Ah, But Underneath

Ah, But Underneath is the second episode of the first season of Desperate Housewives and the second episode of the series overall.

Synopsis
Gabrielle goes to great lengths to hide her affair with her gardener, John; Lynette tries to discipline her twin boys with tough love; Bree and Rex try marriage counseling.

Plot
The ladies contemplate telling Mary Alice's husband Paul about the blackmail note, while he retrieves a mysterious toy chest from underneath his pool. Gabrielle suspects Carlos is catching onto her affair, and that John may be falling in love with her. Bree suggests to Rex that they should enroll in marriage counselling. While helping Edie salvage her belongings, Martha Huber finds a piece of evidence that might implicate Susan – her measuring cup. Edie and Susan continue to fight over Mike's affections as he invites both of them over for dinner, with his dog having to pay the price. Frustrated by her children's behavior, Lynette resorts to an extreme discipline technique, which ultimately backfires. Rex blames Bree for their marital problems in their first counselling session with Dr. Goldfine. Paul throws the toy chest into the town lake.

Starring

 * Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer
 * Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo
 * Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp
 * Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis
 * Nicollette Sheridan as Eddie Britt
 * Steven Culp as Rex Van de Kamp
 * Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis
 * Mark Moses as Paul Young
 * Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer
 * Jesse Metcalfe as John Rowland
 * Cody Kasch as Zach Young
 * Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young
 * and James Denton as Mike Delfino

Guest Starring

 * Christine Estabrook as Martha Huber
 * Sam Lloyd as Albert Goldfine
 * Jan Hoag as Beefy Middle-Aged Woman

Co-Starring

 * Brent Kinsman as Preston Scavo
 * Shane Kinsman as Porter Scavo
 * Zane Huett as Parker Scavo
 * Timothy Brennen as Cop
 * Adam Lieberman as Veterinarian

Production Notes

 * This is the first episode to feature the complete opening credits.
 * The starring credits change in this episode.
 * James Denton is now billed with "and".