Hello Goodbye (Ugly Betty)
Encyclopedia
"Hello Goodbye" is the series finale
of the television
comedy-drama
series, Ugly Betty
. The episode serves as the twentieth and final episode of the fourth season
. It was written by series creator and executive producer Silvio Horta
, and was directed by Victor Nelli, Jr.
It first aired on ABC
in the United States
on April 14, 2010. Guest stars in this episode include Bryan Batt
, Neal Bledsoe, Grant Bowler
, Alec Mapa
, Ryan McGinnis
, Matt Newton and Adam Rodríguez
.
The episode focuses on Betty Suarez
(America Ferrera
) struggling to tell her friend and boss, Daniel Meade
(Eric Mabius
) about her new job in London
. At the same time, Betty's sister, Hilda
(Ana Ortiz
) tries to keep their father from finding out she is moving to Manhattan
. Wilhelmina Slater
(Vanessa Williams
) recovers from being shot by Tyler (Neal Bledsoe) and Amanda Tanen
(Becki Newton
) finally finds her father.
"Hello Goodbye" has received generally positive reviews from television critics. According to the Nielsen ratings
system, the episode was watched by 5.43 million viewers during its original broadcast, which was a season high. It received a 1.8 rating/5 share among viewers in the 18–49 demographic.
Betty
(America Ferrera
) is worried about how Daniel
(Eric Mabius
) will take the news that she is leaving MODE for a new job in London. Marc St. James
(Michael Urie
) overhears Betty talking about her new job and sends a mass text to everyone in the building. Daniel reveals to Betty that he knows about her new job and tells her he is fine about it. However, he later burns her contract release form and tells her that he is angry that she is leaving. Daniel then offers Betty a promotion, which she turns down. Daniel does not turn up to her farewell party and Betty says goodbye to her family. She runs into Daniel in London and he asks her to dinner. Betty then jokingly asks if he needs a job as she is looking for a new assistant and Daniel tells her that he might submit his resume.
At the same time, Wilhelmina
(Vanessa Williams
) is in a coma from being shot by Tyler (Neal Bledsoe). Claire Meade
(Judith Light
) is the only witness and a possible suspect. When she wakes up, she is visited by Connor Owens (Grant Bowler
), who tells her that he cannot live without her. Upon leaving the hospital, Wilhelmina holds a press conference and tells the reporters that she shot herself accidentally. Claire thanks her for not mentioning Tyler and Wilhelmina tells her that they are now good. Daniel later tells Wilhelmina that he is stepping down as editor of MODE and gives her his job.
Hilda
(Ana Ortiz
) and Bobby (Adam Rodríguez
) tell Betty that they are looking for an apartment in Manhattan, but Hilda worries that their father, Ignacio
(Tony Plana
) will be lonely without them. Bobby eventually tells him that he and Hilda are moving out and Ignacio reassures them that he is happy to live alone. Marc receives a promotion and a second chance with Troy (Matt Newton). Amanda
(Becki Newton
) finds out that Spencer (Bryan Batt
) is her father and confronts him. Spencer tells Amanda that he knew she was his daughter when he hired her to be his stylist and they embrace.
and directed by Victor Nelli Jr. The episode originally aired on April 14, 2010 on ABC as the twentieth episode of the series' fourth season and 85th overall.
This episode marks the end of Ugly Betty. ABC announced in January 2010 that the series' fourth season was to be the last, following falling ratings. In a joint statement Silvio Horta and ABC Entertainment president Steve McPherson said "We've mutually come to the difficult decision to make this Ugly Betty' s final season." The network cut the episode order from 22 to 20, but gave the writers enough time to create a satisfying conclusion that was to air on April 14. On what he was set out to accomplish with the series finale, Horta said "Primarily, I wanted it to be about Betty's journey, about Betty making it in her professional life, first and foremost, overcoming the obstacles in her past and really succeeding". Vanessa Williams said the cancellation of Ugly Betty was "devastating" for the cast. She said "Our cast was one of those rare opportunities where we love each other. It was a real shocker, and really devastating when it all ended".
For the final scenes of the episode, the cast and crew travelled to London to film around a variety of the city's landmarks.
