Ugly Betty Episode 3.01 Full Recap
September 26, 2008 by Tom
Here is the full recap for Ugly Betty Episode 3.01, The Manhattan Project. Here is the synopsis:
Betty makes a moving decision about what to do with her life. Meanwhile, Ignacio gets a new job at a fast food joint, and Wilhelmina’s manipulations force Daniel to make some changes of his own, on the season premiere of ABC’s award-winning “Ugly Betty,”
Before the recap, let me say I absolutely LOVED this episode. The perfect balance, I think was struck between comedy and drama. And neither was heavy-handed. Yes, there was too little Marc, Mandy, and Wilhelmina. Unfortunately, no one in charge has seen the wisdom of a two-hour premiere (or finale), so we’ll just have to wait for more witty barbs. There were a few good ones, though.
I know many of you are disappointed with the sudden turn of plot (although it’s not like we weren’t warned). This new direction, to me, just feels so fresh, so alive, so optimistic. I had gotten tired of sulking Betty. Watching the last 15 minutes of this episode made me feel young again. That’s really saying something.
Image: Copyright © 2008 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc./ PATRICK HARBRON
Full recap after the jump.
The episode begins with Betty speaking about her choice between two guys, and how torn she was. They flashback to the softball game, explaining that when Betty was hot by the softball in the head, she had a moment of clarity. We then see her giving Henry back his ring, and turning down Gio’s offer to go to Rome. Back to Betty’s soliloquy, she says that there is so much she wants to experience before settling into a relationship. We then see that she is speaking to her mother’s grave.
Betty tells her mother she has to find out “who I am…by myself.” She then leaves the picture of her mom and Ignacio “in front of” the Grand Canyon. Betty decides to start there.
We then see a montage of Betty traveling the country (set to the B-52’s Roam).
Next, we see Betty telling her family about the trip and showing pictures from her laptop. She shows a picture of a woman (with very short hair), who had traveled the country on bicycles with women who had survived illnesses. Betty then says that she will pitch this, and many other things, as ideas to Mode. She has created an idea binder. Hilda notices the blue dove around Betty’s neck. Betty says it’s her “power animal”. Betty calls her father to the room so she can tell him about her new plans and dreams.
Ignacio comes in, dressed in a fast food uniform. Betty is excited that her father has a job. Justin “blinged out” Ignacio’s uniform hat (he was trying to put the “you in uniform”). They start to argue, and Betty interrupts them to tell her plans:
- More responsibility at work – eyeing a promotion by the end of the year.
- She won’t let any romantic entanglements get in her way.
- She is getting her own apartment in the city.
(BTW, this are probably also going to be the guiding principals of the show for a while)
Betty’s family is not happy at all about her move to the city. Her father (now talking to Betty on his way to work), tells her her whole plan is just naive. This upsets Betty. She walks away mad.
Ignacio walks into work, and Kim asks it that (Betty) was his daughter. When he verifies this, Kim’s mood changes, and she puts him to work cleaning urinals.
Betty mentally prepares herself in the elevator to “take on Mode”. When the elevator door opens, EVERYTHING has changed. All the orange accents are now black. Everyone is wearing black. And everyone is obviously very cold (shivering). She approaches Amanda, who is VERY excited to see her. Amanda tells her about the cold: “She” likes it that way. Marc comes in trying to convince Amanda to look busy, and she points out to Marc that Betty is back. Marc then joins the excitement. They miss Betty (and making fun of her). Apparently, Wilhelmina is all business now.
We hear footsteps. Marc gets scared an says, “Manalo Blahniks, Fall 2008, only one person in this office wears those shoes. EVERYONE LOOK BUSY!”. The entire office then scurries about in fake work. Betty then goes to Daniel’s office, only to find it has been converted to a hideous black and white baby room. A sledgehammer then cones through the wall (though which we now see Wilhelmina). She wants the window between her office and this room to be in the exact spot she just demolished. Wilhelmina then notices Betty is back. She explains to Betty that Daniel is no longer at Mode. Betty asks where he is, and Wilhelmina looks down.
Betty takes the elevator down – to Player magazine’s offices. (I love the “Shake your rump” music in the background. DJ passes through on a scooter, knocking over Betty’s notebook. Daniel (dressed very casually) notices Betty and welcomes her to “our new home”.
