Hodgman stated that guest actors "breach the security" of the "claustrophobic, sealed-in quality" of the series. Stransky praised the return of Warren as Sophie in the seventh season and called her final scene in the episode "touching." Reverend Sykes (Dakin Matthews) is reverend at the local Presbyterian church. He first appeared in the episode "Live Alone and Like It", when he met with Andrew about his sexual orientation. Andrew tells him he plans on getting revenge by "rocking" Bree's world (which Sykes cannot warn Bree about due to the rules of confession). Sykes presided over Rex's funeral and was the celebrant at Bree and Orson's marriage. He is later seen in numerous occasions for the rest of the series, giving Bree advice whenever she needs some. Phyllis Van de Kamp (Shirley Knight) is Rex's mother. She has always had a very cold relationship with Bree, disapproving of her marriage to Rex and accusing her of making her son's life miserable. After Rex's death, she continues to disrupt Bree's life. Phyllis first appears in the second season when she arrives for Rex's funeral. She clashes with Bree on the stories the Vicar would tell about Rex, or the tie he was going to wear. Soon after, Phyllis calls a detective who is looking into Rex's death and informs them that Bree has a boyfriend. Suspecting foul play, the detectives exhume Rex to examine his body. When Bree learns what Phyllis has done, she packs her bags and sends her home. Phyllis appears in the episode 4.04 at Bree's baby party and discovers that Danielle is actually pregnant and Bree intends to raise the baby as her own. Phyllis later leaves but turns up at the end of the episode in the place where Danielle is staying and takes Danielle to stay with her. Danielle packs her things right away. However, Andrew informs Bree that the only reason Danielle wants to stay with Grandma and raise her baby is because she will be offered a cushy life. Bree outbids Phyllis and offers Danielle a convertible which would have been a surprise for her birthday if she was not living with Phyllis and the college of her choice. Therefore, Danielle goes home with Bree and Orson. Bree feels sorry for Phyllis and tells her that she will be allowed to babysit the child on weekends. "Parcher & Murphy" is an ad agency in which Lynette works during seasons two and three.