'Ugly Betty' and the Tornado Girl disaster
Man, I understand that Ugly Betty has to put poor Betty through the wringer in order to test her mettle, but does she really still need to deal with Daniel mucking up the works for her?
Spoilers that may has well say "Surrender, Betty" in skywriting.
Grr! I'm not pleased with many portions of this episode. Not much to exult over. It's obviously a transition episode to set things up. The only positive thing I can really say is that it did focus more on Betty's ambition, which needs to be nurtured since it's high time she moved past assistant level.
Short and not sweet: Before Daniel goes to a Meade Publications retreat with the other execs, Betty convinces him to let her give Final Approval to the latest Mode issue that's themed "Fashion in the Eye of the Storm" in his absence. Once she hears about a devastating tornado decimating Kansas, she realizes that they can't go to print because the cover featuring a fashion tornado would trivialize the tragedy in the heartland.
Betty naturally tries to get hold of Daniel or Wilhelmina, but they've surrendered all of their electronic equipment so they can be focused on the retreat to think of creative revenue-generating schemes. After a botched road trip with Marc and Amanda to reach the execs, Betty hires a plane to skywrite "Daniel Call Betty" in the sky over the retreat. Daniel dutifully contacts Betty and says he'll stop the shipment ... but then Wilhelmina convinces him otherwise.
You see, Wil has a hunch that the callousness of the cover would actually sell issues, and it does result in their highest sales ever. The downside, however, is that Betty has taken the fall since it somehow got out that she had final approval. Immediately she's a pariah, with the media labeling her Tornado Girl. Daniel's conscience is pricked, and during a press conference, he finally takes the blame for okaying the issue.
Checking in with the other Suarez sister, it appears that Hilda has been turned down for a license to run her own business from home. She's beyond pissed since it was that irksome councilman Archie Rodriguez who told her to apply (shoot the messenger and all that). With Justin's help, she decides to run an "underground styling speakeasy," but after her initial run, Papi makes her fight fair.
After visiting Archie's office to demand that he help her push through her license, he merely holds up his hands and says "the law is the law." Not helpful. I'd leave in a huff too. Later, he arrives at the Suarez household to offer her a compromise: If she earns 30 percent from product she sells (he suggests low-cost candles), then she can get a license to run her business as a boutique instead.
Hilda responds positively to the shoulderpadded councilman, something that doesn't go unnoticed by Justin. But just like with Betty, Hilda is not ready to jump into another relationship, I don't think. Hell, she doesn't even know how to deal with such a nice, upstanding guy.
Finally, Marc is making me sad. Last episode I wanted to strangle him for cheating on poor Cliff, and this episode his guilt about that and the fallout from his marriage proposal are excruciating. Betty urges him to tell the truth, and the last scenes we see of him is him confessing to Cliff, who does not take it well and leaves. Marc deserves big punishment, but man, I still want those two crazy kids to work it out.
Other musings and highlights:
- Everyone is looking pretty damn fabulous this episode. Willie is a given, but do I detect smarter styling (more covering up, better colors) with Hilda? Her hair has improved too, which at least makes it more believable about her loyal clientele.
- Marc, when Betty approaches him from behind: "I smell pluck."
- Love how the password for Hilda's salon is from Guys and Dolls: "I've got the horse right here/His name is Paul Revere."
- Connor's fiancee Molly is "spectacularly ordinary" according to Wil. Of course, Molly is just the quirky, down-to-earth gal that Daniel would open his eyes to now that he's seeking a real connection. Since Connor seems to value business over personal (ditching Molly on their anniversary for a meeting), perhaps Wil is more his style?
- I'm thrilled that Papi is stepping up his role as being the sage conscience for his girls. Plus, he makes chocolate chip cookies!
- Was that Jim Breuer in the warehouse? It's good to see him working.
- Is it just me, or is Justin being such a snot? He's lost all of his tact and is just contemptuous this episode.
- Why oh why is Claire dressed like Willy Wonka?
Your thoughts? How about the Hilda/Archie or Daniel/Molly budding relationships? Would Betty be better off with a better boss?
well missed this episode b/c because of cable being messed up again. i need sat!! but to be honest i havent been enjoying ugly betty liked i used to in seasons past so i wasnt to upset about missing the 2nd episode ive missed this season.
This episode was okay...it has it's moments. It was no where near as good as last episode - Crush'd.
I loved it.
It seemed to be missing a scene. The last we see is Marc and Amanda stuck by the side of the road, and then it jumps a day or so and everyone's back at Mode. We never find out how everyone got back to New York and the episode seemed jumpy and awkward. I think a brief transition scene would have helped the flow a lot.
OMG...At what time did they give this episode. I live in MA and it was not on my tv guide because of the game
I thought this was a good episode - loved the "Tornado Girl" tee shirts with a pretty good likeness of Betty...my point of contention was when Betty questioned Justin for wearing one, he lamented that there hasn't been a good occasion to wear a "cause" tee shirt since Winona Ryder was caught shoplifting...how soon he forgot the crusade to "Free Claire Meade"!
I also loved Wilhemina and her gun! She was able to make good use of it in the office to scare Marc (though it never takes much) and then on the retreat...I got a good laugh when she told Claire that she had her gun and it would be okay for Claire to get caught in the cross hairs (or words to that effect).
And "Just Dropping By" - don't get so caught in the minutiae of how Marc and Amanda got back to the office after the crash...a transitional scene like that just isn't necessary.
Glad they didn't show Marc's actual apology and/or explanation for cheating to Cliff - it's much more effective in a scene like that to pan in (or out) on the aftermath. You know the words were hard to say and hard to hear but we the viewer don't always need to see them said. I do feel sorry for Cliff - I'd like to see them get past this and stay together.
Even though I don't want Marc to go completely Betty-ish, it has been refreshing to see his more-human side lately. Opening up to Betty was the most honest I think his character has ever been, and even though it probably all but destroyed his relationship with Cliff, Marc was right to take Betty's advice. Now, if Cliff really does leave, perhaps Marc will better respect the next guy he falls in love with.
The three ***istants in the car were quite funny, and the conversations were as natural as I've ever seen on this show, with all the interrupting, talking over each other and the asides that were almost not heard. As much as Marc, Amanda and Betty could ever be friends, I think they're on their way to that kind of relationship. As much as I despise the word organic (which is over- and mis-used constantly...kind of like the word limn was a few years ago), it does describe the relationships between the three. And it's always good to see them sniping at everyone.
Willie at the end reminded me so much of Cruella De Vil (or maybe The Grinch, the way her lips curled) that I half expected her to pull out a dalmatian coat from her closet. She may have her moments of nice, but she'll never be anything but mostly-evil.
I missed a certain Scottish accent. Hope she's not being reduced to a glorified cameo. And I've seen the actress who played Molly before, just can't remember where.
OMG! Wil's hunting ensemble! Too too funny!!
Loved the chemistry between Ortiz and Macchio. They have a nice on screen charisma. He's such a gentleman... they seem to balance each other out. It's time for Hilda to have a nice guy. Here's to more Macchio on UB!
Absolutely! Loved Macchio way back when... and am rooting once again for him now! Great to see his smile on screen again... got get him Hilda! His appearance makes me love this show more than ever. Keep it going.