Based on the original Columbian telenovela, 'Yo Soy Betty La Fea', the first series of Ugly Betty is so watchable and addictive after one episode that afterwards you want to continue with the rest of the series. Just so that you can find out what happens to the characters and their predicaments.
Betty Suarez is a young Latina with red rimmed glasses, metal braces and who wears hideous clothing, who is hired by Bradford Meade as his son Daniel's personal assistant. Initially hired to look after Daniel, as well as to prevent Daniel from sleeping with her, Betty soon makes a positive impression at work and a smooth transition in a short space of time. Though she becomes a butt of Mode's jokes and having to endure constant verbal bullying by Mode's bitchiest employees- namely Marc and Amanda-, as well as deal with Wilhelmina's scheming antics, Betty navigates her way through the dark and tricky waters of Mode Magazine.
During the series we see the exploits of Betty and her attempts at later becoming a magazine editor. Though what makes the show, and in particular the first season, so brilliant is the ensemble cast/supporting characters: Daniel, Christina, Wilhelmina, Marc, Amanda, Justin, Ignascio and Hilda to name. But of course it is all thanks to Eric Mabius, Ashley Jensen, Vanessa Williams, Michael Urie, Becki Newton, Mark Indelicato, Tony Plana and Ana Ortiz for their amazing portrayal of their respective characters. Each of the actors bring something interesting to their roles and make them all the more lovable and entertaining. But of course America Ferrera shines as the naive but good hearted, Betty: she doesn't overdo it as Betty, as she manages to provide a good balance between naivity and some normality into the sheer chaos of Mode, all at the same time without being too annoying and 'in-yer-face'.
Season 1 is fresh, extremely amusing and at times engaging and well written, the quality of the writing is top notch stuff. Most of the show's hilarious moments come courtesy of the dynamic-yet platonic duo of Marc St James, Wilhelmina's bitchy gay assistant and Mode receptionist, Amanda Sommers Tanen. Catty, fiesty but also naughty and funny, they can give Karen and Jack from Will and Grace a definite run for their money.
The biggest well known star from the cast is Grammy award winning singer/actress Vanessa Williams, who excels as the mean, no- nonsense, Wilhelmina Slater who tries to scheme her way to the top and force Daniel and Bradford out of Mode. She is just fabulous as Willie and literatelly owns her, thus making that character all the more believable.
The first season concerntrates on Betty and her interactions with Daniel and Christina, though as the show progresses later on the focus is then shifted towards Betty, Marc and Amanda. The Betty and Daniel related scenes and episodes are worth watching and alas, they hint a likely Detty ship occuring later on in the series. By the third episode onwards, Daniel and Betty strike a evitable partnership, as well as friendship and throughout this journey, Daniel changes overnight as a person. Mostly for the better. Whilst during the latter seasons, Betty's friendship with Marc and Amanda improve for the better, in season 1, her only allies are Daniel and Christina.
Even a few years later since its debut, I never get bored or tired with season 1 at all. Bright, fun and bold, the storylines and episodes are still as every bit as entertaining, funny and interesting as the last, and as the season progresses, it leads up to a nail- biting cliffhanger/ season finale.
For me, my top 5 favourite episodes from this season are: 'Don't Ask Don't Tell', 'Secretaries Day', 'Fey's Sleigh Ride', 'A Tree Grows In Guadalajara' and the Christmas themed, 'Fake Plastic Snow'. Although in truth, I loved every single episode; thus arguably, season 1 of Ugly Betty still remains to be the best.
I would thoroughly reccomend the first season to those who tuned into Ugly Betty in say the second season, but of whom have missed it first time round. It is still as amazing as fab as it is now, as it has been when it first came out. Highly reccomended.
Highs-
- Great characters, thanks to the performances by the stellar cast
- Very funny and entertaining; the storylines and episodes are well written
- Marc and Amanda: gotta love them :)!
- So engaging with lots of feel good moments
- The Mode mag episode guide that was packaged with the DVD set was a fab and clever concept
Lows-
- Not all of the dvd commentaries work; I noticed this because I could only hear one of them- Vanessa and Michael's take on 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'
- The 'Becoming Ugly' commentary was great and I loved the bloopers, but I'm not sure about the other DVD extras
Marks:
Cover Art: 6
Episodes: 10
Extras: 7 and a half
Overall rating out of 10:
10
