Episode Recap: "Grin and Bear It"
Wilhemina was in her full glory tonight. My favorite scenes were Pretty Willie (as Meade Publications' cochair) being introduced to some of the company's other publishing
treasures, and Ugly Wanda weaving us through her evening at Studio 54 as Fey's mousey assistant, spying on her boss entwined with Amanda's mystery dad with the Tweety Bird tattoo on his ass. Priceless!
Speaking of spies, Syd's double-agent dad on
Alias is now torturing the wounded artistes in Betty's writing class. His brand of teaching involves nick-naming Betty "Clappy" and/or "Crappy" and encouraging them to attempt suicide or start a knife fight - whatever gives them something to write about. I love
Victor Garber; I hope we see more of him!
No wonder the usually self-assured Betty lost her nerve during class and claimed the bear-victim story was hers. The poor girl can't get away with anything! Soon she found herself Prof. Barrett's teacher's pet, then at the "New York Review," faking a pregnancy and being confronted by the real author back at the office. Daniel was there to rescue her, and to remind her that his opinion of her and her writing shouldn't matter quite
so much.
Back in the executive suite, Wilhelmina and Marc were so horrified at what they'd soon be dealing with - from "Adventure Time"'s "everything
extreme!" to "Player"'s concise "boobs" editorial concept - that Willie concocted a plan to destroy "Mode" and make way for her very own self-titled "Slater" mag, à la
Oprah and
Martha Stewart Living. I concur with Marc: "Mad props on the evil."
And just why was Wilhelmina waxing on about Fey's "Mode" party at Studio 54 on April 26, 1981? Amanda discovered that was the place of her conception! (How apropos.) And we learned several things about Amanda: not a real blonde, 25 years old, and Fey really did love her because she "quit smoking during her pregnancy eventually." Now Amanda has the guest list, and can begin searching the asses of the respective male party-goers for that tattoo.
"Mode"'s destruction began tonight, or at least Willie hopes it did, with Atlantic Attire pulling its advertising from the magazine. Dear little Dawson (
James Van der Beek) was all grown up as the ad guy, replete with corporate-speak and an obsession with the brand and the bottom line. Daniel stood his ground and defended his sister, playing the part of supportive brother with aplomb. He had his work cut out for him, as Alexis struggled with applying makeup, wearing a bra and walking in heels. (Poor Marc, mauled by a stiletto!) But near the end of the episode, Daniel revealed the guilt-ridden motivation behind his help, telling Alexis that if he hadn't been strung out, the car accident never would have happened. I wonder how long we'll have to wait before they learn/remember the
real cause of the accident.
Thank god Henry provided some comic relief! Of course the do-gooder went to great lengths to adapt those Algebra tutoring sessions to Justin's fashion sensibility. How was he to know that the sullen teen has suddenly taken after his father? The fashion elf was strutting around in his dad's leather jacket, drinking milk out of the carton, and saying "whatevs" upon flunking a test. Later, Henry found Justin and a neighborhood girl making out and drinking "bee-ah." Loved Henry's wisdom imparted to Justin about the "gateway drug."
As the episode came to a close, Henry admitted to Betty what was behind all this fatherly worry. I saw it coming: Henry's about to be a dad. (That was a quick 14 weeks, no?) Looks like they're going their separate ways for now. The promo for next week looked intriguing!
Relive your favorite
Ugly Betty moments with our
Online Video Guide.
show less
Episode Recap: "Grin and Bear It"Wilhemina was in her full glory tonight. My favorite scenes were Pretty Willie (as Meade Publications' cochair) being introduced to some of the company's other publishing treasures, and Ugly Wanda weaving us through her evening at Studio 54 as Fey's mousey assistant, spying on her boss entwined with Amanda's mystery dad with the Tweety Bird tattoo on his ass. Priceless!Speaking of spies, Syd's double-agent dad on Alias is now torturing the wounded artistes in Betty's writing class. His brand of teaching involves nick-naming Betty "Clappy" and/or "Crappy" and encouraging them to attempt suicide or start a knife fight — whatever gives them something to write about. I love Victor Garber; I hope we see more of him!No wonder the usually self-assured Betty lost her nerve during class and claimed the bear-victim story was hers. The poor girl can't get away with anything! Soon she found herself Prof. Barrett's teacher's pet, then at the "New York Review...
read more