On the highly anticipated season five premiere, five years have passed since Katherine shot her ex-husband as Susan, Lynette, Bree and Gabrielle stood together in solidarity to protect her. Susan tries to hide her relationship with a new man. Gaby questions her abilities as a mother. Bree is on the verge of publishing her own cookbook as business partner Katherine grows envious. Lynette catches her teenaged twins spearheading illegal activities. And finally, Edie returns to Wisteria Lane in jaw-dropping fashion with a new man in tow, her new husband Dave (played by Neal McDonough).
Lynette discovers her son, Porter, has a softer side, which she finds endearing. Gaby amusingly attempts to mask her demise in social stature. The time has come for the men in Susan's life to meet. Meanwhile, Bree begins to feel the pressures of balancing marriage and a career. Edie is reminded just how hostile the neighbors on Wisteria Lane can be. Finally, a suspicious Mrs. McCluskey enlists Katherine's help to uncover more about their new neighbor, Dave.
Bree's estranged daughter, Danielle, returns to Wisteria Lane and is met with a deluge of criticism. Meanwhile, Gabrielle and Susan find themselves embroiled in a catfight brought on by an altercation between their kids. To her chagrin, Lynette comes home to find Tom and Dave have formed a garage band after she told him to get rid of his old things. Finally, Katherine and Mrs. McCluskey invite Edie to lunch to press her for more information on Dave.
Bree's new cookbook and entrepreneurial success has the women of Wisteria Lane feeling envious. Lynette's longing for a taste of her breadwinning days as an ad-exec leads her to lend an unsolicited hand to Bree's marketing plan. MJ's drawing of a family portrait has left Mike feeling like he's not a presence in his son's life. Gaby hatches a plan to have more sex with Carlos. Susan teaches a reluctant MJ how to fall. Meanwhile, Dave's motives for moving to the neighborhood continue to take shape.
Driven by a hidden agenda, Dave convinces Susan to throw Mrs. McCluskey a surprise party for her 70th birthday. Jackson wants to take his relationship with Susan to the next level. Gabrielle's concerned she might be pregnant. Tom tells Lynette he's sold the pizzeria. A startling reason for the bond between Bree and Katherine is revealed. And finally, an outraged Mrs. McCluskey has the entire neighborhood questioning her sanity.
Gaby is over the moon when Carlos' client makes them an offer they can't refuse, but a startling discovery leaves her second guessing. Lynette grows suspicious that Tom is cheating on her. After breaking up with Jackson, Susan tries to surprise him, only to find the surprise is on her. Meanwhile, the bond between Bree and Katherine grows. Finally, Mrs. McCluskey enlists the help of her sister Roberta (guest star Lily Tomlin) to dig up dirt on Dave.
Lynette and Tom uncover the unsettling truth about son Porter. Gabrielle suspects Carlos' best client, Virginia (guest star Frances Conroy), has ulterior motives. Bree's moment of weakness could bring her great embarrassment and shame. Katherine's not-so-little secret is unveiled. Susan learns of Jackson's true passion. Finally, Mrs. McCluskey's sister Roberta (guest star Lily Tomlin) unearths a disturbing fact about Dave.
Susan's daughter Julie (former main castmember Andrea Bowen) comes to visit with her surprising new boyfriend (played by Steven Weber). Gabrielle uncovers the unsettling truth about Mrs. Hildebrand's past. Katherine has a confession to make to Susan. A reporter looks to expose Bree's imperfections. Lynette learns Porter and Anne Schilling (guest star Gail O'Grady) plan to leave Fairview and disappear. Meanwhile, everyone has gathered at a club to see the guys play in the annual "Battle of the Bands" when a fire erupts, threatening the lives of those in attendance. Some will fall as a hero will rise.
For Gaby and Carlos, injuries sustained in the fire lead to a fortunate discovery. But for most, the consequences are less forgiving. Lynette and Tom vow to protect son Porter at any cost. Susan must learn to let go of the man she loves. Orson's attempt at a good night's sleep puts Bree in a most precarious, though amusing, position on the day of her big cooking demonstration.
Lynette takes extreme measures to protect her son. Carlos realizes the extent of Gaby's sacrifices for their family. Bree wants to prove to Andrew that she has accepted him for who he is. Katherine finds happiness, as Susan and Mike recognize the fate of their relationship. Meanwhile, Dave starts to lose his grip.
