Mary Alice Young
Encyclopedia
Mary Alice Young is a fictional character
on the ABC
television series Desperate Housewives
. The character is played by actress Brenda Strong
and narrates the series from beyond the grave; the character's suicide
in the pilot episode served as the catalyst of the series. The narration provided by Mary Alice is essential to the tale of Wisteria Lane
, as the show revolves around her sharing the secrets of her friends and neighbors. Her narration technique is akin in style to Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology
. She is the matriarch of Wisteria Lane and is the most important character to the show's development.
Mary Alice is the most mysterious of the housewives because only bits and pieces of her story are known. A loving, doting wife and mother who was generous to her family and neighbours, she was the last person any of them expected to commit suicide. She was born on November 18, 1965 and died on September 26, 2004.
In death, Mary Alice sees things she would not have seen in life: her friends' vulnerabilities, lies and secrets. She doesn't judge them so much as love them more because of their foibles, pitying them for the ways they manipulate and hurt those they care about most.
Although deceased since the first episode, Mary Alice continued to have a leading storyline throughout the first and second seasons of the show, with the story being led by her husband and son, Paul
and Zach Young respectively.
After finding a blackmail note in Mary Alice's clothes, the leading women make a series of discoveries. She was being treated by Dr Goldfine; she once went by another name, Angela; and she may have had something to do with a baby that disappeared. Her son, Zach, begins to have flashbacks and is under the impression that he killed a baby named Dana, when he was younger. When Felicia Tilman comes to town and realizes she knew Mary Alice by her former identity, it's only a matter of time before the women learn just how much Mary Alice may have been hiding.
In the first season's finale, the mystery of Mary Alice's death is revealed. In March 1990, Mary Alice (whose real name is Angela) couldn't conceive and bought a baby illegally from a heroin addict, Deirdre. She then moved to Wisteria Lane with her husband and the baby to start a new life. In 1993, the Young family's beautiful, happy life on Wisteria Lane was nearly destroyed when the woman returned, seemingly sober, wanting her baby back. After a verbal fight, as Deirdre went to reclaim her baby, Mary Alice stabbed her and killed her. The child, originally named Dana and renamed Zach, woke up and saw the dead body. Mary Alice and Paul chopped up the body and buried it under their pool. Zach's father turned out to be Mike Delfino
. Years later, when Mrs Huber discovered Mary Alice's secret via her sister, Felicia, who worked with "Angela", she blackmailed Mary Alice. In desperation, Mary Alice committed suicide.
She met Lynette several years later. Lynette and Tom were arguing over how Lynette was expecting twins and that it was completely okay for Lynette to punish Tom for not telling her that his family had eight sets of twins over three generations. Gabrielle was the final housewife to be greeted by the group. She and Carlos were only wearing underwear, as they had just had sexual intercourse, when Mary Alice, Susan, Lynette, and Bree walked in. She is also seen in a quick flashback with her son Zach and husband Paul sometime in the mid- 1990s where Zach tangles his shoe laces and where she is pouring water in the kitchen.
has a series of dreams about the last time she talked to Mary Alice, moments before she shot herself. Lynette tormented herself over not trying to save Mary Alice. After a hostage situation in which two people were killed and Lynette was injured, she had one final dream of Mary Alice. This time, however, Lynette tried to prevent something bad from happening by asking if she could help her. Mary Alice replied that she couldn't, but she could do something. She could enjoy the lovely day, as we get so few of them. Mary Alice, as the narrator, says, "This was the last time Lynette would dream of me, and for her sake, I am grateful."
In a flashback of Susan’s about the day on which Katherine Mayfair
abruptly left Wisteria Lane, Mary Alice Young and Susan walk up to Katherine’s house, questioning her about why there is a moving van outside her house. Katherine tells them that she got a job in Chicago and refuses to allow Julie to say goodbye to Dylan. A crashing noise is heard upstairs and Katherine has been nervous and evasive. When Susan asks if everything is OK Katherine makes her excuses and tells them she is really going to miss them, shutting the door.
It was mentioned that Mary Alice held the position of President
of Wisteria Lane's homeowners' association, a position left vacant for four years (after her death) until Katherine Mayfair
returned and insisted a new one (herself) be elected.
Mary Alice makes her second and last onscreen fourth season appearance in the finale called Free
in a flashback to the night before Katherine left Wisteria Lane. Whilst Katherine and Lillian were out, Mary Alice was babysitting Dylan and revealed that Katherine's then husband, Wayne Davis, had arrived and given Dylan a toy doll and a tricycle. Having no idea that Katherine was running away from her abusive ex, Mary Alice apologizes for any wrong doing as Katherine rushes inside with her Aunt Lillian to check on Dylan.
