"Ugly Betty" Season Four Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

It's been a few years since we've had a talkback for Ugly Betty, now in its fourth season on ABC. I've never watched the show myself, but I'm happy to fill some user requests for this show based on a Colombian telenovella. This season, Betty has moved to Fridays at 9 p.m. ET. In a rare move, it also replays on TV Guide Network. Your first chance to see episodes that way is the following Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

"Ugly Betty" Season Four
Fridays @ 9 p.m. ET/8 CT on ABC
UPDATE: moved to Wednesdays @ 10 p.m. ET/9 CT on ABC

Previous episodes:
"The Butterfly Effect: Parts 1 & 2"
Original airdate: October 16, 2009

"Blue on Blue"
Original airdate: October 23, 2009

Next week's episode:
"The Weiner, the Bun and the Boob"
Friday, October 30, 2009 @ 9 p.m. ET/8 CT on ABC
Wilhelmina makes Marc be Betty's temporary assistant; Betty decides to cover the worst jobs in New York; Hilda causes trouble for Archie's campaign; Daniel hires a beautiful but inept assistant.

Season One talkback

ABC.com - Ugly Betty

[DisneyBoy]

Ahhhh...thank you Penguin


So. Here we are. Four years ago, this plucky, soapy series won me over with its colorful characters and twists. Then, somewhere in the midst of season two, it all became a tad too twisky. Betty had to choose between two perfectly nice beaus - the soon-to-be-Daddy Henry and the seemingly perfect Gio - and Willi and Claire's back-and-forth struggle for power over Meade Publications was starting to get tiresome. Plus, supporting characters like Christina and Justin just weren't getting much to do.

Then, came season three. Lindsay Lohan left a foul stink on the season early on...though it would have stunk a little anyways. Both Gio and Henry were hastily written out and then Alexis made a murderous (and somewhat random) move, pushing pregnant Christina down a flight of stairs just to spite Willi. Oookay. Alexis fled to France with her son in tow soon after, Lindsay was booted from the series, and then things got really wierd. Betty fell for a vapid, self-centered musician...got an apartment, lost an apartment...Hilda became a guilt-tripping shrew of a sister in her attempts to blame Betty for their father's heart-attack....Daniel hooked up with the sugar-sweet Molly only to lose her to cancer...Willi fell for Connor because he had an accent, only to then get dumped when he stole Meade money and ran...and Betty hooked up with another boyfriend, the rich, wandering Matt.

To bottom line it: The series stopped being about Betty's career growth (which was always seven steps backwards, two steps forward), and the characters were either leaving the show, or being shuffled about into dull romantic relationships. Yes, I know there was that YETI sub-plot last season, but it played second fiddle to the romantic entanglements. And then Christina left!


Well, it's a new day. The writers have woken up and seem to finally be fighting for this series to survive...and hopefully shine once more. The two-part premiere wasn't perfect - new characters Matt, his father and Megan still feel like poor substitutions for Christina, Alexis and Gio - but it was HUGE improvement on season three.

I really enjoyed the butterfly metaphor. It's clear the producers are going for a theme here, and started to hint at the person Betty will become. The pacing was good, and I really enjoyed that moment with Betty in the butterfly house. Sure, the CGI flies were fakish, but the music and performances helped win me over. Classic moment there.

Daniel was likeable again for the first time in...well, a good long while. I cheered as he punched the one-note whiner Matt (can they PLEASE write him off the series asap?) square in the eye, and I finally felt like he was being a good friend to Betty (and maybe even, something more than a friend...?) Her new status in the company changed their relationship, and I really feel that was well explored here. Plus, his beard is really working for him. Nice visual "growth" there, so to speak.

Justin, too, is finally getting some narrative focus, for a change. As another outsider, it only makes sense to use his struggles as a counter-balance to Betty's. It's nice seeing your characters struggle through relatable situations. Being nervous about pleasing folks in a new job does feel surprisingly the same to trying to fit into a new social situation at school. It was hard to imagine how they'd both pull through it. Lets hope the writers play this out in an interesting way all season long. Marc the mentor is a good way to off-set the antagonism he'll be throwing Betty's way all year long.

Claire's one brief chat with Betty was an appreciated touch. It really felt like there was breathing room in this story. We weren't just rushing from wierd romp to romp, as the show has done in the past. Claire is still Betty's mother figure on the show, and I wonder what twists lie ahead for them.