This episode featured a guest appearance from former Mad Men
star Bryan Batt, who continued his role as soap opera star Spencer Cannon from the previous episode. It was announced in March 2010 that Batt would star in the final season of Ugly Betty, as a potential love interest for Marc St. James (Michael Urie). Batt is the second Mad Men actor to appear in the final season of the series, following Rich Sommer
's appearance in "Fire and Nice
".
", which was watched by 4.0 million American viewers. It earned a 1.8 rating/5 share in the 18–49 demographic. This means that it was seen by 1.8 percent of all 18-49 year olds and 5 percent of all 18-49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast. "Hello Goodbye" became the highest viewed episode of the season and number one in its hour.
Since airing, the episode has received generally positive reviews from critics. Tanner Stransky of Entertainment Weekly
praised the episode calling it "A super-sweet end to a super-sweet series!" Mrs. Northman of television website, TV Fanatic said "Overall, "Hello Goodbye" did wrap up each of our beloved characters lives in a nice pretty bow", they added "We wanted MORE!" British newspaper The Daily Mail
praised Betty's transformation saying "Gone were the thick-rimmed glasses and braces that once defined America Ferrara's character, and in its place a professional career woman signalling the completion of a three-year metamorphosis." However, some critics felt the ending of the episode was not enough. Mark A. Perigard of the Boston Herald
gave the episode a mixed review saying it was "like one long hug with loved ones you don't want to leave," but added the conclusion was "unsatisfying". New York
magazine said "The cast of Ugly Betty damn well earned a happy ending — and that's exactly what creator Silvio Horta gave them last night on the series finale". However, they also found the conclusion to be unsatisfying saying "The one-hour finale easily could have been longer, meaning some plotlines went unresolved." Jarett Wieselman of the New York Post
said "Last night, Ugly Betty attempted to earn a place in TV history, but I fear their last episode will be quickly forgotten by the fans". Wieselman also added "On a show that always favored high drama and cool camp, I was saddened to see everyone get such an expected ending". Wieselman, however, did enjoy the final scene calling it "pitch-perfect".
Series finale
A series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series...
of the television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
comedy-drama
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
series, Ugly Betty
Ugly Betty
Ugly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which premiered on ABC on September 28, 2006, and ended on April 14, 2010. The series revolves around the character Betty Suarez and is based on Fernando Gaitán's Colombian telenovela soap opera Yo soy Betty, la fea...
. The episode serves as the twentieth and final episode of the fourth season
Ugly Betty (season 4)
The fourth and final season of the American Comedy-drama television series Ugly Betty was confirmed in the ABC lineup, which was picked up for a full season on April 23, 2009...
. It was written by series creator and executive producer Silvio Horta
Silvio Horta
Silvio Horta is an American writer and producer most notable for adapting the hit Colombian telenovela Yo Soy Betty La Fea into the ABC series, Ugly Betty. Horta serves as head writer and executive producer on the series....
, and was directed by Victor Nelli, Jr.
Victor Nelli, Jr.
Victor Nelli, Jr. is an American television director and producer.He began his professional career at Viacom, Inc. working as a cinematographer on the MTV and Comedy Central series The Real World House of Style, Mr. Show with Bob and David and number of other series. He eventually made his...
It first aired on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on April 14, 2010. Guest stars in this episode include Bryan Batt
Bryan Batt
Bryan Batt is an American actor best known for his role in the AMC series Mad Men as Salvatore Romano, an art director for the Sterling Cooper agency. Primarily a theater actor, he has had a number of starring roles in movies and television as well...
, Neal Bledsoe, Grant Bowler
Grant Bowler
Grant Bowler is a New Zealand actor who has worked in American, Australian and New Zealand films and television.He is known for playing the role of Constable Wayne Patterson in Blue Heelers and also appeared as Wilhelmina Slater's love interest Connor Owens in Ugly Betty.In November 2010, he was...
, Alec Mapa
Alec Mapa
-Personal life:Mapa, a Filipino American, was born in San Francisco and attended George Washington High School . Mapa is openly gay and lends his support to various projects supporting the gay, lesbian, and Asian American communities...
, Ryan McGinnis
Ryan McGinnis (actor)
Ryan McGinnis is an American actor and dancer best known for his role in the ABC comedy series Ugly Betty, as Austin, the love interest of Justin Suarez, the nephew of series protagonist Betty Suarez...
