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Home » "Ugly Betty" (4.6) Recap: "Backseat Betty"

"Ugly Betty" (4.6) Recap: "Backseat Betty"

by
snicks

November 16, 2009

Justin announces he's going to homecoming, and he gets some last minute advice from mentor Marc.

The final clip is the cruel joke perpetrated by the bullies, and the aftermath. It's not pigs blood, but it's still deserving of some telekinetic revenge.

As many of you pointed out, the "crowning the queen" moment was dramatic, but if something like that happened in real life, the Suarez family would end up owning that school. But let's face it, Ugly Betty has always combined reality with fantasy, with a bit of camp and goofiness thrown in, so of course Justin's moment is going to stretch the boundaries of believability.

Of course the center of attention in this episode was Justin announcing "I'm not gay", and this statement elicited heated debate about what the show was saying.

Personally, I think (and hope) this is just another step in Justin's eventual coming-out. Marc's knowing look and plaintive "then he's not" was the clincher. He realizes that Justin needs to come to terms in his own time, and if denial is a step in the process, then so be it.

At least I'm hoping that's what's going on here. If this is the show's final season, I'll be disappointed if they don't explore Justin's journey further.

So now that the dust has settled, what did you think of episode? Right now, my favorite scenes are between Hilda and Marc. They're rare, but Ana Ortiz manages to speak volumes with a simple "Thanks, Marc".

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Submitted by
snicks
on Mon, 2009-11-16 09:03.
Ginelle's picture

UGLY BETTY HULU VIDEOS

Submitted by
Ginelle (165 points) (33 posts)
on Mon, 2009-11-16 09:27.
Unfortunately cannot be streamed into Canada, is there another link?
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David Ehrenstein's picture

You're right about what's going on with Justin

Submitted by
David Ehrenstein (7805 points) (1725 posts)
on Mon, 2009-11-16 09:36.
He'll come out to himself ( the most important part of the process) in time. Brilliantly played all round.
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Matt 's picture

Justin

Submitted by
Matt (196 points) (40 posts)
on Mon, 2009-11-16 09:54.
That was how I took it, that he hasn't gotten to that part of his journey where he can admit to himself that he is gay. Perhaps if he met someone else in school that was gay too, that might help.. I loved this episode, and his interactions with Marc, and the mean girls. I always love Hilda too. Quite a twist in the Connor saga as well... Poor Willi! I know she will figure it out, and god help Nico when she figures out its her that is doing the blackmailing... All in all it was a fabulous episode... Im glad I watched.. "LIVE! LIVE! LIVE!  Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" Mame Dennis Burnside - Auntie Mame 1958 
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Topaz's picture

For those who hated it....

Submitted by
Topaz (194 points) (41 posts)
on Mon, 2009-11-16 11:16.
Try to remember the kid is 14 or 15 years old. Hormones are raging at this age and you don't know whether you're coming or going(at least that's the way it was for me 5 years ago.) He's got to come to terms with it first before anyone else. I think the episode was right on target and Marc's response was absolutely perfect.
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glen's picture

I remember

Submitted by
glen (10 points) (2 posts)
on Mon, 2009-11-16 16:47.
thnking I can't be gay. I love the girls way to much. In fact ALL my friends were girls. I never had sex with any girls. I hated guys (even the ones I wanted to have sex with). So therefore, I must be bisexual. Weird thinking. I look back now and realize I wasn't bi or even in denial. I am 47 now and had no reference points at that time.  I was confused. Once I met other gay guys and learned there story I realized that my confusion was actualy apart of my early gay cultural develpoment. I think for all of Justine's confidence he is still a confused teen.
Average (1 vote):
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Topaz's picture

For those who hated it....

Submitted by
Topaz (194 points) (41 posts)
on Mon, 2009-11-16 11:18.
Try to remember the kid is 14 or 15 years old. Hormones are raging at this age and you don't know whether you're coming or going(at least that's the way it was for me 5 years ago.) He's got to come to terms with it first before anyone else. I think the episode was right on target and Marc's response was absolutely perfect.
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Topaz's picture

For those who hated it....

Submitted by
Topaz (194 points) (41 posts)
on Mon, 2009-11-16 11:18.
Try to remember the kid is 14 or 15 years old. Hormones are raging at this age and you don't know whether you're coming or going(at least that's the way it was for me 5 years ago.) He's got to come to terms with it first before anyone else. I think the episode was right on target and Marc's response was absolutely perfect.
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boyd's picture

I found the message subtle and powerful

Submitted by
boyd (846 points) (199 posts)
on Mon, 2009-11-16 13:41.

Clearly, Justin's sexuality and his understanding and expression of this sexuality is continuing to evolve. I really hope we continue to see it happen in what may the final season of the show.

Yes, some folks know at 5 that they're different/gay/lesbian/whatever. Other don't know until they're 50 -- or older. All paths are valid. And that's what I took from the end of the episode.

And even through the Suarez family and Marc are about the coolest, most supportive people to ever surround and support a potentially gay kid, Justin's coming out must be his own process, on his own terms. I saw the ending as powerful reclamation by Justin of his storyline. It's not Marc's or Hilda's coming out -- it's Justin's.

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Bountiful's picture

it was an awesome episode

Submitted by
Bountiful (1570 points) (411 posts)
on Mon, 2009-11-16 13:42.

The writing this season has been really sharp! Daniel's storyline has been a little silly. I'd have liked to see Salma Hayek's character return for him, if this is the last season, and work out their differences. Betty's story was good too, and broke out of the pattern of previous seasons, where it seemed she was always making the wrong choice... no matter what choice she made.

I definitely felt for Justin. The homecoming queen announcement wasn't realistic, but I am going to assume that Justin's namea wasn't the real name that was supposed to be announced. Some girl in that school was deprived of her title. But, realistic or not, I loved seeing Justin take control and turn that moment around. How heart warming! And then the last scene, where Justin denies he's gay, also tugged at your heart strings, but in a sad way. It's clear that the poor kid is not yet comfortable with who he is, even though he is brave against bullies. I think it was clear that Marc wasn't trying to say that Justin's definitely straight now, but that he was saying it's important to respect a teenager's assertion about himself, and to give him space to figure things out.

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Liz's picture

liked the end...

Submitted by
Liz (10696 points) (2217 posts)
on Mon, 2009-11-16 20:18.

i liked the end when he said he wasn't gay and marc's reaction. i guess i wish the homecoming scene was different.

i rolled my eyes when he gave the speech about his mom and then gave her the crown...i really thought he was gonna go with it, give smart ass remarks about winning and stuff, but eh.

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cdm.rn's picture

Huffington Post blog: Ugly Betty's Best Action Hero

Submitted by
cdm.rn (126 points) (26 posts)
on Tue, 2009-11-17 23:12.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-melcher/justin-ugly-bettys-best-a_b_361585.html I thought this was a nice read.
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