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« Ugly Betty
Episode Recap: A Thousand Words By Friday
Happy Thursday everyone! It looks like this is going to be the last happy Thursday for a while. We had a good run though didn’t we? In this last Betty outing, we got a great guest star (Gabrielle Union) who totally brought it (sorry, I had to do it!) and a nice cameo by Gene Simmons. On top of it all though, we got two of the best moments I’ve ever seen on this show but we’ll get to those later.
As things got started we were treated to another classic Suarez family moment with Hilda testing out her beautician skills on Betty while Justin provided some brutally honest feedback. Betty was preparing for a night out on the town to see the band Henry manages at a little place called The Beer Hole…not to be confused with The Bear Hole, which is an entirely different type of establishment. The night got interesting when Daniel entered the scene and was immediately hit on by Renee (Gabrielle Union.) Daniel was about to close the deal with Renee when a text came in letting him know a writer had to drop out of writing a story. With no one else to get in such a short time, Betty called in a favor she was owed and got herself the story allowing Daniel to resume his evening with Renee. However, his big plans were cut short once again when he found himself feeling up the wrong chest in the darkness of his bedroom. Who’s mysterious bosom was he copping a feel on? Mama Meade! Eww. Time to call up the shrink!
While Betty, Henry, and Daniel partied the night away to the sounds of I.R.S, Marc and Amanda were scheming as usual in Fey’s no-longer-secret sex room. This week, they were cooking up a plan for Amanda to get in contact with the man she believed to be her father, Mr. Gene Simmons of Kiss. After failed attempts to reach him by phone, e-mail, and father’s day cards, Marc suggests she reach the man by using his own language…the language of song. If only Amanda could find a band to help her perform her little ditty to daddy. Well, as luck would have it, she found what she was looking for when the lead singer dropped out of Henry’s band. With a gig locked down, Amanda and Marc got to work writing the song that would hopefully get Gene’s attention.
At the office, Gio seemed just as excited to have the famous author Phillip Roth in the Mode conference room as Betty. Much to Betty’s disappointment though, the man she believed to be one of her favorite authors was actually the author of a book on how to pick up women entitled “Tap That! How to Score with Hot B*tches.” As she tried to make the best of her assignment, it seemed that Phil Roth wasn’t going to give her much to work with based solely on his demeaning approach to the opposite sex. When Betty presented her article to him, she had decided to write a piece on Hilda starting her own business instead. Daniel was disappointed but relieved as he broke the news that Phil Roth requested a new writer anyway. Determined to prove the misogynistic author wrong, Betty set out to write the best article she could with a little help from Henry and Gio. The 3 amigos hit up a bar to try out Phil Roth’s A.S.S method, which quickly escalated into a competition to see who can get the most phone numbers. When Henry won, Betty was obviously pretty ticked off that not only did the A.S.S. method work but that Henry was able to execute it so successfully. They discussed how Betty didn't like seeing Henry hit on other women but Henry came back by saying it was exactly how he felt watching her and Gio together. Nonetheless, Betty ended up putting together a great article that was later scrapped and she found out that Phil Roth never actually complained about her in the first place. Nicely played Daniel! Elsewhere however, things weren’t going so well for our man Dan.
Shortly after his second date with the gorgeous Renee, Daniel learned his new squeeze is actually Wilhelmina’s sister and what’s worse is that he learned this by walking in on Willie in the shower. After trying to make a clean break from Renee, Daniel found it to be quite the task to get Renee off of his mind. Rather than let Wilhelmina get the better of him yet again, Daniel turned the tables and stepped things up a notch with Renee. As the two grew closer, their relationship dug deeper under Willie’s overly botoxed skin while Christina lounged around Wilhelmina’s apartment enjoying every minute of the show playing out in front of her.
On top of his issues with the Slater women, Daniel also dealt with a bored Claire Meade. With no husband to care for and kids busy at work, Mama Meade was desperate for something to do. Her solution? Start up a magazine for older women called “Hot Flash.” Looks like there will be plenty of more fun with Claire in the episodes that will come whenever this strike ends.
As things wrapped up, Amanda finally got her time on stage to perform her ode to Gene. And this, my friends, was favorite Betty moment number 1. The combination of the song lyrics, the way she sang the song, and the gyrations she made while singing had me re-watching that scene at least 6 times. Once Amanda saw that Gene Simmons had actually turned out to hear her sing (he Googles himself every morning,) she left the stage to have some father/daughter bonding time. This left an opportunity for Betty to push Henry up on stage to live out his own rock star fantasy (favorite Betty moment number 2.) Betty and Henry rapping along to It Takes Two by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock was another scene I watched numerous times before sitting down to write this recap. I was only sad that it took 55 minutes into the episode to get to this scene. The episode ended with Wilhelmina threatening to reveal her sister’s dark secret if she continues to date Daniel while Christina eavesdropped from the bathroom.