, Matt Newton and Adam Rodríguez
Adam Rodriguez
Adam Michael Rodríguez is an American actor and director. He is best known for his long running role as Eric Delko on CSI: Miami.-Life and career:...
.
The episode focuses on Betty Suarez
Betty Suarez
Beatriz "Betty" U. Suarez is a central fictional character and heroine of the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. She is portrayed by America Ferrera, who won a 2007 Golden Globe and 2007 SAG award for her portrayal of the character, as well as the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy award for the role...
(America Ferrera
America Ferrera
America Georgina Ferrera is an American actress, best known for playing the lead role in the television comedy series Ugly Betty...
) struggling to tell her friend and boss, Daniel Meade
Daniel Meade
Daniel Meade is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. He is played by Eric Mabius.-Background:Daniel is the second son of magazine publisher Bradford Meade and Claire Meade in 1974...
(Eric Mabius
Eric Mabius
Eric Harry Timothy Mabius is an American actor known for his work as Daniel Meade on the ABC television series Ugly Betty. He also worked on the Showtime series The L Word and in the films Resident Evil and Cruel Intentions....
) about her new job in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. At the same time, Betty's sister, Hilda
Hilda Suarez
Hilda Suarez Talercio is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. She is portrayed by Ana Ortiz. Hilda's character is the American adaptation's equivalent to Julia Solano Galindo de Pinzón, Beatriz Pinzón Solano's mother, and is loosely based on creator Silvio Horta's older...
(Ana Ortiz
Ana Ortiz
Ana Ortíz is an American actress and singer. She is a native of Manhattan, but was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a regular cast-member on the ABC comedy-drama series Ugly Betty, in which she plays the title character's older sister, Hilda Suarez...
) tries to keep their father from finding out she is moving to Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. Wilhelmina Slater
Wilhelmina Slater
Wilhelmina Vivian Slater is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. She is played by Vanessa Williams, who received a supporting actress award at the 2007 and 2008 NAACP Image Awards, a Best TV Villain award at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards and a supporting actress...
(Vanessa Williams
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
) recovers from being shot by Tyler (Neal Bledsoe) and Amanda Tanen
Amanda Tanen
Amanda Tanen Sommers is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. She is played by Becki Newton. Amanda's character is a combination of Patricia Fernandez and Marcela Valencia, but her appearance is similar to Marcia Villarroel from the Columbian adaptation...
(Becki Newton
Becki Newton
Rebecca Sara "Becki" Newton is an American actress known for her role as Amanda Tanen on the television series Ugly Betty.-Early life:...
) finally finds her father.
"Hello Goodbye" has received generally positive reviews from television critics. According to the Nielsen ratings
Nielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
system, the episode was watched by 5.43 million viewers during its original broadcast, which was a season high. It received a 1.8 rating/5 share among viewers in the 18–49 demographic.
Plot
Betty
Betty Suarez
Beatriz "Betty" U. Suarez is a central fictional character and heroine of the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. She is portrayed by America Ferrera, who won a 2007 Golden Globe and 2007 SAG award for her portrayal of the character, as well as the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy award for the role...
(America Ferrera
America Ferrera
America Georgina Ferrera is an American actress, best known for playing the lead role in the television comedy series Ugly Betty...
) is worried about how Daniel
Daniel Meade
Daniel Meade is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. He is played by Eric Mabius.-Background:Daniel is the second son of magazine publisher Bradford Meade and Claire Meade in 1974...
(Eric Mabius
Eric Mabius
Eric Harry Timothy Mabius is an American actor known for his work as Daniel Meade on the ABC television series Ugly Betty. He also worked on the Showtime series The L Word and in the films Resident Evil and Cruel Intentions....
) will take the news that she is leaving MODE for a new job in London. Marc St. James
Marc St. James
Marcus "Marc" St. James is a fictional character in the American comedy-drama series Ugly Betty. He is played by Michael Urie...
(Michael Urie
Michael Urie
Michael Lorenzo Urie is an American actor, television producer and director, best known for his portrayal of Marc St. James on the ABC dramedy series Ugly Betty.-Personal life:...