Mary Alice's role has decreased remarkably in this season as she does only make one appearance and does not appear in the finale. She also has no storyline. There is one episode in which she is not the narrator, thanks to the death of Edie Britt
. Her role in this season is a lot like season three, when the same thing happened.
where she brings Barbara, Eddie's mom, home from a bar when she left her son alone and scold her for bad parenting. At the end of the season finale, Mary Alice's husband, Paul, is released from jail and makes his epic return to Wisteria Lane.
Brenda Strong says she's already started shooting — specifically a scene returning to the day her character committed suicide. Another possible upcoming story line, Strong says, is an episode examining what would have happened if she hadn't taken her life. Brenda has also stated that the middle episode (Which Usually pays home to the "Disaster Episode") will see four flashbacks, each showing Mary Alice Young having a heart to heart with each housewife and them both expressing their gratitude to her and stating "What would we do without you"
) narrated the sixteenth episode of season three, "My Husband, the Pig
" (though Mary Alice still provided narration for the opening "previously on Desperate Housewives" montage), and Edie Britt
(played by Nicollette Sheridan
) narrated the nineteenth episode of season five
, "Look Into Their Eyes and You See What They Know
". That episode had no "previously" montage, and is the first in the series, so far, where Mary Alice is not seen or heard at all.
In addition to this, she has appeared in person in several episodes. Besides "Pilot
" (1.01), where she commits suicide, she has appeared in flashbacks and dream sequences in episodes: "Pretty Little Picture" (1.03), "Guilty" (1.08), "The Ladies Who Lunch
" (1.16), "One Wonderful Day" (1.23), "There Is No Other Way" (2.16), "Remember" (2.23 and 2.24), "Bang
" (3.07), "Smiles of a Summer Night
" (4.02), "Free
" (4.17), "The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened
" (5.13), "Epiphany
" (6.20), "Remember Paul?
" (7.01) and "Making the Connection
" (8.02).
Even though she doesn't appear in "Searching
", a strong presence is felt when Paul's estranged new wife Beth shoots herself in the head with Mary Alice's gun in the hospital after making sure Susan gets her kidney, Each shot leading up to when Beth pulls the trigger, matches Mary Alice killing herself - i.e. a shot that moves 90 degrees to the right, then a closeup of her face, then one of the gun, and then a shot of a reflective surface where you can see her body fall to the ground.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
on the ABC
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...
. The character is played by actress Brenda Strong
Brenda Strong
Brenda Lee Strong is an American actress and yoga instructor, known for her roles as as Capt. Deladier in the 1997 hit movie Starship Troopers and Mary Alice Young on the television show Desperate Housewives....
and narrates the series from beyond the grave; the character's suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
in the pilot episode served as the catalyst of the series. The narration provided by Mary Alice is essential to the tale of Wisteria Lane
Wisteria Lane
Wisteria Lane is the fictional name of a street which the characters of the American drama television series Desperate Housewives live. Desperate Housewives storylines primarily centre around the residents of the street. Wisteria Lane is located inside Universal Studios Hollywood, and is actually...
, as the show revolves around her sharing the secrets of her friends and neighbors. Her narration technique is akin in style to Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology
Spoon River Anthology
Spoon River Anthology , by Edgar Lee Masters, is a collection of short free-form poems that collectively describe the life of the fictional small town of Spoon River, named after the real Spoon River that ran near Masters' home town. The collection includes two hundred and twelve separate...
. She is the matriarch of Wisteria Lane and is the most important character to the show's development.
Mary Alice is the most mysterious of the housewives because only bits and pieces of her story are known. A loving, doting wife and mother who was generous to her family and neighbours, she was the last person any of them expected to commit suicide. She was born on November 18, 1965 and died on September 26, 2004.
In death, Mary Alice sees things she would not have seen in life: her friends' vulnerabilities, lies and secrets. She doesn't judge them so much as love them more because of their foibles, pitying them for the ways they manipulate and hurt those they care about most.
Although deceased since the first episode, Mary Alice continued to have a leading storyline throughout the first and second seasons of the show, with the story being led by her husband and son, Paul
Paul Young (Desperate Housewives)
Paul Young is a fictional character on ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character is played by actor Mark Moses. He is the widower of Mary Alice Young, the show's narrator, as well as the widower of Beth Young....
and Zach Young respectively.