I was disappointed to hear that Yaya (from America's Next Top Model) would be playing Nicco. The original actress was convincing and compelling, and also normal looking. A very own Betty for Willi to have to love. Now, she's a thin, goregous woman. Not sure I like that change, or care too much about the mystery she brings with her. At least it linked up to last year's finale well. Yaya was able to summon up real tears, but I'm still undecided on whether or not she'll fit in well with the rest of the cast, once she starts interacting with them.

The biggest surprise was seeing Amanda get a glimpse of her future, and realizing she wants to grow up a bit. I hear that might take her to Christina's old stomping grounds. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Overall, I'm very happy with the adjustments that have been made. No big name guest stars or crazy hijinks. Just plain old storytelling and the patient playing-out of ideas. Seems the budget is still intact too. You'd never know from watching it that Betty was possibly in danger of being axed in a few months.

Here's praying ABC pulls Betty from the Friday gravestone slot and resurrects it back to Thursdays. I want a season five, especially since it looks like we'll be getting to see Betty become beautiful on the outside, Daniel possibly falling for her, Archie and Hilda possibly tying the knot, Willi possibly ripping Connor a new one, and the series emerging from it's own dark little cocoon and soaring again.

[DisneyBoy]

Can I post back-to-back? It's about the third episode of the season!

Blue on Blue. Hmmm. Didn't much like how long the restaurant silliness went on, even though I did smile and laugh, simply because it reminded me of all the prolonged romantic angst from last season. At least at the end of it, Betty heard some really important words - I think it's time you moved on. I agree. Let's transition away from Matt now. He said all he needed to for us to think of him as a person again. Now, let's shift focus to someone else. Anyone else curious to see how a certain sandwhich vendor would react to Betty's new position in life?

Speaking of which, another blow! So much for everything working out in the end. Wonder what they'll fill the spot in the magazine with, since they lost the article. I hope they keep track of continuity, because all these failures could really add up to something interesting come performance evaluation time.

EDIT: RANDOM RANDOM OCCURANCE...I was just watching a clip from season two, where Betty orders from Gio at his shop, and he throws in...wait for it...a black and white cookie. JUST LIKE THE ONE AMANDA LOOKED AT WHEN SHE SAID HER LINE. Now, either New York City is filled with shops that sell black and white cookies, or that might have been a teensey weensey bit of a subtle foreshadow that maybe perhaps sorta kinda...the producers are remembering Gio as much as the viewers are. And hoping to bring him back, when the time is right.

I was surprised to see Connor back so soon. Didn't buy his quick "I did it for us" explanation, but methinks we'll see him again. He has all the ingredients of a classic villain, but somehow it's not adding up to a super memorable character.

I don't understand why Mandy would be thought of as knowledgable, given her brief attempt at designing back when she tried to parlay her legacy as "Fey Summer's daugher" into a career. If she was awful then, how did she suddenly become fashion-smart now?

Also...can anyone tell me when Igancio landed a role at a swanky restaurant? Last I remembered, he was wondering at the Lindsay Lohan fry place, and then had a heart attack that kept him at home all last year....

Good enough episode. Small victories that keep Betty (and us) in the game, holding out hope for something better tomorrow.

[DisneyBoy]

So mods...how long can I get away with being the only person to post in this thread? Come on people - join in! This is UGLY BETTY!

Hard to hate a show that manages to keep a smile on your face. True, the twists aren't quite as delicious these days, but there's still a fierce cast to enjoy, and plenty of character growth.

The Wiener, The Bun and The Boob

Marc and Betty have become a new twosome on the series, and I'm happy for it. It's always been clear on this series that the villains are rarely all bad, so seeing Marc slowly escape the shadows of Willie's plots has been rewarding. Betty sure did pull a classic self-sacrificing Betty moment in sharing her by-line, and it warmed my heart. Cheesy? Sure. But definitely one of those things that leaves you wondering what you would do in a similar situation. And the dance was cute. I'm sorry, it should have been stupid, but it wasn't entirely.

Natalie's become a really nice partner for Daniel. From the interviews I've read, her time on the show will be short, but thus far I've enjoyed seeing someone relatively balanced enter into Daniel's life without it immediately become a romance. Daniel's choice in assistant was very much "old Daniel" and seeing him admit that things have changed was nice. The writers are pushing for something more from him, and the timing feels right. I still have no love for the melodramatic Molly storyline - and can't wait for the writers to stop referencing it - but at least it's helping Daniel get somewhere with his life.