) overhears Betty talking about her new job and sends a mass text to everyone in the building. Daniel reveals to Betty that he knows about her new job and tells her he is fine about it. However, he later burns her contract release form and tells her that he is angry that she is leaving. Daniel then offers Betty a promotion, which she turns down. Daniel does not turn up to her farewell party and Betty says goodbye to her family. She runs into Daniel in London and he asks her to dinner. Betty then jokingly asks if he needs a job as she is looking for a new assistant and Daniel tells her that he might submit his resume.
At the same time, Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina Slater
Wilhelmina Vivian Slater is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. She is played by Vanessa Williams, who received a supporting actress award at the 2007 and 2008 NAACP Image Awards, a Best TV Villain award at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards and a supporting actress...
(Vanessa Williams
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
) is in a coma from being shot by Tyler (Neal Bledsoe). Claire Meade
Claire Meade
Claire Meade is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. She is played by Judith Light.Light's performance as Claire has resulted in a nomination for outstanding guest actress in a Comedy series at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards, when Claire was a recurring regular in season...
(Judith Light
Judith Light
Judith Ellen Light is an American actress. Her television roles include Karen Wolek on the soap opera One Life to Live, Angela Bower on the sitcom Who's the Boss?, Claire Meade on ABC's TV series Ugly Betty and Judge Elizabeth "Liz" Donnelly on Law & Order Special Victims Unit.-Early life:Light...
) is the only witness and a possible suspect. When she wakes up, she is visited by Connor Owens (Grant Bowler
Grant Bowler
Grant Bowler is a New Zealand actor who has worked in American, Australian and New Zealand films and television.He is known for playing the role of Constable Wayne Patterson in Blue Heelers and also appeared as Wilhelmina Slater's love interest Connor Owens in Ugly Betty.In November 2010, he was...
), who tells her that he cannot live without her. Upon leaving the hospital, Wilhelmina holds a press conference and tells the reporters that she shot herself accidentally. Claire thanks her for not mentioning Tyler and Wilhelmina tells her that they are now good. Daniel later tells Wilhelmina that he is stepping down as editor of MODE and gives her his job.
Hilda
Hilda Suarez
Hilda Suarez Talercio is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. She is portrayed by Ana Ortiz. Hilda's character is the American adaptation's equivalent to Julia Solano Galindo de Pinzón, Beatriz Pinzón Solano's mother, and is loosely based on creator Silvio Horta's older...
(Ana Ortiz
Ana Ortiz
Ana Ortíz is an American actress and singer. She is a native of Manhattan, but was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a regular cast-member on the ABC comedy-drama series Ugly Betty, in which she plays the title character's older sister, Hilda Suarez...
) and Bobby (Adam Rodríguez
Adam Rodriguez
Adam Michael Rodríguez is an American actor and director. He is best known for his long running role as Eric Delko on CSI: Miami.-Life and career:...
) tell Betty that they are looking for an apartment in Manhattan, but Hilda worries that their father, Ignacio
Ignacio Suarez
Ignacio Suarez is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. He is portrayed by Tony Plana. Ignacio's character is equivalent to Hermes Pinzón Galarza, father to Beatriz Pinzón Solano.-Background:...
(Tony Plana
Tony Plana
Tony Plana is a Cuban-American actor and director. He is well known for playing Betty Suarez's father, Ignacio Suarez, on the ABC show Ugly Betty.-Personal life:...
) will be lonely without them. Bobby eventually tells him that he and Hilda are moving out and Ignacio reassures them that he is happy to live alone. Marc receives a promotion and a second chance with Troy (Matt Newton). Amanda
Amanda Tanen
Amanda Tanen Sommers is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. She is played by Becki Newton. Amanda's character is a combination of Patricia Fernandez and Marcela Valencia, but her appearance is similar to Marcia Villarroel from the Columbian adaptation...
(Becki Newton
Becki Newton
Rebecca Sara "Becki" Newton is an American actress known for her role as Amanda Tanen on the television series Ugly Betty.-Early life:...
) finds out that Spencer (Bryan Batt
Bryan Batt
Bryan Batt is an American actor best known for his role in the AMC series Mad Men as Salvatore Romano, an art director for the Sterling Cooper agency. Primarily a theater actor, he has had a number of starring roles in movies and television as well...
) is her father and confronts him. Spencer tells Amanda that he knew she was his daughter when he hired her to be his stylist and they embrace.
