Marc says if she can't get him that way, she can (think porn music) "Waa-waa," he says, pretending to show his boobs. He says, "You still have it." Willie smiles and says it's good to have a Plan B and Marc says, "Or a Plan 34C." My plan is more on the lowercase end of the spectrum.
Running through the streets of New York, Betty finds the Y.E.T.I. building. Seriously, how did she not know about this program/building/opportunity? Talk about living in a cocoon, it's like she's Wilford Brimley. The place is huge, probably because there are just that many people wanting to be editors. Honestly, don't they just go to that other school...hmmm...what's that little place called? Oh yeah, Columbia School of Journalism?
I'm a smart and a well-employed career woman and
you know what that means: Single and staying that way!
At the Y.E.T.I. offices, a woman who looks like Hilda with a brain says they don't just see assistants, they see the future of the publishing industry. The woman hands her an application and says Betty has to come up with a cover, table of contents, letter from the editor, and "an original magazine concept that best describes you." Yeah...I'm not sure Heinous Mess & Doormat is really going to be a big seller.
"Oh, this application is for next year," Betty says. "I need one for this year." Brainiac Hilda tells her the deadline is too tight for this year. But Betty doesn't want to wait a whole year, she wants to do it this year! It's so important she didn't even know it existed when she woke up this morning. Brainiac hands her this year's packet and tells her she's adorable. Clearly not worried about details, Betty is almost out the door before asking when the deadline is. Uh. Two days. I love time in Ugly Betty world! "Good luck!" Brainiac says.
At home, Betty's family is over for dinner and Betty is trying to get some ideas for her magazine. Hmm...Unemployment Yearly? Fun Gay Nephew Weekly? Almost Deported Papi? Hilda complains, "I can't believe they expect you to come up with this in two days!" Uh, they don't, that's why they gave her next year's application. Betty certainly omits a lot of details when she describes what's going on in her life, doesn't she? Just like the rest of us!
Oh, but wait - Betty's going way out on a limb here and creating a fashion magazine! You have got to be kidding me! First of all, hardly creative since you work at one. Second, you dress hideously and the only thing Y.E.T.I. about you is those bushy eyebrows. Third, does the world really need another fashion magazine? Fourth, is that really what you would do if you had the chance to develop any magazine you wanted? I thought you were interested in something more along the lines of the The New Yorker. Fifth...lather, rinse, repeat.
Seriously? A fashion magazine?
Have you seen a mirror lately?
Papi reminds her that the magazine is supposed to express who you are. Betty says, "I have a million ideas of what I want to do, but they're all too big." Yes, better to just settle on something you've copied from work. Very creative, I'm sure the judges will be so impressed. "I'm being practical. I have the resources at Mode to get this done. It just has to get me in." Trump would soooo fire her.
Actually, these are the droids you're looking for!
Wilhelmina, wearing some kind of tribal/Star Wars type dress asks Connor if he knows Doral Resort Wear. Why yes, yes he does! How exciting for both of them! Well, "they are interested in exclusive back cover ads through 2012," Willie tells him. "That's huge!" Connor says, and something tells me he would know! She asks Conner if he can make the meeting tomorrow, the only time they can meet. Yes, because resort wear designers are oh-so-busy. It's resort wear not workaholic wear!
Connor agrees but says he's speaking at Molly's class in the morning, could they make it in the evening. Yes, because once again pre-schoolers are all about Finance. What the hell is Molly running, Mensa Pre-School? Willie tells him the corporate offices are in Key Largo, so they're going on "a little trip." Down ba-da-boom lane! Thank you, try the veal, I'll be here all night.
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Comments (5)
Excellent recap.
I wasn't so upset about what Mark said to Betty - I thought she had a lot of nerve thinking she "deserved" it just because she wanted it. She was acting more like an entitled Paris Hilton type.
It was a pretty good episode overall... starting with Amanda in the tbu.
BTW - Vanessa Williams used to be married to handsome former Laker Rick Fox. Does anyone know if they are still together? (Just curious.) I couldn't find anything on the web.
1 of 5 | Posted by fire@will | Posted on November 28, 2008 1:41 PM
Here is an explanation to why all the costumes are so zany:
Episode 3.01
The Manhattan Project
Trivia:
• This episode marks the show's return to New York as well as the return of Patricia Field ("Sex and the City") as the show's Costume Designer. Betty's look will probably evolve, which is only normal for anyone who spends so much time surrounded by fashion-obsessed people. She won't be getting "beautiful," but she will be a little more fashion-forward, yet with the expected Betty-fied touches.
• Rebecca Romijn (Alexis) and Christopher Gorham (Henry) are now credited as Guest Cast.
2 of 5 | Posted by elmo | Posted on November 28, 2008 2:00 PM
Vanessa Williams and Rick Fox have been divorced for a while now, although I believe they are still friends. In fact he appeared on an episode of Ugly Betty (last season I believe)
3 of 5 | Posted by blazergirl | Posted on November 28, 2008 4:15 PM
Thanks for the great recap and writing so much. Love the captions under the pictures.
4 of 5 | Posted by User Name | Posted on November 30, 2008 1:23 AM
fire@will:
Blazergirl's right. Vanessa and Rick Fox are divorced and still friendly. Several months after their divorce, Vanessa even mentioned during an interview with Howard Stern that they are still VERY FRIENDLY with each other when the need arises. ;-) That was years ago, but I assume they are still cool since he played her love interest on Ugly Betty several years post-divorce.
Also, I totally agree with you about Betty acting like an entitled Paris Hilton type (or like America Ferrara's real-life She-ro, Hillary Clinton), when she assumed: a.) that she wanted the YETI award more than Marc and therefore, b.) she should get it just because she pulled an all-nighter.
With every episode, I am growing to dislike Betty more and more, but her assumptions (or as I like to call 'em, her Betty-isms) in this episode were so wrong, it surpassed her usual Bettyness. Marc has natural talent when it comes to fashion. Also, he actually cared enough to line up all his ducks THREE MONTHS EARLIER than Betty. How Betty came to the conclusion that SHE should present a fashion magazine is...beyond me. Her complete lack of self-awareness is annoying as hell.
This show's constant underlying moral message is that inner beauty is better than outer beauty. I'm all on board with that message, but I don't buy that Betty's beautiful on the inside, either. She always has these cracks where her "ugly" side shines through and someone (usually her dad) has to remind her to stop being overly judgmental, critical, etc. And those traits would all be less annoying in her if she weren't constantly pulling the self-righteous act and judging everyone else for their moral flaws.
Funny how "moral" Betty didn't mind at all that Daniel wrote that B.S. letter saying she was an employee from PLAYER in order for her to qualify for the YETI with Marc. How long did she work there? Like 3 days?
I don't have a problem with what Marc said to her about being a token because all signs point to Betty being a token choice for them. Her presentation wasn't better than Marc's. By the way, Betty stole that idea of "B" magazine. There's already a "BE" magazine on the shelves.
It's a credit to this show's writing and ensemble cast that I still watch this show despite disliking the main character so much.
5 of 5 | Posted by blahblah | Posted on December 6, 2008 8:47 AM