What does the future hold for 'Housewives'?

Although it was rumored beforehand, some viewers were no doubt surprised by the final moments last Sunday: ABC's "Desperate Housewives" jumped five years into the future. How come?

"One of the things we always talk about is that in spite of the show sometimes becoming gothic and soapy and over the top, we always try to return to the roots, the real lives of suburban women," said consulting producer Jeff Greenstein in a phone interview Monday afternoon. "We wanted to reset the predicaments of our women in ways that are real and grounded."

To that end, viewers saw Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) looking frumpy and with children, which she swore she'd never have. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) found herself dealing with the police over her troublesome teenage children. Bree (Marcia Cross) had become some sort of Martha Stewart, running a business empire with the assistance of son Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom) while still married to Orson (Kyle MacLachlan). Katherine (Dana Delany), now tied in with the show's main characters after her harrowing experience, was still on the street, too. But the biggest shock was Susan (Teri Hatcher) in the loving embrace of a man (Gale Harold, "Queer as Folk") who was not her husband, Mile Delfino (James Denton).

"We wanted to shake people up," Greenstein said. "The essence of drama is surprise. We wanted to give people a lot to chew on over the summer."

When "Desperate Housewives" returns in the fall it will remain in the future, with some flashbacks to explain how the women got to the points they are at in their lives. In addition to revealing what became of Mike, Greenstein promised a new mystery, saying, "the show seems to flourish when we have our trademark combination of comedy, drama, soap and the mystery element that propels you through the season. So we're working on something new."

No word yet on whether Denton will return as a series regular. Edie (Nicollette Sheridan) wasn't shown in the future, but series creator Marc Cherry has hinted that she'll return to Wisteria Lane in a few years, which, of course, have now passed. Don't be surprised if she returns to stir up trouble.