Bree clashes with Alex's mother (guest star Joanna Cassidy) for their sons' affections. Gabrielle urges Carlos to take a six-figure job, even though it means spending more time away from home. Susan turns to Lee for company while Jackson is away. Lynette catches Preston talking to Porter on the phone. Meanwhile, Edie grows weary of Dave, whose strange behavior hasn't abated.
Connections lead to surprising resolutions. Susan and Edie are forced to spend time alone together when they accidentally lock themselves in a basement. Bree's devious plotting against Andrew's future mother-in-law in an attempt to keep him close to her comes at a cost. Gabrielle loses control of her children and turns to Carlos for help. The ongoing search for Porter leads Lynette to her mother. Katherine and Mike will define their relationship. Meanwhile, Dave gets a step closer to exacting revenge.
When neighborhood handyman, Eli Scruggs (guest star Beau Bridges), passes away, the residents of Wisteria Lane come to realize just how much he affected their lives. Gaby recalls how Eli helped her make new friends when she moved in. Lynette remembers how he came to her aide when she was overwhelmed and neglected Penny. Susan reflects on how he was always there for her as a shoulder to cry on each time a man walked out of her life. Edie looks back on their special friendship. And Bree thinks fondly of how a small gesture he once made helped get her to where she is today.
Bree reaps the success of her new book by treating herself to a new car, while Lynette and Tom resolve to sell his Mustang for some extra cash. Susan is determined to send MJ to the best school, even though she and Mike can't afford it. Meanwhile, Gaby joins Edie's no nonsense boot camp to get herself back into shape, and Lee is conflicted over whether to tell Lynette and Tom some disturbing facts about Dave.
Susan starts a new job in order to give son MJ the best, but when Mike leaves their son in Katherine's care, anger and jealousy pervade. As Scavo's Pizzeria continues to take a hit in the current economy, Lynette tells Tom they have to sell. Carlos receives a generous bonus when Gaby discovers his boss' dirty little secret. Orson confronts Bree when he learns she's given Andrew a raise. Meanwhile, Dave grows weary the neighbors are beginning to suspect he's up to no good.
In a gesture of friendship, Bree tells Lynette she'll help Tom secure a new job, but the best intentions will reach a tempestuous end and reveal Orson's shameful misdeeds. Gaby finds herself in a precarious position when Carlos' adulterous boss begins using her to cover for himself as he continues to cheat on his wife. Meanwhile, Edie digs into Dave's past after a chance encounter with an old acquaintance.
When Susan tries to impress Jessie (guest star Swoosie Kurtz), a teacher at work, Jessie comes away with the wrong impression. With the wrong intent, Gaby convinces Carlos to hire Lynette, and Carlos finds himself working with an old acquaintance (guest star Lesley Boone as Lucy). As Orson's shameful habit grows, Bree will protect herself from embarrassment at all costs, and a suspicious Edie slyly digs further into Dave's past.
Bree considers selling her business to save her marriage. Lynette is threatened by her new boss, and boundaries are crossed for Gabrielle and Carlos. Meanwhile, Katherine is caught in the most unexpected of circumstances and Edie's worst fears come true.
As the women look back on Edie's life, Susan recalls their first meeting, Lynette reflects on a memorable night out, Bree is reminded of the thoughtfulness she bestowed upon Orson, and Gaby remembers fondly a night of friendly competition.
Carlos finds Lynette in a precarious position, which she chooses to hide from Tom, and Gabrielle hastily covers for Tom's coy behavior. Orson tries to hide the truth about his wounds from Bree, while Katherine confesses to Mike, which leads to a surprising realization. In the meantime, Susan confides her dark secret in Dave.
Bree sinks to a new low to retain the best lawyer, and Gabrielle's vanity is put to the test when she makes a deal with her daughter Juanita. Meanwhile, Lynette and Tom negotiate sex, and Katherine deceives Mike to win his heart. Jackson (guest star Gale Harold) walks back into Susan's life with a proposal, and an unexpected visit sends Dave to do some bargaining of his own.
Gabrielle runs into an old acquaintance who's lost everything, Lynette is upset with Tom for his latest "bright idea," Orson threatens to blackmail Bree, and Susan accepts Dave's "friendly" gesture.
Lynette adapts to Tom's decision to go back to school, Orson takes a beating that Bree cannot comprehend, Gabrielle's niece (guest star Maiara Walsh) moves to Wisteria Lane, and Susan and MJ's lives are in grave danger at the hands of Dave.