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'Ugly Betty' tastes the cupcake of birthday disappointment
This week on Ugly Betty: How a bedazzled cell phone, no matter how cute, can disappoint you on your birthday. Or maybe it's your boyfriend's baby mama who's at fault.
Spoilers.
Betty is turning 24 and has uber-fun plans to go away with Henry for the weekend to the Poconos. Everything is set, and when she wakes up from a Pushing Daisies-colored dream, it looks like nothing can go wrong on her birthday.
But then Henry's baby mama Charlie shows up looking all glowy and babyfied with some lame excuse why Henry has to stay in town. Well, no matter. A birthday in New York isn't too shabby either. You just know that Betty's in for a day of disappointments now, right? And nothing is sadder than a Betty who's lost her bounce. Or is that Tigger I'm thinking of?
The second disappointment comes after Betty makes alternate plans for a swanky dinner out and then scores tickets to a concert in the park ending with a fireworks show. Charlie catches wind of Betty's new plans and plays sick so Henry will bring her to the hospital. Denied again. Henry calls to cancel, but Betty's birthday bedazzled cell phone gets lousy reception, so she only hears the "I love you" part of the message.
Apparently, everybody else hears about Henry's cancellation. The Suarezes decide to throw her a surprise party in consolation, and Gio intends to intercept her outside the restaurant with a horse-drawn carriage (an element that was featured in her dream). Unfortunately, none of them thought to call her -- not that it would have done any good with that phone -- so Betty will continue to think she's stood up by Henry.
It's so sad, yet a teensy bit funny, to see the ridiculous depths of Betty's despair when she orders fondue from the snooty waiter who points out the meal is for TWO and then later when she leaves with a see-through doggy bag filled with molten cheese. It's been a lousy day, from when she first forgot Papi's cupcakes to seeing Charlie at Henry's to Daniel forgetting her birthday.
But wait, it gets worse. She accepts Gio's carriage ride, but naturally it breaks down, and then she spills hot chocolate on herself, soiling her party dress. She has a nice moment with Gio though when they witness some faux "fireworks" from some welders shooting sparks off a building. Beautiful, and oh so deadly.
At home, she discovers Henry asleep on her couch, waiting up for her after the party. Awww. Oh, and Daniel didn't let her down either. He delivered her birthday gift two weeks early, knowing that he would forget once her actual birthday rolls around. So, all's right with the world. Oh, but the pathos comes again when Betty's face reveals that she's not satisfied with the reality of her fleeting relationship with Henry. That situation really sucks.
Daniel, in the meantime, is furthering his relationship with Renee, despite some initial doubts planted by Wilhelmina. Renee supposedly comes clean to him, revealing that when she went to Stonybrook college, she had a breakdown that she is still taking pills for. He's so touched, he asks her to move in with him. Huh? I mean, that's a pretty big step. I'd think after the Sofia disaster, he'd move a bit more slowly.
There's a lot more to Renee though. After plying Marc with chocolatinis, he spills Wil's entire diabolical plan: stealing corpse Bradford's sperm, bribing Christina to be the surrogate and creating a Meade heir. But Marc gets revenge. Remember Renee's medication? Marc switched them out, so she will soon show her true colors.
And let's not forget the eldest Meade. Even though Alexis has cut off Claire's budget for her pet project, the magazine Hot Flash, Claire decides to hire affordable ex-cons in a prison work-release program.
Other thoughts and highlights:
- What's with Renee freaking out about the candle and then snuffing it with her fingers? Hmm.
- Betty should have been wayyy more weirded out by Charlie's appearance. That's just an awkward, no-good situation right there.
- Best melodramatic scene: Hilda flashing her nails and then menacingly scraping Henry's wall with them.
- Gio's new shaved head is hot. So is his pining away after Betty, but I kind of miss his combativeness.
- Claire: "I try to keep up the appearance that I don't use the bathroom. I hope you don't think less of me."
