Season 3 of Ugly Betty has just ended over here, while the US is currently enjoying Season 4 - why must I have to wait so long, Channel 4?! Why, it's so that Desperate Housewives can begin in January (fingers crossed!). Although I enjoyed Season 2 it was a bit too involved in Betty's romances with Henry and Gio, so it was nice that they were packed off by the end of episode 1 in Season 3 so that we could concentrate on Betty's career. When Ugly Betty does romance it can all get a bit soppy (I'm also looking at you, Connor and Molly). I change my mind with nearly every episode as to which regular character is my favourite. Amanda has been on fine form this season, particularly in the first half when she seemed to be around a lot more often as Betty ended up sharing her apartment with my favourite acid-tongued bitch! Hang on, that spot's taken by Marc, isn't? And Wilhemina too! I was pleased with Wilhemina's character arcs this season as she went from being an arch villain to a more rounded individual as she was softened up with her ultimately doomed romance with Connor. It was also good to see her calming down her quest to take over Meade and Mode by becoming co-editor with Daniel. Ah now, Daniel. He's actually one of the few of the main cast who's never been in my list of favourites. I don't think he's developed very well, and although Eric Mabius is easy on the eye, I don't think he's such a great actor. He was also saddled with a girlfriend, Molly, who's only character trait is that she's dying with cancer. I know that sounds harsh (it's only a TV show, remember) but really, Molly had no other side to her.
Betty's best mate Christina has always been side-lined a bit, and was even more so through Season 3 - she seemed to spend about a year pregnant and then wasn't in a lot of the episodes. It makes sense that she's left, it's just a shame Ashley Jensen wasn't better utilised. The last regular at Meade publications is Claire Meade. Every since she was introduced back in Season 1 as a semi-regular I've loved every word that comes out of her mouth. She can always be relied upon to make me laugh out loud at least once an episode. More of her please!And then there's Betty's family. I don't think Hilda was about enough in Season 3, but when she was she was fabulous, and it was nice to see Ignacio find happiness with a lady friend, even if they had to give him a heart attack first! My favourite member of Betty's clan is her nephew Justin, played by the fantastic Mark Indelicato. As her gets older (and more camp) he just gets funnier. I ony wish the mini-arc he had at the beginning of the season, where he found a friend at school and auditioned for Billy Elliott, had been extended. Another of the under-used cast members, Justin shines in every appearance. There was a touching moment in the final episode when Marc imparted a little gay-friendly advice to Justin, in an echo of a previous season's encounter between them. Justin's sexuality has never been explicitly dealt with, and really it doesn't have to be, but it's nice when he gets these moments with Marc as it allows the latter to soften and it just leaves a warm feeling inside me.
Of course, I mustn't forget Betty herself! America Ferrera does such a good job with Betty that I think it can be easy to forget just how good an actress she is, and how much of the show rests on her performance. That might sound silly, since the show is named after her, but with such an extended regular cast Betty could quite easily becoming a supporting character in her own show. However, Betty is the beating heart of the programme, providing so much joy and warmth. Her storylines this season were better than before as she battled her ex-nemesis (Lindsay Lohan!), joined the young editors programme, YETI, and found love with Matt, a rich former sex-addict. At season's end Betty's life looked to be working out wonderfully, until boring, much-too-muscled-for-a-geek Henry turned up again. Boo! The move that the show made from Los Angeles to New York, where Betty is actually set, made a massive difference to the show too, and the Big Apple became almost an extra member of the cast. The locations looked much more authentic than previously (because they were!) and I don't know why, but it improved the whole look of Betty's surroundings.
Season 3 ended with several cliffhangers - Matt is now Betty's boss! Whose waiting for Wilhemina in her bedroom?! How will Justin cope at public high school?! - and I can't wait for Season 4 to show up on these shores. Until then, I've got Desperate Housewives to look forward to! And Glee, which should take care of my camp TV intake too.
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