aide when she was overwhelmed in raising her four wild kids, and as a result, neglected Penny. Susan remembers on how he repeatably helped her stay sane and was always there for her as a shoulder to cry on each time a man walked out of her life and was the only man who accepted her slightly-insane and neurotic personalty. Edie looks back on their "special friendship" she had with Eli at numerous times. Finally, Bree thinks fondly of how a small gesture Eli once made that helped get her to where she is
Such a moving episode tissues at the ready.
Such a moving episode tissues at the ready.
Cute but mostly empty in substance
Just-A-Girl-1425 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The character of the handyman played by Beau Bridges was a great one. The actor played his part perfectly but the flashbacks and little stories, while cute, didn't add anything to the storyline. There were no new revelations or anything that can add something to the characters background. Flashbacks should provide substance. This episode was just a filler episode. What did we learn? That Mary Alice killed herself? That Gabby was a stuck up model? That Lynette was a stayed home mom that missed her career?
There was absolutely nothing new and some of the stories felt weird and out of place like the one with Edie divorcing a gay husband and making a move on her handyman.
If the character of Eli Scruggs was a regular on the show (like the character of Ida was) then it would have been more meaningful but introducing a character that supposedly meant so much to the people of Wisteria Lane just to kill it off in the same episode doesn't give the audience enough time to get attached.
So while maybe cute, the episode was out of place and didn't add much to the show.
There was absolutely nothing new and some of the stories felt weird and out of place like the one with Edie divorcing a gay husband and making a move on her handyman.
If the character of Eli Scruggs was a regular on the show (like the character of Ida was) then it would have been more meaningful but introducing a character that supposedly meant so much to the people of Wisteria Lane just to kill it off in the same episode doesn't give the audience enough time to get attached.
So while maybe cute, the episode was out of place and didn't add much to the show.
A weird little digression.
m-478262 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The episode was good, but for all that not crucial to the story. Season 5 is very underrated. This time jump was done nicely on Desperate Housewives. And in spite of being very late 2000s (Tokyo Police Club, the satiny tops with blue jeans, and wavy look) it was believable, if you don't overthink it too much. The actors could portray characters closer to their age, which helped at lot too. It also had great guests like Frances Conroy, Lily Tomlin, Gail O'Grady, and later Swoosie Kurtz. The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened, had a major one coming. Beau Bridges, was offered the part of the handyman of Wisteria Lane, who had a heart attack, fixing Susan's roof. It was another one of those episodes, full of flashbacks and revelations from the past. Only this one looked odd, with some of the actresses age showing. The way they tried to style Bree's hair, how it used to be on season one for example, looked bad on Marcia Cross. And they didn't do a great job hiding the hair extensions either. I could go past it, if all of the mini stories were worth the screen time. But it wasn't. Some felt rushed, while others looked a bit pushy. And Mary Alice's did not even add up, to what we saw of her on the pilot episode. It was a decent episode, only not well thought out properly, and a bit wishy-washy, when it ended with Bree « fixing » the flower arrangement on Eli Scruggs's coffin, as a symbolic way of giving him back, for all his years of dedication to the housewives... wasn't he supposed to retire in the first season already?...
A nice change for a show that's usually light hearted
cute_cuddlez8720 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I never watched desperate housewives when it was on tv but decided to binge it now and I'm glad I did. Most of the time it cracks me up, but this episode was vastly different from its usual storylines
Some shows make me tear up, but not many shows or movies can make me bawl my eyes out. This episode captured my attention the entire way through. It warmed my heart. The more you saw how much this man affected the housewives in such a positive way, the more you connected with him and felt his loss. I could feel the emotion building and building until the scene where Mary Alice sees the hole in his shoe. I absolutely broke down in tears. I gathered myself back up until I saw he made a promise to Mary Alice to help people and then I lost it again. Complete uncontrollable crying I haven't done since I watched Marley and Me. I felt like Eli deserved to retire and find love and that hurt my soul and made my heart ache. Bravo to Marc Cherry and whoever else was involved in this episode. Absolutely beautiful and moving. I'll be nursing my emotional hangover for the rest of the night!
Some shows make me tear up, but not many shows or movies can make me bawl my eyes out. This episode captured my attention the entire way through. It warmed my heart. The more you saw how much this man affected the housewives in such a positive way, the more you connected with him and felt his loss. I could feel the emotion building and building until the scene where Mary Alice sees the hole in his shoe. I absolutely broke down in tears. I gathered myself back up until I saw he made a promise to Mary Alice to help people and then I lost it again. Complete uncontrollable crying I haven't done since I watched Marley and Me. I felt like Eli deserved to retire and find love and that hurt my soul and made my heart ache. Bravo to Marc Cherry and whoever else was involved in this episode. Absolutely beautiful and moving. I'll be nursing my emotional hangover for the rest of the night!
Just a Filler Episode
kookyflegm4 February 2009
so far season 5 has been pretty fantastic, compared with 3 and 4.. so this last episode came as a total disappointment .. it was a total fluff piece, with no relevance to plot whatsoever, it doesn't add anything to any of the characters .. and there's no point in making you care about some random stranger, who you create and kill off in the same episode .. it's more film than TV!
i do understand that sometimes series need filler episodes, they all do it, but then again, i don;t understand why they put it just before they have (YET ANOTHER) break .. breaks in the flow are annoying enough, without presenting your audience with a total anticlimax as the last thing they remember .. at least one would expect a minor drama, if not a cliffhanger .. which leaves you excited and gasping for more (as was the fire in the nightclub before the Christmas break)
in a nutshell, disappointing!
(and what is happening to Jackson? i thought he was making a full recovery from his accident and was going to be back??)
i do understand that sometimes series need filler episodes, they all do it, but then again, i don;t understand why they put it just before they have (YET ANOTHER) break .. breaks in the flow are annoying enough, without presenting your audience with a total anticlimax as the last thing they remember .. at least one would expect a minor drama, if not a cliffhanger .. which leaves you excited and gasping for more (as was the fire in the nightclub before the Christmas break)
in a nutshell, disappointing!
(and what is happening to Jackson? i thought he was making a full recovery from his accident and was going to be back??)
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