Critics and fans alike often criticize the Mike/Susan/Katherine love triangle as being forced, noting that Mike's abrupt return to Susan felt dismissive of Katherine's character development.
Their arc concludes on a relatively positive note after Carlos regains his sight earlier in the season, though they continue to struggle with parenting their daughters, particularly Juanita. Critical Consensus Desperate Housewives - Season 5Eps24
The Season 5 finale of Desperate Housewives , titled "If It's Only in Your Head" (Episode 24), serves as a high-stakes culmination of the season-long Dave Williams mystery. Critically, it is often viewed as a polarizing but essential pivot point that resets the status quo for the series following the controversial five-year time jump. Critically, it is often viewed as a polarizing
The tension peaks in a harrowing sequence where Dave forces Susan and MJ into the car. He ultimately has a "change of heart" or a mental break at the last second, allowing MJ to live but crashing the car himself. After a season of careful manipulation, Dave attempts
After a season of careful manipulation, Dave attempts to kill Susan and her son MJ in a staged car accident, intended to mirror the tragedy that killed his own wife and daughter.
For a deeper breakdown of the season's hits and misses, check out this retrospective analysis:
The finale is widely regarded for its high-stakes pacing and the satisfyingly creepy performance by Neal McDonough. It successfully bridged the gap from the "slow-burn" start of Season 5 to the more traditional drama of Season 6.