Hilda and Archie remain my favorite couple on the show. I really hope the writers get these two married this season. Hilda deserves some happiness, and Archie "Karate Kid" certainly fits in well with the Suarez family. Plus, having a Mayor to weave into the soap plots wouldn't hurt right? He...he is running for Mayor, isn't he? I don't remember...

Finally, a nice bit of continuity with the tie-in to last season's finale. When Willie and Daniel flipped the coin, I just thought it was the writers trying to get someone ahead faster without a long explanation for it. This little coda shows the people behind the show can still pay even the small things off. It's a good sign.

Plus None

Ahh Matt. And the ressurection of the Matt/Amanda storyline. I didn't mind it last year when Amanda stole away Betty's vapid musician neighbour, because it's obvious she would have low standards and he was a moron anyways...but this...this is getting old. Matt needs to leave the show, or at least be given a storyline that doesn't involve Betty still thinking he's worth being with. As much as they want to build him up this year as a guy who is finally doing something with his life, he's still just the dude who had a sex addiction and painted briefly and flipped out over one kiss with Henry and tortured Betty over it. Insecure and outwardly angry instead of inwardly reflective? Nope. Not for Betty. And if the Daniel/Betty angle amps up a bit this year - as it seems to be - I really don't want to see more angry Matt storming about. Besides, with Daniel's emotional growth, it's pretty pointless to have two possible love interests for Betty following the same narrative path.

Cal is equally annoying. Who brings up an aborted baby with a sinister "that was a close one" frankness? Loser! I'm actually feeling badly for Judith Light. She's a fantastic actress, but for the past two years she's basically been worrying over Daniel, dealing with Alexis' murderous tendancies and now getting wrapped up in a clearly evil man. This son story doesn't interest me at all, but maybe that'll change once the character comes on the scene.

I finally figured out what's bothering me about Yaya as Nico - her eyes are dead. Yaya's doing enough to be considered acting, but there's no spirit behind it. Vanessa Williams is tearing up and looking over at her child, and it might as well be a cardboard cut-out. I would have much prefered them to get the original actress back and doll her up a bit. Would have made this backstabbing with the not-so-dead boyfriend stuff that much more potent. If I recall correctly, season one Nico had little love for Mom, who saw her as a misplaced piece of her life. And like with Mrs Meade, I'm getting tired of seeing Willie being betrayed. First her sister goes loopy, the Connor steals from her, and now Nicco is being bad. Let's find a new tune, shall we?

Bekki Newton's Amanda really stole the show here. Tearing up over her self-awarely misguided attempts to help Betty. She really is a good person with a limited understanding of life. Aren't we all to some extent? There's something very relatable about her. And seeing Betty slowly win her over, as she has with Marc, is definitely one of the rewards of having stuck with this series. Those two both love her now, and that counts for something. And Marc telling Willie to leave him out of something? Classic moment.

I also liked that the writers were willing to let Betty seem less than perfect in this story. Her negativity towards Daniel's replacement was a natural - if selfish - reaction. She was being clingy. I'm guessing this is more groundwork for an eventual Daniel/Betty pairing, but even on it's own, it felt genuine. It's almost a shame that they had to put a spin on Natalie at the episode's end. I was really liking her...

Methinks Hilda and Amanda have benefitted from Christina's departure in terms of screentime. Usually Betty would be able to run to Christina down in wardrobe if things were going badly with Matt or Daniel. Now it's cell phone chats with her sis. I actually don't mind the change. This cast is still amazingly strong. Once they lose YaNico, Cal and Matt...I'll be especially pleased.


Sure, the show isn't as good as it was in season one, but it's really doing well this year. Hopefully, some more of you will tune in and pop on by here to agree. Despite appearances, talking to myself isn't nearly as much fun as I make it out to be. Join in - Are you as happy as I am that the writers took their time allowing Betty to get a story printed in Mode? Are you hoping to see Betty get together with Daniel? Do you miss the secret room? Gio? Dying to know just what was up with the missing Fey Summer's corpse? Think Natalie would be a strong addition to the permanent cast? Sound off...

[Mister Intensity]

It is nice to see the characters grow from previous seasons. In previous seasons Amanda probably would have done something mean to Matt but when she realized that he was only trying to be nice, she accepted it. Betty would have blew off Amanda completely for her stunt but Betty accepted that Amanda was only trying to help (I doubt Amanda have too many straight male friends anyway so of course she is going to put out an ad to match guys up with Betty). Betty's apology to Natalie was Betty saying she has to accept change but she will still support Daniel in whatever he does (I'm not sure what's Natalie is up to but Daniel better watch out for that group he joined up with). Marc helping Willie out of friendship rather than because she ordered him too and Willie willing to do anything to help her daughter shows how their characters have grown.

