City on Fire

Season 5, Episode 8, Aired
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Episode Summary

Susan's daughter Julie (former series regular Andrea Bowen) comes to visit, and brings along her 40-year-old boyfriend (guest star Steven Weber). A reporter named Sandra Birch (guest star Rachael Harris) goes out of her way to make Bree look like a sham, whereas Gabrielle and Carlos learn they have been included in maniacal Mrs. Hildebrand's (guest star Frances Conroy) will, as the sole heirs of her entire fortune. In the meantime, Mrs. McCluskey and Roberta (guest star Lily Tomlin) decide to go and see Dr. Heller (guest star Stephen Spinella), unaware that he is already in Fairview and looking for Dave Williams. The men of Wisteria Lane prepare to play at the annual "Battle of the Bands" concert at The White Horse Club, and a fire breaks out and puts lives on the line. Some will fall as a hero will rise...moreless
8.8
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Fan Episode Reviews (19)

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  • oh dear

    4.0
    "Poor"
    By danny7277, Jun 07, 2011 Report Abuse
    this was such an awful episode of desperate housewives i ahte the whole dave storyline it is so annoying and so painfuly obvious that he is after mike because it was his family in the car crash, couldent the writers of come up with something better then that, the whole lynette think with her son is pretty rubbsih as it the storyline that susans daughter would marry a 40 year old
    i hate the whole katherine and mike think it is so stupid and i really hate the whole gaby and crazy old wommen storyline, come on writers sort this mess outmoreless

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  • the best episode this season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By mewozere, Mar 29, 2011 Report Abuse
    I absolutely l o v v v v v v v v v v e e e e e e e e e e e d d d d d d d d d d this episode. An absolute classic! Yes it's probably been done before but it's never been as good as this!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!! Did I mention I l o o o o o o o o o o o o o v v v v v v v v v v e e e e e e e e e e d d d d d d d d d d IT!moreless

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    1 2

  • And so to Desperate Housewives' annual 'big sweeps episode', the one that 'threatens to change the lives of the characters forever' and promises to be full of action, drama, and, hopefully, mindless gay sex featuring Shawn Pyfrom and Jesse Metcalffe.moreless

    8.5
    "Great"
    By screenagedkicks, May 17, 2009 Report Abuse
    And so to Desperate Housewives' annual 'big sweeps episode', the one that 'threatens to change the lives of the central characters forever' (just as it did in all the past seasons, but, um, well, actually didn't all that much) and promises to be a season highlight, full of action, drama, revelations and, hopefully, mindless gay sex featuring Shawn Pyfrom and Jesse Metcalffe... *ahem* In the past two seasons, the hype machine went into overdrive for 'Bang!' and 'Something's Coming', respectively and, well, justifiably so. Those remain two of the best forty five minutes of television that the creators of this show have ever put to film. 'City on Fire' tries to be the equivalent - really, it does - but, let's be honest, it just can't quite match them. A middleweight in heavyweight territory, would be an appropriate metaphor. There's some clever manipulation of plot structure, interesting character developments and a brief "oh my God, they're actually going to kill Mike" moment to enjoy but, sadly, the gravitas of the fire just doesn't compare to that of, say, a tornado; and the drama of the situation is nowhere near as intense as the claustrophobic psych-fest of the supermarket robbery in 'Bang!' Of course, it is perhaps a bit unfair to judge 'City of Fire' in this fashion; it is a well written episode with a host of excellent scenes and, at the very least, a cameo from Tokyo Police Club to enjoy. It could just have done with a little bit more... oomph. And if Mike is Dave's target, I swear to God...moreless

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  • A fire breaks out....