[Whew! They turned the entire show on a dime in 8 minutes That has to be the biggest first-segment recap I've ever written]
Betty asks Daniel if Player isn’t a little…”smutty”. Daniel says it is more his style. He says it’s the 3rd best selling no-nudity men’s magazine in the country. Betty gives Daniel his own “thumbs up” when he asks if she likes his facial hair. 
Daniel tells Betty that being at Player has allowed him to cut down on his hours and spend time with his son. He’s learning French, and DJ is learning English (from late-night TV).
We are then introduced to Ginger the player receptionist, who makes Amanda look like Albert Einstein. Daniel introduces Betty to “the gang”. They boo her. Daniel says they do it to everyone, but then Ginger walks in to catcalls. Daniel tells Ginger to show Betty the “lay of the land”; as she does, she tells Betty, “I was once voted the lay of the land”.
Wilhelmina walks past Claire, calls her perfume “musky”, to which Claire responds, “Bite me.” Willy approaches Alexis, who is not happy about the large budget for the “New” Mode launch. Wilhelmina insists they need the huge budget to announce to the world that Mode is back (including the giant billboard in Times Square). Alexis says the giant billboard is for Hot Flash. Alexis tells Willy she’s “Cutting her off”. Before Wilhelmina can explode, Marc whisks her away to the elevator, where she promptly screams. Claire hears this and smiles slyly.
Betty and Christina are walking the streets as Betty complains about her new non-responsibilities. Betty then surprises Christina and tells her that she’s getting an apartment in the city, and they have arrived at the building she wanted to look at.
Back at the Suarez house, we see Hilda and coach Diaz on the couch, in a post-lovemaking glow. She plays a joke on him, making him think Ignacio was home. Then, they try to talk about Diaz’s marital status, but his wife keeps calling.
Betty walks into the apartment, where there is an open house. It’s absolutely perfect, but before she can make an offer on the apartment, someone else gets it. The real estate agent tells her about another place in the building, on a higher floor with “sexy views”. She says she cant legally show it, but Betty, afraid someone else will get it, makes an offer sight unseen, against Christina’s warnings. Betty is ecstatic.
We next see Hilda and her carrying stuff to the apartment (5-G), which can only be gotten to by stairs. She opens the door, and it’s an absolute dump. The “sexy views” were actually two old nudists in the next building. Hilda yells at her for spending ALL of her money on the dump of an apartment. Betty insists she can fix it, but Hilda tries to call Ignacio. Betty tries to stop her, and they fight over the phone.
At Player, Betty simultaneously tries to fix her apartment problems while doing her job. Daniel tells her to come to the conference room, but DJ has glued her to her chair. She gets up, ripping off the back of her skirt. The Player guys boo Betty again, till they see her underwear where her skirt used to be. Daniel and Uno then tell Betty that they want to use her “sick chicks on wheels” idea in the magazine. However, they want to change it to hot girls on motorcycles riding through party towns. They decide to introduce the biker chicks of Player at a Harley event in Brooklyn the next day, and that Betty should head up the event. She reluctantly agrees.
Cut to Wilhelmina yelling at her designers for a really bad Japanese design (”You really put the gay in Geisha!”). Alexis comes in, and as Wilhelmina is “apologizing”, Marc yells that Regis and Kelly are on the phone. She talks Alexis into coming on the R&K show with her, to get the free publicity. Alexis is actually VERY excited about this, and scurries out of the room. Marc says, “Like taking candy from a tranny…”
Cut to the biker show. Betty is running the show, while trying to get her apartment problems fixed (with little luck). The biker chicks all have capes that have letters that together spell “PLAYER”. Marc and Amanda show up, hoping Betty will do something they can make fun of. DJ then sprays Betty with silly string. She asks Daniel to do something about it, but he won’t. He says he doesn’t want to be like Bradford.
Ginger then approaches and frantically tells Betty about an emergency: “R” has left the shoot because DJ sprayed her with silly string. Betty has to think quick, because the introductions are starting.
On Regis and Kelly, they discuss the changes at Mode. Then the conversation turns to Hot Flash, and it gets ugly. Regis, Kelly, and the audience mock the magazine ruthlessly, and Alexis sinks in her chair. On the way home, Wilhelmina tells Alexis that she has an idea about “Stopping the bleeding” with Hot Flash and helping Mode.