I'm not too crazy about the new Nico either. I liked how the original Nico was rebelling against her mother by being everything her mother wasn't now she's being exactly like her mother. Plus, I don't think the new actress is that convincing. You know, Nico is being played by her boyfriend (c'mon, it's Ugly Betty, everyone gets betrayed at one point or another). It will be interesting when that comes out.

I've pretty much missed most of Season Three but Season Four does see some maturation of the characters. I'm actually interested in seeing Betty's new love interest. We've seen Betty in love several times but we have never seen her in lust before (which is how the promo is presenting it) and hopefully that will create a more interesting character arc involving Betty's romantic life.

[DisneyBoy]

*throws flowers at Mister's feet for being the first to post*

Welcome! WELCOME! *pulls him in like Hilda greeting a hapless customer at her salon*

I didn't see the promos, so don't spoil me about this new love interest, please I've really enjoyed missing the episodes and then watching two or three at a time, so I'll probably pop back in two weeks to report on the latest outings.

You know, Nico is being played by her boyfriend (c'mon, it's Ugly Betty, everyone gets betrayed at one point or another). It will be interesting when that comes out.

My hope is that since they've now spilled the beans on Nico being devious, they'll get to the point faster. I doubt whatever she's up too will be bigger than Alex coming back from the dead as Alexis or Selma playing Daniel into proposing for a cover story (two of the best twists, even though they happened back in season one).

Marc helping Willie out of friendship rather than because she ordered him too and Willie willing to do anything to help her daughter shows how their characters have grown.

Yeah - see, now that everyone has been acting more human and sensitive, we really need a super cool villain to mess with everyone. Willie hasn't been all that evil for a while now, and Cal isn't making any big moves...yet. Connor is off-screen. Nico is...yawn. Who is really making trouble now? I think viewers need a new villain to hook them into the remainder of the season. Or an old villain. Or someone turning into a villain. And not Matt.

[JasonFox]

my gf is in love with this show so we always Dvr it ony Fridays cause theirs better things on, but she always makes me watch it and it's ok it has its mediocre moments. Is it just me or is Betty getting better looking?

[DisneyBoy]

It's not just you. The premise of the series - a girl who seems "ugly" in the fashion world actually has the most beautiful heart - was always meant to also show her evolution into an outwardly pretty person, and now that she's gaining on her dream of being an editor for a magazine, she's upping her fashion game.

When I first heard about the proposed changes to her look in this season, I was worried it was the producers knee-jerking to the fact that the series was losing steam. Would they turn Betty into a babe overnight to try and lure back viewers? Thankfully, they haven't been too drastic. She's got new glasses, sweeps her bangs to the side, and has stopped wearing those hideous season three circus-patterned outfits (which were themselves a stretch, compared to the mistmatched-yet-believeable looks from seasons one and two). It's a small, subtle change, and I really like it.

Nice that you two watch the series together. Did you only start watching this season, or did you catch the end of last year as well? I strongly recommend season one, if you two haven't seen it yet.

[JLApe]

Conniving characters working behind people's backs seem to be the running gag of the show, not only for this season. Nico is one, so is Natalie (my wife refers to her as "Meadow Soprano"). I prefer the original actress for Nico than the current one. For one, I buy the original one as a person. Yaya is a model, and that's how she's playing Nico. The stick-thin figure isn't helping.

Smith Cho seems to be playing the same character. The sassy but smart hot girl in Knight Rider, the sassy but smart hot girl in Ugly Betty. Is there more to her than this?

I like to see the outcome of Justin's experiences in school. The bully scene was set up so well in the season opener, and then it's not seen or heard again?

[DisneyBoy]

Justin's plot-line will continue to develop throughout the season, I'm sure. It was one of the things that was repeatedly referenced with regards to this season, which is one of the things I liked. Finally, the producers are listening to fans. People said "Betty shouldn't still be an 'ugly' assistant by now" and they've grown her into a green assistant editor in slightly nicer clothes (though I would have appreciated an explanation for some of Betty's fashion choices over the years, we at least got that nice slideshow/blog bit in the premiere). People liked Justin and wanted to see more of his growth, and now we've been introduced to his high school life. I'd personally like to see that guy friend of his from last season return. I always thought they'd pay that off a bit better.

For one, I buy the original one as a person. Yaya is a model, and that's how she's playing Nico. The stick-thin figure isn't helping.