Production
"Hello Goodbye" was written by Ugly Betty creator and executive producer Silvio HortaSilvio Horta
Silvio Horta is an American writer and producer most notable for adapting the hit Colombian telenovela Yo Soy Betty La Fea into the ABC series, Ugly Betty. Horta serves as head writer and executive producer on the series....
and directed by Victor Nelli Jr. The episode originally aired on April 14, 2010 on ABC as the twentieth episode of the series' fourth season and 85th overall.
This episode marks the end of Ugly Betty. ABC announced in January 2010 that the series' fourth season was to be the last, following falling ratings. In a joint statement Silvio Horta and ABC Entertainment president Steve McPherson said "We've mutually come to the difficult decision to make this Ugly Betty
For the final scenes of the episode, the cast and crew travelled to London to film around a variety of the city's landmarks.
This episode featured a guest appearance from former Mad Men
Mad Men
Mad Men is an American dramatic television series created and produced by Matthew Weiner. The series premiered on Sunday evenings on the American cable network AMC and are produced by Lionsgate Television. It premiered on July 19, 2007, and completed its fourth season on October 17, 2010. Each...
star Bryan Batt, who continued his role as soap opera star Spencer Cannon from the previous episode. It was announced in March 2010 that Batt would star in the final season of Ugly Betty, as a potential love interest for Marc St. James (Michael Urie). Batt is the second Mad Men actor to appear in the final season of the series, following Rich Sommer
Rich Sommer
Richard Olen Sommer II is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Harry Crane on the AMC series Mad Men.-Career:...
's appearance in "Fire and Nice
Fire and Nice
"Fire and Nice" is the fifteenth episode of the fourth season of the American comedy-drama series, Ugly Betty, and the 80th episode overall. It originally aired on ABC in the United States on 10 March 2010.-Plot:...
".
Reception
According to the Nielsen ratings, "Hello Goodbye" was viewed by 5.43 million viewers upon its original broadcast in the United States. This was an increase of 29 percent from the previous episode, "The Past Presents the FutureThe Past Presents the Future (Ugly Betty)
"The Past Presents the Future" is the nineteenth and penultimate episode of the fourth season of the American comedy-drama series, Ugly Betty, and the 84th episode overall...
", which was watched by 4.0 million American viewers. It earned a 1.8 rating/5 share in the 18–49 demographic. This means that it was seen by 1.8 percent of all 18-49 year olds and 5 percent of all 18-49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast. "Hello Goodbye" became the highest viewed episode of the season and number one in its hour.
Since airing, the episode has received generally positive reviews from critics. Tanner Stransky of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
praised the episode calling it "A super-sweet end to a super-sweet series!" Mrs. Northman of television website, TV Fanatic said "Overall, "Hello Goodbye" did wrap up each of our beloved characters lives in a nice pretty bow", they added "We wanted MORE!" British newspaper The Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
praised Betty's transformation saying "Gone were the thick-rimmed glasses and braces that once defined America Ferrara's character, and in its place a professional career woman signalling the completion of a three-year metamorphosis." However, some critics felt the ending of the episode was not enough. Mark A. Perigard of the Boston Herald
Boston Herald
The Boston Herald is a daily newspaper that serves Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and its surrounding area. It was started in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States...
gave the episode a mixed review saying it was "like one long hug with loved ones you don't want to leave," but added the conclusion was "unsatisfying". New York
New York (magazine)
New York is a weekly magazine principally concerned with the life, culture, politics, and style of New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to The New Yorker, it was brasher and less polite than that magazine, and established itself as a cradle of New...
magazine said "The cast of Ugly Betty damn well earned a happy ending — and that's exactly what creator Silvio Horta gave them last night on the series finale". However, they also found the conclusion to be unsatisfying saying "The one-hour finale easily could have been longer, meaning some plotlines went unresolved." Jarett Wieselman of the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
said "Last night, Ugly Betty attempted to earn a place in TV history, but I fear their last episode will be quickly forgotten by the fans". Wieselman also added "On a show that always favored high drama and cool camp, I was saddened to see everyone get such an expected ending". Wieselman, however, did enjoy the final scene calling it "pitch-perfect".
External links
- "Hello Goodbye" at ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
- "Hello Goodbye" at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...