Ugly Betty Episode 3.08 Full Recap
November 13, 2008 by Tom
Here is the full recap of Ugly Betty episode 3.08, Tornado Girl. The synopsis:
Betty needs Daniel’s help to prevent an issue of Mode from shipping that could result in a PR nightmare for the magazine. The problem is, he’s unreachable at a company retreat. Meanwhile, Hilda starts a clandestine beauty salon when the city turns down her permit for a legal business, and Connor’s fiance (guest star Sarah LeFleur) meets the Modies.
Thoughts: This was a GREAT episode. As I thought, there was a lot of comedy, but a lot of drama of the romantic kind as well.
The scene where Marc is speaking cryptically to Betty has got to be the funniest scene of the season. I’ve seen it three times and laughed every single time. “He Knnnoooowwwwssss”. Heh.
Besides Marc, I really loved Phil (who reminds me of a pudgy Billy Joel), and Molly. Molly is uber-charming: a little eccentric, joyous, slightly bubbly. Every time she was on the screen, my heart fluttered a little. I know, it’s weird, but LeFluer was that good. Maybe she’s my type, I don’t know.
The ending was, of course, bittersweet.
Claire’s one, big line in the episode came out of nowhere, and was quite a shock, even to a Detty dude like me. I can’t believe someone actually came out and said it. (Read the recap if you don’t know what she said).
Ana Ortiz and Ralph Macchio have some incredible chemistry. Much better than Eddie Cibrian (eye candy though he was). I hope the writers can keep Macchio around for a bit.
UB writers: I’m begging you – DO NOT WRITE CLIFF OFF THE SHOW! I’ve got a pretty good feel of the pulse of most UB fans, and trust me, you don’t want to do this, especially the way this episode ended. Cliff is far too popular a character.
Anyway, full recap after the jump!
Betty and Amanda are walking down the street; Betty has the latest Mode cover mock-up in her hand “Eye of the Fashion Storm”. It is a kind of morph between a model and a tornado. Betty likes it. Betty is wearing a weird outfit because Amanda is dressing Betty up with outfits from “my hefty years”. Betty wishes she were going to the upcoming editors’ retreat.
Phil from shipping calls and tells Betty that the issue won’t come back from the printers till noon the next day, which means the final approval can’t happen until the editors have left for the retreat. Betty asks Daniel to let her do final approval; after thinking about it, he finally approves.
Wilhelmina runs into Connor – he practically orders her to go to the retreat, even though she doesn’t want to. She reminds him that he works for her, but he works his charms and pressures her to go.
Amanda tries repeatedly to get Cliff to talk about his wedding, and he keeps changing the subject. Wilhelmina then calls him, and he walks into her office, where she is packing a rifle (for the retreat). They talk about her romantic problems with Connor.
Betty, after complaining about the smell of the binding adhesive, approves the tornado issue of Mode.
At the retreat, Connor asks everyone to think of bold ideas to save many of the editors’ magazines. During his speech, Wilhelmina is texting, which annoys Claire. She suggests that all cell phones and communication devices should be taken away at the retreat. Connor likes the idea.
As the non-editor Modies are making fun of Betty for taking a picture of herself approving the issue, a news report comes on the television. There has been a huge, killer tornado in Kansas. Betty notices that the tornado on the news looks a lot like the new cover of Mode she approved.
Betty begs Phil to stop the shipment – he refuses. He tells her that she has no authority. He says only Daniel or Wilhelmina can stop the issue. Betty tells him she can’t reach Daniel at the retreat. Phil promises to hold off for four hours. After that, he’ll ship the issue.
Hilda opens the envelope from the city – but discovers her permit for the beauty salon was rejected. She blames Archie Rodriguez the councilman. Justin suggests she open the salon anyway. Ignacio disagrees. Later, Hilda calls Betty and tells her about her plan to open a salon speak-easy. Betty doesn’t think it’s a very good idea.
Betty and Marc discuss Betty’s tornado issue predicament. He thinks she’s just doing it for the glory and wont let her fix it alone. He suggests they drive to the retreat in Cliff’s car. Amanda invites herself as well. On the way, they try to talk about Marc’s wedding, but he changes the subject again.
At the retreat, Daniel is walking on the grounds, thinking. A woman falls from a tree above him and knocks him over. She thinks she might have broken her ankle in the fall. She has a little flirty conversation with him, he tries to help her walk.
