Ugly Betty: Arrested Development?
June 2, 2009 by Tom
There is an interesting take on Ugly Betty in this article at Soap Opera Digest (hat tip: Angel25). The writer, Michael Karol, both loves the show and has major problems with it at the same time.
Let me tell you about my love/hate affair with UGLY BETTY. On the one hand, it’s colorful, often hysterically funny, beautifully shot (in high-def) on location in my favorite city, New York, and is set within the publishing industry, something I know a little bit about, having worked on magazines all my adult life.
On the other hand it’s infuriating: sad, bittersweet and repetitive. It’s lead character, Betty Suarez (America Ferrera), seems to have not learned a thing in her four years working at Mode magazine; she remains too trusting, unable to read others’ personalities, and thus too willing to help those who are only going to stab her in the back in return. She is frustratingly unaware of the fact that there’s a fine line between being a sweet naïf and being a doormat.
I give more credence to this argument than the one that says Betty should be a fashionista by now after being at Mode for 3 years (although the show is entering its 4th season, theoretically Betty’s only worked there for 3). Some people just do not have ‘the eye’ for fashion, no matter how much they are surrounded by people who do.
But the mere passage of time should have ensured that some of Betty’s innocence should have worn off by now.
Don’t get me wrong – the writers have a very fine line to walk here. Sure, they have to address concerns like this; the show does tend to get repetitive. At the same time, to borrow a phrase from executive producer Silvio Horta, Betty must retain her “heart”, else the show will lose a major ingredient in the show’s original popularity.
Betty has to grow, yet remain likeable. I think in the season 3 finale, the writers mostly succeeded. Yes, Betty’s actions treated Matt badly, but at the same time she was human in a perfectly understandable way. That’s life; sometimes that which we desire is not what is right for others we love. It’s one of the conflicts grownups face all the time – and Betty’s getting old enough to qualify for that distinction.
Next season, Betty will finally have that editor’s job, and she’ll finally lose the braces. I think these will be outward signs of more subtle changes in her character. We’ll see if that happens.
Image: Newscom
Wow… exactly.
Actually, I don’t give a thing about Betty, the doormat, trying to be all fashionable with those silly clothes, bad relationships with demanding unfocused guys, selfish behavior… I think I used to love her when she was the symbol of a minority -young latina woman from Queens- following her dreams in a world full of prejudice. She had things to improve: her confidence in herself and acceptance to the world around her. But she was no child, and definitely she wasn’t half as shallow as she is in season 3.
“On the other hand it’s infuriating: sad, bittersweet and repetitive.” “she remains too trusting, unable to read others’ personalities, and thus too willing to help those who are only going to stab her in the back in return”
Wow. So much word.
Betty had been growing all through season 1 up till the end of season 2. But I think the writers, in order to create the illusion of “growth” in season 3, they started the season with a more naive and silly Betty, ending this season with a mildy mature Betty, cheating all those who followed her through season 2. Hearing her laughing and giggling like a child in season 3 seriously irks me -America is going out of hand with her performance. What happened the old Betty who, even if she had some sweet fantasies, she had both her feet on the ground and stood out in front of the rest of her shallow Mode fellows? Is she lost in the mind of those producers and writers that got fired during the writer’s strike? I hope not.
Betty is still way too sweet for her own good. By the time I was her age (just a few years ago), I was an old pro at handling Amanda-esque bimbettes, scaring off clingy Charlie-esque ex-girlfriends, and giving egomaniacal Jesse types “What Might Have Been” syndrome (without having to compromise my own integrity). As much as I love this show, I’d like to see Betty demand more of the respect she deserves. It’s so depressing to watch such a good-hearted character get stomped on again and again.
And if you ask me, Matt was asking for trouble. He’s not as bad as his parents, but he is way too self-centered. Earlier in the season, he admits to a sleazy past, yet Betty’s expected to be perfect 100 percent of the time? Kissing an ex goodbye is not the same as sleeping with them, geez.
I don’t think Matt was asking for trouble not this time. From the moment Henry came back, Betty was praticlally all over him, [checking his Facebook page, wanting to see Henry even though she knew she shouldn't] Betty even pitted Matt and Henry against each other in her head at The Met’s game.
When Betty wouldn’t tell Henry that she was moving in with Matt, you knew trouble was ahead then to make things worse…
Matt didn’t answer his phone when she got upset over losing her possible job,so she called Henry instead after once again checking his facebook page.
Betty could have talked to her family or waited for Matt to call her back but NO SHE CALLED HENRY!
It was Betty’s fault for not telling Matt the truth in the first place. Betty should have listented to her own instincts/heart and told Matt the truth instead of listening to Hilda.
“Yes, kissing an Ex isn not the same as sleeping with them.”
No, it’s not but that kiss between Henry and Betty was way too intense for a good-bye kiss; And it proved that Henry is not over Betty and at this rate never will be at least IMO.
well, in real life, Matt would be the rebound guy. It’s totally normal for betty to still have feelings for the ex, esp. not even due to a bad breakup. There are always lingering feels for “just not meant to be” types. But she really should know better than to call Henry to vent.
I agree with the gist of the article, basically betty hasn’t grown up/matured at all. You think a girl trying to making it in the city would be more “street smart” by now. The only growth is her wackiness in her wardrobe. That was just soooo insensible. She may not have an eye for fashion, it’s much more believable for her to be bland and non-stylish, then dress like the clown of the town.
I pretty much agree with the article..By now you’d think that she would have learned a thing or two working at Mode & about life in general. I think even the other characters on the show have shown some growth..Hopefully season 4 will be better..Betty was just being “naive” self again by getting involved with Henry again. I don’t think Matt deserved the treatment he got from Betty. (even if it’s Matt) Betty was happy with Matt things until she saw Henry again.
Betty should have just been up front with Matt & gone with her instincts & told the truth from the beginning. If she had, I don’t think the outcome would have been as harsh..now she is paying the consequences. I wonder if Matt could be that cold.. I really don’t think that Matt could “REALLY” hate her that much..probably just his anger is overtaking him & listening to crappy advice from his dad. He was actually considering forgiving Betty until he talked to his dad. My feeling is that the writers are painting the ups & downs of the their relationship in that it will strenghten their relationship down the line. I think at some point they will try again(I think Matt will need Betty at some point) as Horta seems to be indicating that their relationship could be going long-term & their relationship will be changing & growing..thoughts??