Ugly Betty: Season 1

2006 · 23 episodes · ★ 7.1

What Season 1 of Ugly Betty

Betty Suárez is a young woman from Queens with a big heart, plenty of courage and very little fashion sense. She lands a job at Mode, a Manhattan trend magazine that belongs to Bradford Meade's publishing empire. There, she feels out of place amid the glamour, the competition and the stares of those who doubt she fits in. Her new boss is Daniel Meade, the tycoon's son and newly appointed editor-in-chief. Wilhelmina Slater, the creative director, has spent years coveting that position and is not willing to give up any ground. Betty must learn to navigate halls where ambition outweighs kindness, while her down-to-earth nature clashes with haute couture.

23episodes

Sep 28, 2006premiered

May 17, 2007latest episode

16.5 hrtotal runtime

Season 1 Episodes

1x01 Pilot
Sep 28, 2006 · 43 min · ★ 7.3
Betty has always dreamed of working in the publishing world, but it seems as though there's no place for the non-thin and non-beautiful in the business. People already have their minds set in the idea that beautiful women are only the thin and perfect! Betty really wants a job in that wonderful, yet cruel, world. But can she really find a place in it?
Directing: Richard Shepard · Writing: Silvio Horta · Starring: Gina Gershon, Salma Hayek Pinault, Stelio Savante, Kevin Sussman
1x02 The Box and the Bunny
Oct 5, 2006 · 43 min · ★ 7.6
Betty loses a book, which is the complete new edition of the magazine and is containing un-retouched photos of a popular actress. She has to find the book before the photos get out to the rest of the press. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina plots to use the snafu to bring Daniel down and Bradford Meade secretively inquires about Fey Sommers' final effects.
Directing: Sheree Folkson · Writing: Silvio Horta · Starring: Sarah Jones, Scottie Thompson, Stelio Savante, Kevin Sussman
1x03 Queens for a Day
Oct 12, 2006 · 43 min · ★ 7.4
Betty uses her Queens connections to lure big time photographer Vincent Bianchi to shoot for the magazine. When Bianchi insists that Betty meet him at a posh restaurant, she gets a makeover but things don't quite turn out as planned. In the mean time, Bradford tries to get his hands on Fey Sommers' death car and Wilhelmina primps for a big date.
Directing: James Hayman · Writing: Marco Pennette · Starring: Thea Vidale, Rhys Coiro, Stelio Savante, Kevin Sussman
1x04 Fey's Sleigh Ride
Oct 19, 2006 · 43 min · ★ 7.6
After Mode is forced to abandon its big Christmas photo shoot because another magazine has copied the idea, Betty forms an uneasy alliance with Marc and Amanda. The three fear they may have leaked the idea to someone at the rival mag. Meanwhile, Daniel and Wilhelmina reluctantly work together to come up with a new photo spread as Mode's deadline looms, and Betty's nephew, Justin, is oblivious to the turmoil as he spends a day at the magazine for a class project.
Directing: Tricia Brock · Writing: Sheila R. Lawrence · Starring: Nicholas Gonzalez, Rhys Coiro, Stelio Savante, Kevin Sussman
1x05 The Lyin', the Watch and the Wardrobe
Oct 26, 2006 · 43 min
It's Halloween and Betty is in for a series of frightful experiences, ranging from showing up dressed for the Mode costume contest until she learns that there isn't one, to dealing with her growing attraction to Henry, and tracking down a watch Daniel left at one of his many girlfriends' apartments, but can't remember which one. Meanwhile, Daniel pays a visit to his mom in rehab, and Wilhelmina is horrified to learn that she can't fit into a designer gown.
Directing: Rodman Flender · Writing: Donald Todd · Starring: Judith Light, Christopher Gorham, Jowharah Jones, Stelio Savante
1x06 Trust, Lust, and Must
Nov 2, 2006 · 43 min
Wilhelmina deals with the strong character of her daughter while Betty and Hilda try to gather $20,000 to save their father from deportation.
Directing: Jamie Babbit · Writing: Cameron Litvack · Starring: Jowharah Jones, Salma Hayek Pinault, Debi Mazar, Stelio Savante
1x07 After Hours
Nov 9, 2006 · 43 min · ★ 7.4
Betty takes a break from her escalating family troubles when she's assigned to review a posh new hotel. Meanwhile, Daniel is dismayed when Sofia Reyes and her team take up residence in the Mode conference room, and Wilhelmina goes a little bit country to woo a mega rich Texan to advertise his stores in Mode.
