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'Ugly Betty' fights salami-scented temptation
On tonight's Ugly Betty, the Suarez Sisters are having man troubles, Amanda has daddy issues, and Daniel has daddy's ex issues. And with Papi sick, it looks like Justin is the one to take care of everyone.
Tempting spoilers ahead that smell like salami.
Sorry, but Renee Zellweger did a better, mopey "All By Myself" scene in Bridget Jones's Diary, but we get the picture. Betty is mourning being Henry-less for two weeks while he's playing daddy with his baby mama. Since we can't have a blue Betty, we're sure she'll get fired up about something ... or someone.
Luckily, Claire assigns Betty a short piece for Hot Flash, which is good because Betty's a writer, right? Well, where's that salami-smelling muse to give her confidence and inspiration? Oh yeah -- sandwich guy! She confides in Gio who finally makes his two-pronged move: First he revives the banter I love so much by teasing her about her "crush" on him, and second, he just all-out lays one on her lips. Whew! Did your bean-counting Grubstick make you feel like that ever? No? Didn't think so.
Over at Mode, a review of legal papers confirm that the Wil-sperm spawn is entitled to one-third of dead Bradford's assets by the of age 18. Until then, Wilhelmina gets to play trustee. She swoops into Mode so, so fierce with her killer red belt/heels/handbag and power makeup (heavy lashes/liner and red lips), intimidating yet arousing all whom she passes.
With artful maneuvering and flair, Wil offers sage advice to save Claire's advertising problem with Hot Flash and Daniel's lousy idea for a war theme for the upcoming issue of Mode. Pucci and politics -- how putrid! All her sneaky competence finally wins over Alexis, who decides to take Wil back on as creative director, not just a name-only employee. Business sense makes sense, but Alexis, wake up and smell the depilatory. You Can't Trust Wilhelmina. She stole your dead father's corpse sperm!!!
Hilda is alternately adorable and embarrassing with her crush on Coach Diaz, even volunteering to chaperone Justin's junior high dance. Unfortunately, she falls sick (thanks Papi!) and Betty takes this opportunity as chaperone to do research for her article. Naturally, she runs into the worst distraction -- Gio, whose snotty younger sister attends that school.
It's suddenly hotter in the crepe-papered gymnasium as Betty smolders behind her glasses when she sees her sandwich love. Oh, but her heart belongs to -- well, that guy in Tucson with a baby -- whatshisface. As in episodes past, Gio is the one that gives her confidence when it comes to asserting herself and writing. He even helps her with a bit of petty theft when she wistfully remembers winning -- and returning -- a trophy for good citizenship.
Justin -- in his Danny Zuko meets couture red satin jacket -- cuts through his mom's BS and just tells Coach Diaz that she likes him, so like, do you like her back? Later that night, hottie coach shows up at Casa Suarez with soup. It's not just a gift, it's a gift of food ... and he tells her she looks good even though she's coughing up a lung and rubbing her nose off. Okay, so WHAT'S WRONG with him? There has to be, right? Like peanut butter, we cannot expect love to be smooth all the time, especially a la Hilda.
After Betty's night of dancing with Gio to Spandau Ballet's "True" (major props to the DJ for having that one on rotation while playing a kid's party), being sorely tempted by his intense buzz-cuttery, and getting caught breaking into the trophy case by the principal, her blood is up. She da man when she asks Gio out on a date, but he's not having it. Whuh? It appears he's no longer content to be the rebound guy. He wants to be "the guy." Damnit. How can you resist, Betty? Give Henry the boot!
Finally, finally we see the return of MarcManda ... almost. She's thrilled that after reuniting with her dad Gene Simmons that they're going to do a reality show together. Problem is, ol' Gene isn't that into being fatherly when the cameras aren't rolling, and even though she pushed Marc to the side earlier, of course he's the one she runs to with her problems. You see, Gene isn't just unloving ... he's also not her dad. Dum, dum, DUM! The tweety tattoo? A fake so he could capitalize on her quest for a dad with publicity. Bastard! Him, not her, even though technically the latter is correct.
Thoughts and highlights:
- Hilda: "When I break up with a guy, I like to get a little bit scary so he doesn't forget me."
- It's good to see more of Justin, but I'd like to see him more as a kid and less taking care of his mom. Time for maturity later. Bring him back to Mode and have him hang out with Marc again.
- Marc: "Look at Miss Fancy Pants Celebrity back amongst the Muggles! Where's your hybrid? Where's your inappropriately named baby?"
- Seriously ... what's Coach Diaz's secret?
- Next week: Daniel's long-lost French son shows up. How will the Meade fortune be split now?
- I'm tired of this Amanda-Daddy storyline dragging out. Give her a love interest. But there's no more Nick Pepper now that he's off romancing Calvin on Greek. Anyone else see that?
How will Betty handle her two men? Are we expecting a cliffhanger here? Anyone looking forward to La Lohan or is she over?
Team Gio!!!!!!! She needs to lose Henry--and go for Gio. Gio is freaking hot and amazing. He always is thinking of Betty first and Henry is always thinking of Henry first. It would be nice for the nice girl to get the nice guy for a change. Not the guy that thinks he is nice when in reality he is using the women in his life.
