I've said it before and I'll say it again. How to keep the one of the best episodes from leading into the worst storyline

all they had to do was have bree break up with Chuck Vance or have her continue to turn him down and then season 8 can be exactly the same without it being stupid.

it doesn't matter that gabby didn't report the abuse her stepfather did to her and he didn't have a gun. he broke in and Carlos used reasonable force. they could have told Vance and he probably would have waved it away.

but imagine if they had broken up and he was being as vindictive as he was in season 8. then It would make sense why they couldn't go to the police and have to hide the body.