now, don’t get me wrong. i really, really like ugly betty, but i’m getting beyond majorly annoyed with one aspect of it.
it’s a cute, harmless, sometimes funny show. it’s fluffy and light and i like the characters. and it brings forth issues of personal worth vs. appearance and believing in yourself and all that stuff. which is good. i like betty, she’s a good character even if she is beyond clueless sometimes. and she really is adorably cute. but that is because america ferrera is freaking gorgeous.
and i get that betty is supposed to stay true to herself (queens girl), and her family, and her beliefs and still succeed. but there are some times when it’s like…oh my god, why are you this naive?
the overall message is a good one, with one major exception. and because of this exception i do not know exactly where they’re going with this series.
we have this girl who is trying to make a place for herself in the world and not give into peer pressure, media standards, public opinion, etc. and she’s sticking to her morals and beliefs and not giving up on herself. and she’s working hard. betty is a good role model. she’s a very normal — if not slightly clueless — girl. and she’s got a genuinely good heart, it seems. she’s engaging enough to keep you coming back for more, keep watching the show, and you really do hope good things happen for her cuz she’s so gosh-darn plucky and sweet.
and that’s fine.
but if we’re inundated with all these confident, believe-in-yourself, girl power images and messages. if we’re to believe that ability is worth more than appearance, then why, why, WHY do they still have betty subject to the whims of an undeserving male counterpart? as soon as she starts to feel good about herself, the then-boyfriend-then-ex-now-boyfriend again steps in and knocks her down a peg. as soon as she starts to fit in a bit, he swoops in and does something to make her feel out of place or embarrassed. or he’ll make her question her self-worth, her sense of self, and her abilities. or he’ll interfere with her job — which is critical to her and her family’s livelihood. all in the name of “love”? are we really supposed to believe this?
the pilot episode of “ugly betty” reveals in the first act that she loses out on an interview, and is dumped by her long-term boyfriend for the slutty neighbor down the street. but betty is an optimistic girl and doesn’t let it get her down, she takes the high road and appears to be getting over it. despite the sting of being cheated on. later, it is revealed that slutty neighbor was only using the ex-boyfriend for a dscount on electronics (ha!) and it appears to be sweet justice served.
but the ex realizes that he gave up a good thing in betty, and wants her back. which you would think would make it only sweeter, right? betty is fine without him, and growing and developing as a person and experiencing new things without her losery boyfriend in the picture. the best revenge is to live well, isn’t it?
except she caves…she finally gives into his whining, his pushing, his insulting and his manipulating. what’s more, her family — her family that is supposed to love and support her, and want what’s best for her — appears to be siding with walter. welcoming him into the home, chiding betty for not instantly warming up to him, etc. it’s ludicrous! and like…he CHEATED on her! what the hell, people?
yesterday’s episode (which i watched online this morning, thank you abc online!) pissed me off in that aspect, despite being very good (also, salma hayek love!). betty gets her “big break” at the magazine and is overjoyed until she has to break off plans with the loser. and he whines, and mopes, and guilt-trips, and acts all of 5-years-old. then her sister turns around and lectures her on not giving not his childish tantrum. um…wha? why in god’s name they are encouraging poor betty to stick with that manipulative retard is beyond me — especially when there are cuter, sweeter prospects at her office! — i mean, do they really think she is so sad & unattractive that she’ll never get another man? do they think so little of their beloved betty? is the loving family thing really just a farce?
and so yeah, it pisses me off. probably more than i should let it. but where in god’s name does it paint a good picture for women — for anyone — to be a doormat and let someone who cheats on you manipulate your emotions and your feelings and your life? how is that empowering? how is that even good entertainment?
maybe it’s just cuz the whole cheating thing leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, and i could personally never stomach the thought of taking back a cheater. but christ, man, the boyfriend got all over betty last week for having half a lunch with a co-worker who just happened to be male. and she felt guilty, and awful, and sad about it. when he.cheated.on.her!
ugh!
i can’t focus on this much more or it will make me hate this show. and i really do love it. love everything about it (not as much as battlestar, of course), except for this one aspect. and this one character. of course, i don’t hate him as much as i hate the boomerwhore but that’s because luckily he’s just not around much.
still…i just think that it paints a conflicting image of both the character & it’s message to have her with such a retard. oh, and he looks like an ugly buggy thing. or a shaved weasel. ew.
of course, since it is a show influenced by telenovelas, i can only hope that an angry nun or priest or pregnant nun will show up and push the boyfriend down the stairs, killing his baby before shooting him in the head and making out with someone hot.
