(No Spoilers)
After finishing the action-and-crime-packed drama “Gotham” on HBO Max, I was on the prowl for a new series to binge over the summer. This time, however, I was looking for a light-hearted series that had humor, relatable characters, and – of course – a little bit of romance; and boy did I find what I was looking for.
“Ugly Betty” follows Betty Suarez (America Ferrera), a young aspiring writer from Queens, New York, as she tries to navigate working in one of the top fashion magazines in the world – Mode Magazine. Because of her seemingly “unattractive” looks, Betty was handpicked by Bradford Meade (Alan Dale) – the head of the publishing company – as a new assistant to the new editor-in-chief of Mode Magazine, Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius), in an attempt to rid Daniel of his playboy ways. Betty’s ability to work at a fashion magazine was questioned at the start because of her peculiar looks and style, but slowly she proved that she had what it took to succeed; and along the way, she made some lifelong friends, experienced a bit of romance – and heartbreak –and upgraded her wardrobe.
The plot and pace of the show heavily resembled Latin American dramas, also known as telenovelas. Some of the plotlines were hectic and melodramatic, but that’s what kept me at the edge of my seat– I couldn’t stop watching. The telenovela-esque undertones fit well into the series because Betty and her family are Hispanic and the show was attempting to bring more Latin representation into modern media. The show combines heavy themes – such as heartbreak, insecurities, losing loved ones, and sexuality – and light themes, such as love, family, and friendships – in a lively and amusing way that everyone can enjoy.
As for the characters, I loved each and every one of them. Betty, of course, was a great character and her development throughout the show was exemplary, but I became especially attached to the side characters. Their wit and individuality added variety to the show and their relationships with Betty were incredibly heartwarming. By the end of the show, their growth was evident and there wasn’t a single character that I intensely disliked – I even found the antagonist, Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams), to be amusing. That being said, some of the jokes that were made were a bit distasteful, for instance, some characters kept commenting on Betty’s weight, looks, and ethnicity – but they weren’t overwhelmingly insulting or out-of-hand.
I could honestly go on forever about this show, but in summary I found “Ugly Betty” to be genuinely entertaining and just what I needed. It was able to combine the tenderness of friendship and family with the glitz, glamor, and hustle of New York City in a humorous and moving way. It’s a great show and I recommend that everyone watch it — especially if ponchos are your thing (if you know, you know).
⭐4.5/5