Ugly Betty Episode 4.01 – 2 Quick Thoughts
October 17, 2009 by Tom
Usually, when we fans want to compliment something about an episode of Ugly Betty, we say it was “season 1 – worthy”.
But, last nights season 4 premiere, episode 4.01 (and 4.02), “The Butterfly Effect” was wonderful, yet I think saying “it was like season 1” would be an insult.
The show is growing up a little. “The Butterfly Effect” was enjoyable for reasons all its own. My favorites?
- Betty’s transformation. So, they aren’t handling it with a Nanny McFee subtlety, but this is television. I loved how Betty played with her bangs the entire episode, as if she was subconsciously wanting to change them. The blog with Betty’s greatest fashion hits was funny. The new Betty is hot (nice touch, having the crew member double take as she walked by).
- I liked the braces-off teaser dream sequence. It makes me really excited to see them come off for real.
- This was Justin’s episode. Ugly Betty tends to give us drama with a heavy hand, but Mark Indelicato used mostly expressions and body language to portray his misery. I hope they give him a little comedy in the future (and Justin needs an ally at school – pronto!), but his first day at school was portrayed perfectly.
- Marc’s in a weird position this season – hate/sabotage Betty, have empathy for and help Betty’s family. Not to mention his insecurity with Wilhelmina’s future. Michael Urie pulls it off, though.
- I LOVE the new Nico storyline, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I love YaYa DaCosta’s portrayal of her.
- 46-year-old Vanessa Williams is still the most beautiful person on the show. With every scene she’s in, you can’t take your eyes off her.
- Speaking of, the sight gags in this episode were subtle and hilarious. Those of you who paid attention in history class will know why Wilhelmina’s banging on the podium at the UN with her shoe was funny. Also, Kristen Johnston’s temp character looking for “Daniel Miagi” – almost made up for the fact that Ralph Macchio was only in one scene.
- I’m really curious where they are going to take Amanda. Seeing herself 20 years from now was quite a wakeup call, and she’s obviously decided to do something with herself. (Writers – Please send her to community college. OMG, what possibilities!)
- Matt and Megan are going to be the perfect foils for Betty this season. Megan’s resentment seems more “real” – Matt’s just being a jerk. Did anybody else love it when Daniel punched him?
- Speaking of, the Detty moment after the punch set up the Daniel / Betty story line for this season. It will be interesting seeing them act as sort-of peers.
- Before the show aired, I was worried about the writing in this one – but they struck a perfect balance. No, it wasn’t madcap (except for the “Lion King” dream sequence), and the drama didn’t hit you over the head – instead, it felt like a nice visit from an old friend, who has changed but is deep down still the friend you remember.
- Welcome back, Ugly Betty. Stick around a while, OK?
Image: SplashNewsOnline.com
Wow. Last nights episode was completely perfect in sooo many ways. I think I can honestly say it was in the top 3 of Ugly Betty episodes, Possibly even 1. Every second kept me waiting for the next. From the Daniel/Matt punch, to the cringing moment when Daniel ruined Betty’s chances at a fresh start with Meagan and Matt, to the moment it was revealed what Nico’s secret was. I’m extremely excited for this season, I have a feeling (if it stays at this rate) it could top number 1. All the story lines are going 100% well. I just feel like Claire is being blackmailed or something by Hartley, no matter what, she would never want to keep Wilhelmina, its not like she didn’t know she was extremely useful already, she just hates her. It seems out of character to keep her on the show. My favorite scene from the show was with the butterflies and Betty. That scene was truly beautiful! Well, I’m off to go watch it again, Betty stay with us as long as possible!
Oops. I meant keep Wilhelmina at MODE. lol.
http://www.digitalspy.com/ustv/a182385/horta-betty-daniel-may-become-couple.html?imdb
Just found this on a link from IMDB
Adding, although I found the entire piece interesting, I focused mostly on this:
“Horta also confirmed there is to be a love triangle between Betty, Matt and another mystery character.