- Umm, sheer undies Daniel? Really? I'm not sure what to think about that, but I'm certainly getting a visual. It's weird.
- Justin: "No, I need more time. This banner is sub par."
- Marc: "I don't get straight people. Who puts what where. It's all so confusing."
Did I miss anything? Do you think Renee really commit murder? Are you rooting for Henry or Gio? Excited for Christian?
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay BETTY is BACK!!!
Zac | Apr 24, 2008 7:20:51 PM | #Read Rebecca Romijn is not coming back as a regular next year. Is there some baby lettuce in the future for her and Vern?
| Apr 24, 2008 7:54:58 PM | #Nice to see more of the Suarez family this episode, and also glad to see more of Gabrielle Union (who is my second favorite woman with that name after Ms. Anwar), who is just perfect with Vanessa Williams. My only complaint? No Marc/Amanda scene, which should be made a law, that every episode have at least a short scene with the two of them. The actor who plays Gio must have been in a movie or something during the strike, because that haircut was fierce (sorry, channeling the dude coming on next week). And Henry? Moron, and he is lucky Betty is as sweet as she is. If it were Hilda, it would've been him hanging from the ceiling instead of the muy-colorful pinata. So, so great to see this wonderful show back.
Dark Disciple | Apr 24, 2008 8:09:15 PM | #Glad to see this back... not quite firing on all cylinders yet, but no matter. This show does have some stunning women: Amanda, Hilda, Willie, Alexis, and now Renee... muy caliente! And they can all act :) Gio is such a better call than Henry. There is no future with Henry, and all he can say after screwing up is "Sorry your birthday wasn't perfect".
AC | Apr 24, 2008 11:02:10 PM | #Henry or Gio? Henry or Gio? Henry or Gio? Yeah, yeah, yeah ...
I personally don't understand why she can't have them both. Henry now and Gio (and Daniel) later. Why does there only have to be one "perfect" man for Betty?
That having been said, though, Henry was very cute and (sadly) very clueless in this episode. But he stuck by Betty as he should. Poor Charlie only has the baby to tie him to her. I wonder how much of a pull that will remain over time ......
I loved that Hilda threatened Charlie in Henry's apartment on Betty's behalf. But I knew immediately that she told her way too much about Henry and Betty's new birthday plans in the midst of her much needed threats.
Ah well! It allowed Betty to grow a little as a person, I think. Bad birthdays suck, but they aren't uncommon. Every day should be a celebration to make up for this.
I LOVED Mark's suit and hat in this episode. Very natty! His comment about heterosexuals was very funny and probably also very true for his character.
I also love that Mark tried to talk some sense into Wilhemina after he switched Renee's pills under her orders. There are so many things wrong with Wilhemina's current schemes that it's hard to know even where to begin to enumerate them.
I wonder how long it's going to take Christina to figure out her role in the whole shebang?
Renee and fire? Hmmm. Anyone else smell pyromania in the air?
And, yes, Daniel is very much jumping the gun with Renee. He should know better, but he seems to lack the ability to make smart choices when it comes to women.
The whole moving in idea makes me think that it's more about appearances and proving something (for both of them) than it is about actually being in that place in their relationship.
This decision, among other things, doesn't bode well for this relationship.
Poor Daniel.
Although, I agree that he'd probably look outstanding in those mesh briefs. (Nice call.)
Amanda's Gene Simmons tee was saucy as was her attitude throughout this one. I'm still in some serious doubt that he's her actual biological father, but it's still fun to watch anyway.
Claire was great, as usual, and very, very funny. And her solution to the problem of funding her magazine was perfect and typical for her. I wonder when her partner, Amelia, will make a return appearance? I like those two together. They have a great comedic rapport.
Other costume refs -- That lovely white shirt with the pleated cuffs Claire is wearing when she talks with Betty in the restroom was fabulous. Betty's lavender birthday dress was lovely too.
Great ep! I'm glad to see this one back and firing on all cylinders.
