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"Ugly Betty" is back, and we've got the Justin and Marc highlights
The fourth season of ABC's Ugly Betty aired last Friday night, and while we don't have a regular recap this week, we did want to mention the terrific storyline with Justin and Marc. The mentoring relationship between the two started last season, as Marc saw glimpses of himself in Justin, and wanted to help the lad navigate the minefield of gay teendom. It continued on last week's season premiere, as Justin entered high school, and immediately went afoul of some bullies: After seeking out Marc's advice, Justin lies to his mother Hilda, and tells her he spilled salad dressing on his new Gucci shirt, and wanted Marc's help tp get it out. Later, Hilda visits Marc to thank him: Later, after his mother says "I understand what you're going through", Justin delivers the classic gay teen lament "you don't understand me at all!": Hilda turns to Marc, and convinces him to continue to be Justin's confidante: Finally, Justin and Hilda have a heart-to-heart. Hilda may come off as brash and loud, but she's a wonderful mother: This is good stuff, and while the word "gay" is never uttered, it's at the core of these scenes. I hope they continue Justin's journey in high school, and that Marc will be there to help guide him through the tough parts. We'll be back next week with a full regular recap of this week's episode. What did you think of the season premiere? Anything stand out, good or bad? What do you hope to see this season? Submitted by on Mon, 2009-10-19 17:00. |
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I dunno about dancing around it.
If Justin were older i would agree
I know the actor is older, but the character Justin just started high school, so he's what? 14? I think the way they are progressing the character and the story, including the words they use, are fitting for someone his age. Especially in talking with his mother. Very difficult time of self discovery, and not easy to put that lable on yourself.
That being said, I love Hilda's reaction to all of this. It's pretty clear that she's aware of who Justin is, and all she wants to do is protect him and love him.
"Open up your mind and then open up your heart. And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart." - Blessid Union of Souls
I dunno...
... I think Justin may have a bit of a crush on Marc too. Yes, he's only 14 or 15, but that's certainly old enough to have romantic feelings! (Especially for someone like Justin, who doesn't seem like he has *anyone* else to talk to about his homosexuality: sort of like how people often develop crushes on their psychiatrists or counselors.) In any case, I'm always happy when there's lots of Marc and Justin.
"Go, or go ahead and surprise me." -- Rufus Wainwright
Oh, I wasn't saying he is
Oh, I wasn't saying he is too young for romantic feelings. I totally agree with you there, he's not. And, he could be crushing on Marc. I'm just saying he's possibly too young to be ready to put a lable on his sexuality. And, Marc having been there himself as a 14/15 year old boy would know not to call him out on it.
"Open up your mind and then open up your heart. And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart." - Blessid Union of Souls
ANA ORTIZ IS A GODDESS!!!!
Wonderful stuff in here. precisely why we fell in love with this show in the first place. Important points about real life gay experience are parcelled out to characters who while entirely fictional play as real.
Her final exchaneg with Mark Indeicato's Justin broke my heart in 26 places. LUNGED for a hankie when it was over.
Loved
Setting up for Betty and Daniel?
Did anyone else pick up a more intimate vibe from Daniel and Betty? If this is the last season of the show, I could see the the ugly duckling marrying the handsome prince (to mix metaphors and fairytales). Daniel clearly cares for Betty and I suspect Claire would be thrilled to have Betty for a daughter-in-law.
The Justin/Mark storyline has great potential. Let's hope they have him come out early enough in the season to really explore being a gay teen in high school.
Finally, is anyone else freaked out by the storyline with Wilhelmina and her daughter? We knew from previous seasons the girl had some mental health problems, but murder and a coverup? Wili is too smart and powerful is (don't forget her father is a U.S. Senator) to become an accomplice to murder. Given the circumstances -- being attacked and fighting back -- a good lawyer could probably have gotten her off or at least pled the charge down to manslaughter.
I was surprised I liked the episodes
I had pretty much given up on this show but with no Dollhouse on this week I watched it and was pleasantly surprised.
I agree with you on the Betty/Daniel vibe. I thought that ship had sailed, and even the showrunner said "won't happen," but he's recently retracted that statement and said it's a maybe. Honestly, B/D have both messed up a lot of things around them but they get along really well. Claire even asked Daniel if he might be interested in Betty last season (but he'd just met Molly) and Bradford, on his deathbed, asked Betty to take care of Daniel.
I like the mentoring storyline as well. Since Justin's cool dad was killed off so cruelly, he needs a role model. I hope it stays at mild hero worship and doesn't go into crush territory that could just a bit icky.
I didn't like the new Nico storyline, it was pretty weak compared to the events of the past.
Nico
Did anyone else notice that Wilhemina's daughter is played by Yaya DaCosta, from the third season of America's Next Top Model?
"Go, or go ahead and surprise me." -- Rufus Wainwright
I really enjoyed it. It
I really enjoyed it. It seemed like Ugly Betty had kind of gotten it's groove back, in the sense that there was a lot of focus on the various supporting cast, not just the endless trials and tribulations of Betty and Daniel. Which is also entertaining, but not when it consumes the entire show.
I'm also really hoping that Justin's bully/friend/crush from last season returrns. The actor has said on his Twitter that he will likely be back, so hopefully it happens!
This has nothing to do with my homosexual proclivities...