Desperate Housewives Rundown Episode 15, "In a World Where the Kings Are Employers"

For the second week in a row, the economy and the struggling work lives of the Wisteria Lane residents are at the heart of the Desperate Housewives episode. From working moms to the husband fighting to make as much as his stepson to the flailing family business, money matters are complicating things for everyone.

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Susan — Susan is becoming increasingly irritated with MJ spending any time at all with Katherine, though it kinda seems like that's a reasonable thing for Mike to do when he has work emergencies. When MJ goes to Katherine's house because he prefers her paninis to Susan's peanut butter sandwiches, Susan storms over and tells Katherine to stop trying to be the "other mommy!" — a shoutout to Teri Hatcher's latest movie, Coraline, perhaps? In that movie there is an "Other Mother" who creates a world for the little Coraline that's just like her normal one — but way better. Anyway, turns out Susan can't get her way this time since Mike is moving in with Katherine, so MJ will have to spend more time at her house whether Susan likes it or not.

Bree — Yay for more Orson! I love it when he's heavily involved in Bree's storyline. This time, though, I feel sorry for him: He discovers that Bree has given Andrew a substantial raise and he becomes determined to find out exactly how much Andrew makes. He tries to access Bree's financial information but doesn't know the name of her favorite childhood pet (so he asks for a different personal question about Bree: "How about her real hair color? Trust me, it's not what you think it is!"). Ultimately Orson tricks Bree into telling him the names of her favorite childhood pets ("I just want to know your porn name!") and discovers that Andrew is making twice what he makes! Wow. But Bree points out that she bases it on Orson's level of expertise and contribution to the business. Money matters must be difficult when it comes to a family business, but I'm still always glad to see Andrew all grown up and professional-like, succeeding at his job with Bree's business.

Lynette — While Andrew's getting tons of money from his mom, the Scavo children are working for free at their own family business. Feeling the financial pinch, Tom fires his waitstaff and has his kids work for him for free — until the twins refuse to serve their classmates, unwilling to risk embarrassment. This sends Tom over the edge and he starts slamming his kid into the wall! Jeez, this scene was tense. Tom just buckles under the pressure he puts on himself to not be a "failure" (in his own eyes), and in the end he decides to sell the place. I really love that Lynette — clearly relieved — affectionately lets him know how much she supports him. I don't always like Tom, but I appreciate that the Scavos' marriage has remained pretty steady throughout all the many (many, many, many) trials they've endured.

Gaby — And speaking of marriages, Carlos's boss's wife credits Gaby and Carlos with fixing her own marriage to Brad, but Gaby finds out how not-saved it is when she spots Brad kissing another woman. She uses her discovery to blackmail Brad into giving Carlos a huge bonus, but when Carlos finds out about the whole thing, he wants to come clean with the couple. In the end, though, Brad and his wife announce that they're pregnant — and they want Carlos and Gaby to be the godparents. Yikes. All I know is it's nice to see Gaby looking so gorgeous again!

Edie/Dave — Time is closing in on Dave as people are becoming suspicious about the absence of the doctor Dave killed. So he sets up a camping trip in which he'll get Mike and Katherine alone. Let's just hope little MJ doesn't tag along on the camping trip as well!

Photo copyright 2008 ABC, Inc.