Come In, Stranger

"Come In, Stranger" is the fifth episode of the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. The episode was the fifth episode for the show's first season. The episode was written by Alexandra Cunningham and was directed by Arlene Sanford. It originally aired on October 31, 2004.

Guest Starring

• Doug Savant as Tom Scavo
• Lupe Ontiveros as Juanita "Mama" Solis
• Bob Gunton as Noah Taylor
• Steven Eckholdt as Rick Thompson
• Harry S. Murphy as Headmaster Lentz

Co-Starring

• Brent Kinsman as Preston Scavo
• Shane Kinsman as Porter Scavo
• Shania Accius as Shonda
• Mark Brady as Patrolling Police Officer
• Pat Crawford Brown as Ida Greenberg
• Laura Milby as Saleswoman
• Betty Murphy as Mrs. Frome
• Lorna Scott as Helen Vale
• Cheyenne Wilbur as Bob Fisk

Plot

After a series of break-ins on Wisteria Lane, the neighbors form a neighborhood watch to protect Wisteria Lane from would-be intruders. Susan makes a date with a police officer after she believes Mike is losing interest in her. Gabrielle's mother in law, Mama Solis arrives unexpectedly to stay for a few weeks. The reason being so that Carlos can know if she is cheating or not. After choosing not to medicate the twins, Lynette decides to enroll them in private school. The interview goes well but in order to impress the faculty and headmaster, Lynette works the children to full capacity before sending them to school. Instead of being energetic and playful, they are docile and quiet which proves to be positive--for now. While Andrew and Danielle are away camping, Bree is left alone in the house for the first time in years. To avoid the loneliness of eating alone, she invites Zach Young over and the two have an informative but fascinating conversation about the deaths of their mothers.

Note

• Although credited, Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan) does not appear in this episode.

Title reference

The episode title Come In, Stranger comes from a Johnny Cash song of the same name.

International Titles

• French: La peur au ventre (To feel sick with fear)
• German: Eindringlinge (Gatecrashers)
• Hungarian: Jöjj be, idegen! (Come in, stranger)
• Italian: Inquietanti intrusioni (Disturbing intrusions)
• Spanish: Adelante, extraño (Come in, stranger)