'Ugly Betty': Henry vs. Gio ... Let's get it on!

"Ugly Betty," why do you have to play us this way? After a year investing in her geeky love match Henry, and now that he and Betty are this close to getting together, you waltz in pint-size motivational butt-kicker Gio to steal away our attention?

Well played.

Sure, Walter was sweet in a sort of delicate way, but he never stood a chance against Henry. But Gio ... Gio we loved instantly. Played by the wondrous Freddy Rodriguez of "Six Feet Under" and "Grindhouse" fame, Gio is not only from Betty's 'hood, he's Henry's polar opposite: brash, no-nonsense and cute in a different, spunky way. Gio and Betty may not share the same knowledge of the Earth's circumference or love of the website SoCuteItsSick.com like she and Henry do. But during last night's episode, Gio gave Betty something better: a much-needed wake-up call.

Mode's new sandwich cart man may be feeding lettuce sandwiches to the 95-pound swizzle sticks at the fashion magazine's offices, but he's got a five-year plan to open up his own delicatessen, complete with the world's longest condiment bar. (Mustard? Please. Sauerkraut? Don't insult the man.)

He and Betty are biding their time with menial jobs, but both have grander plans. So who better than blue-collar Gio to remind Betty that if a writing career is the aim, she'd better spend more time with the prose and less time running bogus errands for Daniel. She may be an assistant -- a thankless job any way you look at it -- but ever since Betty turned down a job at MYW, the magazine run by Daniel Meade heart-breaker Sofia Reyes (Salma Hayek), she's lost sight of her journalism dreams. Thanks to Gio's tough-love encouragement, Betty was enrolled in a writing class by episode's end.

And who else but a fellow Queens man could tell Betty at first glance "You look like an eater" and mean it as a compliment? Or croon Toni Braxton's banal "Unbreak My Heart" and make it so irresistible?

Gio's already giving us hunger pains for more. Sorry Henry, you've got some competition.

--Denise Martin

(Photo courtesy ABC)

Comments

[Rebel Dude]

Love that show, just the best if you like to laugh that's is..!!!!!!!!!

[Phil]

Sorry, but Gio is very annoying and not in a good way.

[N_C]

I found Gio annoying. I don't love him as much as Denise. He was sort of sweet and I'm glad he gave Betty a kick in the arse. Maybe he just needs to be more sympathetic? Henry still wins me over! Geek-love forever!

[gisselle]

I love the original Colombian series of " Betty la fea" but ugly betty does her justice.
ABC thankyou for trusting non-conventional story lines and long live Betty la fea.

[Polly DeStigter]

I think that GIio is SOOOOO cute!!! personally I think Betty should be with Gio he is sweet and nice in his own way. And henry has a baby so he needs to be a father. besides henry is too nice Gio he is a real man. besides he is really really hot. Henry your out of luck

[Neite]

I am TOTALLY for BettyxGio. Henry went and got Charlie prego, so screw him. Hey, its sweet with the geek love and everything, but come on... Betty needs a REAL man. A guy who can tell her exacly what he thinks with no candy coating. I LOVE Gio. He's totally hot too. I love how freakin childish he is.
"I'm just curious, being your boyfriend and all... am I a gentle lover?" Lmao!
And we all know he likes her. He would have given Betty the ticket if he didn't, but he doesnt want anyone to have her. And as his little sister said, he was "Totally macking on your girlfriend", Henry. Go for it Gio!

[April]

Honestly during last night's episode I went back and forth on who Betty should be with. They need to get ridof the pregnant chick if Betty stays wth Henry. Betty dating a baby-daddy is not cool for her, not under the circumstances. The pregnant chick is a bad girl in disguise. But Gio is kind of hot. I REALLY like him with Hilda, but he would help to bring Betty out of her shell and challenge Betty because she and Henry have a bit too much in common. So you know what I think will happen? Betty and Henry will get on the fritz and she will go for Gio and at their wedding Henry will barge in and winn his love back. But I hope not... I want Betty to have a hot romance and Gio is ALLLLLL over that!

[Kiki]

Oh from the last episode that was shown you can clearly see Getty(Betty & Gio) together! I guess the majority were all routing for Henry when Walter was around but Gio stepping in with his little short hot self is brilliant... there chemistry is so there... thinking about it Henry is kinda boring to Gio, I mean he's HOT dancer! But part of me still says Benry should be...