At the Harley Festival, each “letter” is introduced and rides to a given spot to spell “PLAYER”. Betty has decided to be the “R” herself. She puts on the goggles and gets ready to go, but at the last minute, DJ sprays her with silly string again. She takes off, but can’t see where she’s going. She ends up crashing into a jello wrestling pool. Marc and Amanda are ecstatic.
Betty waits for a promised handyman to come to her apartment, but he never shows. Then everything goes wrong. She hears loud music. She sees the old nudist couple dancing. A pigeon comes into the apartment and attacks her and her book. She leaves the apartment, sits down, and looks at her goals. Hilda calls and tells Betty to meet her at Flushing Burger.
They arrive to confront Kim about cutting back Ignacio’s hours. Betty recognizes her, and tells Hilda to “stand by” as far a kicking her ass. Betty confronts her about cutting back her Dad’s hours. Kimmie says he’s a slacker, and Betty gets angry. Betty tries the throw milkshake on her, but misses. (This scene is hard to describe, but hilarious). Kimmie then puts Betty’s idea book into the deep fryer. Hilda then throws salad at Kimmie, and mayhem ensues. Food and insults are flying everywhere. A security guard comes in and kicks Betty and Hilda out. As they are leaving, Kimmie says to tell Ignacio he’s fired.
Cut to the Meade house. Alexis is about to tell Claire something, but DJ gets cake on her dress. Daniel then gets angry and demands that DJ apologize. He gets very firm with DJ and yells at him, sending him to his room. Later, Claire tells Daniel that DJ’s behavior is perfectly understandable after all he’s been though, but that Daniel needs to be firm, and that he needs to always be there for his son. She then gets a call from her assistant.
Claire argues with Alexis, who she has found out has reduced Hot Flash to an insert. Claire tells her that she’s not making the decisions, just doing Wilhelmina’s bidding.
Betty is talking to her dad at the Suarez house (post-shower towel on her head). She apologizes for getting him fired. She takes off her power animal. She says that he was right – she had been naive. She admits she didn’t grow up on her trip after all. Ignacio tells her that she’s doing her growing up now – it’s about dealing with decisions you’ve made. He tells her her believes in her, and that everything will work out just fine.
Betty comes back to Flushing Burgers and apologizes to Kim. At this point, Kim admits that she was jealous of Betty because her life is turning out better. Kimmie tells how bad her own life is, and says she thinks nothing is ever going to change. Betty assures her it can, based on her own life. As Betty is leavinb, Kim says to tell Ignacio to be there at noon (she’s rehiring him).
DJ comes out of his room, and Daniel has a father-son talk with him. DJ apologizes. Daniel tells DJ (in English and French) that they are in this together. They each say that they love the other, and hug.
At Player, everyone is watching the video of Betty crashing into the jello pool, finding it hilarious. Daniel tries to protect Betty by breaking it up, but Betty comes in and says that actually, it is pretty funny. She suggests they put the video on their website for the publicity. She says they should appeal to their demographic – 18 to 35 year old male idiots , and this is just the thing to appeal to them. The office cheers (and catcalls) Betty.
Later, Betty approaches her apartment, and hears noises inside. She grabs a whistle and a mop handle, ready to confront the intruder. It turns out it was her family, who arrived to help her fix up the apartment.
Wilhelmina and Marc are standing on Broadway, looking at her new humongous Times Square billboard. As Wilhelmina walks away, her likeness winks at her.
Back at Betty’s apartment, she is settling in, going though her list. When she gets to “no romantic entanglements”, she hears loud guitar. She goes into the hallway and knocks on the door of the apartment across the hall. “Jesse” then opens the door, and apologizes for playing too loud (he’s rehearsing for a gig). Betty introduces herself, and Jesse gives her the “B” necklace which had fallen out of her stuff.
As Betty goes back to her own apartment, it’s obvious that she’s slightly smitten. She then looks out her window at the city, smiling. We hear Jesse’s guitar again, then Tom Petty’s “American Girl”. Betty dances to the music, as the camera rises above Betty’s building to NYC.
The episode was awesome but not enough of DJ for me.I really enjoyed what I did see of him.He was adorable! I can’t wait to see him again next week.
I respect your feelings about the new season but I think you are in the minority. I went over to the message boards on ABC.com and people are pissed. I watched the episode after commenting on the live blog post and I was disappointed. I tried to like Jesse and find something likable about him but I couldn’t. I don’t find him cute and I thought his character playing music so loudly at night would realistically be annoying and inconsiderate. It’s like the writers completely changed Betty’s character and I don’t like it. I am still upset at the way they handled the Gio story. I want him on the show and I thought the excuse that she didn’t have feelings for him was lame. I like the old Betty and I want her back. There are better ways to show her growth and make her more attractive. This is not the way to do it.