    10
    "Perfect"
    By vicky24c, Jan 09, 2009 Report Abuse
    In this episode of Desperate Housewives, the following happens. Julie returns home with her new boyfriend, who is a lot older than Julie. Lynette learns that Porter has gotten his much older girlfriend pregnant and that they are planning on running away together. Lynette goes round to see her and confronts her. She confirms that it's all true and then her Husband walks in, having heard every word of the conversation. Lynette is told to leave by the Husband when she does, she feels guilty knowing that he hits her and goes back inside to find him beating her. Lynette hits him and he stops and walks off. When Porter goes to the hospital and sees what has happened to his girlfriend, Anne, he races back out and Lynette chases after him. Susan soon learns that Julie's new boyfriend has been married 3 times before and is wants to propose to Julie. When Julie says that they have only been dating for 3 months, but she says no. And Susan learns that she doesn't want to get married ever. Dave's doctor turns up and we learn that Fairview w the one place he was never to move too. We also learn that after the Battles of the band gig he has to confess to who he really is and what his real name is. We then see Dave talking his doctor into a back room and strangling him. He then pours liquids all over the body in order to destroy it. We then see Dave starting a fire. Anne's husband turns up and hits Porter. Soon fire appears and the club has to be evacuated, except the exits are locked. As everyone begins to make their exits, though windows and such we see Porter turning up with a gun.moreless

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    2 0

  • Darn good episode

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By mobbs456, Dec 11, 2008 Report Abuse
    So not quite the Bang or Something's Coming, but still the best episode of season five so far. There was drama, but there was also some great comedy.

    Gabby and Virginia: Is she a lonley old rich lady or is she after something else? Hmm, anyway it was good to see Gabby save her life.

    Bree: That reporter sniffing around would of got a slap off me. But Bree remained a lady and that's one of the reasons why she is simply the best.

    Lynette: Good to see the hero in her. She rescued Ann from her horrible husband. I hope she believes her son and tries to help him.

    Susan: Teri Hatcher ruled this episode. Good to see Julie back and good to see Susan make a fool of herself again - all for the sake of her daugther.

    Psycho Dave gets worse - he started the fire, he killed a man and rescued Mike. Just what is this man up to? We'll have to keep watching.

    Seriously good entertainment.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Susan tells Lloyd she has been divorced twice, but technically it's three times: twice from Karl and once from Mike. Edit
    • Supposed Goof: In the previous episode, it was said that an original song was needed for Battle of the Bands. However, Mike sang "Mustang Sally" at the concert. Response: Dave also said in the previous episode they needed to work on their covers before he said anything about a new song. They were probably planning to play an original song after their cover of "Mustang Sally", but the club was set on fire. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • International Episode Titles: France: Panique Au White Horse (Panic at the White Horse) Germany: Stadt In Flammen (City on Fire) Hungary: Ég A Város (The City's on Fire) Spain: Ciudad En Llamas (City on Fire) Czech Republic: Město v plamenech (City in Flames) Edit
    • Although credited, Joshua Logan Moore (Parker Scavo) and Kendall Applegate (Penny Scavo) are absent from this episode. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Dr. Heller: I hope you realize... I'm only doing this because I want to help you. I genuinely care about you, Dave. Dave: I know you do, Dr. Heller. And I like you. Actually, I like you a lot. Edit
    • Dr. Heller: (referring to Mike Delfino) He's in your band! Dave: Oh! I know. It sounds crazy, but we've worked through everything. It's cool. Dr. Heller: No. This is too dangerous. I need to speak to him right now. Dave: Doc, you just have to trust me on this one. OK? Dr. Heller: Now, Dave. I speak to him right now. Or I call the police. Dave: OK. You win. Come on. Edit
    • Dave: I'm really, really sorry about all this, Doc. Dr. Heller: You changed your name and didn't tell me. You're living in Fairview, the one place you swore you wouldn't go. Dave: I didn't change my name just to be deceptive. I just wanted a fresh start. Dr. Heller: Fairview is not a fresh start for you. Dave: My wife, Edie. She's from here. And she really wanted to move back and I said "Okay". Dr. Heller: Did you tell her your history? Did you tell her why it's not healthy or safe for you to be here? Dave: She knows everything. And I'm in a really good place right now. But...can we talk about this after the show? These guys...they're my friends. And they're depending on me. Dr. Heller: The moment you're finished playing, we can talk. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Sandra: You're really this Donna Reed housewife from the 50s? Donna Reed is an American actress (1921-1986) who remained famous for portraying an idealized housewife in "The Donna Reed Show". Edit
    • Episode Title: "City on Fire" is a song from the Stephen Sondheim 1979 Broadway musical Sweeney Todd. Edit

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