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« Ugly Betty
Episode Recap: "Betty's Baby Bump"
Hey guys, Mickey O'Connor here again. As usual, everyone in the world of Ugly Betty is scheming and scamming this week -- to varying degrees of success. Let's tally the scores:
Scheming the coach
Hottest Gym Teacher Ever Coach Diaz (guest star Eddie Cibrian) is going to fail poor Justin, sending mama bear Hilda into action. And how! After a snappy exchange with Coach Diaz, which was equal parts sass and eye rape, Hilda decides to use her substantial feminine wiles -- and her shears –- to bend the poor coach to her whims, which may or may not only include a passing grade for Justin.
She achieved a certain measure of success: Justin will get to choreograph the cheerleading squad instead of gym class! I like the chemistry between these actors, and I look forward to their inevitable courtship. Ana Ortiz did some fine acting during her "mourning Santos" phase; it's time for the girl to have a little fun.
Advantage: Tie (Nobody's a loser in this pairing.)
Scamming the ladies
So Daniel is depressed about Renee going all cuckoo's-nest last week, so he, naturally, decides to bury his sorrows in a pigpile of willing female flesh. It's happened to the best of us. Claire and Alex –- ever the busy magazine-producing beavers these days -– encourage him to see a shrink, which, eventually, he does. I had higher hopes for these scenes, as I really like Kari Matchett, the actress who played the comely Dr. Wallace. She was sharp as a tack as an acid-tongued corporate attorney on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, and I hoped she might be more of a formidable adversary for Daniel in this forum. But… no. They hooked up, driving her shrieking for her own shrink.
It took a typically folksy talking-to from Papa Suarez to encourage Daniel to channel his passions elsewhere, to find his "mole," which turned out to be his work (heh-heh) at Mode, where he knows how to saturate the color-balance and move the photo essays to the front of the book. (Groundbreaking.) It was the Meade version of a tender moment, albeit a short-lived one. Enter Wilhelmina.
Advantage: Daniel (though feminism is the only loser here)
Scamming the Meades
Can I get an Amen for "the biggest comeback since Jesus"? With the help of one hell of a PowerPoint presentation, "Pretty Barbara, not Freckly Barbara" from PR powerhouse PMK, and a lot of hand-on-hip posing, Willi's ramping up to her version of a coming-out party. Christina is far enough along that it's pregnancy-announcement time, and I'm guessing it's this revelation that will facilitate Willi and Marc's re-entry into the Mode fold that was hinted at in the previews for next week. In Marc's words, it was blasphemous…. and sexy. Thank Prada!
Not so fast though. It seems that Christina and her scheming, terminally ill husband Stuart are fighting Willi's schemes with one of their own. And it's a doozy. Christina actually asked Willi to watch the beating heart on the sonogram, and "for once in [her] monstrous life," think about the baby. She asked her to love it (ack) and give it everything that it needs. What could be a more devious request of someone like Willi? Ashley Jensen, who I already loved from her run on Ricky Gervais' Extras, really demonstrated some fine, straight-faced acting in this scene, despite her Scottish burr that always makes me giggle. ("Mur-der!")
Advantage: Team Slater (for now…)
Scheming the pregnant ex
So Betty takes a little of her own advice to Daniel and decides to become Charlie's best friend and yoga partner, and plan una fiesta del bebe for Charlie, which includes flying some tamales in first-class from Tucson (the hell?). Because she's Betty, she thinks this is a good idea, but I'm with Claire Meade on this, planning a baby shower for your boyfriend's ex-girlfriend is B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
Although it was clearly a thinly veiled attempt to give Amanda something to do this week, Becki Newton owes the writers big-time for their clever inclusion of Amanda at the festivities. One of my favorite details about Amanda is that she is powerless in the face of Latino cuisine. Watching her scarf down Charlie's precious tamales while she equated the pain of her not-a-nose-job to childbirth was richly comic.
What a difference a week makes. Last week I was railing against the producers' attempts to pit Henry against Gio, and I was all Team Henry. This episode changed my tune. As I watched Betty tear up as Henry cradled his new baby boy, I started thinking that meeting Henry halfway in Springfield, Missouri -- where they have… weather -- was probably the worst idea yet for Betty. I still don't think she should end up with Gio, but nevertheless, I'm hoping the powers that be agree with me and ship Henry off to the desert for good. I know – I'm as surprised as you are.