Directing: James Hayman · Writing: Dailyn Rodriguez · Starring: Salma Hayek Pinault, Rib Hillis, Darryl Stephens, Kevin Sussman
1x08 Four Thanksgivings and a Funeral
Nov 16, 2006 · 43 min · ★ 7.0
To his dismay, Daniel must attend his family's Thanksgiving gathering at the Country Club. Meanwhile, Amanda and Marc create their own gathering at Mode and there is also a dinner at Betty's house where Santos, Justin's father, is in attendance. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina also hosts a Thanksgiving dinner as well but her feast doesn't look as good as it does in magazine pictures.
Directing: Sarah Pia Anderson · Writing: Marco Pennette · Starring: Judith Light, Jowharah Jones, Salma Hayek Pinault, Debi Mazar
1x09 Lose the Boss
Nov 23, 2006 · 43 min
Betty is left alone during an important photo shoot during which the photographer, Bruno, has come up with questionable concepts. Meanwhile, Daniel wants people to believe he is a family man, Mr. Green interrogates a mortician about the remains of a client and Ignacio gets in trouble with Immigration and Customs.
Directing: Ken Whittingham · Writing: Oliver Goldstick · Starring: Salma Hayek Pinault, Stelio Savante, Kevin Sussman, Bob Clendenin
1x10 Fake Plastic Snow
Nov 30, 2006 · 43 min · ★ 7.6
While everyone at Mode is celebrating Christmas, Betty is questioning her relationship with Walter and the feelings she has for Henry. Meanwhile, Daniel is sure of his love for Sofia, and Amanda, in order to get Betty's position, is planning a perfect Mode holiday party that fills the office with Styrofoam snow and holiday wishes.
Directing: James Hayman · Writing: Sarah Kucserka · Starring: Christopher Gorham, Salma Hayek Pinault, Mini Anden, Courtney Ford
1x11 Swag
Jan 4, 2007 · 43 min
Christina's swag lottery, with the Mode closet clothes and accessories, creates a feeding frenzy among the office fashionistas, while Betty wears herself out helping Daniel who had his credit card cut off, because of a $20,000 expense report that Betty filled and who was rejected, making it impossible for him to wine and dine an important Japanese designer, Oshi.
Directing: Tamra Davis · Writing: James D. Parriott · Starring: Christopher Gorham, Bianca Roe, Kevin Sussman, Lucy Davis
1x12 Sofia's Choice
Jan 11, 2007 · 43 min
Betty meets a look-a-like -- Ruthie, an editorial assistant at MYW Magazine who dresses and looks like her. Meanwhile, Daniel is in for a surprising revelation from Sofia that leaves everyone stunned.
Directing: James Hayman, Jeff Melman · Writing: Silvio Horta · Starring: Judith Light, Salma Hayek Pinault, Octavia Spencer, Nolan North
1x13 In or Out
Jan 18, 2007 · 43 min
While Daniel is still suffering from his break up with Sofia, Betty is doing her best to get him back to work and over Sofia. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina decides who will continue to work at Mode once her ambitions to be named Editor-in-Chief are realized.
Directing: Michael Spiller · Writing: Myra Jo Martino · Starring: Rebecca Romijn, Stelio Savante, Kathy Griffin, Shelly Desai
1x14 I'm Coming Out
Feb 1, 2007 · 43 min · ★ 4.8
Betty has her job cut out for her getting prepared for Mode's huge event during New York City's Fashion Week. Meanwhile, Marc and Amanda can't delay getting their hands on something everybody desires, Christina wishes to create her mark in the design world and Daniel calls for Hilda to grant her sister a hand.
Directing: Wendey Stanzler · Writing: James D. Parriott · Starring: Christopher Gorham, Rebecca Romijn, Katharine McPhee, Gina Gershon
1x15 Brothers
Feb 8, 2007 · 43 min
Alexis' shocking announcement causes great commotion at both Mode and the Meade home. Betty tries to maintain the peace and order at Mode, however, she is about to face her own personal turmoil when Henry asks her out on a date and Walter tells her he's got a big surprise in store. Meanwhile, Whilhelmina plots her next move to conquer Mode and Justin gets sent home from school for fighting.
Directing: Lev L. Spiro · Writing: Sheila R. Lawrence · Starring: Judith Light, Christopher Gorham, Rebecca Romijn, Tim Gunn
1x16 Derailed
Feb 15, 2007 · 43 min
Daniel reconnects with Grace Chin, a girl he once stood up for a date in college, and who is now New York City's top lawyer. Meanwhile, Betty befriends Charlie, an out-of-towner she meets at the Mode cafeteria, whom she later discovers to be Henry's girlfriend.