I was pretty alarmed at how thin she looked, especially in that cafeteria where there were slightly more "normal" body types around (albeit still thin ones). Not healthy...and yes. There's only a model doing her best to act in a plotline that feels stale and should end quickly. Which is a shame. Just having the original actress back would have upped the interest factor considerably.

Anyone else hoping Matt leaves soon? People seem not to mention him much in their posts...

[JasonFox]

Oh trust me and my gf follow it, I follow it as a fan but she loves it religously. What I liked about it was its very orginal premise. It was unexpecting and always fun to watch. So I will continue to follow.

[DisneyBoy]

Well, I've fallen a bit behind here...let's talk about the last episode!

Backseat Betty

Although we never got a wrap-up to Betty's article, it was refreshing to see her out and about, away from Mode. I really like how the writers are looking at what they've yet to explore on the show, right down to Betty's choices in men. NONE have been "bad" and it was fun seeing her deal with this crush. Was worried the kiss moment would be embarrassing to watch, but they handled it well.

Justin's subplot went into overdrive. The High School gym scene was cheese, but the following "I'm not gay" part was anything but. The writers made an interesting choice there, and it's one of the reasons why this season been so rewarding to watch.

Didn't really love seeing Willie quit Mode that way, although watching Claire offer her the cover of Hot Flash was priceless. Those two have great chemistry, no question. But Yaya as Niko...still bugs me. And it's getting worse. This would have been such a better storyline with the original actress. I just want it to be over with, now.

The twist with Connor dying...I didn't see coming. And frankly, don't believe. Having read some spoilers and interviews about the rest of the season, I really, really hope this isn't the last year. They're putting so much effort into the series, and there's still so much to deal with and explore. All Betty needs is a better weeknight. Here's hoping...

[DisneyBoy]

Woah boy, am I behind on my reviews for the episodes. Well, here, I'll talk about tonight's outing and then backtrack when I get the chance.

The Blackout

The writers have wisely (?) brought Betty back to virtually the same place she was last year before the season derailed and Papi had his cliched heart attack. Betty has an apartment, is single, and trying to mingle. And focus on her career. And help everybody.

I had a hard time believing the girl could really pull off everything she had going. It an effort to bring the characters to where they should be at this point in the story, I feel like an awful lot is going on off-camera. When did they move all her furniture back into the apartment, by the way? And how many weeks has it been since Betty parted ways with Matt? How is she managing her blog site without his tech support? I don't like random time jumps forward.

Especially since it means the writers don't feel the need to explain how or why this new position opened up at Mode. How convenient for Marc! It was all a little too easy, for my tastes. Obviously Willi would give him the job. As nice as it is for things to be going right for the characters, it just all feels like presents being handed out on Christmas morning. And Marc totally didn't sound like himself this episode. He kept giving up, even AFTER he finished a decent presentation board? I would think that with that part out of the way, everything else would seem small to him. Anyways, too much complaining.

I would have liked to see Betty do some actual writing on the series - we have yet to really get a sense of how she expresses herself in words. And Marc is surely talented at everything (remember his YETI book last year!) but there too a reminder as to why he's best suited to this position in particular would have been good.

The Blackout subplot wasn't quite as juicy as I'd hoped. After watching some season one episodes again, I have to admit the series was tighter then. We got too little of Justin's storyline here (are they committed to showing us his ilfe more or not? I'm confused), and I have little idea how Marc managed to whip up a poster board that was perfect when his entire application was supposed to have been on his computer and taken weeks to create. Tell me it was more than a poster-board all this time!

I'm liking Hilda's new guy less and less. The charming smile only gets you so far, and the way Ignacio just started getting along with him didn't feel authentic. When a father feels like he's losing a daughter, he doesn't just admit that to the guy who got her pregnant. I would have preferred a more aggressive, less docile approach from Papi in this storyline. It would have made the turn-around and surprise ending more effective.

The baby's dead! Aw. I mean, I didn't see the point in them making Hilda pregnant again, and we saw nothing of Justin's reaction to it all, so what happened here exactly? I don't quite understand, but it felt like gears were being switched quite a bit throughout. I expect Bobby to be gone soon. Archie may have been less fun than Hilda, but I liked that and felt they were a good match. He was her sort-of-Henry. All this to say - didn't expect the baby to be dead.

Worst part of the episode? Daniel suddenly, unbelievably showing an attraction to Willi. Don't get me wrong - I knew long ago that these two getting it on would be a wickedly cool twist in the series because it's just so WRONG. But to throw it away as a lark here...felt pointless. And gross. I actually spoke Willi's two lines of dialogue aloud before she did in the scene where Daniel lays one on her. Great minds think alike?

