TVSquad

(S02E03) I've been waiting all season for it (OK, just three episodes), and it finally happened. Gio, the rumored new love interest for Betty, made his way into the Mode offices and Betty's heart. While it wasn't love at first sight, Gio made a strong impression on our green girl. Lunch will never be the same! Let's save the juiciest development for last, though. On to the rest of the Mode-Suarez saga!

Last week's episode ended with several cliffhangers, the biggest one being the gun in Ignacio's face. The gunman turned out to be Hector Vasquez, son of Ramiro Vasquez, a.k.a the man Ignacio killed. Or so he thought (say it with me, folks: dun dun dun!). I'm surprised that Ignacio, an avid telenovela viewer, didn't see this twist coming. It's common knowledge that, in a soap, you can never assume that anyone is truly dead. I guess he doesn't apply those principles to his real life.

So who got shot back in Mexico? Assuming it was Ramiro, what happened to Hector? I probably shouldn't care, since we only saw him for five minutes or so, but I do. I'm just a caring person. The important thing is that Papa Suarez is back in Queens with his family. Ignacio's had some weird plotlines in the past (Constance, anyone?), and I have to wonder what the future holds for him.

Back at Mode, Amanda used the Black and White Ball as an excuse to make her society debut as Fey's illegitimate daughter. She learned the hard way that you can't just expect to be famous for having rich parents; you must earn your celebrity status, like Paris Hilton! With a little improvisation from Marc, Amanda earned her tabloid notoriety like any talent-challenged socialite would; she got naked.

The mystery of Amanda's parentage was solved as well (kind of). Bradford wasn't Amanda's father after all, which meant that she and Daniel could make out again, free of shame. I wasn't aware that we're-not-siblings celebratory sex existed, but Daniel and Amanda almost had it. Thank goodness she resisted his wheelchair-bound charms! I'd much rather see another scene between Marc, Amanda, and Henry than another sex scene between the almost-siblings. It was funny to see Amanda and Marc pick on someone besides Betty, although they chose the wrong moment to mess with "Grubstank."

It didn't take long for Wilhelmina to take care of the Meade women and put her wedding back on track. Photoshop is truly a marvel, isn't it? It only took a few fake square-dancing pictures for Alexis the Tramnesiac to be duped into giving Wili her blessing. I don't like this sentimental doormat that Alexis has become. When will she show a little spunk again? She doesn't have to go back to Heather Locklear level, but somewhere in between attempted murder and breast fondling would be nice. Let's not forget about poor Claire, either. Wili snatched a microphone out of the hands of a sick child and crushed Claire's hopes of a reconciliation with Bradford. What is the deal with Bradford, anyway? Does he have to be cruel to at least one family member at any given time? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Claire wreaks havoc at the Meade-Slater nuptials.

Mode seems to be filled with potential male role models for Justin. Except for Nick Pepper, of course. This week, it was Daniel's turn to be Justin's mentor--or coach, as it were. I laughed so much when Justin screamed and ducked to avoid the basketball that I had to pause the show. I do the same thing when I'm playing any sport. Mark Indelicato is doing a phenomenal job at showing Justin's grief in small moments. That kid can make a sad face like nobody's business.

Anyone could have guessed that Betty and Henry weren't going to magically reunite, but Betty found a potential rebound guy pretty fast. I felt like I needed an entire episode to mourn the relationship before evaluating this new suitor. Gio didn't make things easy, either. He made fun of Betty's taste in food, called her a 30-year-old Mode girl, and quacked at her. On the other hand, he persuaded Betty to actively pursue her writing career. Perhaps it would do Betty some good to date another dreamer. Isn't it every little girl's fantasy to date a guy who can make a good sandwich? I'm sure that Ignacio would approve of a boyfriend who can cook, too.

Betty took Gio's advice to heart and decided to stop waiting for the things she wanted in life, including Henry. I think Betty made the right move in this case. It's not that I don't want Betty and Henry to be two dorks in love someday, but Henry is unavailable for the foreseeable future. He won't be able to get a paternity test until 14 weeks from now. Heck, that's enough time for Betty to date Gio, break up with him, and take that writing class. I wouldn't mind if Freddy Rodriguez stuck around for a while--he's a wonderful actor, and I'm sure he'll bring a lot to the show. All bets are off once those test results come in, though.

Also, Ugly Betty invented another website--SoCuteItsSick.com. Both Henry and Betty visit it when they need to feel better. I actually do something similar with the Puppies Only stroll at Dogster. Everyone has their "In Case of Emergency" website, I suppose! What's yours?

Best lines of the episode:

• "We're only half brother and sister, which means if we did it, like, 20 times, it was only wrong 10." --Amanda's law of sibling hook-ups.
• "I worry about tripping." --Henry, explaining why he double-knots his shoelaces.
• "Glitter came out in my pee yesterday." --Christina
• "The clothes will be fabulous and the kids will be sick." --Fashion TV guy, on the Children's Hospital benefit.
• "Before I go, there is no such thing as fat-free mayo. There's 125 calories of pure fat per tablespoon, and I put two in every sandwich." --Gio's farewell speech.
• "It's one of the oldest and most honored names in Dutch history, which loosely translates to 'he who gives the fairest price for his bricks.' The name is venerated, and I am proud to be a Grubstick. " --Henry, standing up for himself.
• "I've never been more attracted to anyone in my life (sprays inhaler)." --Marc, after Henry's rant.
• "Let's try again. Maybe lose the bracelets, I don't know." --Daniel, giving Justin basketball pointers.
• "If you really want to feel bad, I have a hat made of bald eagle." --Wili, on her wardrobe.
• "That celebu-tard works hard to stay in the news." --Marc, on Paris Hilton.
• "That's right. That just happened. I said ass." --Betty
• "It's not what you think. Well, almost once." --Claire, on Yoga.
• "My God, what that woman will do for an open bar." --Marc, on Claire.
• "I will never mix wine coolers and my antihistamines again." --Henry, learning an important lesson.

Next week, we'll encounter the likes of Ugly Wili, Victor Garber, and Dawson. I don't wanna wait!