The DVD is out in a week's time in America and Canada and so here are my overall comments for the fourth and penultimate season of Ugly Betty.
Ugly Betty- The Complete Fourth And Final Season
From Poncho, To Honcho
U.S Release Date- 17 August 2010
DVD info details:
4 disc -set consisting of all 20 episodes and bonus special features which include deleted scenes, Mode After Hours webisodes, Betty Goes To The Bahamas featurette and a Betty bloops set.
Season 4 Synopsis -'You've come a long way, Betty!' See how the heart-warming and hilarious journey ends for Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner, America Ferrera in the fourth and final season of ABC's Ugly Betty.
After years of hard work in the world of high fashion, Betty is finally getting her just desserts. Watch as television's favourite 'ugly duckling' blossoms, both professionally and personally, yet never loses the unique spirit that makes her so special, and discover what is it to become of all your favourite faces at Mode.
*N.B: As the final series airs in the UK and other parts of the world, this review may contain spoilers.
For all the problems, both script-wise and throughout the duration of its too brief 4- year run, there's no doubt that Ugly Betty has left a discernible mark in the hearts of millions of fans across the world and in TV history.
The fourth season of Ugly Betty was well received by many fans and critics alike- probably more so than the previous 2 seasons. They saw that they were less than happy with season 3 and expected season 4 to be a step above the third season. As for me, Season 4 however just never made that huge impression on me.
I'd probably get slated here by saying that the show was so completely different to what it was 3 years ago in Season 1, and as good as most of Season 4 was, yet I felt the writing here just wasn't anywhere spectacular especially humour-wise compared to the first season. Though I say the same for Seasons 2 and 3.
Season 1 was in many people's eyes, especially many fans eyes (arguably) the best or their favourite season. It was my favourite then, and will always be my favourite from the 4 seasons of Ugly Betty. There were more better episodes, better writing, characters were funnier I could carry on and on. There I said it.
I didn't care much for most of the earlier season 4 episodes- although the story-lines involving Daniel, Natalie and the cult and Nico, Wilhelmina's daughter were thankfully not as overdrawn as the Season 2 ones were. Though I still loathed them. Megan appeared earlier on as Matt's assistant. But she was in many cases annoying and after 5 episodes or so into the season she was later gone, dropped; never to reappear again. Thank goodness. In many ways, it felt soapy, but it had more drama. It did remind me a lot of Season 2; what with the on-going dramatic plot-lines but without the celeb appearances.
Matt Hartley became Betty's boss, and he was not bad; I did notice somewhat that he wasn't as effective as a character during this season when he became a regular, as he was during Season 3. The writers kind of taken a back seat with Daniel Eric Gold's character and they made him, idk, I wouldn't say boring but he wasn't the same Matt from a season before. He was a character that divided many fans- some loved him, others loathed him. After being made a regular in Season 4, a few eps later Matt then became a reoccurring character, and then he and Betty parted at the end of episode 11 or 12 , went their separate ways and he was never seen on screen, again.
Unlike Season 2, which began well but then afterwards it descended into a silly farce and became a childish show, it felt to me as if Season 4 was the far better season in contrast- although hand on heart, I didn't actually love it per se.
Marc and Amanda
The fourth season didn't take away from the lack of development towards the various characters on the show. I was so disappointed to see Marc and Amanda's shortage of on- screen interaction with each other, as well as their roles, which were much more diminished and smaller. During the first few episodes, we see them taking a dislike to Betty, like in season 1- the thing is though Amanda and Marc had grown up since then. Or that is what I was supposed to think. Marc is pissed off at Betty since she got the editor's position ahead of him with Amanda tagging along for company. As much as I love Marc and Amanda being coy and sneaky, it made more sense in season 1 when they did it because they were still bitchy, sarcastic... 3 years on though and one would've thought those two would've grown up and moved on. But their roles in season 4 were an indictment of how those two got far as people on the show, especially individually but not so far . The writers hadn't handled those characters so well.