Advantage: Betty (as it should be)
Are you as ready as I am for Willi's comeback? Do you think Betty would be better off playing the field for now? Did your gym teacher look like Eddie Cibrian? And does anyone know the name of that soulful song they played over the end of the episode. I'm in the habit lately of only downloading songs I see on TV, in a movie, or in Apple ads, and I must have it.
[UPDATE: I love the Internet! The song is "Didn't You Know (You'd Have to Cry Sometime)" by Gladys Knight and the Pips. Off to iTunes!]
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May 9, 2008 1:09 AM
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i wish my teacher were like him
freaking hot
i love Gilda,i love Amanda,LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WIHELMINA,fantastic
i hope the 3 of them get emmy nominations
they are amazing
poor Betty,she should be with Gio
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May 9, 2008 1:38 AM
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I loved Eddie Cibrian as the coach. I hope he remains on the show for a while. His scenes with Hilda were great and I'd love to see her have more to do on the show now that Santos is gone.
I am fine with Kari Matchett, and I've like her in other things she's done, but when two people who used to be on the same show together (Eddie Cibrian, Invasion) guest star on the same episode, it automatically leads my mind back to their old show. So...I'm not a big fan of that.
I love all the regular cast members and can't wait to see what happens with Betty and Gio!
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May 9, 2008 8:13 AM
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This was a good episode. I was a little confused why Amanda was so into the baby shower. Probably the food. I was so happy when Betty started to realize that it could never work with Henry. She wouldn't be able to do long distance, and she should be with Gio anyways.
Best line of the night is definitely Willie's "It'll be the best comeback since Jesus"
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May 9, 2008 8:33 AM
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I've missed bits and pieces here and there. Has Christina ever seen actual medical reports that confirm hubby's illness? He certainly seemed like he was letting the cat out of the bag last night, and I was disappointed that Christina didn't take off and run from EVERYONE at that point.
(Odd thought: what if Christina and Daniel pair up permanently in the end? What relationship would the kid be to Daniel at that point? Christina needs a good man in her corner!)
I'm still not sure how an illegitimate child, especially one procured post-mortem, without any will-linked instructions to concoct same, can become an heir. This is an AWFULLY big slice of disbelief to ask me to suspend! And lord knows, Betty has asked me to suspend ye belief SO many times in the past! When does it become too much? Hate to say it, but they're going to have to do some fast-talking here. REAL fast.
Favorite bit last night (besides Betty finally seeing that it's not going to work) was Papa Suarez (he's so cute!) having his father-son talk with Daniel (he's so cute!). Aww! Beautiful!
And GLAD GLAD GLAD to see Hilda (and Justin) get some primo time. They're both terrific actors. And mm, Coach! Hope to see lots more of him and Hilda. You're right: great chemistry there.
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May 9, 2008 8:57 AM
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Can I just say that Ana Ortiz could easily have made it big as a silent movie actress?  Seriously, the woman acts with her entire face and I LOVE it! She is so undervalued! America ROCKS, but I wish Ana would start getting some critical lovin' too! I really can't wait for them to develop the coach Diaz thing. My concern for that role would be how temporary it is - does anyone know if its supposed to be a recurring role or if he's been signed on for multiple episodes?
I loved having the focus BACK on Betty and her family. Even though it bordered on being cliche and corny, I actually loved the interaction between Papa Suarez and Daniel. Normally I LOVE the Betty-Mrs. Meade scenes, but for me personally, their interaction last night fell a bit short.
I am really anticipating Willi's return to Mode and how this baby storyline pans out! I wonder if it is going to turn out to be Christina and Stewart's baby or what will happen! Afterall, Christina was dating a lot before Stewart came into the picture and before Willi, um, "planted the seed". I am also very curious about Stewart. From day 1 when he was introduced with his illness, I wondered what his true intentions were. I think we caught a glimpse of the real him last night.