This episode is up there as one of my favorite all-time Betty episodes. Both musical performances and the competition between Gio and Henry at the bar almost had me in tears. I even loved the little evil glare Marc gave when Gene Simmons confessed to picking Fey Sommers instead of Cher that night at Studio 54. I must admit that I was really enjoying Henry this episode (though I still like Gio) and I’m even coming around to the Christina story. The pregnancy still stinks but it seems like she’s taking advantage of the opportunity to get some dirt on Wilhelmina’s past and her family drama. I’d love to see the wrath of Christina. If anyone could take down Wilhelmina, it’s gotta be Christina. Those two will have a lot going together in the next 9 months. Anyone else have a change of heart with that? I would have still liked a bit more Hilda though. It seems like she hasn’t had a lot to do since Santos’ death. They need to find her another storyline fast! So that’s it folks! It’s been fun. I hope to see you all again when the show comes back…whenever that will be.
Quotes of the Week:
-Amanda’s initial reaction to Marc telling her to speak to Gene in his own language:
“Hebrew?!”
-Phil Roth’s approach to picking up women: “Approach, Subdue, Score…easy way to remember it: A.S.S.”
-Betty and Daniel discussing “Tap That!”: “Betty, you are literally judging a book by its cover!”
-Betty, in response to Justin’s interest in what he was told was a book about tap-dancing:
”Always remember tapping is demeaning to women!”
-Marc’s reaction to Amanda’s song:
“I can only hope that one day I’ll have an illegitimate daughter who will sing me a song that beautiful”
-And finally, Amanda’s intro to her ode to Gene: “It’s Mandy, b*tch!”
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Jan 25, 2008 1:20 AM
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Geed recap. Good episode. The only question I have is what is Claire's secret? I'd say she shared more with Alexis than Daniel, but that seems too obvious.
Any thoughts?
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Jan 25, 2008 8:08 AM
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This was a good episode. And a good recap. I couldnt stop laughing at Amada's song towards her daddy Gene.
GimplyGump, don't you mean whats Renee's secret instead of Claire's? Im trying to figure out what's Renee's secret. It can not be that she used to be a he cause they alredy did that sl before. It has to be something else.
Oh by the way loved the "brought it" refrence Adam.
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Jan 25, 2008 8:29 AM
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Adam, awesome recap!
I thought Daniel was so sweet to Betty last night. First, he showed up to The Beer Hole, which didn't seem like a typical hang-out place for him. I'm assuming he went b/c Betty asked him to. I also loved it when he unexpectedly showed up at Betty's house for some advice. They're such a great team.
As Henry and Gio were picking up women for "research", I was cracking me up with their one-liners! I can't remember all of them but some were "Wow, those are big feet" and "Not all blondes are dumb".
I'm dying to learn Renee's secret.
Now that Claire plans to launch "Hot Flash", I hope that means we get to see much more of her in future episodes (whenever this stupid strike ends).
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Jan 25, 2008 8:42 AM
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Opps, sorry. Brain f@rt! ☺ ☻ ☺ ☻
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Jan 25, 2008 9:06 AM
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I'll make a prediction about the pregnancy situation. Who wants to guess that Christina actually got knocked up by her own husband Stuart, Wilhelmina will just think it's hers and Bradford's, and in 9 months Willie's plot will be foiled again. Anybody? Anybody?
I know I'm supposed to be rooting for Betty and Henry but honestly, I'm counting the days til Betty moves on. He cute but geez she's all emotionally invested in a guy that's letting her even though we all know he's going to go off. Even if Betty can't keep her pants on, Henry should if he's got any kind of class since he's the type to 'do the right thing' by Charlie. Doesn't want to do the right thing by Betty very much. And Gio's obviously super into her and they'll end up getting together at some point. Can we speed that up please? On an end note, I heart Judith Light.
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Jan 25, 2008 9:33 AM
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This was my favorite episode with Henry this season. They've destroyed the Betty/Henry relationship with the Charlie pregnancy. And I refuse to believe Charlie would let Henry spend all this time in NY when she knows Betty is there.
Good idea about Christina being knocked up by her husband.
Also, is Gene Simmons really going to be Amanda's father? I missed it, how did you find out Gene Simmons was her father?
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Jan 25, 2008 10:18 AM
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I'm getting a little annoyed by everyone always wondering what Charlie thinks, or how Henry is not doing the right thing by dating Betty until he goes to AZ...He and Charlie broke up when he found out that she cheated on him w/ the dentist...but he is moving to be with her when she has the baby because he didn't have a father as a child and he wants to do the right thing by the baby...not Charlie. He's not going to get back w/ Charlie, only live nearby so he can actively be a part of his child's life. I honestly don't see him being written out of the show. Somehow they can make it work. Lots of kids have stepmoms. We'll see what happens though.
I loved this epi! I'm not sure that Gene Simons will really be Amanda's dad, although if he is at least that storyline will be finished. Not that I don't like it but they can't keep it going for another season you know?
I hope Gabrielle Union becomes a regular. She's amazing looking and I love how this show has diversity! One thing though..I'm assuming she's Willie's WAY little sister because she seems like she's almost the age of Willie's daughter. Or maybe Gabrielle Union just looks younger than her real age.
"Hot Flash" should make for lots of fun storylines next season...if we get a next season!