Berlin | Apr 25, 2008 12:51:10 AM | #Betty didn't fall in the mud, she spilled the hot chocolate she made Gio stop to buy (which is why, according to Gio, they were going to miss the fireworks)on her dress. Also the "fireworks" weren't sparks off an electrical unit. It was three welders working on scaffolding.
Tracie | Apr 25, 2008 4:29:43 AM | #@ Tracie
Thanks for pointing out the hot chocolate and welders. When I watch my East Coast feed, it's only on a 3.5-inch screen, so some things are hard to see ... Fixed!
Hanh | Apr 25, 2008 7:22:56 AM | #Good Show. I agree, More Mark and Amanda.
Ray | Apr 25, 2008 7:26:15 AM | #I think Renee set something on fire and maybe someone died, but accidentally. Not that she isn't nuts or anything, but maybe not a premeditated murderer?
alia | Apr 25, 2008 8:33:45 AM | #Absolutely love the relationship between Claire and Betty!
Jan | Apr 25, 2008 12:18:30 PM | #This show has become rather tedious and boring. I think the Henry relationship is really dragging the show down. I initially loved him but when he left Betty for Charlie the frist time they lost all rooting value for me.
Zoe | Apr 25, 2008 1:13:55 PM | #I know why I enjoyed it this time - NO Amanda and Marc scene. That's what has ruined it for me. I like the relationship with Betty's family to be more prominent.
I have always been a fan of Betty and Henry but he is getting SO lame and wussy that I may have to jump on the Gio bandwagon.
It may be time for Betty to have another epiphany.
Jan | Apr 25, 2008 3:46:37 PM | #I have to admit - I thought Betty fell off the carriage too. It would have taken an AWFUL lot of hot chocolate to get her hair that wet!
Jan-again | Apr 25, 2008 3:48:00 PM | #Who's Vern? Rebecca's husband's name is JERRY. And if you're referring to characters, Rebecca can't get pregnant; her character is a transsexual-- she used to be a man, so Alexis doesn't have the "equipment".
KB | Apr 25, 2008 5:16:42 PM | #Glad to see Betty back, but I'm tired of Betty allowing Charlie to interfere between her and Henry. Henry is a wimp when it comes to Charlie. I feel Betty should kick Henry to the curb and start dating Gio (he's cute) and is pining away for Betty. I think Gio would treat her much better than Henry. Betty should stop taking crap from everybody and that includes some people at work.
Kick Henry to the curb, get into Charlie's face and give her hell, and ride into the sunset with Gio.
I also think that the "powers-that-be" (Writers/Directors) should make Betty a little less ugly. They should show that Betty has some "umph."
Beverly Evans | Apr 25, 2008 9:01:57 PM | #Beverly, I'm guessing that Betty loses the braces next year - I never had braces, but I think most people wear braces for about 2 years, so even if they decide to say that she started to wear braces just before the start of the show that will have already been 2 years.
Rishi | Apr 26, 2008 9:54:46 AM | #I agree with rishi hope betty lose braces,,,,
and I would love to see relation between Daniel and Betty that will happen if and when the show ends
aadil | Apr 28, 2008 10:15:42 AM | #omg I really enjoyed this episode of Ugly Betty and I also really hope that Betty and Gio get together because the whole Baby and Charlie storyline is really starting to bore me. But I really can't wait for the last two episodes of the season! I watched the 217 promo on youtube and I couldn't believe my eyes when Gio kissed Betty! I was shocked but glad because for a minute I think she wanted to kiss him too! :P! Anyways, I think Gio and Betty should end up together because he has the biggest crush on her.
It's always ironic that if, on a show, two people are friends first and one of them falls in love, that the other friend doesn't even realise it even hough it is blatently obvious, even though everyone knows, they don't know and when they finally do find out by a friend who happens to blurt it out or a faulty webcam that someone leaves on just as that person confesses their undying love for the significant other, they deny it and act like it was such a shocker!
Well, sorry it was long-winded but that's just my opinion.
...
I'm gonna go now...
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