Season 1
In the first scene of the pilot episode, Mary Alice introduces herself. She then proceeds to go inside her house, reach for a gun, and shoot herself in the head.After finding a blackmail note in Mary Alice's clothes, the leading women make a series of discoveries. She was being treated by Dr Goldfine; she once went by another name, Angela; and she may have had something to do with a baby that disappeared. Her son, Zach, begins to have flashbacks and is under the impression that he killed a baby named Dana, when he was younger. When Felicia Tilman comes to town and realizes she knew Mary Alice by her former identity, it's only a matter of time before the women learn just how much Mary Alice may have been hiding.
In the first season's finale, the mystery of Mary Alice's death is revealed. In March 1990, Mary Alice (whose real name is Angela) couldn't conceive and bought a baby illegally from a heroin addict, Deirdre. She then moved to Wisteria Lane with her husband and the baby to start a new life. In 1993, the Young family's beautiful, happy life on Wisteria Lane was nearly destroyed when the woman returned, seemingly sober, wanting her baby back. After a verbal fight, as Deirdre went to reclaim her baby, Mary Alice stabbed her and killed her. The child, originally named Dana and renamed Zach, woke up and saw the dead body. Mary Alice and Paul chopped up the body and buried it under their pool. Zach's father turned out to be 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 :...
. Years later, when Mrs Huber discovered Mary Alice's secret via her sister, Felicia, who worked with "Angela", she blackmailed Mary Alice. In desperation, Mary Alice committed suicide.
Season 2
Mary Alice was the first housewife to move to Wisteria Lane, fifteen years before the show's pilot episode (the day Mary Alice killed herself). In the second season finale, Mary Alice appeared in the episodes in various flash backs, describing how she met the major housewives. The first character she met was Susan. Mary Alice rescued Susan after she locked herself in her moving van. The second character she encountered was Bree, who came to the Youngs' house with Andrew and Rex in tow. She made Andrew apologize for stealing a garden ornamental frog.She met Lynette several years later. Lynette and Tom were arguing over how Lynette was expecting twins and that it was completely okay for Lynette to punish Tom for not telling her that his family had eight sets of twins over three generations. Gabrielle was the final housewife to be greeted by the group. She and Carlos were only wearing underwear, as they had just had sexual intercourse, when Mary Alice, Susan, Lynette, and Bree walked in. She is also seen in a quick flashback with her son Zach and husband Paul sometime in the mid- 1990s where Zach tangles his shoe laces and where she is pouring water in the kitchen.
Season 3
In "Bang", episode 7 of the third season, Lynette ScavoLynette 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...
has a series of dreams about the last time she talked to Mary Alice, moments before she shot herself. Lynette tormented herself over not trying to save Mary Alice. After a hostage situation in which two people were killed and Lynette was injured, she had one final dream of Mary Alice. This time, however, Lynette tried to prevent something bad from happening by asking if she could help her. Mary Alice replied that she couldn't, but she could do something. She could enjoy the lovely day, as we get so few of them. Mary Alice, as the narrator, says, "This was the last time Lynette would dream of me, and for her sake, I am grateful."
Season 4
Mary Alice was not a prominent part of this season, but she was seen on various occasions nonetheless. She was seen in a flashback on the second episode of the fourth season called Smiles of a Summer NightSmiles of a Summer Night (Desperate Housewives)
“Smiles of a Summer Night” is the 72nd episode of the ABC dramedy series Desperate Housewives. It was written by Bob Daily and Matt Berry and directed by David Grossman. It is the second episode of the show’s fourth season and aired on October 7, 2007....
In a flashback of Susan’s about the day on which Katherine Mayfair
Katherine Mayfair
Katherine Mayfair is a fictional character created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives...
abruptly left Wisteria Lane, Mary Alice Young and Susan walk up to Katherine’s house, questioning her about why there is a moving van outside her house. Katherine tells them that she got a job in Chicago and refuses to allow Julie to say goodbye to Dylan. A crashing noise is heard upstairs and Katherine has been nervous and evasive. When Susan asks if everything is OK Katherine makes her excuses and tells them she is really going to miss them, shutting the door.
It was mentioned that Mary Alice held the position of President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Wisteria Lane's homeowners' association, a position left vacant for four years (after her death) until Katherine Mayfair
Katherine Mayfair
Katherine Mayfair is a fictional character created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives...
returned and insisted a new one (herself) be elected.