I would tune into every episode waiting and expecting them to say or do something funny, but nothing. They are 2 of the most popular characters on Ugly Betty, alongside Betty but to not see them being their funny selves as a duo in this season made this show a tad dull. So in terms of that and as they partly generate laughs, which weren't always here in season 4, was I felt to be a bit of a let-down. In fact, if there was one thing I was most disappointed with, it is the lack of Marc and Amanda; being a huge fan of those two, it is sad to know that as it was the last ever season, they were under-used as a partnership, which is regrettable given they are played so brilliantly well by Michael Urie and Becki Newton. Season 4 was an opportunity 'wasted' for those 2 by the writers.
I was also surprised at the writing for Amanda; it seems as if there was more they could've done with her, story lines-wise other than just throwing her in what I would see were 2 God awful love triangles. Both of which in one of them she was a foil to Betty and the other being in the middle between Daniel and Tyler- yet, she ended up with neither of those guys. Or when she did with Tyler, the relationship was short-lived. Silvio did talk about Amanda being and finding love in season 4, but at what cost? Ultimately, unlike Betty who had several love interests, Hilda and Wilhelmina, she had none.
A pity really. Her finding her father storyline was finally resolved, but other than that, nothing. It would've been good to see her dreams in becoming a stylist turn into a reality within the show. Had we got a fifth season, then most definitely we would've seen it happen.
And Marc- so happy that he had a new boyfriend, Troy- who was great still- in but in many fans eyes, they still missed Cliff. I missed Cliff too, but as we know those two broke up in Season 3, episode 8 'Tornado Girl'. Marc is still my favourite character, although he wasn't as amazingly funny and bitchy as in Season 1 and wonderful back in Season 3. Plus, I missed the curly hair!
I did like Betty's family- they were wonderfully written throughout Season 4; Hilda and Papi had shades of Season 1 greatness, whereas Justin really came to life in Season 4. It's startling to think he was just a little kid back in season 1 being happy, boisterous, cheery not having to contend problems.... and when he becomes a teenager, things get more complicated, as he discovers who he is as a person, as he later comes out as being gay in the show. The individual writing of the Suarez's was terrific in Season 4 than say in Season 3. Hilda, Ignascio and Justin had their own story-lines and it was truly a good thing as Ana Ortiz, Tony Plana and Mark Indelicato were all in top form.
There was just so much unravelling taking place in Season 4, but most of it was pretty good.
Wilhelmina was good
Wilhelmina wasn't the complete evil ice queen that she was in Season 1; if anything, she was the stand-out character in Season 4. She was involved in many of the heavier and for me, the most interesting story-lines of all the main characters this season: her relationship with Nico and finding out her own daughter had blackmailed and betrayed her; Connor returning and later ending up in jail, and the rivalry between her and Claire Meade was just enthralling to watch. My favourite characters in Season 4 were probably Betty, Justin, Hilda and Wilhelmina, though not in that order.
Vanessa Williams yet again, has shown why Silvio Horta and co made the right decision to cast her as that character. Her character has evolved over the 4 seasons and Vanessa's performances, especially in the final season, have really justified her worth as an actress. We're familiar with Vanessa as a singer mostly, but as characters such as Willie, she made that role so believable and coming off as being utterly convincing to the audience.
There were appearances by Gio Rossi- Freddy Rodriguez- and Ashley Jensen as Christina in 'London Calling'; my favourite Season 4 episode, seeing those characters again was great and it was such a brilliant episode. It was just so well- written. My other favourite eps from season 4 were 'The Weiner, The Bun And The Boob', 'Million Dollar Smile', 'The Past Presents The Future', 'Chica And the Man' and 'Blackout'.
*N.B: As the final series airs in the UK and other parts of the world, this review may contain spoilers.
For all the problems, both script-wise and throughout the duration of its too brief 4- year run, there's no doubt that Ugly Betty has left a discernible mark in the hearts of millions of fans across the world and in TV history.
The fourth season of Ugly Betty was well received by many fans and critics alike- probably more so than the previous 2 seasons. They saw that they were less than happy with season 3 and expected season 4 to be a step above the third season. As for me, Season 4 however just never made that huge impression on me.
I'd probably get slated here by saying that the show was so completely different to what it was 3 years ago in Season 1, and as good as most of Season 4 was, yet I felt the writing here just wasn't anywhere spectacular especially humour-wise compared to the first season. Though I say the same for Seasons 2 and 3.
