TVSquad

(S01E10) I don't have a whole lot of fancy observations to make here, folks. That was just some freaking good television. Those last couple of scenes were heartbreakers, and on a purely formal level, the writing was flawless.

Let's look at the penultimate scene at the Christmas party. I haven't seen a voice-over used that well since the Buffy "Passion" episode when evil Angel provided the soundtrack to Willow collapsing in grief at the news of Jenny Calendar's death. Entirely different circumstances here obviously, but could there have been a more perfect, tie-it-up-with-a-bow backdrop to Betty and Henry's wordless exchange than Daniel's phone call to Sofia? Then, boom, we see poor Betty's heart squashed right under that lingerie model's stiletto.

This show is so darn tidy with its themes. Tonight, we heard over and over again - "You can't deny your feelings." The "palm-sweating" cue kept popping up over and over again - each time a little sadder and a little truer. Sofia's "cheat on me" wager to Daniel. The ring slipping off Amanda's finger. Betty's palms not sweating for a certain someone.

I'm not sure if I was more moved by the Christmas party scene or the last shot of Walter and Betty on the couch together. Walter finally did something decent. He's trying to understand and be a part of Betty's new life, but man, when you don't feel it, you don't feel it. There's nothing you can do about it. The writers now have me feeling sorry for Walter, but that doesn't mean that I'm not rooting for a Betty-Henry match-up. Too bad Hilda's not. How pissed were you when she threw that message away? A potential first date to watch Rankin-Bass' Rudolph - together. You know Rankin-Bass' Rudolph - the one that so appropriately sings the glory of "misfits."

I don't want to fixate on those last couple of scenes entirely. This week's episode also brought back the fun. The past couple of weeks had me a little worried. Still good stuff, but lower on the joy quotient than usual for Betty. So, let's just take a moment and regale in the fake plastic goodness with a few highlights:

- Betty waking up from her Henry dream in full headgear.
- Acknowledging the Devil Wears Prada aspect of the show with Marc's answer to, "Who do you think could do Betty's job?" "Anne Hathaway."
- The holidays do bring out the best in Betty fashion -- decorative sweater vests, anyone?
- Was Marc's asthma inhaler blinged out with Swarovski Crystal?
- Amanda's labeling the lingerie models the "trashtinista."
- After Santa and Christina disappear into the bathroom, and Marc comes running out with - "I thought it was bad enough to watch Santa come down the chimney."
- Hilda and Gina's momentary truce despite Hilda stealing Gina's "Electric Youth routine" from her to win "Junior Teen Queen."
- The use of music on this show is pretty darn brilliant. Need I say more than "Santa Mambo?" The show's creative team does an amazing job creating a complete aesthetic - interiors, costumes, color, sound. It's not all that common a thing to come by in television, but the heightened, stylized world these characters reside in is part of the show's appeal. (I'm thinking Pedro Almodovar probably deserves a big, ole nod in the influence department here.)

Since this is a soap, we probably shouldn't forget to hit a few plot points on the way out: Wilhelmina's Texan is back to spread a little Christmas cheer; Marc has been bribed into silence over Wilhelmina's phone calls; Ignacio is meeting with an INS case worker; Amanda is Daniel's new assistant; Betty is leaving to work for Sofia; Daniel is planning to propose to Sofia; some boring stuff with Meade Sr. and Fey and Justin thinks the stockings need more glitter. When don't the stockings need more glitter?

Wilhelmina Quip of the Week: "Christmas mornings for me are all about martinis and Valium."