With all due respect to your opinion, TeamGetty, it seems to me like you might be in the minority. I tried to look at several boards – on Live Journal, the polls at Spoiler TV, critics’ reviews, etc. – and it looks to me like a lot more people are happy with the general feeling of the show as compared to Season 2. Sure, people are nitpicking over a few discrepancies here and there (i.e., Betty’s apartment makeover, how she managed to pay for her cross-country trip, Betty and Daniel not talking for a month, etc.), which is something I also did myself. But let’s be honest here: This really isn’t the first time that UB has had those types of plotholes. I can think of a few from Seasons 1 and 2, actually.
Overall, however, most commenters have said that they enjoyed it for what it was.
As for Jesse, I’ve also seen plenty of positive comments about him. Also, I have to say that it was my observation that the ones who spoke negatively about Jesse in their reviews were those who (a) didn’t like the way he looked (which is superficial, IMO), and/or (b) were die-hard Henry or Gio fans. (And before any fans try to jump on me for saying that, I know that NOT ALL Henry and Gio fans dislike Jesse. Several have been very receptive to his appearance on UB, from what I’ve seen on other boards. However, I did notice that a lot of fans who didn’t like Jesse tended to be those who were rooting for the other guys.)
And honestly, I wasn’t terribly surprised by Betty’s response to Gio. He managed to come into her life at a time when everything was up in the air emotionally for her, especially when Henry wasn’t around. So, in a sense, it seems to me like she had latched on to Gio emotionally because he was there at a time when she was feeling lonely and vulnerable. In essence, as sad as this sounds, it does look like Gio ended up being Betty’s rebound guy.
I don’t know about what other people are saying, but I was disappointed with the show. There was plenty of subject matter to fill 2 hours. I especially did not like how quickly she dismissed both Henry and Gio. What happened to Gio after his month in Rome? Did he return? Did he stay in Rome? There should have been some type of closure. And with Henry, they didn’t even give him enough time on the show to react to the rejection. They could have at least given him time to say he’d miss her. It didn’t seem real.
For me, Betty’s storyline seemed a bit scattered as she tried to accomplish everything on her plan (and I can’t be the only one to find it amusing that she returns with a “PLAN”…). It was like she wanted to accomplish everything on the list RIGHT NOW, THIS MINUTE! instead of working slowly to it. She *was* naive to assume it would all happen so fast and easily.
I also found it a little disheartening that she seemed to find working at Player a little beneath her. It’s a job at a magazine and infinitely better than being unemployed! On the plus side, the promo for next week featured something that furthers this particular storyline and I can’t wait to see it!
Outside of that, I did like the way Wilhelmina’s storyline is seeming to pan out. She seriously takes no prisoners. And I also loved Marc and Amanda’s reaction to Betty returning to Mode–hilarious!! And looks like maybe Marc’s world is going to turn upside down soon…?
I love the show. Betty here is like Betty season 1. So happy, so hopeful! Not burdened down by love (not that anything’s wrong with love, but to the point of that being her life like before?). A go-getter who sticks with her job. I LOVED it. I’d forgotten exactly why I loved Betty and now I remember.
Like you said, need more Amanda, Mark, and Wilhemina. (Loved the nursery though. XD) And I really wished they’d gone with a 2-hr premiere- especially when right aftewards, Grey’s Anatomy got 2 and Betty 1. They dismissed Henry and Gio rather quickly for someone in for entire 2nd season. Everything was va-va-voom. 2 hr would’ve made the episode perfect and left plenty of time for Amanda and Mark.
Loved Jesse, by the way. I’m really into the unkempt artist look. Gio’s perfect sleekness and Henry’s prim nerdiness wasn’t doing it for me… And not just looks-wise. Their personality can be described in those terms too… Jesse you haven’t seen much, but he seems very chill. I like him. Keep it up and you have a new fan, Jesse.
Everything in the episode felt hurried, that it felt like Jump. But I already read in a review that it was mostly rounding off last season and setting uo for this one. What I really can’t wait for is next episode’s WilieBetty. That’s gonna be fun. I just really hope she’s only gonna do it as a part of a bigger plan despite what the promo indicates.