Season 1 was in many people's eyes, especially many fans eyes (arguably) the best or their favourite season. It was my favourite then, and will always be my favourite from the 4 seasons of Ugly Betty. There were more better episodes, better writing, characters were funnier I could carry on and on. There I said it.
I didn't care much for most of the earlier season 4 episodes- although the story-lines involving Daniel, Natalie and the cult and Nico, Wilhelmina's daughter were thankfully not as overdrawn as the Season 2 ones were. Though I still loathed them. Megan appeared earlier on as Matt's assistant. But she was in many cases annoying and after 5 episodes or so into the season she was later gone, dropped; never to reappear again. Thank goodness. In many ways, it felt soapy, but it had more drama. It did remind me a lot of Season 2; what with the on-going dramatic plot-lines but without the celeb appearances.
Matt Hartley became Betty's boss, and he was not bad; I did notice somewhat that he wasn't as effective as a character during this season when he became a regular, as he was during Season 3. The writers kind of taken a back seat with Daniel Eric Gold's character and they made him, idk, I wouldn't say boring but he wasn't the same Matt from a season before. He was a character that divided many fans- some loved him, others loathed him. After being made a regular in Season 4, a few eps later Matt then became a reoccurring character, and then he and Betty parted at the end of episode 11 or 12 , went their separate ways and he was never seen on screen, again.
Unlike Season 2, which began well but then afterwards it descended into a silly farce and became a childish show, it felt to me as if Season 4 was the far better season in contrast- although hand on heart, I didn't actually love it per se.
Marc and Amanda
The fourth season didn't take away from the lack of development towards the various characters on the show. I was so disappointed to see Marc and Amanda's shortage of on- screen interaction with each other, as well as their roles, which were much more diminished and smaller. During the first few episodes, we see them taking a dislike to Betty, like in season 1- the thing is though Amanda and Marc had grown up since then. Or that is what I was supposed to think. Marc is pissed off at Betty since she got the editor's position ahead of him with Amanda tagging along for company. As much as I love Marc and Amanda being coy and sneaky, it made more sense in season 1 when they did it because they were still bitchy, sarcastic... 3 years on though and one would've thought those two would've grown up and moved on. But their roles in season 4 were an indictment of how those two got far as people on the show, especially individually but not so far . The writers hadn't handled those characters so well.
I would tune into every episode waiting and expecting them to say or do something funny, but nothing. They are 2 of the most popular characters on Ugly Betty, alongside Betty but to not see them being their funny selves as a duo in this season made this show a tad dull. So in terms of that and as they partly generate laughs, which weren't always here in season 4, was I felt to be a bit of a let-down. In fact, if there was one thing I was most disappointed with, it is the lack of Marc and Amanda; being a huge fan of those two, it is sad to know that as it was the last ever season, they were under-used as a partnership, which is regrettable given they are played so brilliantly well by Michael Urie and Becki Newton. Season 4 was an opportunity 'wasted' for those 2 by the writers.
I was also surprised at the writing for Amanda; it seems as if there was more they could've done with her, story lines-wise other than just throwing her in what I would see were 2 God awful love triangles. Both of which in one of them she was a foil to Betty and the other being in the middle between Daniel and Tyler- yet, she ended up with neither of those guys. Or when she did with Tyler, the relationship was short-lived. Silvio did talk about Amanda being and finding love in season 4, but at what cost? Ultimately, unlike Betty who had several love interests, Hilda and Wilhelmina, she had none.
A pity really. Her finding her father storyline was finally resolved, but other than that, nothing. It would've been good to see her dreams in becoming a stylist turn into a reality within the show. Had we got a fifth season, then most definitely we would've seen it happen.
And Marc- so happy that he had a new boyfriend, Troy- who was great still- in but in many fans eyes, they still missed Cliff. I missed Cliff too, but as we know those two broke up in Season 3, episode 8 'Tornado Girl'. Marc is still my favourite character, although he wasn't as amazingly funny and bitchy as in Season 1 and wonderful back in Season 3. Plus, I missed the curly hair!
