You might argue, "Why not just stream it?" Streaming is convenient, but it is fleeting. The Desperate Housewives Complete Season 01 Special offers several advantages:

If you are re-watching the series, you might be tempted to skip this special. However, it offers a few unique elements:

The Special Edition is designed to sit on a collector’s shelf like a glossy coffee-table book. The outer slipcase is a vibrant, apple-red or pristine white (depending on region) with a die-cut window revealing the iconic shot of the four leads in evening gowns holding fruit—a nod to the show’s sly parody of suburban perfection. Inside, the discs are housed in a fold-out digipak with episode guides, character portraits, and a reproduction of Mary Alice’s final letter: “I’m sorry, I couldn’t live with the shame.”

While most streaming versions of the pilot run 43 minutes, the Complete Season 01 Special includes a 52-minute extended cut. This version adds back character moments that were trimmed for broadcast time. You will see more of the dinner party dialogue, an extended monologue from Mary Alice about the nature of secrets, and a crucial scene between Susan and Julie that explains why Julie is so mature for her age.