Mary Alice makes her second and last onscreen fourth season appearance in the finale called Free
Free (Desperate Housewives)
"Free" is the 87th episode of the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. It is the seventeenth episode of the show's fourth season, and the second half of the two-hour season finale. It is also the last episode to take place in "present time" following the five year jump at the end of this...
in a flashback to the night before Katherine left Wisteria Lane. Whilst Katherine and Lillian were out, Mary Alice was babysitting Dylan and revealed that Katherine's then husband, Wayne Davis, had arrived and given Dylan a toy doll and a tricycle. Having no idea that Katherine was running away from her abusive ex, Mary Alice apologizes for any wrong doing as Katherine rushes inside with her Aunt Lillian to check on Dylan.
Season 5
Like the last two seasons, Mary Alice has no main storyline and she makes her only appearance in Episode 13. At Eli Scruggs' funeral, Mary Alice herself recalls how she changed Eli's life. She remembers how one morning before he had any steady work, he approached her and introduced himself. Initially commenting that she doesn't have any work for him, Mary Alice changes her mind when she notices Eli is wearing worn shoes and had obviously fallen on hard times. She asks him if he will fix a vase she broke. Eli appreciates her sympathy and initially declines but Mary Alice is insistent. A few years later, now that Eli has found steady work thanks to Mary Alice recommending him to the women of the neighbourhood, Eli walks in on Mary Alice reading a note. Mary Alice tries to be upbeat despite the fact that something is obviously troubling her, and offers Eli the vase that he fixed for her a few years ago. Eli accepts and leaves, worried about her fragile state but thinking it best to leave her alone. It is then revealed that the note Mary Alice was reading is the one she was blackmailed with and that day is the one that she killed herself. An ambulance arrives and the neighbourhood shows up in force to find out what happened to Mary Alice complete with Martha Huber (the blackmailer) gossiping with other women about Mary Alice's suicide. Eli watches from afar and regrets having done nothing to stop Mary Alice's suicide. From that day forward, he makes a vow to not only fix people's belongings but their lives as much as he can as well.Mary Alice's role has decreased remarkably in this season as she does only make one appearance and does not appear in the finale. She also has no storyline. There is one episode in which she is not the narrator, thanks to the death of Edie Britt
Edie Britt
Edie Britt Williams is a fictional character created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives...
. Her role in this season is a lot like season three, when the same thing happened.
Season 6
Once again Mary Alice is not part of a central storyline but continues to look over the neighborhood she left behind. Her old house is bought by the Bolen family. She makes one appearance in "Epiphany"Epiphany (Desperate Housewives)
"Epiphany" is the 131st episode of the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. It is the twentieth episode of the show's sixth season and was aired on April 25, 2010.-Plot:The Fairview strangler is revealed as Danny's friend, Eddie...
where she brings Barbara, Eddie's mom, home from a bar when she left her son alone and scold her for bad parenting. At the end of the season finale, Mary Alice's husband, Paul, is released from jail and makes his epic return to Wisteria Lane.
Season 7
Mary Alice's husband Paul Young returns to Wisteria Lane as a series regular this season, and brings with him his new wife Beth. Mary Alice is expected to be a stronger presence this season. Her old house was recently bought by her paroled husband. Her adopted son Zach also returned after it came to light that he shot Paul after the Wisteria Lane riot. Paul survives and discovers that Zach has wasted his fortune after developing a serious drug addiction. He blames Paul for the way his life turned out, as well as, Mary Alice's suicide. Soon enough though, Paul and Zach reconcile and he enters rehab. Paul's character would later have a change of heart and rekindles a friendship with Susan, after years of feuding. In the season's end, Paul is held hostage by Felicia Tilman, who has returned to again seek revenge on Paul. When Felieca demands a confession from Paul over killing Martha, he indeed confesses but declares he is not sorry as Martha caused Mary Alice's suicide. Susan later saves Paul, and after Felicia flees she is killed in a car accident. Though free, Paul finally confesses to killing Martha and is last seen being taken away by the police.Season 8
Mary Alice will be a stronger presence this year in flashacks that will reveal new information about her family before her death. The first of this occurs in episode two, where it is revealed that Mary Alice wanted to call her friends (after she received the note) but chose not to.Brenda Strong says she's already started shooting — specifically a scene returning to the day her character committed suicide. Another possible upcoming story line, Strong says, is an episode examining what would have happened if she hadn't taken her life. Brenda has also stated that the middle episode (Which Usually pays home to the "Disaster Episode") will see four flashbacks, each showing Mary Alice Young having a heart to heart with each housewife and them both expressing their gratitude to her and stating "What would we do without you"
Appearances
Despite being deceased, Mary Alice's voice has been heard in nearly every episode of the series; however, Rex Van de Kamp (played by Steven CulpSteven Culp
Steven Bradford Culp is an American film and television actor, best known for his roles as Rex Van de Kamp in the television series Desperate Housewives and CIA Agent Clayton Webb in JAG.-Early life:...