I did like Betty's family- they were wonderfully written throughout Season 4; Hilda and Papi had shades of Season 1 greatness, whereas Justin really came to life in Season 4. It's startling to think he was just a little kid back in season 1 being happy, boisterous, cheery not having to contend problems.... and when he becomes a teenager, things get more complicated, as he discovers who he is as a person, as he later comes out as being gay in the show. The individual writing of the Suarez's was terrific in Season 4 than say in Season 3. Hilda, Ignascio and Justin had their own story-lines and it was truly a good thing as Ana Ortiz, Tony Plana and Mark Indelicato were all in top form.
There was just so much unravelling taking place in Season 4, but most of it was pretty good.
Wilhelmina was good
Wilhelmina wasn't the complete evil ice queen that she was in Season 1; if anything, she was the stand-out character in Season 4. She was involved in many of the heavier and for me, the most interesting story-lines of all the main characters this season: her relationship with Nico and finding out her own daughter had blackmailed and betrayed her; Connor returning and later ending up in jail, and the rivalry between her and Claire Meade was just enthralling to watch. My favourite characters in Season 4 were probably Betty, Justin, Hilda and Wilhelmina, though not in that order.
Vanessa Williams yet again, has shown why Silvio Horta and co made the right decision to cast her as that character. Her character has evolved over the 4 seasons and Vanessa's performances, especially in the final season, have really justified her worth as an actress. We're familiar with Vanessa as a singer mostly, but as characters such as Willie, she made that role so believable and coming off as being utterly convincing to the audience.
There were appearances by Gio Rossi- Freddy Rodriguez- and Ashley Jensen as Christina in 'London Calling'; my favourite Season 4 episode, seeing those characters again was great and it was such a brilliant episode. It was just so well- written. My other favourite eps from season 4 were 'The Weiner, The Bun And The Boob', 'Million Dollar Smile', 'The Past Presents The Future', 'Chica And the Man' and 'Blackout'.
The finale episode felt rushed in a way; but with news of it being cancelled, the writers had to come up with something fast, even if it was although we got closure which is good because otherwise, given the news in January of this year that Ugly Betty had been axed, if we got an unresolved ending, fans would've been distraught and perhaps livid too.
Laughs, Moments from season 1 absent throughout
I miss the laughs and moments of Season 1, which this season and Seasons 2 and 3 lacked; I hate to say this but personally speaking, UB stopped being completely funny for good by say the second episode of Season 4 onwards. Season 4 was a completely different show to the first ever season; characters have changed dramatically, both in terms of looks and as people, Marc doesn't have to team up with Amanda and Wilhelmina any more and scam Betty and Daniel. Justin has grown! It's incredible!
I would've loved Season 4 more, had it had more Marc and Amanda moments and a few more of the episodes were more funnier. So those are my main complaints about it. The writers like they did in Season 2 sacrificed many of the laughs and funny moments in favour of more quality drama. They seemed to forget that Ugly Betty is Dramedy- NOT a drama. Yet that was the impression that I was getting from many of the episodes in that it was a drama. Most of it was good, whereas a few of the drama bits were a little too overdrawn for my liking, and really the humour wasn't always there.
I didn't love it, but it was still good... in an okay-ish sort of way nonetheless. I prefer the second half of Season 4 over the first half the longer it went on, even though many fans and TV writers noticed the quality had dipped a little then during episodes 12- 20.
Final words:
Fans views on numerous seasons of Ugly Betty are in most cases varied on who they ship and who their favourite characters are. I could say that given my Marc and Amanda shipping- ness and my disappointment at their lack of screen time as a duo on season 4, that the mark I have given towards it is considerably lower.
Overall, I liked Season 4 of Ugly Betty but not as much as many fans. I'm absolutely positively sure that had we got another season, story-lines would've been developed further more and plus, there would've been many more story-lines and guest appearances that we would've seen. We could've had 6 seasons instead of 4, but I would've settled for 5.
The extras sound interesting, but it would've been even sweeter had it had a retrospective featurette over the 4 seasons of Ugly Betty in the form of the best moments as chosen by cast members or fans too. It's a great way of looking back on and in reminiscing on those wonderful scenes, gags from the show.
