UGLY BETTY is Back…To the Same Old Stories

Alright all you UGLY BETTY fans…your show is back. Listen, I’m going to be honest with you, I had some issues with tonight’s episode. As a fair and honest journalist (ha ha ha ha), I felt the need to share.  But keep in mind that my criticism comes from a place of love.  Read on (and don’t shoot the messenger).

Previously on…
After taking over the Meade empire, Alexis was manipulated by Wilhemina into ousting Daniel as Editor-in-Chief of Mode. Hilda found out that her new boyfriend, Justin’s gym teacher, was married.  Betty had to choose between Henry’s mariage proposal and Gio’s invitation to Europe.  And Amanda and Marc continued their awesomeness just by being them.
When the new season picks up tonight we jump a little bit into the future.  I’m not in the business of spoiling shows for you, especially when you are going to be watching later tonight, but I will say that while some characters are stuck in a bit of a rut, others are in for some big changes.

After a lackluster second season, I was hoping that UGLY BETTY would return to the glory of it’s rookie year.  After watching tonight’s season premiere I was left feeling a little ‘eh’.  Where’s the comedy in this comedy?  The only true comic relief in this show comes from Marc and Amanda, but it seems those two characters are an after thought to the writers.

The writers are continue to recycle and rehash the same stories over and over.  Alexis and Daniel in a power struggle.  Wilhemenia manipulating Alexis to get what she wants. Daniel reverting his old sleazy ways every time something goes wrong for him in his work life.  Been there. Done that.  Give us something new!  And don’t even get me started on Betty’s love life.  I know this show is all about inner beauty, but here we are at the beginning of the third season and Betty is yet again in another life changing love triangle.  First it was Walter/Betty/Henry, then Betty/Henry/Charlie, and as soon as we got invested into Betty & Henry’s relationship along comes Gio. What perfume is she wearing and where can I get some? Give us a break already.

What started out in the first season to be a fresh new comedy has already become a bit tired.  Although I like watching Betty at Mode, I’ve never been a big fan of the Meade family drama.  Perhaps the Suarez family could take over the magazine and I’d  be a happy girl. Despite the awesomeness of Vanessa Williams’ portrayl, Wilhemnia has become predictable and stale.  As Dan said in our latest podcast, the woman doesn’t even need a script, at this point she knows exactly what Willi would say in every scene. That’s not a good thing.

Ok, ok I know I’m sounding all Debbie Downer (wah, wah) this morning.  It’s not like UGLY BETTY is bad.  Far from it. And it’s not that there isn’t humor to be found, because there is.  I guess I’m just disappointed because I know the show can be better.  I know the writers can bring more outrageous hilarity to the table.  They did it in season one.  Do you think I should lend them my DVDs?  Give ’em a little reminder?

I’m not under the illusion that the UGLY BETTY writers are reading my little podunk TV blog, but if they are I hope they know this: no matter what they do with the characters, no matter how much Meade family drama they throw at me, no matter how repetitive the storylines get ALL and I mean ALL can be forgiven if you just give Marc and Amanda more screen time.  I’m that easy.