'Ugly Betty': An uneven ending

Let's see who got what during last night's "Ugly Betty" season finale:

Daniel got a French son who inexplicably wears eye makeup. At least he thinks the kid is his son. (More on that later.)

Wilhelmina got her revenge, unseating Daniel and finally clinching the title of Mode editor in chief.

Hilda got herself a new (albeit married) man.

And so did Betty.

At least, we think Betty chose a man. If she did, we won't know whom she picked until the fall. (We noticed, however, that she was not sporting an engagement ring, which points to a Gio victory. She can't move to Tucson, right? Then again, maybe she packed those bags for a solo trip somewhere to figure things out.)

All in all, we were disappointed. But because "Ugly Betty" has never disappointed us before, we choose to believe that the finale could have and would have been stronger had it not been interrupted by the writers strike. In spite of a bangin' soundtrack, composed entirely of Madonna's new dance-happy album, "Hard Candy," the whole affair felt somehow slapped together.

We like what's going on with Hilda, who is still hurting after losing Santos and falling for someone she knows she can't have. You just feel for the girl!

And we cheered out loud when Wilhelmina and Mark returned to Mode headquarters last week. Leaving us without Mark and Mandy moments for so long was just plain cruel, and Wilhelmina's scheming has always worked best in the Mode building.

Only time will tell whether giving Daniel a kid will mean anything for the show. Something tells me the kid won't end up being Daniel's, in which case, throwing him in there during a finale seems like a lazy way to bolster the cliffhanger. And as far as the Mead clan goes, we are not at all happy with the news that Alexis will not be around much next season. She's already been reduced to a one-note pain in Daniel's side, which is a shame, as Rebecca Romijn has always exceeded our expectations. (Even in awful dreck like "Pepper Dennis.")

And on the subject of one-note, what's been done to Betty saddens us the most. In the truncated season, she's lost some of her gumption. We've enjoyed her having a love life, and we've always been into the idea of the Henry-Gio love triangle. But Betty the career girl has almost vanished from the show. Her first article was published in last night's finale -- but instead of reigniting her writing ambition, it served only as a metaphor for her need to take risks in her personal life.

Also, toward the ends of this season, Betty has been all about making excuses for Henry. In fact, both of the men in her life are only shadows of their former lovable selves, which in turn makes Betty seem that much less intelligent.

Now that he's declared his love, Gio's spunk and snap is gone. He's now just a man hopelessly in love. Henry's judgment has been called into question too, which is far worse because he's always been Bett'y's perfect match -- nerdy, smart and thoughtful in all the same ways as our heroine. With Charlie back in the picture, he became a helpless know-nothing, unaware of not only Charlie's plotting but also Betty's hurt feelings.

We'd been rooting for a showdown between the two guys, but now we're hoping Betty chose "none of the above."

Thoughts? Do we like what's happening between Daniel and Alexis? Is Hilda headed for disaster? Anyone hope that Gio whisked Betty away to Rome? Or that she up and moved to Tucson? Let's discuss below.

-- Denise Martin

(Photo courtesy ABC)

Comments

[Kim]

Daniel's alleged son wore the eye make-up because Amanda put it on him. That was established early in the episode.

[Sal]

FYI: The soundtrack also included 'Jump' from Madonna's previous album, which was actually the main song of the show.

[Medha]

Well, this was a really stupid but smart ending at the same time. WE would want to see what is going on next sesaon? Why do we wanna watch it? The entire staff is amazing!! That little frech boy just added some taste to the show!!

[Douglas Meny]

I agree with much of what is said above. I am personally sick of Henry. As far as I'm concerned he has become a louse who deserves to be dumped by both of the women in his life. I would also love to see Daniel start to grow up. He is continually acting the womanizing guy, and I think it might be time for him to start pulling himself together. This is espedially true if what you say is true about Alexis leaving the show. He always ends up getting back at Wilhemina, but I would love to see him do it with his head, and not by dumb luck As to Hilda situation, I love Eddie Cibrian, and I'm just glad to see him on the show.