Wilhelmina is hunting. She thinks she sees something, but it turns out to be Connor, who is also hunting. He suggests they hunt together. Wilhelmina hears a noise, but it turns out to just be Daniel helping the woman. Connor says it’s his fiance, Molly He takes her from Daniel, but as he carries her away, she gives Daniel a second look.
In the car, Amanda finds a receipt from Tiffany’s for two wedding rings. Marc kind of loses his mind, tries to reach the receipt, and lets go of the wheel. The car crashes. When they emerge (unscathed), Marc goes into a panic and lays in the road. Betty decides to walk to a store she saw up the road, and Amanda asks her to pick up some beef jerky while she’s there.
There is a wonderful scene of Justin working the door at Hilda’s speak-easy, letting people in after they say the code phrases. Ignacio comes home early, and tells Hilda she’s doing the wrong thing, and shouldn’t take no for an answer from the city.
Betty literally runs to the store down the street. She offers the storekeeper money to drive her to the retreat, but he can’t because he’s had 3 DWI’s. A young boy then throws a balsa wood plane at Betty. The name on the side said “Sky Rider”. Seeing this gives her an idea…
Claire comes to talk to Daniel. She notices he “looks like a boy with a crush.” He admits he has a crush, but she’s taken. Claire then asks if her name is Betty; he emphatically replies no. She then points to the sky, where a sky-writing plane has written “Daniel Call Betty”.
Betty finally gets through to Daniel and tells him what’s going on. He congratulates her on coming up with the sky writing idea. He says he’s going to call Phil at the loading dock. Wilhelmina tells him that she wants to “chat” before he makes the call.
At the Suarez house, they are celebrating Betty’s saving of the magazine, when Justin comes in with the new issue of Mode, tornado intact. On Fashion TV, they make a huge deal of it. They arrive at Mode. Daniel tries to talk to the press, but they want to talk to Betty. Suzuki St.Pierre has done an expose and uncovered the photo Betty took of herself giving final approval (he the ridiculously shows a video of Betty buying beef jerky at the store) He looks at the camera and says “It’s name is Betty”. (Line of the season, so far). He calls her “Tornado Girl”, which sticks.
Later, Daniel has regrets, but Wilhelmina tells him the controversy has sent sales through the roof, and that sometimes little people like Betty have to take the fall. Daniel is very uncomfortable with this.
At the Suarez house, Betty is being harassed by people who got her cell phone number from “EnemiesOfTheHeartland.com”. Justin walks in wearing an outrageously funny “Tornado Girl” T-Shirt, to Betty’s disgust.
Betty comes with Hilda to councilman Rodriguez’s office (people recognize her as Tornado girl). Hilda sees Archie and lays into him about getting rejected for her permit. He says there’s nothing he can do, and she tells him off and leaves. Even Betty lays a guilt trip on him as they leave.
At Mode, Marc grabs Betty and pulls her into a dark room. He then gives a cryptic speech like a soothsayer. He’s trying to tell her that she’s been set up, without actually telling her. BUT, he does tell her to call Phil in shipping to find out everything.
Betty confronts Phil, who finally confesses that he was ordered to send the issue out. He tells her Daniel was the one that told him to do it.
Betty then confronts Daniel, who tells her that things aren’t as simple as she thinks they are. She says the only thing she has going for her is her reputation, and now that’s gone.
Papi makes Hilda cookies, and Rodriguez arrives. He has discovered a loophole for Hilda. If 30% of profits come from products she sells, she can get a permit, for a boutique. He brings her candles she can sell. Hilda then makes up with him, and they have a warm moment, and he promises to stop by the shop.
Betty thanks Marc – he says that they are in the same position and sometimes have to look out for each other. Betty says that Cliff ahs been a good influence, and that Cliff is a lucky man. This disturbs Marc, and Betty won’t leave him alone till he tells why. He finally confesses that he cheated on Cliff. She tells him that he needs to come clean to Cliff.
At a press conference about the controversial issue, Suzuki starts hectoring about “Tornado Girl”. At this point, Daniel can’t take it any more, and admits to the world that HE was the one that authorized the shipment of the issue. He then announces that Meade Publications will donate all profits from the sale of the issue to the tornado relief fund. When he says this, Molly looks on admiringly. Betty mouths “Thank You”.
