Desperate Housewives (TV Series)

Your Fault (2005)

Brenda Strong: Mary Alice Young

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  Mary Alice Young : There is a look that parents of well-behaved children give to the parents of the not-so-well-behaved. It's a look that says, "You should learn to control your kids. After all, they're your responsibility."

  [Susan gives Lynette that look] 

  Mary Alice Young : Of course, it was easy for Susan to feel smug with a daughter like Julie. She always brought home straight A's. She was helpful around the house. She was bright, affectionate and considerate of others. To her mother's way of thinking, Julie was the perfect child. Unfortunately, Susan was about to discover that no such creature existed.

  [Susan walks into Julie and Zach kissing, whereupon a mother-daughter argument ensues] 

  Mary Alice Young : There's also a look that parents of the not-so-well-behaved children give to parents like Susan. It says, "Welcome to the club."

• [last lines] 

  Mary Alice Young : Sooner or later, the time comes when we all must become responsible adults, and learn to give up what we want so we can choose to do what is right. Of course, a lifetime of responsibility isn't always easy. And, as the years go on, it's a burden that can become too heavy for some to bear. But, still, we try to do what is best - what is good - not only for ourselves, but for those we love.

  [Zach and Julie secretly meet to talk about Susan's forbidding them to see each other] 

  Mary Alice Young : Yes, sooner or later, we must all become responsible adults. No one knows this better than the young.