The character of Orson Hodge was planned as a romantic interest for Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher), according to executive producer Tom Spezialy, until Cherry decided to pair Orson with Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross).

They developed the Orson plot line around the "idea that one of our women marries a guy who has dark secrets and possibly a violent streak."

"[6] Cherry called Orson Bree's perfect match, but added that their similarities "will ultimately prove to be the downfall of the relationship.

[1] Gloria convinced Orson to spend time at a mental hospital in Connecticut for clinical depression, as she blamed him for his father's death.

[13] Andy Dehnart of MSNBC cited Orson's storyline as a welcomed change from the slow-moving Applewhite mystery arc.

[14] On negative reviews, TV Guide writer Matt Roush unfavorably compared the Orson character to Bree's former love interest, George Williams (Roger Bart),[15] while Lindsay Soll of Entertainment Weekly simply labelled Orson's storyline as "confusing".