Ep 9. Beautiful Girls

In season 3 episode 9 of Desperate Housewives titled "Beautiful Girls", the ladies of Wisteria Lane become embroiled in a heated competition for the title of the most beautiful woman in the neighborhood. The episode opens with the annual Block Party, where Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) is crowned the fairest of them all. However, she soon finds herself challenged by the arrival of the stunning Virginia Hildebrand (Shirley Knight).

As the episode progresses, the women go to extreme lengths to outdo one another. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) enlists the help of her teenage daughter to rig the vote in her favor, while Bree (Marcia Cross) takes extreme measures to keep herself looking young and beautiful. Meanwhile, Susan (Teri Hatcher) struggles with the knowledge that her ex-husband, Karl (Richard Burgi), is now dating the gorgeous and much younger Edie (Nicollette Sheridan).

As tensions rise, the women begin to turn on each other, with old rivalries and grudges coming to the surface. Gabrielle finds herself at odds with her former best friend, Carlos' (Ricardo Chavira) mother, who believes that Virginia should have won the beauty contest. Bree, struggling with feelings of inadequacy, turns to alcohol to cope with the stress and becomes increasingly erratic in her behavior.

Despite the drama, there are moments of tenderness and vulnerability as well. Susan confronts Karl about his new relationship, and the two share a poignant moment of closure. Lynette, struggling with her guilt over cheating on her husband, Tom (Doug Savant), shares a moment of forgiveness with her daughter. And Gabrielle, grappling with her own insecurities, receives a comforting word from her loving husband, Carlos.

In the end, the women come to realize that true beauty comes from within, and that they are all capable of being strong, confident, and beautiful. As they come together to celebrate the end of the Block Party, they do so with a newfound sense of unity and camaraderie, having realized that their rivalry was ultimately meaningless.

Overall, "Beautiful Girls" is a powerful episode of Desperate Housewives that explores themes of beauty, aging, and competition. With its mix of drama, humor, and heart, it is a standout installment in the series and a must-watch for fans of the show.