Ugly Betty Episode 4.06 Full Recap

Here is the full recap for Ugly Betty episode 4.06,  Backseat Betty.  Quick thoughts:

What a great episode!  The show seems to be getting more realistic (more on that in a bit), but isn’t losing any of its appeal – in fact it’s getting better.

Of course it was a dramatic episode, but there were some quick comedic gems –

• Ignacio:  “I think he’s the one who stole our Baby Jesus.”
• Amanda: “At least I’ll always have that cold sore”.
• Claire (after Matt fumbled with calling her a “girl”):  Good.  Now I know I won’t spend my time texting and worrying about boys.
• The eye-narrowing stare-down with Marc when WIlli insists there are plenty of models “in their upper 30’s”.
• Amanda worried about how the beads frame her “Chest-icles”
• Wilhelmina’s quip about Angela Landsbury wanting to rat her out to the co-op board.
• Amanda: Level 5?  Is that where we touch each others’ junk and call it a massage? I want to do it!
• Bennett asking for Amanda’s beads back (Silvio Horta is almost trying to get sued by the Friends of Tom Cruise, I think!)
• Wilhelmina: You [the press] had me sleeping with everyone from Madonna to JFK…only one of which was true.

The drama: Marc’s look when Justin’s embarrassing moment happened was so perfect.  That whole storyline was compelling from end to end.  And Hilda’s storyline with Ignacio and their Homecoming past explained a lot, and was also fun to watch.  I like when Ignacio gets all heated in an argument.  But, of course, this episode was Justin’s

I’ll say this right now:  although many of us are tired of Betty’s romantic angst, and many of us have already chosen our ‘ship’, I really like what Bobby (Adam Rodriguez) brings to the show.  His scene where he he made the jaywalker apologize to Betty reminded me of Santos in his best moments. No, I don’t want him to end up with either Betty or Hilda, but there’s just something about him that brings something the show has needed for a while.  (Part of me wants to say ‘testosterone’  )

That being said, certainly his episode arc will end with him going to jail, right?

Speaking of, although I don’t like how Archie is being blown off, I can tell you, what’s happening with him  and Hilda is realistic.  Having spent my life as an Archie (and some as a Larry), I can tell you, girls, especially the “good ones” are going to go for the dangerous guys every time, and we “safe” guys always lose the comparison.  (The good news is, to any “nice guys” reading this, we end up running the world, so it evens out).  I sincerely hope Hilda stays with Archie.  But, I have to admit, this storyline is quite interesting.

It’s taken them most of 4 seasons, but I think they’ve finally hit the right tone on Betty and Hilda’s sibling rivalry.

Justin’s declaration at the end, when you think about it was realistic, too.  And Marc’s reply was brilliant.  And it leave us wondering where all of this is going to go.

Oh, and if you think you-know-who is really dead, I’ve got a bridge I’d like to sell you.    BUT, I’d love to know what the heck he’s up to, how he’s pulling it off.

Full recap after the jump.

The Suarezes are enjoying breakfast, when Betty walks in.  She had been out the night before (On a weeknight! to Ignacio’s worry), and shows them her new “tattoo”.  It was fake and partially worn off, though.  Betty says she’s trying to get back on the market.

Ignacio suggests, Larry, Archie’s nerdy bookkeeper.  Justin asks Betty if Marc has the cheerleader uniforms ready – Marc was having them hemmed as a favor  – Betty says he’ll bring them by before work.  Justin says it was Marc’s idea for him to hang out with the cheerleaders (mean girls!) to stay one step ahead of the bullies.

Justin says they need help decorating the gym for homecoming.  This causes Hilda’s demeanor to change.  It brings up a sore spot from the past – Hilda would have been Homecoming Queen but Ignacio would not let her go (She was 6 months pregnant).  She insists that Papi was ashamed of her; Ignacio says he was protecting her.  They both stop to assure Justin that they would never be ashamed of him, then continue fighting.

