‘Ugly Betty’: Marc and Justin a la Mode

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After last week’s heartbreaking premiere -- Santos is dead . . . Noooo! -- thank goodness for the new twosome Marc and Justin, who joined forces to manage the morose mood.

After his father’s untimely death, Justin is recruited by Betty to intern at Mode. And who better a sensei than Marc, in all his couture-gorging glory?

Marc, of course, gives Justin menial tasks, sending him to update Wilhelmina’s contacts on her cellphone and on a scavenger hunt to acquire everything on Shakira’s extensive Mode photo shoot contract rider, otherwise known as a list of her demands. Apparently the curvy, often-gyrating Latina gets her curves from rice cakes! (Yeah, right.)

Justin, of course, couldn’t be more thrilled to do anything in the name of Mode, and Marc rewarded him with a pass to work the Shakira shoot in person. Marc even comforted Justin when Justin’s excitement faded once he remembered his dad wasn’t around to share in his good news.

But a touchy-feely Marc moment is awkward and thankfully always followed up with a comforting swipe.

‘I just made a little person feel better about his day. I am a good person,’ Marc told Amanda.

The pairing was our favorite part of the episode, which like last week, was packed full of action. Alexis finds acceptance in her father Bradford, who can’t bring himself to disown a now-benign Alexis. Bradford in turn postponed his marriage to Wilhelmina so as not to alarm Alexis (who can’t remember anything that’s happened in the last two years).

Meanwhile, Betty strikes a deal with Wilhelmina, who agrees to get Betty’s father back in the U.S. on the condition that she remains silent about her discover that Willy’s indulging in some ‘afternoon delight’ with her bodyguard (played by Vanessa Williams’ ex-husband Rick Fox. We’re guessing that ended amicably).

And Henry returned to work at Mode, giving the episode its best moment as Betty explained to Christina that there was no way to tell Henry his return to Mode would be awkward.

‘What was I supposed to say? No, no, you can’t earn money for your baby. Down with babies!’
America Ferrera so deserved that Emmy.

Still, the way that cliffhanger ended, with Henry leaning in for a kiss after having learned that cheating Charlie’s baby may not be his, makes us think that things aren’t exactly about to go Betty’s way. . . .

--Denise Martin