'Ugly Betty': Something old, something new
Ah, l'amour. Ugly Betty advanced several romantic relationships tonight, but the one driving the centerpiece wedding wasn't one of them.
Spoilers are Posh-tastic!
After a botched attempt covering up her relationship with Henry, Betty gets in a huge argument with Papi, who definitely doesn't approve. Stubborn, angry and not a little hurt, she packs her rolly luggage and moves into Henry's place. While I think this is a bit extreme (she only just slept with the dude!), what I can't stomach is Betty's refusal to attend Papi's citizenship ceremony. That's just petty and petulant and other things that don't start with "pet."
But really Betty hasn't been herself this season. She's been mopey, whiny, deceptive, negative and an all 'round wet blanket. Luckily, Henry forces her to attend, and father and daughter make up. I was hoping that this would mark Betty's return to her upstanding, cheerful self, but what with getting fired by a betrayed Daniel, I wouldn't be so sure. Plus, there's the whole doomed relationship thing still going on.
Wilhelmina was wearing her dragon lady finest this episode. Not only did she sleep with bodyguard Dwayne again the night before her wedding, but she pretty much thumbed her nose at Daniel, who had his hunches, but couldn't prove it. Her only weakness was her miscalculation asking Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham), that limelight stealer, to be her maid of honor. That didn't last long. As guest stars go, she was a'ight. Designer Vera Wang playing a bitchy version of herself was just odd, especially when she did a booty bump.
Anyway, after ignoring Daniel's claims that Wil was cheating with the bodyguard, Bradford keeled over mid-ceremony. Yeah, he lives, but in what capacity? Does Wil still have a chance to get her claws in him?
Meanwhile, Christina's estranged husband Stuart (with an equally dishy Scottish accent) dropped in, whereupon we discover that he used to be a drunken sot, and so she just up and left him one day. They sweetly reconcile, doing the nasty in Fay's sex hideaway, and Stuart reveals that he's dying from liver disease (thanks alcohol) and only has six months to live since he can't afford this $100,000 miracle experimental medical treatment. Christina, after rediscovering the nice Stuart again, is touched and vows to get him the money somehow.
Okay, because this is Ugly Betty land, we're all wondering if Christina is getting conned, right? Could it be that obvious? I'd hate it to be such a cliched story, but what's the alternative? She gets him the money, he lives and they're happy? Where's the drama?
Anyway, I saved the best relationship for last. I adore Marc this season. He's finally accepted the real Cliff and displays a silly, yet sweetly jealous side at the wedding when Cliff makes his official public debut as his boyfriend. Marc doesn't quite know what to do with his feelings and almost sabotages the relationship until Amanda, narcissistic yet loyal Amanda, points out his condition: "You're looking past the outside and seeing what's on the inside. You've fallen for an average man. You're deeper than you think." And, without saying any words, Cliff accepts his flighty man back with a hug. Awww.
Some choice bits:
- Marc: "This wedding is so fancy, even Armani is wearing Prada."
- Wilhelmina observing Posh waving to the paparazzi, "We all know you're strong enough to raise your arm."
- Wil dubbing the Meade siblings as: "The Dynamic Duo: Danny and the Tranny"
- Amanda: "I've got class coming out the pooper."
- Marc, after the second mention of his nipples: "Why the sudden interest in my boys?"
- Marc, observing Posh in a killer gown: "She made me feel tingly where no girl has ever made me feel tingly."
- Betty's planned date with Henry: The New York Transit Museum.
- Amanda, upon seeing a suave Cliff: "Transfatty ..."
- Amanda, singing "The Milkshake Song" in the church. Great acoustics.
Your thoughts about how this will all play out? Betty/Henry, Christina/Stuart, Marc/Cliff?
I was wanting more Posh! She is Major!!!
I died laughing when Amanda was doing the Milkshake song. OMG!!
I was finding myself rewinding on the DVR a lot last night because I was laughing so hard and I had to watch it again. "Danny and Tranny" was one of the best.
Wish there could have been more with Justin being in the wedding. I guess his little time at Mode this summer is over as I think they said he was back in school.
This wedding episode was as funny as the previews had promised. I loved Posh ****e upstaging Wilhelmina, but then ended up being locked up in a closet! :-)
I didn't really care for the Henry and Betty storyline this time, since it seems that Henry will be leaving Mode, at least temporarily. However, I thought it was nice of Henry to encourage Betty to attend her father's citizenship ceremony.
I don't read any spoilers, so I don't know how long Christina's husband will be on the show. It hadn't ocurred to me that Stuart might be conning her. My first thought was that Christina would have to do something illegal or work for Wilhelmina in order to obtain the $100,000. I definitely don't think that Stuart will stay with her after she gives him the money. :-(
Danny and the Tranny was SO good that I couldn't believe it took them so long to come up with it!!
Marc is still to over the top for me, but I sure do like Cliff.
I'm having problems with this show. I loved it SO much when it first came on, but it gets sillier and sillier every week and I'm finding it hard to deal with.
