I Know Things Now (Desperate Housewives episode)
Encyclopedia
"I Know Things Now" is the 44th episode of the ABC
television series, Desperate Housewives
. It was the 21st episode of the show's second season. The episode was written by Kevin Etten
and Bruce Zimmerman
and directed by Wendey Stanzler
. It aired on Sunday May 7, 2006. Due to time constraints, the opening credits were cut.
hires a private investigator, Oliver Weston, to determine if Karl was cheating on her with another woman. When Weston arrives on Wisteria Lane, he hides in the bushes of a neighboring home and records Karl and Susan
talking in the garage about their one night stand. Weston is soon discovered by Mike Delfino
who asks him why he is snooping around. When Weston attempts to explain why he is there, Mike punches him in the face after he mocks Susan. Later, Mike invites Susan over and introduces her to Weston and his mission. Weston plays a tape revealing her affair with Karl and Susan is shocked. She tries to buy Weston off, but he names an exorbitant price and gives her an ultimatum to come up with the money by the following Monday or he will hand over the information to Edie. Susan cannot afford the money and therefore writes Edie a letter of apology detailing her fling with Karl. After mailing the letter, Mike visits Susan to tell her that he paid Weston's bribe because he doesn't want anyone to get hurt. Susan is relieved and thanks Mike for preventing a war between herself and Edie. Susan then must come up with a way to get her letter back. Following a sudden inspiration she lures the mailman into her kitchen with iced tea. After she has plied him with enough tea, Susan suggests he use the restroom upstairs by her bedroom as the one nearby is broken. Susan then steals the letter from his bag and puts it with her mail. After he has been upstairs for a while, Susan worries about the mailman and is surprised to find him on her bed in his undergarments. Susan warns him to get dressed since her daughter is home. Downstairs, Julie checks the mail and puts Edie's letter back in the sack. Susan then hurries the mailman out and declines a rain check. Edie soon discovers the letter and while Susan is at Mike's, Edie drenches Susan's house in kerosene
and sets it on fire.
Gabrielle
, still distraught over losing baby Lily, invites the wives over for food and consoling. Xiao-Mei also is upset because she is being deported after several warning notices. Gabrielle and Carlos
then visit with Homeland Security where the agent explains to them that if Xiao-Mei were pregnant with or married to an American citizen, she would be allowed to remain the country. Gabrielle then asks Xiao-Mei if she will have their baby since they consider her family. Xiao-Mei declines the offer since she values virginity and if she were to marry, her husband will not want her. Gabrielle insists Americans do not believe this and convinces Xiao-Mei to reconsider. On the morning of the insemination, Carlos finds a confused Xiao-Mei naked in bed ready for her first intimate moment. Gabrielle soon discovers Carlos and Xiao-Mei and puts an end to Carlos's ogling.
Tom
comes to final blows with Ed when Ed hires a forensic accountant to find reason to fire him. Tom saves Ed the time by punching him in the face and making sure that he gets himself fired. Lynette
confronts Ed and refuses to apologize for what her husband did and says none of it would have happened if Ed handled his marriage better. Ed retorts that she should not pass judgment on his marriage since her marriage is flawed as well. Ed tells Lynette about Tom's expense account; including an unauthorized trip to Atlantic City with a show for two and flowers. Lynette later meets Tom in the lobby after he has cleaned out his office. Lynette then asks if he wants to tell her anything. Tom has nothing to say and leaves in the elevator.
Betty
plans to kill Caleb by taking him to a picnic and feeding him ice cream she prepared with drugs. At the lake, Caleb asks where Matthew is and Betty says it is a special day just for the two of them. Caleb then tells his mother that Matthew told him to kiss Danielle and that she would be waiting for him. Betty then takes the ice cream from Caleb and demands that he tell her everything Matthew told him to do. Later, Betty locks Matthew in the basement for his treachery.
Bree
invites Peter for dinner and also asks that Andrew
bring Justin as well. When Bree tells Peter of the dinner plans, he reluctantly gives in, feeling uncomfortable because of his sex addiction. Andrew overhears their conversation on another phone and asks Danielle to help him with a scheme. During dinner, Danielle comes to dinner in a revealing outfit in an attempt to mess with Peter. When she succeeds in flustering him by running her hand up his thigh, Peter unexpectedly leaves saying his sponsor needs him at a meeting. The following day, Andrew tries to get Danielle to sleep with Peter. Danielle tells Andrew to get out of her room and calls him a freak. Andrew invites Peter over and asks about his sex addiction and previous sexual encounters. Peter says that he "slept with a lot of people back then." Andrew then realizes that Peter is bisexual. Capitalizing on this, Andrew seduces him. Bree soon arrives home after being called by Andrew, and is shocked to find Andrew in her bed with Peter coming out of her bathroom half-naked and looking for his pants. The next day, Bree takes Andrew to take a tour of his desired college. However, halfway there, Bree leaves Andrew at a gas station, tells him she can't be around him anymore, and gives him money and clothes with the understanding that he is now on his own. Initially Andrew pleads for her not to leave him there but then declares that he has won since he knew ever since he came out and saw a certain look in her eye that she would eventually stop loving him. With a tortured resolve born out of her intense sadness, Bree just looks back at him, and despondently says, "Well, good for you," then returns to her car. As Bree looks back at Andrew from the rear view mirror, she begins to weep.