Mickey, like you, I was TOTALLY Team Henry, but last night really did change everything. I am really hoping that Charlie lied about the paternity test and that it's not Henry's baby. I just hope that they don't pair Betty up with Gio!!!!
I can't wait for next week! Not to jinx things, but I think Betty is getting its groove back. The move to New York for next season is going to be interesting!
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May 9, 2008 9:41 AM
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I love this show! Even at the beginning of the season when it was just "so-so" I was still into it.
Ok, how could no one comment on the opening sequence?! Hello?! That was New Kids on the Block playing in the background! I almost fell over! Just another reason why I love this show.
As for Christina's hubby? I don't think he really is sick. I think he's using her (as usual) and just wants the money. He didn't look to sick to me!
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May 9, 2008 9:53 AM
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Amanda Rocks!!!! When Charlie's water broke and Amanda was telling her that the same thing happened to her when she was drunk on New Years Eve, I almost wet MY pants. More Amanda (and Marc) I say!
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May 9, 2008 9:59 AM
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I was unable to watch the last 3 episodes pre-strike and the first post-strike (although I read the recap next day to be informed); anyway...I feel I'm watching a different show; I feel that, while the show has not lost its heart, it is beating slower; now it is just another "dramedy"; I'm not feeling the uniqueness of UB anymore...disliked very much the crazy Rennee storyline; as well as Wilhemina's baby storyline and, I'm sorry, but in what universe is it a good idea to throw a baby shower for your boyfriend's baby mama while your family helps? It just doesn't make sense...I'll keep watching because I want UB to be the gem it was back in Season 1...
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May 9, 2008 10:00 AM
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Hilda and the Coach were fun to watch, it was a pleasnt diverting subplot. Christina had a lot more to do this eps as well as Igancio. Can't say the same for Amanda, though it was thinly veiled, she brouoght comic relief storming in on the baby shower.
Though it was extreme throwing a baby shower for Charlie was in character in Betty, she got too caught up with trying to make amends, and couldn't backtrack in time. I disagree though that Henry should be shipped away. A break yeah with the new baby and all. But I still think he and Betty have a good thing going on most of the time. The only problems comes from the writer's thinly veiled attempt to make Gio look like the better alternative, which he so is not.
The Mode storyline is looking good as Willy makes her comeback. Likely Marc and Amanda will have bonding time too. I hope next week eps focuses a lot more on that storylinee it's going to be go when Willy tries to get her well manicured claws in Mode.
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May 9, 2008 10:05 AM
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I am really hoping that Charlie lied about the paternity test and that it's not Henry's baby. I just hope that they don't pair Betty up with Gio!!!!
Me too!
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May 9, 2008 10:31 AM
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We had no electricity last night due to a bad storm, so I couldn't watch UB, so thank you for the blow-by-blow update - it is very much appreciated!
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May 9, 2008 10:55 AM
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My heart broke for Betty last night.
After Charlie had the baby and Henry was standing there holding him, Betty began to cry cause she KNOWS in her heart it'll never work. I think I felt exactly what she was feeling at that moment.
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May 9, 2008 12:20 PM
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What if Wilhelmina's baby isn't Bradford's? What if the creep she paid to steal Bradford's sperm didn't do it? Maybe he couldn't or didn't want to bother. He could easily have given Wilhelmina his own sperm instead. I think this would be a great plot twist. The Meade Family could request a paternity test and the truth could come out then. Could you imagine how she'd react to finding out she had a baby with some random creep. She'd freak. It'd be so darn funny.
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May 9, 2008 1:15 PM
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My wife and I think this was the worst episode ever. Double baby storylines that were/are both awful.
We like Chris Gorham from "Jake 2.0" and wish his part were better here. Too bad they had to make Charlie pregnant - that messed up everything for him. We also hate the Wilamena Baby story line. Daniel was a downer. Stupid Hilda cutting the coach's ear. Betty frantically running around & spending her own precious money for that ridiculous shower. Sheesh.
Amanda & Marc were great together & they took that away. For us, the storyline trend has gone downhill. I realize that there has to be some angst & conflict to make a story, but there has to be enough fun stuff to offset the downer and that's the part that has been in short supply this season.
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May 9, 2008 1:39 PM
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