Bye UB...you brought a little joy to my life these last few thursday nights  lol
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Jan 25, 2008 10:47 AM
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I loved this eps mainly because it was light fluffy eps. No high drama, and no major cliffhangers, just storyline details. I loved Gabreielle Union guest starring, she has to stay on she's can bring some more character devolpment to the show.
It was kind of intersting how they used the whole picking up girls by insult, and the montage of Henry vs Gio was hiliarous but not as much as Marc chanelling Elton John!
I'm glad Henry finally admitted his insecurity concerning Gio to Betty, and i'm glad H/B didn't bring the angst. I love them rapping togeter at the end!
UB i will miss you for this abrupt hiatus. It's one of the most colorful shows on television, in both design and cast. This show doesn't have a token anything, just the best of the best.
btw the cast so deserves to win a SAG award, they're stellar!
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Jan 25, 2008 11:12 AM
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Did anyone else laugh out loud when Amanda was writing her horrible songs and she was practicing the one with the lines that rhymed? I can't remember all the exact lines, but each ended with words that rhymed with "Dad," but she chose to end it differently. It went something like this...
The psychic told me how to find you and I was glad
I couldn't find you so I was sad
Then you didn't respond so I was mad
I just want to tell you you're my FATHER!
Yep. Pretty sure those song writing talents are in her genes!!
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Jan 25, 2008 11:41 AM
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I'll make a prediction about the pregnancy situation. Who wants to guess that Christina actually got knocked up by her own husband Stuart, Wilhelmina will just think it's hers and Bradford's, and in 9 months Willie's plot will be foiled again. Anybody? Anybody?
YES YES YES!! I thought of this last week that Christina's baby is actually her's and her husband's, that she was already pregnant when she was artificially inseminated with allegedly Bradford's sperm. Now, I believe this may be possible, but perhaps Christina will have twins - one would be her's and her husband's and one Bradford's? Don't know much about genetics so I don't even know if this is possible. Anyone have any ideas about this? If it is possible, it's probably a 1 in a billion chance and it would just be Christina's - and Wilhemina's - luck!!
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Jan 25, 2008 12:05 PM
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First of all, I am pretty sure the place next door to The Beer Hole is called The Bare Hole...but funny that you thought Bear Hole.
Secondly, I thought this was a fantastic Henry/Betty episode, I was really glad to see Henry admit his insecurities about Gio to Betty and actually she picked up on as he admitted it which was even better because in shows how in-tune with each other they really are.
His comparison to her being uncomfortable [I wouldnt say mad] at him picking up women at the bar [which was a one-time thing] being similar to how he feels when Gio is around, which is much more than a one-time thing, was a perfect way to help her understand and his very direct way of telling her he trusted her compeltely and his irritation with himself made it that much more sincere.
If the season does not pick back up due to the strike and FR is not available for Season 3 guest spots, then I would say that was the last we've seen of Gio.
I am an H/B fan but I know there will be complications down the road, I would like to see Betty and Henry at least have had their 5 months though before we start shipping her off to other people and also a little time to get over Henry.
Anyway, great epside, loved the Amanda, Marc and and Gene stuff. Amanda's song was fun I thought.
Thank God Christina can keep an eye on Wili and know some of her secrets. Personally, I think Renee may be a con artist, latches on to rich guys, bleeds them dry and moves on. Anything else seems already done.
Love Judith Light, so I hope her magazine is a go.
More Suaresz family when we come back, please. If we are going to have fun guest stars let's put them in the beauty shop !
Alexis needs to pick a personality and stick with it. Either she likes Daniel or she doesn't.
Missed Kenny, he should have been with the IRS band.
Best moment : Betty/Henry Rap !!
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Jan 25, 2008 1:13 PM
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Nah, if Christina was already pregnant with Stuart's child, the fertility specialist would know and wouldn't go on with the procedure. Anyhow, this was a great episode and I can't wait for the new ones =).
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Jan 25, 2008 1:32 PM
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This was one of my favorite episodes too, since it took a twist from the norm. I thought that the bar scene would show Henry and Gio duking it out for Betty, so it was quit refreshing seeing them in the girl competition.
It proves even nice guys can be pigs! I wonder under all that nice guy exterior if Henry isn't just playing Betty and is actually still seeing Charlie on the side. He was way quick saying to Betty" your not my girlfriend tonight" and what about those pumped up delts under that MR. Roger's sweater.
Love that Amanda is into her singing. Hope she continues to sing which is quite funny yet, good!
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Jan 25, 2008 1:50 PM
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This was one of my favorite episodes too, since it took a twist from the norm. I thought that the bar scene would show Henry and Gio duking it out for Betty, so it was quit refreshing seeing them in the girl competition.
It proves even nice guys can be pigs! I wonder under all that nice guy exterior if Henry isn't just playing Betty and is actually still seeing Charlie on the side. He was way quick saying to Betty" your not my girlfriend tonight" and what about those pumped up delts under that MR. Roger's sweater.
Love that Amanda is into her singing. Hope she continues to sing which is quite funny yet, good!
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Jan 25, 2008 1:50 PM
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