[Denise]

Sal, I stand corrected.

Kim, I totally missed that - thanks for pointing out.

Any thoughts on the finale itself??? Am I alone in thinking it a pretty subpar showing?

[Megan]

I am a recent fan of Ugly Betty and so I can't speak for how it compares to last season's finale but I thought this episode was great! I hope Betty chooses herself over those two guys. Then maybe we can see more of Betty the career woman. Although, I do swoon over Gio and hope he stays in the picture! :)

[Tat8er]

As a fan of Ugly Betty, and someone who was happy for Betty when Henry and she linked up, the "we can only be together until the baby is born" rationale wore thin quickly. Henry must be the only guy in the universe who has not turned to DNA testing when faced with questionable paternity. Charlie's scheming is believeable, but Henry's inability to make a reasonable decision about DNA testing is not. Lately I have been wishing Betty would ditch both her boys. Maybe she and Charlie could decide that they have enough in common for a 21st Century romance?

[anna]

even tho the finale didnt have a crazy ending...it had such a great message and had an interesting story line because Betty really had a hard decision to make. I just hope she choose Gio or chose to do something on her own.

overall I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT.

[Melanie]

It almost seems to cliched for Betty to choose neither, its also a cop out on the part of the writers if they do so; they need to make a choice, we already know that Betty can be strong and independent, now let's see her make a real choice in her life that doesn't just allow her to avoid making any real choices. Daniel's son wasn't the best plot line to start in the finale either, he was growing up a bit and his reaction to having a kid was actually uncharacteristic of the changing Daniel. He's finally started taking responsibility in his life, lets see where that takes us. Anyway overall it was a great episode of television, but a subpar episode of Ugly Betty.

[Patricia]

"We" were disappointed? I only see one name in the byline for this article.

You're not the Queen, dear. You only speak for yourself. So drop the pretentious plural.

[Katherine]

The ending left me hanging.....yes of course thats what a season finale is supposed to do. I enjoyed it and thought it was great. Yes, I'm sick of Henry and would like for him to step out of the picture for good and No I don't really want to see her with Gio either but its better than Henry. I think that Betty chose neither one of the guys and decided to go on a trip on her own and maybe, just maybe she wont be "ugly Betty" anymore because of her journey......that would be just the right risk in her life that she needs to take to be where she wants to be.

[Dani]

Felicity flashbacks. Whooo will she choooosseee??.....

Even if she did go to Arizona for a sec, she obviously couldn't stay--the show would be all jacked--but with Daniel out of the way for a second with a son and no jobber, clearly she has some time to experiment with a big change. I hope she drags Christina to Rome or sumthin'.

[jozielee]

Ugly Betty catches my attention between phone calls and grabbing a late night snack. I'm not a die-hard fan. However, this episode did pique my interest. Maybe it's the deadly Wilhelmina. LOVE her. Or the French boy. Wouldn't it be a kick if he turned out to be Mark's FATHER'S son/Mark's brother? Maybe it's weak-kneed Hilda. Get a LIFE and leave that married man alone. The complications wIll only lead to heartache. Or maybe it's Betty's inability to choose between Henry and Gio. We've all been there. She can't FORCE herself to love the right guy. She'll just have to make a new start in New York and see which one comes calling.

Yes, I enjoyed the ending. It opened up so many possibilities for the future . . . how are they going to move an entire company from the west coast to New York? See you next season.

[Melissa Muldoon]

Take the ticket and go to Italy Betty!!!! Who wouldn't choose the all expense trip to Rome and the best 4 star hotels. If Gio shows up all the better.

[DavEy]

With all good finales, I really want to know the answer to where exactly Betty went and with who.

Contrary to Melanie's belief, when you've got 2 people staring you down, demanding a decision you're not ready to make... in real life you choose neither. It's not a writer's cop-out. The way I see it... it's obviously "No," to Henry, who lately has been a complete boob. I've been screaming at the TV trying to get Betty to drop him. The whole "time-limited love" idea is plain stupid. However, Betty is still young and it's her first real romance, so it's understandable she would give it a shot, just like I did with someone I knew was moving to Singapore. Love and romance is a learning experience.

