Live Alone and Like It


"Live Alone and Like It" is the 19th episode of the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. The episode was the 19th episode for the show's first season. The episode was written by Jenna Bans and was directed by Arlene Sanford. It originally aired on Sunday April 17, 2005.
The episode was originally titled An Unexpected Song which comes from Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical, Song and Dance.

Plot

Lynette reluctantly cares for Mrs. McCluskey after she collapses in front of her after taking too much medication. Karen then thanks her for what she did and begins to start intruding on her life and tells her not to help if it's only because she feels obligated since they're not friends. Lynette sternly tells her life is obligation, and she'll be over in the morning to take her to the pharmacy so she can replace her child-proof bottles. Susan's mother begins to set up double dates with Susan which she objects to. Bree is so upset over Andrew's revelation that he might be gay, she ambushes him with a visit from a reverend who specializes in converting gay teenagers. Andrew blithely says he's comfortable with who he is, and not the least bit confused. Rex finally speaks up and says that if Andrew is happy as he is, it's their job to support him. Bree retaliates by announcing that Rex is into S&M and it is "no wonder" that Andrew is "perverted." When Bree tells Andrew she's worried he won't go to heaven now, he agrees to see Reverend Sykes. But he tells the reverend that although he "likes vanilla and chocolate," admitting he was gay was just a ploy to get his parents to take him out of the camp and that he doesn't even believe in God. He outlines his plan to get revenge on his mother, pretend to be the perfect son, then one day do something "so awful it will destroy her. When that day comes, I'll know paradise," he tells the shocked clergyman.
Gabrielle and Carlos are still fighting over the post-nup, and the violent way he forced her to sign it. She won't let him sleep in their bed until he tears it up, so he cancels her credit cards. She threatens to kill him if he ever hurts her again; he threatens to kill her if she ever sleeps with another man.
With her cards cut off, Gabrielle accepts John's student credit card, but since his parents are cosigners, it quickly gets canceled. That leaves her stranded in a restaurant with a bill she can't pay. Eyeing a handsome stranger, she easily talks him into picking up her tab.
This gives her the confidence to go home and show off her new shoes to Carlos. "I'm a pretty girl, and pretty girls are never lonely," she reminds him. Carlos finally relents and rips up the post-nup, and Gabrielle lets him back into bed.

Cast

Although credited, Paul Young, Zach Young, Julie Mayer and Edie Britt do not appear in this episode.

Series continuity

This is the second time that Bree embarrassed Rex at the dinner table. The first was in Pretty Little Picture, when she said that he cries after he ejaculates.

Title reference

The episode title Live Alone and Like It comes from the Stephen Sondheim song of the same name from the 1990 film Dick Tracy, which itself is a reference to the 1936 Marjorie Hillis lifestyle guidebook for single women.

Note

"Live Alone and Like It" received an alternative title..

International titles