) narrated the sixteenth episode of season three, "My Husband, the Pig
My Husband, the Pig
“My Husband, the Pig” is the 63rd episode of the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. It was also the sixteenth episode of the show’s third season. It was written by Brian A. Alexander and directed by Larry Shaw...
" (though Mary Alice still provided narration for the opening "previously on Desperate Housewives" montage), and Edie Britt
Edie Britt
Edie Britt Williams is a fictional character created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives...
(played by Nicollette Sheridan
Nicollette Sheridan
Nicollette Sheridan is an English film and television actress. She is best known for her roles as Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives and as Paige Matheson on Knots Landing.-Early life:...
) narrated the nineteenth episode of season five
Desperate Housewives (season 5)
The fifth season of Desperate Housewives, an American television series created by Marc Cherry, began airing on ABC on September 28, 2008 and concluded on May 17, 2009...
, "Look Into Their Eyes and You See What They Know
Look Into Their Eyes and You See What They Know
"Look Into Their Eyes and You See What They Know" is the 106th episode of the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. It is the nineteenth episode of the show's fifth season and aired April 19, 2009. The episode was narrated by Nicollette Sheridan....
". That episode had no "previously" montage, and is the first in the series, so far, where Mary Alice is not seen or heard at all.
In addition to this, she has appeared in person in several episodes. Besides "Pilot
Pilot (Desperate Housewives episode)
The pilot episode of the American comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives premiered on October 3, 2004 on the ABC network. It was written by series creator Marc Cherry and directed by Charles McDougall. The pilot introduces the residents of the suburban neighborhood of Wisteria Lane...
" (1.01), where she commits suicide, she has appeared in flashbacks and dream sequences in episodes: "Pretty Little Picture" (1.03), "Guilty" (1.08), "The Ladies Who Lunch
The Ladies Who Lunch
"The Ladies Who Lunch" is the 16th episode of the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. The episode was the 16th episode for the show's first season. The episode was written by Alexandra Cunningham and was directed by Arlene Sanford...
" (1.16), "One Wonderful Day" (1.23), "There Is No Other Way" (2.16), "Remember" (2.23 and 2.24), "Bang
Bang (Desperate Housewives)
“Bang” is the 54th episode of the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. It was also the seventh episode of the show’s third season. The episode was written by Joe Keenan and directed by Larry Shaw. It was broadcast on November 5, 2006...
" (3.07), "Smiles of a Summer Night
Smiles of a Summer Night (Desperate Housewives)
“Smiles of a Summer Night” is the 72nd episode of the ABC dramedy series Desperate Housewives. It was written by Bob Daily and Matt Berry and directed by David Grossman. It is the second episode of the show’s fourth season and aired on October 7, 2007....
" (4.02), "Free
Free (Desperate Housewives)
"Free" is the 87th episode of the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. It is the seventeenth episode of the show's fourth season, and the second half of the two-hour season finale. It is also the last episode to take place in "present time" following the five year jump at the end of this...
" (4.17), "The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened
The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened
"The Best Thing That Ever Could Have Happened" is the 100th episode of the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. It is the thirteenth episode of the show's fifth season and it aired on January 18, 2009....
" (5.13), "Epiphany
Epiphany (Desperate Housewives)
"Epiphany" is the 131st episode of the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. It is the twentieth episode of the show's sixth season and was aired on April 25, 2010.-Plot:The Fairview strangler is revealed as Danny's friend, Eddie...
" (6.20), "Remember Paul?
Remember Paul?
"Remember Paul?" is the seventh season premiere episode of the American comedy-drama television series Desperate Housewives, and the 135th overall episode of the series. It was originally broadcast in the United States on September 26, 2010, on the American Broadcasting Company...
" (7.01) and "Making the Connection
Making the Connection
"Making the Connection" is the 159th episode of the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. It is the second episode of the show's eighth season and was broadcast on October 2, 2011.-Plot:...
" (8.02).
Even though she doesn't appear in "Searching
Searching (Desperate Housewives)
"Searching" is the 150th episode of the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. It is the sixteenth episode of the show's seventh season and will be broadcast on March 6, 2011.-Plot:...
", a strong presence is felt when Paul's estranged new wife Beth shoots herself in the head with Mary Alice's gun in the hospital after making sure Susan gets her kidney, Each shot leading up to when Beth pulls the trigger, matches Mary Alice killing herself - i.e. a shot that moves 90 degrees to the right, then a closeup of her face, then one of the gun, and then a shot of a reflective surface where you can see her body fall to the ground.