Poll: What Do You Think Of Matt?
February 23, 2009 by Tom
One of the many things being discussed about Ugly Betty episode 3.15, There’s No Place Like Mode, is the introduction of the character Matt. The character, played by the tastefully three-named Daniel Eric Gold, will be (at least on a surface level) Betty’s new romantic interest.
Of course, the fact that he’s a “romantic entanglement” at all means that the producers of the show must have changed their minds about Betty concentrating on work and growing up a little. I guess Silvio Horta could say he had this in mind all along, but it’s such a drastic change, I doubt it.
But, regardless, we now have this character, Matt. As some of you have said, he’s good looking in a non-threatening way. Like Henry, he seems to have a certain innocence and goodness about him, and like Gio, he’s doesn’t let Betty get away with “her crap” (as one of you said) – he’s not afraid to put Betty in her place.
In fact, Matt is so much a morph between Betty’s former lovers, I’m half tempted to call him “Henrio”. 
I have to say, I like this character, I like the way Gold is playing him, and I like his enthusiasm. I also like the fact that he works at a sports magazine, bringing a little youthful masculinity to the show that’s been missing since the departures of Henry and Gio. (Yeah, Connor oozes masculinity, but he’s not long for the show, I am guessing).
So, I may be opening a can of worms, but I’ll ask: what do you think of Matt? I know many of you want your own favorite characters back, but it looks like Matt is the Man of the Moment. Do you like him? Or is he a little too squirrelly? Are you hoping he sticks around?
That’s this week’s poll question.
Image: SplashNewsOnline
Although I like Matt, his character is not very plausible. If he truly knows nothing about fashion, he’d think Betty is a true fashionista with her over-the-top and eye-blinding garbs. So why would a down-to-the-earth sports guy be interested in her? Doesn’t seem like they’ve had much interactions b4 and knows of her personality. So the “i’m more interested in learning about you” just comes across a bit sudden.
“If he truly knows nothing about fashion, he’d think Betty is a true fashionista with her over-the-top and eye-blinding garbs.”
I don’t believe for one second that a person has to know anything at all about fashion to realize that Betty is not a true fashionista. As for why Matt is interested in Betty, there is probably a lot more to it than we can know right now. It has been teased on various sites that Matt has a big secret, beyond the little detail that his parents are rich. Perhaps he had an agenda when he made a point of getting close to Betty. Just for the sake of speculation, let’s say that his mother (soon to be played by Christine Baranski) was one of Bradford’s old flings. If Matt suspected (or was told) that he was Bradford’s illegitimate son, he would probably want to get involved with his half-brother’s assistant, so he could learn as much as possible about the Meades, as well as about the Meade empire. Keep in mind that I’m just making all of this up, but the point that I’m trying to make is that three might be more to Matt’s “attraction” to Betty than your usual boy-meets-girl kind of motivation.
From SirLizard: “It has been teased on various sites that Matt has a big secret, beyond the little detail that his parents are rich.”
—–
Yeah, I’ve read about that theory here and on other sites that I’ve visited (especially from the D/B supporters on the “BachelorButterfly” site), and I still think it sounds very interesting and plausible.
But here’s the other thing to consider: It’s possible that Matt doesn’t have a pre-planned agenda on Betty. They are, after all, in the YETI program together, so I think Matt had been watching/observing her during their seminar sessions and started slowly crushing on her, based on what he saw. (Actually, I think that’s certainly the case here because Matt even mentioned it in 3.15 – how he listened to her talk and thought she was smart, etc.) Perhaps the writers aren’t taking the time to show how it happened, but that doesn’t mean Matt isn’t crushing on Betty genuinely.
Still, IMO, this is no way lessens the idea of Matt possibly being a Meade. Perhaps he already knows that his real biological father isn’t his mother’s husband, but he doesn’t know his real dad’s identity yet – except that he’s some other rich guy (Bradford)…
XD lol for your “Henrio”, Tom.
Okay, I am glad Matt is not so much as Henry as we thought by the earlier rumors. He seems to have a personality of his own. It’s too soon to judge. He’s definitely and WAY definitely not Gio. He doesn’t take crap for Betty but he seems to have become too interested (inexplicably… but whatever) into Betty so he seems to waver easily and change position to a more pleasing one the immediate second he says something harsh (actually that’s fun to watch too).
I definitely like how Gold plays Matt. Looks natural and sweet.
But really… I’m not against Matt it’s the fact that the writers just HAD to create him.
Oh well, like you said, he’s the man of the moment. Let’s see him play. At least he’s nice and well acted. Some side dish until I wait for the Main Course (Gio).
And yes… what about the “no-romantic entanglement” and focus on her career? I have complained so much about that that I’m glad someone else mentions it.
Can this season be more random?!
Love matt. I hope he doesnt turn out to be psycho!
From Beatrice B: “And yes… what about the “no-romantic entanglement” and focus on her career? I have complained so much about that that I’m glad someone else mentions it.
Can this season be more random?!”
