Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French & Spanish Stereo
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Welcome to Wisteria Lane. The sun is shining, the sprinklers are watering manicured lawns, and the residents are hiding secrets that could destroy their perfect little world.
From the mind of Marc Cherry and executive producer Tom Spezialy comes the groundbreaking series that redefined primetime television. Desperate Housewives ignited a cultural phenomenon with its darkly comic blend of mystery, scandal, and suburban satire.
Relive the season that started it all – from the shocking suicide of Mary Alice Young (the late, great Brenda Strong, who narrates from beyond the grave) to the explosive Season One finale. Follow the desperate lives of:
The mystery: What did Mary Alice do that was so terrible it drove her to pull the trigger? And who is the blackmailer who knows the truth? Desperate Housewives Complete Season 01 Special
This Special Edition includes over 7 hours of bonus features – many never before released.
At its core, Season 1 is a masterclass in serialized storytelling. The season’s engine is the suicide of Mary Alice Young (Brenda Strong), whose omniscient, sardonic narration guides us through the lives of her four neighbors: Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher), Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman), Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross), and Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria). The central mystery—Why did Mary Alice kill herself?—unfolds across all 23 episodes, from the pilot, “Pilot,” to the explosive finale, “One Wonderful Day.”
Key episodes in the set include:
The Special Edition collects all 23 uncut, original broadcast versions (and sometimes extended cuts) in stunning remastered video and 5.1 surround sound, making every whispered secret and slammed door crystal clear. Audio: English 5
The Special Edition is designed to sit on a collector’s shelf like a glossy coffee-table book. The outer slipcase is a vibrant, apple-red or pristine white (depending on region) with a die-cut window revealing the iconic shot of the four leads in evening gowns holding fruit—a nod to the show’s sly parody of suburban perfection. Inside, the discs are housed in a fold-out digipak with episode guides, character portraits, and a reproduction of Mary Alice’s final letter: “I’m sorry, I couldn’t live with the shame.”
Over 25 minutes of deleted scenes. Most are just fun character beats, but one is essential: a cold open that was cut from Episode 18 ("Children Will Listen") that explains why Mrs. Huber blackmails Bree.
At first glance, the "Special" edition of Season One might look similar to the retail version. But make no mistake: this is a different beast entirely. Released strategically after the show’s Golden Globe-winning first season, the Complete Season 01 Special was designed for the discerning fan who wanted more than just the episodes.
This special edition typically includes a premium slipcase, a collectible booklet, and—most importantly—a third disc of exclusive bonus features that have never been re-released in standard budget re-issues. Welcome to Wisteria Lane
Standard DVD sets usually give you one or two commentaries. The Special includes five. Highlights include:
Season 1 of Desperate Housewives offers a critical look at the constructs of suburban life and the roles of women within these communities. The main characters—Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross), Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria), Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman), and Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher)—each embody different facets of womanhood and motherhood, challenging traditional stereotypes. Bree, the perfect homemaker with a penchant for control; Gabrielle, the former model turned stay-at-home mom struggling with her identity; Lynette, the overwhelmed mother of six trying to reclaim her pre-motherhood life; and Susan, the clumsy single mother navigating dating and parenthood, represent a spectrum of experiences that resonated with audiences.
The show cleverly uses humor, drama, and mystery to delve into themes such as marital infidelity, financial struggles, personal identity, and the pressures of conformity. Through these narratives, Desperate Housewives critiques the idealized image of suburban life, revealing the complexities and challenges faced by women behind closed doors.