Now just what the heck is going on with Claire's plotline? Why are them compartmentalizing the storylines this year? I like seeing a little bit of everybody...

[TKnHappyNess]

I have to mention this, but Season 4 is the last season since I heard ABC is cancelling the series.

[NewcomerDC]

http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/01/27/u...ty-canceled%2F

Wow. I may not have watched the show as much as anyone else but this was a shocker. Everyone's favorite Latina's going bye-bye later in the Spring.

[NewcomerDC]

Originally Posted by TKnHappyNess

I have to mention this, but Season 4 is the last season since I heard ABC is cancelling the series.

Oh. Wished I stopped by to see this comment sooner because I just made a thread talking about the series coming to a close. I wasn't sure if anyone heard or even read about it yet. Can someone combine this thread with my thread entitled 'ABC Announces 'Ugly Betty' Cancelled'?

[DisneyBoy]

And now we know one of the things that will be happening in the finale: http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/01/...comment-166184

Do I even need to say that I'm sad, or does it go without saying? *loooong sigh* The series was destined for better things than this. I think the behind-the-scenes writer switches hurt the series the most, because the move to New York certainly didn't and the cast was always on their game.

Such a shame. And the worst part is, the news of its cancellation will draw more attention to the series than any of this season's top notch episodes.

[DisneyBoy]

Chica and The Man

Well, well, well. Dare I say it? Probably one of my favorite episodes of the season. The only thing missing was a little bit of drama, but honestly...after all the Nico, Connor, baby, Alexis stuff this series has seen, in a way it's rather nice just to see the characters getting along like ordinary people.

Well, maybe not-so-ordinary. I am so going to miss Vanessa Williams in this role, so getting the chance to see her sing in this episode was a real treat. I wasn't sure quite where they were going to take the plot with her drag doppleganger, but they made it work rather well. I loved the Suarez family's comments from the audience during the awards night. The writing on this show is so quick and clever it never fails to put a smile on my face. Although I definitely think Mana Wintour gave a better impersonation. Wilhelmeana is the second character on this show to be played by a sibling of a lead cast member (Amanda's actual brother guested as Marc's stalker beau). I guess in a way that makes sense, since Ugly Betty is all about family.

Speaking of which, it was so refreshing to see Betty actually lose her cool with Daniel for the first time in four years. As his assistant, she may never have agreed with what he was doing, but she never turned on him like this. I would have liked to see her suffer a bit more - regardless of all the help and love she's given him, Daniel is still her boss and he was right in feeling she'd crossed a professional line - but I guess I'll settle for seeing her get pelted with burritos at the end of her own awards' night.

Some people online have said that they find Betty to be a little insufferable, and tonight, I had to agree. In the past, she'd never acted ashamed of her wardrobe despite everyone's comments about it...but give her an award and suddenly she doesn't want to be reminded of who she was? Reality check Betty: you still wear crazy clothes. If she really loved Daniel, which we all know she does, why then allow him to be pelted and harassed for five full minutes as he's presenting her an award and singing her praises? The guy's always taken the easier way out, and by now either you accept that or maturely take steps to correct it. Letting him humiliate himself further isn't a good way of going about things.

Come to think of it, I'm a little surprised Claire wasn't woven into the story at all, given her love for her son, her concern for the company's reputation and her surrogate mother relationship with Betty. I guess she was too busy getting a hoot out of the drag show. Enjoy, Claire! Man, I love it when she gets to rag on Wili. Those two should really have a fight by the time the series ends.

(long sigh)

But back to the humor. Kristen Johnston as the temp was very funny in this episode. Again, wasn't sure how she'd fit into things beyond being a vision of Amanda's future, but at the end of the day I don't really care - she's making me laugh. That one scene with her and Wili just cracked me up! Hilarious facial expressions

Amanda finally landing the job as Daniel's assistant was a upbeat way to start the episode. In a way, sad that she had to wait three more years just to get Betty's leftovers, but as she put it - she's an ideal fit. Her reasoning that Daniel won't have to be distracted by the "will we sleep together" aspect of things was so on the money, and funny!

This cast rocks. This show is finally letting people be happy for a change, and I'm so bummed that it's not going to get another full season to finish playing it all out. Betty as a writer (we've seen so little of this thus far), Marc as a fashion editor, Amanda as an assistant to her "funbuddy"...

Great episode. Hope some of you saw it. The end of this series is going to be good.