“It begins earlier in the season and then it really starts to come to a head in the Bahamas episode,” he revealed.
However, he refused to be drawn on any further details regarding the third party, stating: “I’m amazed that nobody has figured it out, so I’m just going to keep quiet about it.”"
The season opening had me thinking I’m turning Detty because it was the vibe I was feeling, especially when Daniel punched Matt out but DARE GETTY GIRLS (including myself) HOPE with this news?! I would be thrilled if Gio returned but I’m willing to accept Daniel as endgame if Freddy isn’t coming back. Besides that’s the whole premise of the show: To get Betty and Daniel together…at least that’s how it seemed to have ended in every other version.
Tom, I ussually agree with you, but not this time.
Saying that this episode was like Season 1 is an insult to Season 1.
I liked the episode, but I was expecting so much better!
What annoyed me the most was Matt. WHAT A JERK. So annoying.
I liked that braces scene at the beginning.
And another thing, I was expecting lot more scenes between Amanda and Helen!!
And more scenes between Marc and Justin.
Nontheless, I loved Whilelmina and Nico! Loved the scenes! Loved the drama!
And if I am not mistaken, this was the first time we saw blood on Ugly Betty.
So, in my opinion, this two episodes, we’re nice and well balanced, BUT, not season 1 – worthy.
PS: “(Writers – Please send her to community college.” PLEASE DON’T.
Sorry Tom, lol.
Wow! I loved Season 4, I though it was so funny that Daniel was being protective of her. Daniel and Matt are sooo cute. And I felt so bad for Justin. If I was a that school, I would be his first friend. This is like the best episode ever. Did you see Betty’s eyebrown? they weren’t catipillars anymore!
I thought that the season premiere was a fantastic episode! So much was changing in this episode and all the story lines were great! My only regret was that there wasn’t much of Claire, but I did love the scene that she had with Betty! I got a huge season 1 vibe from this episode and I’m sure that I’ll love it even more once I watch it again! With the Wilhemenia plotline, I really hope that the murder is tied with the rest of the plot lines in season 4 and doesn’t lead to the murder of someone who is irrelevant to Willi and the rest of the characters.
I loved how the ending of the episode was like the end of the pilot and I really feel like the show is actively trying to return to its roots. Although I loved, loved it when Daniel punched out Matt, before the premiere, the thought of that possibly happening was exciting since I felt that Matt might have deserved it since based on the previews, he seemed intolerable. However, when I watched the premiere, he still seemed intolerable, but there was also a soft side to him that was shown occassionally which made me feel a tiny bit bad for him when Daniel punched him. I definitely think that Daniel’s protectiveness was over the top and I agree that if Betty keeps watching over him like she did in the premiere episode, she’ll very quickly lose her job. Thus, their relationship needs to change. My favorite part of the episode was when Betty was visiting the Jewlery designer and she remarks how, when the catapillar turns into a butterfly, the catapillar is gone. The jewlery designer replies by saying how, despite the change, the catapillar is still inside there somewhere. I thought that that was a wonderful metaphor for Betty.
Justin and Hilda were fabulous in this episode as well and so were Marc and Amanda (as usual). Everyone was at the top of their game in this episode, I feel.
Yay for all the Detty-ness
I HOPE he and Betty get together this season. It would be cool if they brought back Gio, but I don’t think that will happen
i LOVEd it last night! This is my show! it’s BACK! It’s my show that …. NObody is allowed to bother me or speak while its on… ya’kno??
I really, really dislike abc for screwing with it so much. I wish it was on FOX after Glee 
That would be my perfect TV night. Except I have to DVR wednesdays 
Either way STRONG episode. I really, really liked it. Minus the whole bow & arrow scene.. I thought that was kind of dumb. hmph. anyways.. I’m so glad BETTY IS BACK! …. fINALLY!