—-
Perhaps you’re forgetting what Silvio said in one of his earlier Season 3 Q&A sessions from 2008, when he was asked by a fan about Jesse. Here’s his answer again – and to be honest, I think it makes sense and answers your question:
“Just like real life, an individual’s decisions don’t necessarily affect the way other forces or people may come in and out of his or her life. Betty is focusing on her career more than ever. But that isn’t to say there won’t be obstacles, diversions or romantic entanglements along the way.” ~ Silvio Horta
In a nutshell, life is unexpected – for Betty and for people in general. With that in mind, Betty may not be looking for romance in her life right now, but that doesn’t mean it won’t find her. Same thing with other situations: What you plan, want, or expect isn’t always what you get in life. That makes sense, don’t you think?
I kinda like Matt.He is sweet person and very nice to Betty.He not same with Gio and Henry
I really like Matt! Gio will always be my first choice for Betty, but I wouldn’t mind seeing her in a relationship with this new guy!
I’m REALLY hoping his “secret” has nothing to do with not having a legitimate interest in Betty. I’m getting sick of all the drama focusing on Betty’s love life.
I just want her to either A) Stay single or B) get into a nice, stable relationship (maybe with Matt?)… at least for a while! I’d like to see more drama at Mode or with her family or the other characters…
We’ve already had a love quadrangle this season. We don’t need Betty having a messed up love life too! She’s had bad enough luck in the past!
Hey, thanks for reminding me that Q&A, Jace. It was nice from Horta to give some feedback to their fans. Why yes! I am still mad at Silvio changing his mind in this season right from the start. I still believe, this season is quite random. Yes, “Life might be unexpected”. It would have been if the writers would have a clear map of what they want and stick to it and then, let’s say, never move Betty out of the house, let’s not create the character Jesse and then as Betty progresses emotionally and professionally (which she hasn’t much except in two episodes this season)… suddenly introduce Matt just like now (in episode 3.15). That’s unexpected. But do you remember how they reintroduced the “romantic entanglements” issue? well… silly childish Betty wrote in a scrap of paper her 1-week plan (gosh! what an strategist!) with the “no romantic entanglements” just to fall in love with the first guy next door in the very first episode this season.
And it makes sense that life is unexpected. But not when you’re supposed to be planned by a body of twelve “supposedly” wise plot writers. If they wanted to re-introduce unexpected love then why not do it with care? Unexpected was to fall in love with Henry, they did it very tastefully and in a sweet manner. It blended well with season 1 and it grew slowly. Unexpected was falling with Gio who was also her friend. But also unexpectedly bumping into Jesse guy and being madly crushed with him? and also unexpectedly having a guy two episodes later that somehow and out of the blue is so attracted to you… I think that’s a lot! for just one season!!! (which was supposed to be focused on her career).
But of course, that’s just my opinion. This season was not about Betty growing up. Not yet.
Jace, I too am hoping that Matt really does like Betty and that he truly wanted to get to know her based on his observations of her in class. It’s also possible that, for dramatic purposes, they might have it look like he had ulterior motives (or perhaps he did) in the beginning, but he actually does grow to have real feelings for her. Maybe Betty will find out and be really hurt, then Matt will have to prove himself to her. This would parallel the story line in the original Colombian series by which Armando (the Daniel character) started a relationship with Betty for petty business reasons (egged on by his best friend Mario, who was something like Daniel’s friends Philip Michel and Becks), but he ended up falling in love with her while he was pretending to have feelings for her. Oh well, all of this could possibly be totally off base. Time will tell…
I agree with Beatrice B that there has been a randomness about the season as a whole. We really were led to believe that this season was going to be about Betty as a single girl in the city, but that really didn’t last very long at all. I can understand why producers and writers would change a season’s arc based upon major expressions of disappointment from viewers, but I didn’t get any sense that viewers wanted Betty to return to Queens. Most of us enjoy Betty’s interactions with her family, but I don’t think that we had fewer family scenes than past seasons. She was always visiting Queens, or the family was coming to visit her. Her departure from Manhattan was just too abrupt.
I agree with others that say this season is kinda ‘random’, and too much relationships for Betty. I’m ok with Jesse (the one betty has a crush on), not Jess (i kiss you and may have some feelings). It’s totally normal to have a crush on someone that is not into you. It’s a complete different thing for *every* guy that betty is friends with (besides Daniel) to be interested in her! com’on…
SirLizard says: “I can understand why producers and writers would change a season’s arc based upon major expressions of disappointment from viewers, but I didn’t get any sense that viewers wanted Betty to return to Queens.”
Personally, I’m one of those that doesn’t mind that Betty moved back home to Queens. It makes sense to me, especially if we consider that this is mirroring real life situations with the economy right now. Mode is in trouble financially, and Betty and Amanda are always trying to scramble by with rent. (I always wondered how Betty managed to make rent for a while, considering her life savings went into it in the beginning.) So, to me, this part of the storyline isn’t really meant to cater to viewers’ interests. It’s meant to reflect other things, including Betty’s need to find some balance in her life.