As for Jess, his introduction was that of an important character. I’m pretty sure his arc is not gonna be longer that 3-4 episodes. I have no comment on the character since we don’t know much bout him. But I didn’t feel Val Emmich was much of an actor. Like, the way he said the necklace suited her… bleh
An btw, GIO IS THE GUY
Sorry, too many typos in my previous comment
Sarah, I agree with most of what you said. However, I don’t think that Betty found working at Player ‘beneath her’, exactly.
Betty has some strong (but generalized) feminist tendencies. Her reaction was almost exactly the reaction I thought she’d have. She didn’t come out and say “This magazine exploits women” (we fans are supposed to already know she feels this way).
SInce she didn’t say it out loud, I can see why someone would think she just thinks the job beneath her.
The scene where she suggested putting the video on the web was maybe the best one of the episode – I think she found her place there.
Nevertheless, If I’ve been looking at the promos and spoilers correctly, I’m pretty sure Daniel is going back to Mode, so all of this is pretty moot anyway
Tom, great recap! For me, it was definitely a different turn of events, but of course, we all knew that going in. And I don’t know if it was the hype that made me so excited for Ugly Betty to be back, but I felt sort of let down. Personally, I thought it was good, not great, but let me finish. I felt the storylines were interesting, just that it was a little to predictable. This could also be because I might be a bit of a spoiler junky, but nonetheless, I felt like I knew what was going to happen the whole time.
I think that in the way they set this episode up it will allow for the plots to develop in a more natural unhurried way. It will be the basis of things to come and happen. I felt season 2 developed very randomly. True, the “Who will she choose?” cliffhanger got responded in like 10 seconds all together, but I’m pretty sure both will be back to resolve their stories. That’s what I hope anyway.
Marc/Mandy – loved them. We saw Christina about as much as we saw Henry and Gio. Sad
We need more of the “Australian Hooker.”
In response to Jace, and the “Jesse Theory” I agree. Many fans have been receptive. I am one of those die hard Henry fans which you speak of, but if I’m not mistaken AF did say this “relationship” if you will is going to be a little onesided. (I believe this is from the Ausiello video that Tom had previously posted – don’t take my word for it though)! With that being said, I’m on board with Jesse. He’s the cute guitar playing neighbor.
Hilda + Justin + Ignacio = LOVE. Seriously.
Lilo – need more time to get used to. She was ‘okay.’
Can’t wait for next week though!
I was really disappointed by the premiere. I was really sad to see Henry and Gio both gone. They made for charismatic and interesting tension, and they were such great characters. I am sad that Betty moved to New York, one of the things I really enjoyed about the show was her interaction with her family. Daniel as the struggling Editor of Mode was interesting. Daniel as the Editor of Player magazine… bleh… is not. Wilhelmina’s character was interesting and fun the first two seasons, now its just too over the top and annoying. I love Marc & Mandy. Their chemistry is great and I do like the addition of DJ. He adds an interesting twist. Also, why do we have to sit there and watch Hilda get her heart broken all over again with the Coach. (sigh) I’m probably in the minority but I really was kinda bummed out after I saw the premiere. It seems like almost everything I liked about the series they took away…
I can see her being horrified about the magazine exploiting women, and I think there probably is going to be some article topic she doesn’t agree with that sends her right back to Mode.
But for someone who hasn’t written a lot in the two years at the magazine she was working for, this is essentially an upgrade. She can basically write her own position and job description at Player from what I could tell, so I guess I was just anticipating a more positive reaction from Betty. Think of all the amazing plotlines that could’ve been with Betty working with Daniel to turn Player magazine into the next GQ or something and go head to head with MODE for the top magazine at Meade!
And I’m with Tomatish–I can’t wait to see Willie Betty! After looking back and seeing how Betty’s storyline has loosely paralleled Wanda’s, I was beginning to wonder if the writers might make a storyline out of that connection. The promo has me on pins and needles to see her next week!
I was a fan of this episode. Sure, a couple of parts felt kind of hurried… but that didn’t really bother me. I felt like they did what they had to do to bring the show back to where it needs to be for Season 3. I feel like there are good things in store for Betty this season. Can’t *wait* to see Betty (temporarily) in league with Willie next episode!
Billowy, you are not in the minority. Just go over to the message boards on ABC.com and check out the comments.
