“Ugly Betty” is back on a new night — and with a brand new look.
When the ABC series’ fourth season premieres at 8 p.m. Oct. 16 (pushed back from its original premiere date tonight), Betty’s hair is less frizzy and, by the episode’s end, she’s rocking some chic side-swept bangs and a decidedly less loud wardrobe.
(Don’t worry, though; her signature “B” necklace and a few trademark bright accent pieces remain.)
She even promises that her braces will be coming off during an orthodontist appointment “in a few months.”
Hallelujah!
Her look isn’t the only new thing in Betty’s life. It’s also her first day as an assistant features editor at Mode magazine, where she’s toiled as Editor-in-Chief Daniel Meade’s (Eric Mabius) assistant for the past three years.
Poor Betty is basically starting from square one in the cutthroat world that is Mode.
“Being an assistant is boot camp,” she-devil Wilhelmina (Vanessa Williams) advises her. “Being an editor is war. You have your allies. You have your enemies. And, at times, you can’t tell which is which.”
Betty’s got more enemies than allies. Frenemy Marc is mad he got passed over for the promotion, and her new office mate thinks she only landed the job because of Daniel’s favoritism.
Oh, and did I mention that Mode’s new managing editor, a.k.a. Betty’s boss, is none other than recent ex-boyfriend, Matt?
I never warmed up to him last season and don’t expect to now. He’s gone from being an annoying sad sack to an annoying, resentful jerk who can’t get over their break-up. It makes you wonder what she ever saw in him in the first place.
Betty is not the only person feeling isolated this season.
Her flamboyant nephew, Justin, is struggling to adjust to high school and the bullies that come with it, while Daniel is dealing with grief and anger over the death of his wife, Molly.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though.
There’s some classic Claire/Wilhelmina banter, which is always good for a laugh, plus guest star Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock from the Sun”) as a tacky temp who gives receptionist Amanda a wake-up call.
The episode’s only low points come with what is supposed to be this season’s big mystery, which didn’t intrigue me at all.
I don’t know why there has to be some deep, dark subplot every season — the day-to-day drama in the Mode offices and the Suarez house are more than enough to keep me watching.
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