Zinging the Blues

Willy, as usual, provided most of the humor of the episode. I realized I'd actually be fine with her not even having any real story lines but instead just going around and making snide remarks about what everyone else is doing. Wait: That's basically what she always does! For instance, in the first scene with Marc and Amanda, she clicked through in typical Willy style, said hello to Marc, then saw Amanda's huge, pink-lamé-covered booty hanging over the receptionist's desk, and, naturally, gave a curt ''Betty.'' And later in the episode, when going over the racks of clothes in her office, she shouted, ''N! I don't have the energy to say 'no' anymore!''

As for the actual plot developments — Alexis lying in a coma and finally waking up, Amanda and Marc's trip to Scarsdale, Ignacio's absence, and the Claire-Willy showdown — I'm skipping going into all that. They all seemed rather expected, and I'll undoubtedly cover them in future TV Watches. (Actually, I've seen episode 2, and things do get better.) I will add a note about Christina, though. Where's her story line? Granted, there's already too much going on right now, but I'd love to see her involved somehow, rather than just adding the occasional quippy line here and there. (''I'd like to give him a Bourne ultimatum'') An epic battle between her and Willy seems to be in order.

Last, I'm just going to put this out there: I'm losing interest in Betty herself. She may hold the show together (and America Ferrera does an amazing job, as evidenced by her Emmy and Golden Globe), but the entire ensemble is what continues to do it for me. Betty with an eye patch? Kind of eh. Marc clipping Bradford's ear hair? Classic!

As usual, I'll end by counting down my favorite Betty sound bites:

5. Willy, inciting Marc to use 24 tactics to locate Claire Meade: ''Trace the call. I don't know, figure it out. Triangulate the signal!''

4. Marc, after returning from the gym: ''Guess who just showered a mere seven inches away from Emilo Estevez at the gym this morning? I am telling you! Steam, a little soap in your eyes…St. Elmo is still on fire.''

3. Marc, after Amanda struck out trying to get DNA from Bradford: ''Smoothie.'' To which Amanda retorted: ''Shut it, Pinkberry.''

2. Amanda, lamenting over her possible parentage: ''If Bradford is my father, that makes Daniel my brother, who I slept with. A lot! And that's the kind of dirty that don't wash clean!''

1. Fashion elf Justin, after showing up in the Mode offices: ''I just think it's too busy. Like Coco Chanel always says, 'When accessorizing, always take off the last thing you put on.' ''

So, Betty fanatics, what do you think? How much did you love that opening-sequence telenovela, with Betty as the maid? What fabulous things do you think Justin will do at his Mode internship? Will Ignacio make it back from Mexico? And what does Henry's return mean for our fragile heroine?

PS: If you haven't read them yet, check out these classic sound bitesfrom last season.

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