Jace, we must be both filtering out different blogs and commentary to suit our own differing opinions. I’ve seen a few blogs who were glad to get rid of Henry and Gio. Most of the blogs I’ve read thought that this new direction sucked which is harsher than my own opinion. I’m mostly bummed about Gio. I haven’t seen a lot of people say they will miss only Henry, some say they will miss Henry and Gio, and I have read a lot of angry Getty fans out there.
I loved Gio but only last week checked to see how others felt about Gio online. I was surprised to see so many other people feel the same way. I just wouldn’t be surprised if their ratings go down because of the changes. Change is good but they shouldn’t get rid of the good stuff and Gio is definitely a huge reason why a good number of viewers even tune into the show.
I was an avid Betty fan. I must have watched all Season 1 episodes a dozen times. I have spent oh so much time on UB forums. I have chatted. I have been passionate. I have written fics. And OK OK OK – I will buy the season 2 DVD box, but that is it. I’m not hanging in anymore. I see the production is going for the cartoon Betty. Ie a non 4 color pretty gal can not succeed in the Real World. That is what they are saying. Real World was a Life – as in Non Fantasies, with a Normal Person – like Gio. TV requires chablons… I like real persons – so – big ta for the fun I have had. Big ta for the wit and giggles and for Betty till now. Go on being juvenile. If you only want teens watching the show, you have probably succeeded. I saw some hope inthe adult relationship Betty-Gio. The producers didn’t. I don’t have to waste any more time… things to do – life to live… ta dahhhh… tudelooooo—-
From TeamGetty: “Billowy, you are not in the minority. Just go over to the message boards on ABC.com and check out the comments.”
You know, I’m a little wary of trusting the “reviews” that I see on that ABC board. I noticed over the past year that it tends to be bombarded by some people with strong biases – especially those with shipping preferences. So, to be frank, that place is hardly neutral territory. That’s why I try to look elsewhere for honest reviews.
Overall, I think Jace is right: People may not have LOVED the episode to bits, but I saw a poll or two where people have said that they thought it was great or above average. Not many have said that they hate the ‘new Betty’ completely. Some of the changes may be unusual considering the events from last season, but personally, I don’t mind them too much. In fact, I wish they had done a lot of this earlier – like last season! Compared to the last 6 or so episodes from Season 2, I think the Season 3 Premiere is a major improvement.
Bee, I’m sorry – but were you drunk when you wrote your post? I couldn’t understand some of what you were saying.
But you said something about wanting to leave. That I understood. Um, okay. Buh-bye!
Tom, I just left a comment about the episode. Where did it go?
At first, I was a bit disappointed after missing the first MINUTE that wrapped up things so succinctly so I was lost for the rest of the night. (Sorely needed my 10 second Gio fix.) Had to remind myself that Gio will be back in at least one later episode. Also had to remind myself that the reason why she didn’t run into Gio yet is because it hasn’t been a whole month yet in Betty-world. (According to Willie, she’s been editor-in-chief for almost a month.)
And as far as Jesse goes, America has been quoted as saying the relationship is somewhat one-sided. (Part of me wants to say he’s gay/is already taken in a long-distance relationship/is a celibate monk for that reason…)
I thought the season premiere was a good way of wiping the slate clean. I have to admit, when you come back from a life-changing event, geared up and ready to face life with a whole new plan, you tend to be a bit naive and not realize what may not work in your life. So in that sense, I don’t think the writers are that far off.
But I’m still a Getty fan at heart. Gio levels Betty out; he keeps her grounded but at the same time challenges her to fly…please, oh please bring him back and make it work out…
I might have misread, but I think you left out a hugely important part that Whil. says to Marc that Kelly (Ripa) really came through for them. Thanks for the recaps, though, I love them!”)
just saw the ep in full on you tube. i am in the minority here, but i felt the direction silvio took with regards to betty’s love life was good. the whole gio/henry and betty love triangle last season bored me, although season 2- whilst it was good, was not as good as the first. but that’s just me speaking.
i thought the first episode was actually really good- i enjoyed it. i am glad they have decided to leave out the gio/betty/henry drama, which became old news towards the end of the last season.
season 2 was in many respects, was very good, but there was too much emphasis on the gio/betty/henry storyline and it got too much towards the end that the other characters were almost sidelined, not to mention it had affected the show so much that fans were put off from watching it. it also became a bit too soap-opera-ish for my liking- only for it to recover towards the last few eps. the writers need to keep it simple and play it out like a dramedy and not as a soap opera.