Also. Betty got 5mil views and people say that’s awful. Yet, One Tree Hill & gossip girl get under the 2mil mark & still get seasons renewed. Don’t get it.
It was good episode,I like it.I feel bad for Justin for the bully him at Cafe. Matt is very jerk to Betty this episode,I know Betty hurt Matt because of kiss Henry without tell him last season,but I still hate Matt make me mad and harsh and bad something to Betty at Mode.I love that part of Daniel punch Matt.I don’t like Megan,because she not nice person and igorne of Betty.
After reading the article and seeing last nite’s episode, theres noooo WAY Silvio can say no 2 D/B as endgame. And if Silvio is smart, he will make this mystery person in the soon 2 b love triangle none other than Daniel. It just makes common sense! Its time 2 get a move on, relationships like these need time 2 grow n no1 rly knows how long Ugly Betty will last, cuz abc is like that, they cancel good shows 4 no reason. (ratings my @ss)
Anyhooooow, last nite’s episode was made of awesomenessss, all theres left is not butcher up the rest of the season n 2 give Daniel and Betty a chance @ love! xD
This episode made me so, so happy! I feel like Betty is back at last. It was just such a well-constructed, well-written, thoroughly *enjoyable* episode. I was grinning like an idiot through the entire thing.
I’m curious about this love triangle thing, especially since Horta is “amazed nobody has figure it out.” Honestly, “The Butterfly Effect” felt like it was oozing Detty to me… but I lean that way anyway, so I may just be biased. ESPECIALLY in light of Silvio’s recent quasi-retraction of his statement that Daniel & Betty won’t end up together. But that remains to be seen….
Loved Betty’s mini-makeover. It felt very believable to me; enough of a change that the other Modies took notice but not so much that it felt forced or fake. I love that she got a slightly more-stylish version of her old glasses. I’ve always thought that Betty needs to keep her “hot librarian” glasses, no matter what happens in the future with her style.
This episode got me so excited for things to come! Well done, writers/cast/crew!
I think it was an wonderful season opener…It did have some season 1 feel but it also had it’s own flare, which i liked.
I loved it, from what I’ve seen.
Betty’s transformation wasnt pushed in our face, we just notice it ever so slightly. She looks amazing but shes still Betty – and thats what I love. I can’t help but notice that everything in this episode was very colourful – the sets, the clothes, Claire and Willie inparticular looked really beautiful.
I just can’t stop watching it, Meegan is going to be an interesting character. I see her like Amanda or Marc – someone who will sometimes like Betty and sometimes loathe her. Daniel seems to be different this season too, not just in terms of his beard! But he seems a lot more caring, I think he always has cared for Betty but now he’s really expressing it. He knows shes been mocked in the past and just wants the best for her as she moves up at Meade. Its going to be interesting to see how much he is involved with her storylines seeing as shes not directly working for him anymore. Also, I’m loving the arrival of Nico – with a great storyline too. I thought the actress portraying her was really brilliant, and I cant wait to see the storyline develop.
In terms of the ratings, 5.01 Million – its not bad. I think we will see a decline obviously, with the Friday viewing. Take into account the game on FOX, lots of Dad’s making their wifes and children watch it too, when they may have wanted to catch Ugly Betty! As another site said, the ratings aren’t Dollhouse bad, and they did beat a show in the 9pm hour (it may have been Medium, I’m not sure) I’d just say us fans keep our loyalty with the show, and ABC should too – and that way we will hopefully get another season!
Silvio’s backtracking has been great and the episode did start to set the foundations for Detty but i hope silvio is telling the truth rather than lying to us to get ratings.They were in no way anything like brother and sister in the first place.