Cliff comes to see Marc, and Marc tells him that he’d better sit down.
Molly catches Daniel later and tells him how impressed she is with his actions. They are obviously attracted to one another. But, she has a dinner date with Connor, it’s their anniversary. However, Wilhelmina corners Connor and asks him rather forcefully to stay late and strategize with her. He agrees to reschedule his dinner date.
We then see a montage of Cliff angrily walking away from Marc, in tears, and Molly angrily walking away from Connor (with Wilhelmina looking on slyly), then the Suarezes celebrating.
I agree! Don’t write Cliff off
Loved the episode! Some of the outfits were a little. . . Y’Know, but whatevs. I loved it! Yay for NYC Fashion ;-D
I thought it was a good episode but I dont think it was as good as Crush’d. I was expecting more for this one!
I think this was the best episode of this season so far! It was very funny without been cartoonish, it had drama without going too far, the pace was great and, more importantly, it adressed a bigger issue of media ethics. Those are the reasons I got hooked into the show in the first season and ‘Tornado girl’ conforted me in thinking that Ugly Betty is the best show on tv these days. Bravo to all the staff and crew!
i loved this episode and was happy when marc told cliff the truth about his cheating. his brief heart-to-heart with betty was a nice moment, it was reminiscent to that scene they had towards the end of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ in season 1.
but it was very interesting. though i hope we see more christina especially later on this series- where was she, i wonder?
If you feel strongly about keeping Cliff on the show, make your voice heard on http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html , URL provided by Mr. David Blue himself
Spread the word!
Cliff is my absolute FAVORITE CHARACTER. I get exited every time I see him on. (i also have a bit of a crush) I truly hope they don’t write him off.
I totally agree that the writers should not write off Cliff.
I also loved the moment where Marc crashed Cliff’ s car and then said : “What did I do ? How is he going to trust me again?” I think he was actually referring to his cheating and not the crash.
the writers should make cliff a permanent character on the show. i really think they can do a lot with this guy, in terms of storylines. not just him learning about marc’s cheating. i really want david blue to stay and he should be working at mode and hired as their photographer alongside betty, amanda, christina, marc and daniel and interacting with them. i’d be up for that.
miss waiching liu, I agree SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much with you!!
I want to see Cliff as a permanent character! Having Cliff around with light up Marc’ s character!!
Marc and Cliff are the sweetest couple!! I LOVE THEM!!!!!
Marc is no nice and lovin’ around him (except the cheating thing, of course…)
i want to see Cliff not only with Marc , but also with Amanda (how sweet and excited was she when she found the receipt for the wedding rings!! “Cliff bought you a ring!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!” )
Wonderful – even though heartbreaking – episode. It reminded me of season one because of the Daniel/Betty moments (their developing friendship) and the media ethics storyline.
I definitely agree that they should not write Cliff off the show. I think David’s acting was really srong in this episode and I actually cried when Cliff walked away looking like his whole world had collapsed – and I’ve never cried during Ugly Betty! But that scene broke my heart. And actually, so did all Marc’s scenes, especially the one at the end with Betty. He seemed to really hate himself for of what he did and it was eating him inside. This episode really showed that he’s not all that secure of himself and has a much bigger heart that he lets on.
But even though I’m scared that this might be the end of the Cliff/Marc relationship, I really enjoyed this episode. It had it all, comedy, moments that made me go “aww” and even one moment that brought me to tears. THIS is why I watch this show.
Oh, by the way I LOVED Marc’s hair this week. It was really different without his trademark curls but it made him look a little more sympathetic, which really suited the mood of the episode.
And also, so far, I think the soundtrack of the 3rd season has been amazing. They sure know how to pick just the right songs to suit each mood.
Agreed. Do not write Cliff off the show!
And bring on more Macchio!! Love the charisma and chemistry between Ana and Ralph.
Let’s see more Archie and Hilda.
leatherbee- well, personally speaking, i wasn’t too fond of it. i prefer marc with curly hair, as i think it suits him better. not to mention he looks cute with it too.
cris- i thought it was great when betty and mandy both gushed when they learnt about marc’s wedding to cliff. i think she is taking a liking to cliff, thanks to betty that is and she is having a profound effect on her, so much so that mandy is less bitchy than she was back in season 1.
judging by the episodes we’ve seen so far, this season looks set to be better than season 2 and it looks like it is heading in the right direction too. hope this success continues throughout.