), Zach Young (Cody Kasch
), Preston Scavo (Brent Kinsman), Porter Scavo (Shane Kinsman
), and Parker Scavo (Zane Huett
) do not appear in this episode.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
television series, Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
. It was the 21st episode of the show's second season. The episode was written by Kevin Etten
Kevin Etten
Kevin Etten is an American screenwriter and television producer.Beginning as a writer for The Late Show with David Letterman, Etten has since been a part of the crews of the dramedies Ed and Desperate Housewives, the latter for which he also served as a producer.In 2011, Etten began as executive...
and Bruce Zimmerman
Bruce Zimmerman
Bruce Zimmerman in California, is a U.S. novelist, screenwriter, and television producer. Among the television series which Zimmerman has worked on are Desperate Housewives, CSI: NY, K-Ville, The District, Judging Amy, Reunion, So Weird, and Street Time...
and directed by Wendey Stanzler
Wendey Stanzler
Wendey Stanzler is an American television editor, director and producer from Flint, Michigan, where she was co-editor and associate producer of Michael Moore's documentary, Roger & Me in 1990. She also co-edited Moore's only fiction film, Canadian Bacon...
. It aired on Sunday May 7, 2006. Due to time constraints, the opening credits were cut.
Plot
EdieEdie Britt
Edie Britt Williams is a fictional character created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives...
hires a private investigator, Oliver Weston, to determine if Karl was cheating on her with another woman. When Weston arrives on Wisteria Lane, he hides in the bushes of a neighboring home and records Karl and Susan
Susan Mayer
Susan Delfino is a fictional character played by Teri Hatcher on the American Broadcasting Company television series Desperate Housewives. The character was created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry and first appeared in the pilot episode of the series on October 3, 2004...
talking in the garage about their one night stand. Weston is soon discovered by Mike Delfino
Mike Delfino
Michael "Mike" Delfino is the name of a fictional character on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character is played by actor James Denton.- Season 1 :...
who asks him why he is snooping around. When Weston attempts to explain why he is there, Mike punches him in the face after he mocks Susan. Later, Mike invites Susan over and introduces her to Weston and his mission. Weston plays a tape revealing her affair with Karl and Susan is shocked. She tries to buy Weston off, but he names an exorbitant price and gives her an ultimatum to come up with the money by the following Monday or he will hand over the information to Edie. Susan cannot afford the money and therefore writes Edie a letter of apology detailing her fling with Karl. After mailing the letter, Mike visits Susan to tell her that he paid Weston's bribe because he doesn't want anyone to get hurt. Susan is relieved and thanks Mike for preventing a war between herself and Edie. Susan then must come up with a way to get her letter back. Following a sudden inspiration she lures the mailman into her kitchen with iced tea. After she has plied him with enough tea, Susan suggests he use the restroom upstairs by her bedroom as the one nearby is broken. Susan then steals the letter from his bag and puts it with her mail. After he has been upstairs for a while, Susan worries about the mailman and is surprised to find him on her bed in his undergarments. Susan warns him to get dressed since her daughter is home. Downstairs, Julie checks the mail and puts Edie's letter back in the sack. Susan then hurries the mailman out and declines a rain check. Edie soon discovers the letter and while Susan is at Mike's, Edie drenches Susan's house in kerosene
Kerosene
Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage, also known as paraffin or paraffin oil in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. The name is derived from Greek keros...
and sets it on fire.
Gabrielle
Gabrielle Solis
Gabrielle Solís is one of four main characters on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. She is portrayed by Eva Longoria...
, still distraught over losing baby Lily, invites the wives over for food and consoling. Xiao-Mei also is upset because she is being deported after several warning notices. Gabrielle and Carlos
Carlos Solis
Carlos Solis is a fictional character on the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. The character is played by actor Ricardo Antonio Chavira.-Early life:Carlos was born in Guadalajara, Mexico to Juanita and Diego Solis...
then visit with Homeland Security where the agent explains to them that if Xiao-Mei were pregnant with or married to an American citizen, she would be allowed to remain the country. Gabrielle then asks Xiao-Mei if she will have their baby since they consider her family. Xiao-Mei declines the offer since she values virginity and if she were to marry, her husband will not want her. Gabrielle insists Americans do not believe this and convinces Xiao-Mei to reconsider. On the morning of the insemination, Carlos finds a confused Xiao-Mei naked in bed ready for her first intimate moment. Gabrielle soon discovers Carlos and Xiao-Mei and puts an end to Carlos's ogling.