Directing: James Hayman · Writing: Cameron Litvack · Starring: Judith Light, Christopher Gorham, Rebecca Romijn, Lucy Liu
1x17 Icing on the Cake
Mar 15, 2007 · 43 min
Daniel keeps secret from Alexis the fact that he is the one who hired Grace to defend their father, something which Wilhelmina uses to bring the siblings apart. Meanwhile, when invited by Henry to Charlie's birthday party, a desperate Betty asks Dr. Farkas, her orthodontist, to be her date. Finally, Amanda catches the eye of an unusual designer who claims that she is his muse.
Directing: Jeff Melman · Writing: Dailyn Rodriguez · Starring: Judith Light, Christopher Gorham, Rebecca Romijn, Lucy Liu
1x18 Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Mar 22, 2007 · 43 min
Betty is in for some wild drama when Marc's mother stops by, given that the latter doesn't seem to know that her son is gay and Betty acts as his girlfriend to help him keep his secret. Meanwhile, Daniel and Alexis are forced to work together when Claire names them both co-editors-in-chief.
Directing: Tricia Brock · Writing: Marco Pennette, Sarah Kucserka, Veronica West · Starring: Judith Light, Christopher Gorham, Rebecca Romijn, Patti LuPone
1x19 Punch Out
Apr 19, 2007 · 43 min
The Meades are in for some troubling times when a tell-all writer in possession of Fey Sommer's diaries starts stalking the family. Meanwhile, Betty has a hard time getting Daniel focused on his work now that he has reverted back to his old ways with women. Finally, Wilhelmina and Alexis both try desperately to get a hold of Fey's diaries, but each with her own intentions.
Directing: Miguel Arteta · Writing: Oliver Goldstick · Starring: Rebecca Romijn, AnnaLynne McCord, Octavia Spencer, Ivana Miličević
1x20 Petra-Gate
Apr 26, 2007 · 43 min
After seeing her working relationship with Daniel, her close friendship with Christina, and her chance to date Henry all fall apart, Betty is left with no choice but to turn her back on all three. Meanwhile, romance is in the air: At MODE, Alexis catches the attention of a guy and he asks her out; Amanda flirts with a designer who she believes is gay; and Wilhelmina finds her latest advances very tiring. Over at the Suarez's, Santos gives Hilda a little surprise.
Directing: Paul Lazarus · Writing: Harry Werksman, Gabrielle Stanton · Starring: Christopher Gorham, Rebecca Romijn, AnnaLynne McCord, Jayma Mays
1x21 Secretaries' Day
May 3, 2007 · 43 min
Betty struggles with a dilemma as she attempts to bail her family out of a financial crisis while juggling with the task of planning MODE's big assistants week at a medieval-themed restaurant...where Amanda's past ties to the establishment has a link and could come back to haunt her in a surprising way. On the romantic front involving the Meade siblings, Betty tries to give Daniel advice about his endless sexual addiction, while Alexis ponders about whether she should start taking up Rodrigo's offer. Meanwhile, Hilda prepares for her first exam to determine her future at cosmetology school as Wilhelmina prepares for her future plans to take over MODE as she makes even bolder moves for domination behind the scenes.
Directing: Lev L. Spiro, Victor Nelli, Jr. · Writing: Henry Alonso Myers · Starring: Judith Light, Christopher Gorham, Rebecca Romijn, Lorraine Toussaint
1x22 A Tree Grows in Guadalajara
May 10, 2007 · 43 min · ★ 4.6
The Suarez family travel to Mexico in a effort to help Ignacio obtain a US Visa and find out more about their true family roots, especially Ignacio's real identity.
Directing: Lev L. Spiro · Writing: Tracy Poust, Jon Kinnally · Starring: Christopher Gorham, Rebecca Romijn, Rita Moreno, Lilyan Chauvin
1x23 East Side Story Season Finale
May 17, 2007 · 43 min
Betty and Henry's romance heats up. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina makes great strides in her ambitious power play, as Daniel descends further in a downward spiral. The Suarez family trip to Mexico takes a dangerous turn, with old ghosts creating new problems. Explosive secrets will be revealed, and everything will be tied together by a beloved Broadway musical.
Directing: James Hayman · Writing: Marco Pennette, Silvio Horta · Starring: Judith Light, Christopher Gorham, Rebecca Romijn, Lorraine Toussaint