Gio is not a complete, "No." However, I do not believe they went to Rome together as one might think from the ending of the episode. One interesting thing to note is that each season has had a different boyfriend. So, could Gio possibly be season #3 boyfriend? You bet.

So, who flew the coop? There are a few options available here. First, since Daniel bought the tickets and since he's feeling shunned by his family over losing his Editor-in-Chief position... maybe Daniel and his son went. Doesn't really jive since we saw Betty pack up. Who knows, maybe she's renting a hotel room in Atlantic City or moving into Daniels to take care of the apartment while he's gone. (An imaginative stretch, I know.)

Alternatively, maybe Betty and Christina went. Christina's no longer being cooped up by Whilemena and some time away from Mode and her husband would probably do her and the baby some good too.

Could Betty have gone alone? Perhaps. She definitely needs time to sort her thoughts on Henry and Gio out.

Aside from the finale, no one is talking about the Christina + Stuart storyline. I am not sure he's dying. For one, experimental treatments don't cost money. They're experimental. You sign a waiver and take a risk on something that will either cure or kill you. I think he owes money to some kind of mob back in Scotland, and he's using Christina to a) hide-out and b) repay his debt.

As for Hilda, knowing he's married I don't think she should have been so forward at the end, however she could have at least given him a chance to explain his situation or something. Like he tried to earlier but she left. He's hot, he must stay, at least for half a season! :P

[dandoon]

I know she will go to Rome with Geo because....
look at the last scene where she is packing her bag..her bag has pictures of rome on it..I think that was a clue =) plus henry is annoying now....
I will miss you all summer Betty =(

[dandoon]

I know she will go to Rome with Geo because....
look at the last scene where she is packing her bag..her bag has pictures of rome on it..I think that was a clue =) plus henry is annoying now....
I will miss you all summer Betty =(

[jay]

I loved the ending. I just wish I didn't have to wait so long to seee if she picker GIO. Betty needs to tell Henry to take a hike. I think Gio brings out the best in Betty and empowers her to do and be more. Besides, Gio is such a hottie!!!!!!!

[Sydney]

I have to agree with the general consensus: this episode was weak.

The writers must be adjusting to their staff changes - this episode suffered some serious amnesia from the previous one. They say right in the "Last time, on Ugly Betty..." Gio does not want to be Betty's "rebound guy." and then they're suddenly dating. Wait, sorry, exploratory / go to Rome together stage.

That said, I do like Gio's character, but, as Eric Mabius has said (in reference to a Daniel-Betty romance, but it works here too) unrequited love works much better for tv - there's no excitement once all your favourite characters get their happily ever after. Though I also think that Betty going off on her own would be a cop out - not to mention that she received an overly emotional family farewell for a short trip (whether it be with Gio or solo).

Final Thoughts: no Christina? Weak. I think that Stuart storyline is juicy, or could be if given the chance. Alexis? I only liked her for the brief period when she didn't know she was a bitch and was more fascinated with her boobs than the magazine, so albeit. Lindsay Lohan's cameo? People complained about how brief it was, but I think that's even better: a subtle cameo is more effective than a flashy in-your-face style one sometimes.

Regardless of all of this, I am already suffering pangs from Ugly Betty withdrawal. 3 more month? I don't know how I'll survive.

[Astera]

For Tat8er: I was pretty sure that Henry did take a paternity test earlier in the season, when he found out that Charlie was pregnant, and the results proved the baby was his.

I think Betty went off on her own--maybe to Mexico?--to rediscover herself and take some chances. (Although I personally would not have given up a luxury vacation in Rome, with or without Gio.)

Overall, this episode did leave a bit to be desired--why can't Daniel stand up to Wilhemina without coming off like such a whiner? What happened to Christina? Is she really going to keep her mouth shut about her surrogacy? Why is Henry so freakin' wishy-washy and dull?--but I will be watching again in the fall!