The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (18 Jan. 2009)

Local handyman Eli Scruggs dies from a heart attack on his last day of work and the housewives remember moments when he affected their lives.

Director:

Larry Shaw

Writers:

Marc Cherry (creator), Marc Cherry,

Stars:

Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Teri Hatcher	...	Susan Mayer
Felicity Huffman	...	Lynette Scavo
Marcia Cross	...	Bree Hodge
Eva Longoria	...	Gabrielle Solis (as Eva Longoria Parker)
Nicollette Sheridan	...	Edie Britt
Ricardo Chavira	...	Carlos Solis (as Ricardo Antonio Chavira)
Doug Savant	...	Tom Scavo
Kyle MacLachlan	...	Orson Hodge
Dana Delany	...	Katherine Mayfair
Neal McDonough	...	Dave Williams
Shawn Pyfrom	...	Andrew Van De Kamp (credit only)
Brenda Strong	...	Mary Alice Young
James Denton	...	Mike Delfino
Charlie Carver	...	Porter Scavo (credit only)
Max Carver	...	Preston Scavo (credit only)

Storyline

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 today.

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Plot Keywords:

vomit | dinner | bed | ritual

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 3, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

ABC Studios, Cherry Alley Productions, Cherry Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

43 min 55 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This episode marks the third time a character has had a husband that turned out to be gay; Sophie Bremmer's third husband, Stella Wingfield's husband Glen (Lynette's step-father), and now Edie's second husband, Umberto.

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Goofs

Eli is shown to be the last person talking to Mary Alice, who has the blackmail note in front of her and shoots herself after he leaves. However in the Season 3 episode 'Bang', Lynette has nightmares as she saw Mary Alice getting the note from the post and going into her house, and shooting herself. Although this may not seem a proper goof as it was a dream, Mary Alice herself says that it was the last time she saw Lynette and that she shot herself "moments later".

User Reviews

Lovely, heartwarming episode on the importance of one life

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.