Ugly Betty 1.06 'The Lyin', the Watch and the Wardrobe'

Throughout ‘Ugly Betty’s four seasons, it’s initially superficial characters are all systematically broken down to reveal their hidden feelings and sensitivities. Here, Amanda’s attachment to Daniel, and inner desire for a longer lasting relationship, is touchingly explored, along with some trademark comedy.

Betty is forced to clean up Daniel’s messy love life in ‘The Lyin’, the Watch and the Wardrobe’. Daniel learns a shocking bit of information about his father’s past. Wilhelmina tries dating a younger man.

Betty and Daniel’s friendship has always been at the core of this series, and there’s no denying that out of the two of them, Betty had a far more profound influence on Daniel than he had on her. His manipulative man whore ways finally come back around, only instead of him getting the slap in the face, Betty is the one facing the complete devastation left in the wake of his slutty rampage through the women of New York. Betty is, unsurprisingly, the one person with enough compassion to make him aware of how much he's unintentionally ruining these young women's lives.

Each of Betty’s love interests are as annoying as the last, and Walter doesn’t get away with being excluded from this particular group. Here, his constant pathetic attempts at winning betty back are impossible to ignore and are the writer’s sad attempts at filling the time until their inevitable split and Betty finally getting up the courage to pursue Henry (just as annoying, FYI). Despite his constant aggravating tendencies, he still remains a pivotal part of the season, especially w hen he’s viewed as a tool for contrasting the changes in Betty pre and post MODE.

Wilhelmina represents an important demographic, not just in the fashion world, but the world as a hole. Everywhere, women fight the inevitability of age getting to them, and here the person to whom it matters most is forced to come to terms with her expanding waistline. It’s not the most important thing in the world to discuss, but 'Ugly Betty' makes it a fun, and slight endearing plot to watch.

There are a few slight glitches here and there, but with the constantly intriguing “Masked Lady” keeping the show’s insane mysteries going, I’m still incredibly engrossed by this show’s debut season; another fun little episode.

8.5/10