‘But that scene broke my heart. And actually, so did all Marc’s scenes, especially the one at the end with Betty. He seemed to really hate himself for of what he did and it was eating him inside. This episode really showed that he’s not all that secure of himself and has a much bigger heart that he lets on.’
leatherbee- that is so true. marc really felt guilty and truly sorry about what he did and i am proud of him for telling the truth, instead of keeping it to himself. even though he is painted as a person, who is bitchy and mean, marc still makes mistakes like any human being does, no matter how bad they are, and of whom does have a heart and truly cares.
oh plz plz don’t write cliff off the show!!!!
and plz plz more archie too! i enjoyed this ep. although not enough crazy mandy.
i’m thinking is connor plotting something with molly? his motive is still unknown & secretive. Com’n no one brings a ’significant other’ to a COMPANY retreat!!!!! and since when he caves in to willie (i had dinner plans, but i can cancel…) yeah right…
i loved this episode even better then crush’d and the car cene was hlarious
I want cliff! I hope he stays (I can’t believe they are killing his story with Marc) .
Well that is funny : my favorite episodes so far have been the first in this 3rd season! The show is getting more mature I think, and it looses some of its excentric aspect. But the ratings are better, which is a good thing and shows that maybe it was what viewers were expecting. I just hope that the real fun will be back soon.
It’s funny to see that you guys in the us, do not seem to like the second season of your shows. It was the same thing for desperate h. for instance : bad ratings for season 2 while it was the best! Lol
Leatherbee : you ARE SO RIGHT : the music is awesome! I think that the soundtrack of this third season will soon be able to compete with the cold case soundtrack!
Kiss from France!
I was hoping to find some insight as to what will happen with the Marc and Cliff storyline. I would hate for that to be the end of it. I like the idea that was brought up of Cliff working for Mode and having interaction with Marc, Amanda, and Betty…and yeah where was Christine??? I really enjoyed this episode. And I Sat there staring at Archie Rodriguez wondering who the heck he was. Boy he sure reminds me of Ralph Macchio! Maybe I should pay attention to the credits! I was floored.
Is it my idea or ABC is killing the gay Marcliff relationship in UB just like they did with Callie and Erika in Grey’ s Anatomy…?? I know ABC is the most gay-friendly network but it just sounds odd.. Is it just a coincidence?
frenchilo- well i am from the uk and yet i wasn’t a huge fan of season 2 myself. the writing wasn’t as sharp, funny or as consistently good as season 1 and plus a lot of the characters were put on the backburner in favour of the betty/gio/henry storyline. this show is gradually improving no doubt although i would like to see the likes of christina and claire for example get involved in more meatier storylines and have more screen time as well.
cris, yeah i noticed that too. even though i never watch grey’s anatomy i have read reports in regards to how they approach gay and lesbian relationships in their shows, which is not very good.
Montage!
I could be wrong, but I don’t think ABC is killing Marc/Cliff at all. Just because Cliff left the office crying doesn’t mean they won’t end up together. Hell, I’d probably want to run away and cry by myself if my fiance admitted to cheating on me too. But Marc ‘fessed up to what he’d done which, to me, means he deserves a second chance with Cliff. I really doubt we’ve seen the last of him.
Bennu, I hope you are right..! I hope Cliff is goin’ to forgive Marc in the end! I truly want to see them together again.
Although David Blue said that they haven’ t called him back for more shooting…
cris- ABC and the creators had better bring cliff back and make him a permanent character. as by dumping this character would be such a waste. and even if marc and cliff do split up, they can still be friends and cliff can mimgle with the other mode crew, mandy, betty, christina, daniel etc. so why not?
miss waiching liu, i’ m keeping my fingers crossed for Cliff’ s return !! we have to wait and see!
Maybe I missed it in the comments but has no one mentioned the hilarious turn Justin is taking? His response to Hilda asking what they would sell (”Are you kidding? First you can get rid of this hideous lamp, and then get rid of a half a dozen of those saints, and while you’re at it get rid of Betty’s hats.”) and the bitchy, annoyed way the actor delivered them was hysterical, not to mention the look on everyone’s face after he spoke. I saved this on the DVR just to watch that part again!
yeah, i caught that bit too. i could imagine seeing justin working at mode with an attitude like that!