I def was looking forward to this premiere b/c i really wanted to see how the whole matt and betty thing would work out. I think matt was being an ass, but it was mainly out of pain and hurt that he feels betty cause him. especially since he did say that she was his first love. i think he blames betty for his heartache even though he was the one to break up with her and took the job as her boss. he obviously still loves her and isn’t over her or he wouldn’t be making those sly comments to her. and if he was really mad at her, he didn’t have to take the job as her boss or work so closely next to her. matt doesn’t need the money as we know. he is already financial secure.
i think for the upcoming episodes, matt is probably going to be a little distant at betty and i think he will possibly date. either to get over her or make her jealous, i don’t know. but we do know he has a intimacy problem and uses sex as a way to feel close to someone. and i wonder if betty will date other ppl and how will he take it.
i thought the season opener was good & I enjoyed it. Like most people I think Matt got what he deserved when Daniel punched him esp. when he insinuated that Betty & Daniel slept together. It looks like there might be some jealousy on Matt’s part altho Matt was right about Betty not being there to supervise her photo shoot after getting the rest of the editors to assist her. Even Daniel Eric Gold mentioned that Matt is not nice to Betty at the start of the seasson, but they will find a rapport with each other while still dealing with their unresolved feelings as they deal with each other on a daily basis.
it will be interesting how Daniel & Betty’s relationship will develop thoughout the season. i think it was time for both of them to be more independent from each other & now it will be a little different as Betty is dealing with Matt & Daniel is just trying to find himself & grieve.
i don’t know if the love triangle with Betty/Matt/& third party will be Daniel…did anyone think it possibly could be a woman? Eric mentioned that in the Bahamas episode there is a scene in which he & Michael Urie both try to pick up women/men with some funny results.
Hopefully the transformstion will continue on throughout the season as this is the theme for this season….
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/DanielandBetty
I’ve just finished watching the UB s4 premiere, and I’m really happy with it! it was amazing, I loved all the storylines. We got drama, hilarious hints, comedy, suspens,…loved it all!
Can’t wait to see next episode…Welcome back Ugly Betty, I missed you on my screen.
I have to say I really loved this ep. I agree with Tom. This is great on its own. Just like betty, the show has changed, for the better! I loved how betty decided to transform as I have always wondered how they’d do it tastefully and not rush it. daniel said “betty, you’ve already changed” that is soooo true. I don’t particularly care for nico’s storyline, although that’s how you can add some non-comic suspense there.
The show is BACK! Great job!
i’m with Bia on this one. i posted my comments on this episode on my michael urie and ugly betty fan blog. the address is here:
http://wwwmichaelurie-mswliu81.blogspot.com/
oh, on the love triangle.. I say the 3rd person is…..drum roll…. AMANDA! Personally i believe it’s too soon to bring DETTY together. Daniel needs to fail again and betty comes to the rescue, only until then that D finally realize her feeling for B. Bring them together now just seems wrong timing, both are on the rebound right now.
Tom, I agree with all of your assessments, so there is no point in repeating them. One correction, though… I believe Helen pronounced Daniel’s last name, mee-ah-dee, because she thought that would be the phonetic pronunciation of MEADE… ME-A-DE.
This was a great start for season 4!
I was not surprised that Daniel punched Matt after insulting Betty. He deserved it. I thought Betty would have slapped him. Now having said that I really think that Matt/Betty are or should be the endgame. Henry was Betty’s first love but I think Matt is her TRUE love.I’m seriously intrigued by the “I love you/I hate you” storylines the WONDERFUL writers have in store for them. Unless Matt does something really hurtful that Betty can not forgive then she probably would go for somebody else but Daniel?? I don’t know, I can’t see how she can fall in love with Daniel who is sooo needy; Betty always having to help him and save his butt. On the other hand, Matt was independent from his rich parents; had a job (sport writer); sought help for his intimacy problems( being a playboy)even before he met Betty; and was really “into her” because of her inner beauty, intelligence and charm even with Betty still homely and “ugly” in appearance. Right now Matt is mean because he is just really hurt from Betty’s betrayal. I love UG. Hope for many more seasons.