Oh…and BTW, I like Matt. He seems nice and less geeky/cutesy than Henry, which I actually appreciate. In fact, his behavior and his comments in this episode made me laugh at times. Here’s hoping he’s a great guy for Betty, for as long as he’s on the show.
IMO, I think there’s a pattern going on with this show, with all of Betty’s guys. Every guy has been different than the previous one in certain ways, and now with Matt, it seems like he’s the closest thing to being like Daniel (i.e., he’s from a rich family, works with a magazine, too, but is currently at the same level as Betty, etc.). So…I don’t know, but to me, it looks like the writers might be working their way up to Daniel and Betty, probably as endgame. After all, Molly is like Betty, too, so maybe there’s a reason for this kind of pattern to be happening in both Daniel and Betty’s romantic lives right now.
So I was reviewing some UB episodes and, to me, Henrio seems a character in his own, now. So, I’ll have to back off a bit regarding the “io” part of him.
I noticed that in 3.16 when they are speculating about which was his favorite movie. Betty blurted “The Godfather!” and he dismissed it because it was too interesting but his favorite movie was Wall-E. We know The Godfather is one of Gio’s favorite movies. “Right when I think I’m out you pull be right back in”. Okay, Matt is no Gio.
And in 3.17 when they were talking about what would he do if he got USD10,000 and he told Betty not to ask him to dance because he doesn’t dance. Ah man! one of the things I love most of Getty is Gio and Betty dancing. Okay, Matt is no Gio.
(if it looks like I am having fun posting all this nonsense… you guessed right. I am.)
He still have a bit of Henry, though.
I like matt so much. I think he is my favorite guy in Ugly Betty. He’s nature and nice. I like his smile and kiss, so sweet. I really hope he will be around in the following episodes
B wrote: “But of course, that’s just my opinion. This season was not about Betty growing up. Not yet.”
I agree to all you said above that. Its not just your opinion however if I share it too. Its a mutual opinion. If each of us know two people then chances are they feel the same way and they each know two like-minded people themselves. So it grows. It is not right that Lindsay Lohan be on there for all these episodes, mess up the story, throw the set into a tailspin. Then have an apartment, Jesse, Gio come back, leave. Amanda move in, Betty move out, Matt in her life, Matt’s family, Papi having a heart scare, a new girlfriend, Mode in trouble… all in ONE SEASON?! Someone is *completely* raping their authority as producer (probably for a Marc and Mandy non-Robin Williams starring spin-off) and probably won’t stop short of having Pink from “The Wall” show up with animated goose-stepping hammers to destroy what *they* believe isn’t necessary. That said, it sounds like European influence of Columbia that fled to Central/South America at the end of World War II and occupied anywhere that wasn’t being protected by migrant pitchforks. How else would Betty suddenly be dining at the Ritz uptown with Matt from being at Gio’s deli when Alexis fled to France with DJ? Oh that’s right because some assholes think its ok to just throw money at problems and hope they go away. Well they won’t, bud! You marry in, you take responsibility too. Its your head for what these jerks do under ya, right? That’s what I’m told regarding my friends. Otherwise, don’t hurt people’s proverbial sisters and expect not to be ran off with Rico Suave for farmworkers to have their independence again. *shrugs* Can someone say Bring The Noize?
Why would the season have a “map”? That would make it too predictable and booooooring. Season 1 will always be the best Betty season for me, but I like Season 3 more than season 2 now. except for Ignacio’s love interest. It’s just….gross…
I love Matt. He stood up for Betty, a lot of times. I also find him so sweet…and way better than Henry. I wish they get back together in Season 4. They just look so well together…
OMG….I love Matt…..He’s so nice and sweet…I like his smiles…..
As that Kryzell said I also wish Matt and Betty get back together in Season 4…
I love this Matt guy. He’s dork, gorgeous and he really cares for Betty. I know I’m still on Detty but that’ll be like in the next season (season 5) or so, so let them have it, people
OMg I love matt. He is so cute and just wants betty to be happy. Although I am starting to think that his slightly bad side in season 4 is kinda sexy I really want them to get back together they r just so perfect for each other. He is way better than gio and henry especially better than walter and Jesse urg I hated them
So love the new Matt hairstyle…and Amanda’s so getting in the way…i love it hehe…and Mark’s finally realizing how bad he is…and America Ferrera’s losing some weight…loves it!
oh and Connor has this little comeback!
Don’t we all know where Ugly Betty is going? Since the show moved to Friday it looks like the show is doomed. As the comes to a close….we will see the braces come off. Betty will start to dress better and be beautiful. Daniel Mead will be looking for love and discover his true love………has been right there all along……Betty!!!! A big wedding will be the season Finish…… Giving ABC a giant rating as the show closes. I even bet Americia will be on GMA that morning with Diane Sawyer…..bet ya!!!!!
i wonder what will happen to betty and matt in season 4 since one new guy will appear in the screen from sneakview of episodes 6.. huhu.. when will betty get settle with one loyal and caring guy .. ?
I am a big fan of betty/matt. I guess it’s too early to stay friends. It seems like they are not revealing their feelings although they have them. I really like matt!