Besides the fact that it didn't do so well on Wednesday nights, and even worse on Friday evenings ratings-wise in America, this was a somewhat satisfactory season at most for me and a way to end the series that in itself could've benefited with more laughs, funny lines and moments; especially from Marc and Amanda for instance. I rarely laughed at times throughout the final season because the storylines and plot were so heavily centred on the drama and serious elements of the show more often than the humour, so much so I became a little 'tired' with it.
Ugly Betty Season 4, despite its lack of comedy- which was noticeable throughout, is a pretty sound effort, nevertheless. If we still had those last 2 episodes ABC hadn't yanked off, then the resolution of Season 4's story-lines in the series finale would've made much more sense, as well as it ending on a much more positive and happier note.
Or perhaps Ugly Betty would continue onwards with a fifth season..... which many fans would've preferred. Like me.
Still, if you are looking to complete your Ugly Betty collection, then you can do no wrong in buying this.
Waiching
The extras sound interesting, but it would've been even sweeter had it had a retrospective featurette over the 4 seasons of Ugly Betty in the form of the best moments as chosen by cast members or fans too. It's a great way of looking back on and in reminiscing on those wonderful scenes, gags from the show.
Besides the fact that it didn't do so well on Wednesday nights, and even worse on Friday evenings ratings-wise in America, this was a somewhat satisfactory season at most for me and a way to end the series that in itself could've benefited with more laughs, funny lines and moments; especially from Marc and Amanda for instance. I rarely laughed at times throughout the final season because the storylines and plot were so heavily centred on the drama and serious elements of the show more often than the humour, so much so I became a little 'tired' with it.
Ugly Betty Season 4, despite its lack of comedy- which was noticeable throughout, is a pretty sound effort, nevertheless. If we still had those last 2 episodes ABC hadn't yanked off, then the resolution of Season 4's story-lines in the series finale would've made much more sense, as well as it ending on a much more positive and happier note.
Or perhaps Ugly Betty would continue onwards with a fifth season..... which many fans would've preferred. Like me.
Still, if you are looking to complete your Ugly Betty collection, then you can do no wrong in buying this.
Waiching
High Points
- There were some episodes that I did enjoy a lot- London Calling, Million Dollar Smile and Betty's transformation into pretty Betty for a short while, The Past Presents The Future to name from the second half of the series.
- Loved the writing of Betty and her family in season 4, after the disaster the writers made with them in Season 3.
- Seeing fan favourites Gio aka Freddy Rodriguez and Christina aka Ashley Jensen back again! Yay!
- Wilhelmina Slater- as the series has gone on has become a force to be reckoned with. Vanessa had more material to work with but her performance efforts have paid off.
- It got more and more interesting as the season gradually went on
Low Points
- The first half, for the exception of The Weiner, The Bun And The Boob did very little for me- most of it was above average. I expected more but it just never materialised. The cult storyline dragged on & on, Betty, Matt and Amanda love triangle I didn't like at all and the Amanda & Daniel fun buddies thing was a waste of time for me
- The series finale was a bit of a disappointment for myself and many other fans, but at least we got resolution to the show.
- Not enough Marc and Amanda scenes together. Big downfall from this season for me. Plus, the writing for those 2 wasn't as good as it should've been. As a result, it was much LESS funnier than previous seasons. I missed the bitchy humour of that pairing.
- I disagree with fans saying this is better than season 1; writing- wise, it was more consistent than Seasons 2, 3 but it didn't have the magic, heart and humour of the first ever season. I still love Season 1 so much! Season 1 was perfect, Season 4 was almost perfect.
- It could've done with a 'look back over the past 4 years of Ugly Betty' with the best, funnier, heartfelt moments by the fans and cast, as part of the DVD extras set.
My rating (out of 10) 7
Disclaimer:
*The views expressed in this review reflect those of the author only and as such, does not necessarily reflect general consensus of other fans.
(Image below owned by Ugly Is In)
Disclaimer:
*The views expressed in this review reflect those of the author only and as such, does not necessarily reflect general consensus of other fans.
(Image below owned by Ugly Is In)
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