Betty and Hilda are walking to the school to help with Homecoming, when they see Bobby Talercio, Hilda’s old crush (and a dangerous guy!).  He recognizes her and walks over to them.  They small talk, and he calls Betty “Little Chipmunk”:  He is there because he is teaching driver’s ed, since his family had a car dealership.

After he leaves, Betty reveals that she had a crush on him in school, which is no surprise to Hilda.  Hilda insists that Bobby was too bad of a boy to go out with good girl Betty.

Marc helps Justin hand out the cheerleader uniforms, and a football player passes by and asks Justin where his skirt is.  Marc then gives Justin advice – go along with and stay ahead of the joke – then bullies will stop messing with him.  He then volunteers Justin to choreograph a new routine for the cheerleaders (to Justin’s chagrin).  Marc says he’ll help, he was head cheerleader in college.

At Mode, Daniel has installed Community of the Phoenix water coolers and is now wearing beads.  He is on a strict diet given to him by Natalie.  He says he feels better and leaves to go pee.  Claire walks by, worried about Daniel.  But, they still aren’t talking.

Matt interrupts them and gives Betty a mundane assignment.  He says that he had given the plum assignment, an article on being “fearless” to Megan.  Betty says she can be fearless, but Matt just scoffs because he thinks she’s cautious.  But, he says she can make a pitch to him and he’ll listen.

Wilhelmina yells on the phone at her blackmailer and tells him he’ll have the money when she gets the money.  She then tells Marc to put out the word that she’s willing to cover model again (for the money).  Marc tries to stop her, but she insists.

Daniel advises Betty to “do the thing you never do” to be seen as fearless.

Later, she approaches Bobby, and seductively asks him out.  This was a fantasy, and in reality, she hems and haws till she finally asks him to teach her to drive.  She then has another fantasy in which she rips off his shirt. 

Justin and Marc show the Suarezes the new moves they gave the cheerleaders.  This got Justin invited to Homecoming.  Hilda and Papi leave the room arguing about that fateful past homecoming, and Marc reassures Justin that he’s a great kid.

Hilda complains about her (boring) duties as companion to a politician.  But first, Bobby pulls up in a Camaro, and Betty comes out for her driving lesson, to the Suarezes chagrin.  Archie also arrives, looking plain (and boring) in comparison.

Wilhelmina gets a cover – but it turns out to be Hot Flash.  Claire teases her, then offers her $500 and a liter of diet ginger ale.  Wilhelmina says he won’t do it, but Claire says “It’s the best you can do, Willi”.

Betty is really bad driving a stick shift.  Bobby says he still thinks of her in footie pajamas.  Betty says she’s traveled, had her own apartment, and boyfriends (making sure to add that she’s available right now).  Bobby places his hand over hers showing her how to shift.  Betty gets so distracted he almost hits a pedestrian, who yells at her.  Bobby gets out, grabs the pedestrian, and makes him apologize.

Amanda asks Daniel if he sees her and Matt as a couple.  He says you can’t force feelings, and brings up their own relationship, adding that he had used her.  Daniel asks Amanda to come to the CoP retreat they are having at Mode – she agrees because she thinks it will make Matt think she’s “super-complicated”.

Betty’s car lesson ends, and Bobby invites her to Mad Dog’s to shoot pool.  She runs in to tell the family, only to find out she’s been set up on a double date with Hilda/Archie and Archie’s nerdy bookkeeper, Larry. (who has this weird breath-snort nervous tic)

At their dinner, Larry turns out to be as weird and boring as they thought he would be.  Betty says she’s tired and sleepy and excuses herself to go to bed .  BUT, as she leaves, she sneaks out of the house.

At the CoP retreat, Amanda tells Natalie that Daniel has invited her for the weekend.  Natalie and Bennett seem put off by this; Natalie later tells Bennett that she’s “got to get Daniel to Level 5”.

Nico pressures Wilhelmina to get the money – WIlli then tells her about  Connor and the money he stole and his offer.  Wilhelmina says if she decides to go that route, Connor will find her.  Nico says that because Willi still loves Connor, she HAS to do it.