Tom
Tom Scavo
Thomas "Tom" Scavo is a fictional character on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives, played by actor Doug Savant.Tom originally was a recurring throughout the first season but became a regular in season two. Early storylines often revolve around Tom's working habits and that he is alway...
comes to final blows with Ed when Ed hires a forensic accountant to find reason to fire him. Tom saves Ed the time by punching him in the face and making sure that he gets himself fired. Lynette
Lynette Scavo
Lynette Scavo is a fictional character on the series Desperate Housewives. The character is playedby actress Felicity Huffman, who won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 2005, and was nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series...
confronts Ed and refuses to apologize for what her husband did and says none of it would have happened if Ed handled his marriage better. Ed retorts that she should not pass judgment on his marriage since her marriage is flawed as well. Ed tells Lynette about Tom's expense account; including an unauthorized trip to Atlantic City with a show for two and flowers. Lynette later meets Tom in the lobby after he has cleaned out his office. Lynette then asks if he wants to tell her anything. Tom has nothing to say and leaves in the elevator.
Betty
Betty Applewhite
Betty Applewhite is a fictional character on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character is portrayed by actress Alfre Woodard, and is the center of the mystery of the series' second season.-Season 1:...
plans to kill Caleb by taking him to a picnic and feeding him ice cream she prepared with drugs. At the lake, Caleb asks where Matthew is and Betty says it is a special day just for the two of them. Caleb then tells his mother that Matthew told him to kiss Danielle and that she would be waiting for him. Betty then takes the ice cream from Caleb and demands that he tell her everything Matthew told him to do. Later, Betty locks Matthew in the basement for his treachery.
Bree
Bree Van De Kamp
Bree Van de Kamp is a fictional character on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives, played by Marcia Cross. Actress Marcia Cross was nominated from 2005 to 2007 for a Golden Globe Award in the category of Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy...
invites Peter for dinner and also asks that Andrew
Andrew Van De Kamp
Andrew Van de Kamp is a fictional character in the ABC television series Desperate Housewives played by Shawn Pyfrom, and is the son of Bree Van de Kamp and the late Rex Van de Kamp....
bring Justin as well. When Bree tells Peter of the dinner plans, he reluctantly gives in, feeling uncomfortable because of his sex addiction. Andrew overhears their conversation on another phone and asks Danielle to help him with a scheme. During dinner, Danielle comes to dinner in a revealing outfit in an attempt to mess with Peter. When she succeeds in flustering him by running her hand up his thigh, Peter unexpectedly leaves saying his sponsor needs him at a meeting. The following day, Andrew tries to get Danielle to sleep with Peter. Danielle tells Andrew to get out of her room and calls him a freak. Andrew invites Peter over and asks about his sex addiction and previous sexual encounters. Peter says that he "slept with a lot of people back then." Andrew then realizes that Peter is bisexual. Capitalizing on this, Andrew seduces him. Bree soon arrives home after being called by Andrew, and is shocked to find Andrew in her bed with Peter coming out of her bathroom half-naked and looking for his pants. The next day, Bree takes Andrew to take a tour of his desired college. However, halfway there, Bree leaves Andrew at a gas station, tells him she can't be around him anymore, and gives him money and clothes with the understanding that he is now on his own. Initially Andrew pleads for her not to leave him there but then declares that he has won since he knew ever since he came out and saw a certain look in her eye that she would eventually stop loving him. With a tortured resolve born out of her intense sadness, Bree just looks back at him, and despondently says, "Well, good for you," then returns to her car. As Bree looks back at Andrew from the rear view mirror, she begins to weep.
Cast
Although credited, Paul Young (Mark MosesMark Moses
Mark W. Moses is an American actor, known for his roles of Paul Young on Desperate Housewives and Herman "Duck" Phillips on the AMC series Mad Men.-Life and career:...
), Zach Young (Cody Kasch
Cody Kasch
-Early life:Kasch was born of Scottish heritage in Santa Monica, California and raised in Ojai, California on a working ranch until he was nearly fourteen, when he moved to Camarillo, California.-Movie career:...
), Preston Scavo (Brent Kinsman), Porter Scavo (Shane Kinsman
Shane Kinsman
Shane Kinsman is an American child actor who typically plays a rambunctious twin alongside his identical twin brother Brent. He played Kyle Baker in the 2003 film Cheaper by the Dozen and its 2005 sequel Cheaper by the Dozen 2...
), and Parker Scavo (Zane Huett
Zane Huett
Zane Alexander Huett is an American child actor.Zane is most famous for his featured role on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives playing the role of Parker Scavo, the younger son of Lynette and Tom Scavo. He plays the youngest Scavo boy, yet is older by six months than the actors Brent...
) do not appear in this episode.
Title reference
- The episode title is that of the song "I Know Things Now" sung by Little Red Riding Hood in the Stephen SondheimStephen SondheimStephen Joshua Sondheim is an American composer and lyricist for stage and film. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award...
musical, Into the WoodsInto the WoodsInto the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986, and premiered on Broadway in 1987. Bernadette Peters' performance as the Witch and Joanna Gleason's portrayal of the Baker's Wife brought acclaim...
.
International titles
- French: L'envie de savoir (The urge to know)
- German: Rache (Revenge)
- Italian: Adesso Lo So (Now I Know)
- Hungarian: Bosszú (Revenge)
- Polish: Rewanż (Revenge)