I agree about Betty's whiny mood. The main reason to WATCH it was that she was always upbeat, albeit clueless, ALL THE TIME. I understand her angst, but the idea that she wouldn't go to her dad's citizenship ceremony didn't seem like her at all.
If they could just cut out a LITTLE bit of the camp, I'd be much happier.
I keep watching though, so it probably won't matter.
While I agree in spirit with the reviewer's post on Betty character this season, I also believe the TPTB did a great job of showing her human side. Frankly, she can't be all that goody two-shoes all the time. She should be tempted and, occasionally fall. Getting her father out of Mexico was the reason why she made the 'deal' with the 'she-devil'. She gives so much for her family it isn't hard to believe she wants to be a little selfish and find some happiness for herself, especially after experiencing her sister's tragedy. Betty bouncing back for some ethical, emotionaly stumbling is going to maker her a more credible and powerful character.
While I agree in spirit with the reviewer's post on Betty character this season, I also believe the TPTB did a great job of showing her human side. Frankly, she can't be all that goody two-shoes all the time. She should be tempted and, occasionally fall. Getting her father out of Mexico was the reason why she made the 'deal' with the 'she-devil'. She gives so much for her family it isn't hard to believe she wants to be a little selfish and find some happiness for herself, especially after experiencing her sister's tragedy. Betty bouncing back for some ethical, emotional stumbling is going to maker her a more credible and powerful character.
I'm continuing to love this show more than any other prime-time scripted show!
In addition to the great comments/moments mentioned by our reviewer, I LOVED Papi's comment about Canadian bacon being the only thing to pull Betty out of her funk when Joey Lawrence was eliminated from DWTS as well as betty's comment to Christina: "AND you had a dog!" The writers are wonderful (may their strike end soon)!
Stuart: "You needn't worry about the dog food...[the dog] died two years ago." That was my favorite non-wedding-related line. I was not really looking forward to this episode, because I feared that it would turn into yet another mess of cliches and rehashed plotlines that has been a staple of every other hour-long show since The Guiding Light was on radio. Thankfully, the various goings-on were as wacky and fast-paced as usual, which made some of the more redundant bits more palatable. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Alan Dale is three-for-three in the "heart attacks for sweeps month" shows. I'm sure he did the dive on The O.C., and possibly on one other show that I can't remember, but know he was on. For the people who don't watch previews, I won't say if he dies or not, but it's kinda funny that he's died/almost died on more than one show in the exact same way. He needs to next guest star on Eureka and get taken out in an exploding toilet or something, just to even his karma out a little. The last three weeks have been so dang busy that it's nearly impossible to go over the entire episode, but I'll mention a few favorite highlights...I was not a Victoria Beckham fan before last night's episode, but major kudos to her for both being such a good sport for her, um, treatment (the dress, mwa-ha-ha-ha), and for taking her real-life persona and upping the posh factor for the show. The same with Vera Wang: I've seen her on interviews, and she is nothing like she portrayed herself on Ugly Betty (rather, she is a highly-talented designer who is one of the kindest women in the business, from what I've seen, heard and read). I must have a closeted gay gene somewhere in my DNA, because when Cliff came out all cleaned up and be-suited, a primal part of my brain went, "Hmm." Even if he did remind me slightly of Ross the Intern, from The Tonight Show. My favorite moment from the entire show, though, was Hilda crawling in and out of the windows of both her and Betty's rooms, so as to keep Ignacio from knowing that Betty was out late. Just well-shot, well-acted and funny. Next week's episode looks to be a little more "heart-felt" (pun intended) than this one, so I get the feeling hankies will be required.
I seriously loved this episode! Marc and Amanda were perfect, as always. The tingly comments, the shock expressed by Amanda and Marc that he is seeing beyond Cliff's looks.
I am not sure what to think about the doomed relationship...
POSH = MAJOR
Cut Betty some slack people - none of you know how you'd react if you were in the same situation and don't say you would. Poor Betty has always been last in everything and to have someone who she loves love her back is a really big deal for her no wonder she's acting a bit crazy. And yes, if all the people in her life keep telling her she's stupid of course she's going to be p'sed off. You learn from your mistakes but she has to be allowed to make the mistakes so she can learn from them. Stop expecting her to be Superwoman because that's how she started out - allow her to be human and flawed like the rest of us. She's only 23 and has plenty more growing up to do. Look at the mistakes all the older people around her keep on making.
That being said, I love my sister but I doubt if she'd do what Hilda did for Betty climbing in and out of those windows on the first floor - now that's love.
After sleeping with Henry once, they're already going to bed in T-shirts?? I don't do that now with a new boyfriend let alone when I was 23!
Cliff looked adorable - loved that tie! The outfits were really cooking this episode everyone looked gorgeous. The Suarez family are as bad as the Walkers for keeping (or not keeping) secrets!
Posh was so much fun - hope she's in more stuff.
Wili is the best villain ever she has absolutely no shame and looks good doing it - She'd beat Alexis Morrel Carrington Colby Dexter hands down!!