BettyGirl | May 16, 2008 5:04:35 AM | #I <3 Gio as much as the next Gio/Betty-shipper, and man was he on fire last night!
I liked Henry too, but I do like the uneasy-ness that he brings out in Betty. He makes her think outside the box, but I don't think that she's necessarily ready for him right now. She did just break up with Henry and she really hasn't been single in a while. She should take a mental break, get into a groove that's all about her and THEN get with Gio!
Cocojo | May 16, 2008 6:15:57 AM | #I was literally shrieking at my tv when Gio kissed Betty! And when he said, "I wanna be The Guy," I just about melted! And the way Gio looks at betty!
Go for Gio!!!!
OMG! | May 16, 2008 6:20:20 AM | #I love Gio.
I think Betty does too. But you know if she picked Gio now where would be the emotional angst right? Heh.
hksjjm | May 16, 2008 6:24:56 AM | #I've been ready for Getty since December, but this episode sealed the deal for me. There's no one more perfect for her right now than Gio. He's got to be the guy!
wooster182 | May 16, 2008 11:48:45 AM | #I'm warming up to Gio, and he did make me melt with the "I wanna be THE guy" line, but he irritated me at first, and still does some times. He's so pushy or something, assumes he knows what is best for everybody.
Oh, and while I do think Alexis should wake up, She and Daniel don't know that the sperm was stolen, I don't think. I think Wil's story is that Bradford gave her his frozen boys as a gift before he died.
Ali | May 16, 2008 1:15:13 PM | #Maybe Alexis "waking up" is why her character won't be on as much next season. Perhaps whatever hellstorm is going to wash over Mode next week when the stinky brown stuff finally hits the fan will take her down, to the point that her family decides she is no longer a viable asset to the company. I'm glad that the creators are bringing the show back to its roots, because Ugly Betty has strayed mighty far from them this season. I can't tell you how incredibly happy I was when Marc and Amanda joined forces to bug Betty with the inter-office Gio Kiss poster. I was also feeling just as miserable as Marc when Amanda hurt him terribly while they were on set with Gene Simmons. Their kind of friendship might be a mite twisted at times, but it's one of the most real things on the show, and it always warms my heart to see the two of them bantering together. I'm just wondering how long Marc is going to put up with Wilhemina's Machievellian schemes, when he seems to be the one who is being set up to take the fall if her plots all go to hell. He is sometimes too naive for his own good, even if he thinks he's above it all. Marc is flawed, which is why I like him so much.
Justin as a bratty teenager is starting to grate on me. Sure, Hollywood can only think in one direction at a time (kind of like faeries only being able to feel one emotion at a time), but still...for all the bizarreness that seems to infest the lives of the Suarez family (usually through no fault of their own), Justin has been raised by a loving family who has dealt with a lot. You'd think he'd be a bit less snooty, even if he is so, so stylish (according to himself, anyway). He did redeem himself when he danced with the wallflower/yearbook reporter; Justin may still be finding out about himself, but at least he knows when to be a gentleman, even if it was with a little bit of a push from Gio.
My favorite moment? Hilda with her body in a fluffy robe and head in a towel, looking like six miles of bad road. Yet when Coach Diaz comes calling, she still has to try to pretty herself up (before finally giving it up as a lost cause...you can't dress a head cold in Gucci). She and Betty still act like seventh graders themselves sometimes, but they both have good hearts. I do love this show, if only for the amazing characters (the plotlines sometimes make me wince, but eh...). They're fun to watch, even when being so completely evil that Darth Vader could take lessons. Lindsey Lohan coming next week...hopefully it won't end up being a jump the shark moment.
Dark Disciple | May 16, 2008 1:58:54 PM | #I'm a bit worried about the fact that Justin may not have realized that he just pimped out his mom. There was no indication that Coach liked Hilda before Justin told him that she liked him. Mind you this show tends not to go in that direction so I wouldn't be surprised to see him be just another 'good guy'. Then again if he starts wearing a black hat ...
I too was glad to see Marc and Amanda back together. I just hope they don't drag out who her real father is for another year, or worse just drop the story altogether.
Rishi | May 16, 2008 4:10:36 PM | #ok I'm totally obsessed with freddy rodriguez (gio) in this show. I knew he and betty would become something from his first appearance on the show. The problem is, betty can never listen to her heart--when she finally broke it off with that shrimp from best buy or circuit city or whatever for henry, it was too late cuz he waz already a baby daddy. If she doesn't get her act together soon she will loose gio too which would really cheese me off!
anyhoozle, I think coach isn't interested in hilda and her queen-of-a-son justin just screwed up her chance with coach if she had one cuz now he just feels sorry for her. :( And what if he's gay!? after all, he seems to go easy on the lil' queer-eyes in gym class (justin)
The first guy B was dating was a huge loser. Henry is less of a loser but still a nerd, and umm, oh yeah! A flamming daddy and 3,000 miles away! Now betty has to make the final upgrade to Gio and all will be right with the world. Oh, and I guess it would be ok if Wil was overthrown from mode and goes back to running hell like she used to and stuff.
gigi | May 17, 2008 1:51:02 PM | #
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