Betty sneaks into the house and Hilda is waiting for her.  Bobby sticks his head in to check on Betty and says Hi to Hilda.  After he leaves, Hilda yells at Betty for bailing.  She says Larry heard her leave.  Betty feels badly about this, and agrees to come to Homecoming with Larry.

Wilhelmina brings Claire to Mode on Sunday to announce she’s resigning.

Betty pulls up from her driving lesson and sees Hilda, Archie and Larry waiting there.  Bobby suggests Betty blow them off and go with him to get a Freeze-ata.  Surprisingly, she does, emphatically spinning her wheels.  She tells Larry she’s sorry as she drives away.

During a break at the retreat, Amanda complains about it.  Natalie tries to get her to go home.  She says she and Daniel have to get to level 5.  She argues with Amanda and storms away.  Daniel tells her they take it seriously, and Amanda says it scares her.  She says the program is giving him bad judgment.  He tells her to go home.

Betty and Bobby have their Freeze-atas while Betty complains about everyone putting her in a “good girl box”.  Bobby tells Betty she can date anyone she wants.  The school head cheerleader sees them and makes a face at Betty to say, “Wow, nice catch!” 

Betty has another fantasy in which she seductively tells Bobby that they “get” each other and should make it work.  In real life, she’s given herself a brain freeze, though.  Bobby then reveals that he’s still interested in Hilda.

Bennett tells Daniel it’s time to go to Level 5, where he will physically be reunited with Molly.

At the Homecoming ceremonies in the gym, the cheerleaders do Justin’s routine.  Betty arrives, and Papi says that Larry left (Archie drove him home).  Papi has been arguing with Hilda again about “her” homecoming. 

At a press conference, Wilhelmina announces that the shoot in the Bahamas will be her last.  She tells the press to quote her exactly: she’s leaving to pursue other options.  While she does this, Nico texts Jonathan telling him “we’re gonna be rich”.

Bobby stops Betty in the school hallway and tells her that the cheerleaders had told him he was dating Betty.    He jokes about this.  Betty says that they shouldn’t have lessons anymore, and reveals her feelings to him, which he says he knew about.  She says she always dreamed of kissing him in the school halls.  Bobby says “We’re in the hallway”. 

Betty starts to go to Homecoming, but turns around, stops Bobby and kisses him.  He tells her it was sweet, and not to let anyone put her in a box.  He walks away, and Betty turns around to see an upset Hilda.

Bennett gives Daniel and Natalie a special tea that will allow them to get to Level 5.

Hilda and Betty argue about Bobby.  Betty lets Hilda know that Bobby is more interested in Hilda.  Marc arrives, and they are interrupted by the head cheerleader Ava.  She tells them she “feels bad about Justin” and “it wasn’t my idea”.

Betty and Marc go in and grab Justin, Hilda and Papi and tell them they have to leave NOW.  But they are too late.  From the stage they announce the homecoming king and queen, which Justin has been named the latter.

Hilda wants them to leave, but Justin instead walks to the podium and “accepts’” the honor.  He gives a speech, using humor to diffuse the situation.  He then says someone else deserves the honor more than him: his mom.  He says she should have gotten the crown 15 years ago, but “that was kind of my fault”.  He thanks Hilda and places the crown on her head.

When they get home (Marc tags along), Hilda reminds Justin that she loves him no matter who he is.  Justin tells her that it was a joke that he was going along with…and that he’s not gay.  He walks away; Hilda looks at Marc who says, “Then, he’s not.”

Later, Betty is lying in bed, and Hilda comes in, saying she can’t sleep.  They lay and talk, mostly about Bobby.  Betty says, though, that she’s going to pitch Hilda’s story for the Fearless issue.  Hilda frets that she’s become boring, and is obviously conflicted about Archie.

At Mode, Claire is talking to an investigator, who says that it will now be hard to track the stolen money.  Claire then informs Wilhelmina that Connor is dead: they found his body washed up on a beach in Panama.

Wilhelmina goes to her office and weeps.

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