personally, from what i have seen of this season 3 episode, i am very satisfied. if the rest of season 3 is as good as, or as better than the last, then we’re going to be in for a treat.
i loved the premiere! but i did have some issues.. first off, did anyone notice that the camera was so up close? you could barely ever see wilhelminas office and i think i saw a little change in there.. also, the henry gio situation was dismissed a little to quickly, but i was relived to just get rid of it. i know they are trying to get back to the route of season 1 with betty having work ideas and being optimistic but they cant forget season 2 happened. im all about wilhelminas parts, she is by far my favorite character. but i thought she was kind of annoying, when she saw her billboard.. that was very superficial and quick. and with the elevator scream, that was a little overdone. i love the season 1 route but i just hope they dont forget that season 2 actually happened and step it back. ps. bettys style is getting a little too nice but like it !.. the next episode looks amazing, more wilhelmina!
As a season premiere, it was disappointing with what was a pretty average episode. To have the focus of Season 2’s (the second half anyway) love triangle – whether you loved it or hated it – reduced to 2 minutes was just poor writing. But for me, episode 1 lacked any real drama or comedy – I am hoping this was just a blip and the season will pick up from episode 2 onwards.
I have to say that I was disappointed in the season 3 episode. It lacked the certain Betty charm that the first two seasons had. I also thought how they handled Henry and Gio storyline was rushed and not thought out. I’ve really loved Ugly Betty, but this new Betty is not doing it for me. I’m bummed that she moved out of her parent’s house. Her family is so central to the story, so I hope that they visit often. But I was so invested in Gio and Henry’s character and to just write them off really disappointed me. I hope they come back at a later date, but until they do, I’m not watching anymore.
This first episode really bored me. It was too much of a ‘jump the shark’ for me to really enjoy it. But everyone has their opinions.
Thanks for the recaps, Tom. I’ll keep reading them, but as for watching, this episode really killed it for me.
I loved the episode.
The drama between Gio and Henry it was so… boring.
Betty is back! HELL YEAH!
Ruby:
“To have the focus of Season 2’s (the second half anyway) love triangle – whether you loved it or hated it – reduced to 2 minutes was just poor writing. ”
——————————————
Ruby I totally agree with you on this!
Anyway,it was a great episode, but I expect MORE comedy from 3.02!
To be honest, I really enjoyed the first episode of the new 3rd season. It was refreshing for the show to be centered around just Betty and not her “romantic entanglements”. I mean of course I was very involved with the love triangle throughout season 2 but like some reports said there are possibilities, no matter how small, that Christopher Gorham might come back in a season or two….and for Freddy Rod. to guest star more regularly even though Betty doesn’t like him in the way that a lot of people wanted.
As for Jesse….I do think he “is” a handsome guy and because I have only seen his personality for about a second, haha I don’t know what to really think about him. Other than that it was sweet of him to return Betty’s “B” necklace.
-And I don’t think the premiere lacked charm or humor. It actually reminded me of a season 1 episode, with how the storylines played out. I really enjoyed UB coming back, and can’t wait for the next episodes to see how they will shape this season.
P.s.-To stop watching UB just because a storyline isn’t going to the way you wanted it to go probably means you weren’t really a fan after all.
great recap, one correction. the cake scene wasnt in the meade house it was in the player offices!
Frankly, I loved the first episode for what it was – and yes, the polls, ratings, and comments that I’ve seen in other places have been quite positive and encouraging regarding this new season.
I will be sticking around because this show is obviously making a comeback after the last 6 episodes of last season, which were pretty terrible, in my opinion.
And the person right above me made a statement that is very frank but true: “To stop watching UB just because a storyline isn’t going the way you wanted it to go probably means you weren’t really a fan after all.”
I totally agree.
I agree that I didn’t like the abrupt and empty end to the Henry/Geo storyline. But, I still liked the first episode and i’m interested in how this season will go. One thing that bothered me, though, is how she came back determined to make it on her own and find her self – without romantic entanglements- but they couldn’t let her go a full episode without her making mooney-eyes at a guy. She’s been in between guys for the entire run of the show, can’t she be independant and self-sufficient for a while?
an incredibly thoruogh recap of the episode. if all of the tapes get lost then they can use you as a resource to reconstruct the series. well done.