Comment:
Great at highlighting social and cultural issues and themes, but the level of writing was virtually inconsistent throughout.
That is how I would sum up Ugly Betty as a show from my personal view of it in a few words. As much as I am a huge fan of the show and of the cast and characters, the truth is, Ugly Betty would've last a few more seasons, preferably 1, 2 more- if it hadn't been for the terrible viewing figures and some of Horta and his writers' bad writing decisions.
Arguably, the best moments of the entire show were the humour and the funny moments; I knew that whilst watching season 4, that was when I sensed that the writers gave up on the comedy and concentrated on the drama. It stopped being funny whilst at the same time, the drama became more and more the focal point of the show. Marc and Amanda likewise, were missing as a comedy act as again, like in season 2, they were separated and spent a lot of time apart from each other (huge mistake I'd say), whereas the absence of Christina, who briefly returned in the London Calling ep, and her Scottish quips was felt also by some fans.
The first season was just fantastic based on the writing of the episodes but also, for addressing many of the social and cultural themes and issues: these included Betty trying to fit in and to be accepted by her peers, Daniel discovering his dead brother, Alex came back as a transsexual named Alexis, Marc coming out to his mother who didn't know he was gay, and when she did find out she rejected him completely. As well as the second episode where the issue of body image and having thin models on magazines was the main theme of The Box And The Bunny. It is themes and subject matters such as these that were addressed throughout season 1 that partly made it and what I'd argue to be the best season of Ugly Betty IMO.
There were instances during seasons 2-4 that Ugly Betty was incorporating these cultural and social issues into its story-lines, but these were very few and far between. The show then morphed into different clones in each season; some aspects of it were good, but some of it was pretty dire as well. It had lacked the charm and funniness of season 1, which made it so well loved in the first place.
Ultimately for me personally, Ugly Betty's legacy as a show is it was amazing in terms of highlighting and emphasising cultural, moral and social issues and depicting them on-screen. Yet in terms of the overall story and its plotting based on the 4 seasons (well, make that 3 seasons- seasons 2-4), I was pretty disappointed that it did not go out of its way in developing the characters and story-lines properly. Horta and co had very inconsistent levels of writing, ever since the middle of the second season. The show's strength, but more-so during season 1 was in balancing the equal levels of humour with the dramatic elements, whilst in addition emphasising the individual characters's story-lines. Season 4 was interesting in parts, but without the comedy, Ugly Betty became a shadow of its former self in Season 1. Alas, it became less and less funnier.
Betty also changed and as her appearance improved, she wasn't so much the Betty of season 1; as she knew her way round Mode and knew how Daniel, Marc, Amanda etc act and behave around her. The show neglected not only the fish out of water tale, but because of Horta and the writers, it drifted further away from the first season and abandoned the show's roots as well.
Don't get me wrong- I loved this show, I am a huge fan and in spite of all the bad moments, I continue to stick with it because there are not many shows that I love that have such an wonderful and talented cast, and sets of characters and episodes. Also, many fans gave up on Ugly Betty from the second, third season onwards- some of whom left on their own free will, whilst with others some would argue because of them not tuning in, they were attributing towards the loss of core audience figures and hence, it got cancelled.
A fan of this show would recognise that Ugly Betty was a show like no other: there was nothing else like it on TV. Ugly Betty will go down and be best remembered for as a fan favourite and cult classic than an outright success.
Either way, I just wished that the writers had made more of an effort in being consistent with their episodes by keeping it dramatic AND funny throughout the entire series.
Final rating out of 10 (based on all 4 seasons of the show) - 8
Waiching
So true. One could argue that as the characters grew so did the need for the storylines. That's not to say that they had to cut out all the other fun stuff as well.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I sometimes wanted to slap Marc and Mandy for their downright bitchiness, you just knew deep down that they weren't so bad. That came out in later seasons when the putdowns, while still there, weren't as bad. Even so, the characters should have been allowed to grow without losing the 'spark' that made them so wonderful together.
Who knows what makes writers go too far. Do they listen to critics, the fans or just some random person who spouts an opinion in the elevator? Maybe they do one of those 'random' survey things, where they gather 100 people and throw story lines at them and go with a consensus. Only problem with that is if you give someone a story idea for a show they don't even watch, how can you even value their opinion?
I might have tried the odd fanfic but I'm no writer so I don't feel I am qualified to judge too harshly. As a member of the viewing public however, I do have the right to say what I do like and what I don't. I blame reality tv for the demise of decent tv shows. Sure, there are still a few good ones out there but I can almost count them on one hand.
All I can really say is although there were some 'not so Betty' episodes - the whole cult theme makes me shudder - I too still love it and can't wait for the boxed set to come out now that the show is done and dusted. Hard to believe the show has been over now for a month or so... I miss it and the cast. Although fictional, watching the show each week was a little like catching up with friends.
although with friends like Marc and Amanda, once a week is definitely enough... LOL
:)
The writers needn't have to cut out all the fun stuff. the problem with shows that develop over the seasons is how to retain that high level of quality in the story-lines, but to keep developing the characters. and to make them better and better each season.
ReplyDeleteSilvio Horta did not do that and neither did the writers. It sounds easy to do, and when one thinks about it, it is easy to keep to the original story or premise, so why didn't they just stick to the formula of the first series?
I'm sure every fan would love to see Ugly Betty last a few more seasons, especially yourself Heaven_Lea_27 . I guess some will be still left wondering and scratching their heads how and why it was so short-lived.
But you and I and a few others know deep down, why that was and is the case.