The Box And The Bunny
Encyclopedia
"The Box and the Bunny" is the second episode from the American dramedy series Ugly Betty
, which aired on October 5, 2006. Although this is the second episode overall in the series, it is listed as the third episode on the first season DVD release, while "Queens for a Day
" was listed as episode 2. The episode's title is a reference to the music box that Bradford took from Fey's apartment, and Betty's pink bunny that Amanda kidnaps and abuses. It is also the first episode to be produced in Los Angeles.
begins her first day at MODE as Daniel's
assistant, she is given the ins and outs on what to expect now that she and Daniel have become a team. Things start when Bradford
tells Daniel that as the editor-in-chief he should take charge of the 'book' - the mock-up of the upcoming issue before it hits the stands. Daniel decides to let Betty in on how the setup is prepared by taking her to the meeting. Here he tells the staff, including Wilhelmina
, that he will review the issue personally and orders that he be given the 'book'. This issue will feature digitalized photos of movie star Natalie Whitman, who is none too happy with how they will alter them because she has gained weight, although Betty admires her just as she looks. While running an errand for Daniel, including a stop for lunch in the cafeteria where she shows off her homemade empanadas and talk about the mock-up with the "Uglies" (to which Zelda mentions to Christina that she would be great on the cover of National Geographic
after she brings up about if she was on the cover), Betty notices her pink bunny is missing from her desk. This sets up a recurring theme in this episode, with Betty receiving several e-mails with pictures of the bunny being battered, and Amanda taunting Betty.
Just as Daniel is giving the mock-up the once-over, Amanda distracts him with tickets to an opera (that she says is as boring as heck, but there is a room upstairs where they can 'do naughty things' and not get caught), so he agrees to go with her and leaves the 'book' in the office. After Daniel leaves for the evening, Betty goes into the office and takes it upon herself to take the 'book' home.
At home Betty shows the issue to her family, but is distracted by Gina, who is furious with Betty over destroying her TV (see previous episode) and now wants $4,000. We also learn that there is bad blood between Gina and Hilda. When Hilda grabs the 'book' and threatens to hit Gina, Gina notices the 'book' (or as she calls it, "The Dead Sea Scrolls
") and sees a way to get her money. That night, by using her 'juvie' skills, she sneaks in and takes the 'book'. The following day Betty receives a ransom note under the door saying that she'll get the book back if Gina gets her $4,000. At Gina's place, Gina and Hilda (who sneaked in through the back door) resume their catfight, resulting in Gina's hairpiece being ripped off. Hilda sarcastically says that now she and Betty owe Gina $4,000... and fifty cents. Daniel calls, and at first Betty decides to cover her tracks by lying to him but when she comes clean he decides to help Betty by paying Gina to get the issue back. Unfortunately Wilhelmina gets wind of this (via a text message from the chauffeur who picked Betty up) and sends Marc to retrieve it.
When Betty and Daniel (who stalls a staff meeting so he has time to recover the mock-up) arrive to get the 'book', Gina tells them that she got a LCD TV after someone else showed up to claim it. While there, Betty sees Walter fixing Gina's set but he insists that he still has feelings for Betty. When Walter turns the TV on, they learn that a story involving the missing 'book' has found its way onto the TV channel Fashion TV. After telling the truth to Bradford about what has happened, Betty is left with no choice but to quit (good news for Amanda). Then Natalie shows up and says that she wants the real photos of herself to be published in MODE and that Betty should keep her job (another setback for Amanda). As expected Daniel upstages Wilhelmina by having Natalie appear on Fashion TV, where she explains why she wants the public to see her just the way she really looks. After taking the mock-up off Wilhelmina's hands, Daniel has just enough time to look properly through it before it is published.
Meanwhile Bradford decides to take a personal interest in the Fey Sommers scandal (Bradford and Fey dating) by telling the private detective he plans to sneak into Fey's apartment to see what he can find. In the process Bradford finds a photo of himself and Fey together, along with a music box, which he takes with him. Bradford destroys the photo by burning it, casting suspicion about his own involvement with Sommers. As for Wilhelmina, she once again visits the mystery woman to see if she can get more info on how to take down the Meades in her plot to take over the company.
As Daniel goes over the mock-up, a woman phones to tell him that he should be proud of his father.... and warns him that he should be careful when he is around him... then hangs up.
newspaper "Berliner Zeitung
" (actually the July 21, 2006 edition of the more distinguished "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
" with a fake "Berliner Zeitung"-head) while talking to his private investigator, Steve, in the park. When Steve asks why he is reading the paper knowing that he doesn't speak German, Bradford replies that he doesn't need to...he owns the newspaper! This seems to be a reference to the German telenovela "Verliebt in Berlin
", which is also based on "Yo soy Betty la fea". Germany's Sat. 1, which aired "Verliebt", started broadcasting "Betty" in that country in April 2007, but would cancel the show after two weeks because of low ratings, making it the only country to cancel the series. But in May 2010, sixx, a digital cable network for women owned by ProSiebenSat.1 began airing Ugly Betty under its original title. Sat.1 also gave Ugly Betty another chance as well with airing the show on Sunday afternoons starting August 8, 2010. In contrast to its premiere title which was Alles Betty (Everything Betty), the series was renamed Betty – Allein unter Models (Betty – Alone among models) when it aired on Sat.1
In one scene Justin, mentions The Devil Wears Prada
, after he claims to have seen the movie seven times. The mentioning of "Prada" would be referenced later on in several episodes during the first season. There has been a lot of debate over the comparisons over "Ugly Betty" and "Prada" ever since.
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...
, which aired on October 5, 2006. Although this is the second episode overall in the series, it is listed as the third episode on the first season DVD release, while "Queens for a Day
Queens For A Day
"Queens for a Day" is the third episode in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty, which aired on October 12, 2006. Although this is the third episode overall in the series, it is listed as the second episode on the first season DVD release, while "The Box and the Bunny" was listed as episode...
" was listed as episode 2. The episode's title is a reference to the music box that Bradford took from Fey's apartment, and Betty's pink bunny that Amanda kidnaps and abuses. It is also the first episode to be produced in Los Angeles.
Plot
As BettyBetty 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...
begins her first day at MODE as Daniel's
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...
assistant, she is given the ins and outs on what to expect now that she and Daniel have become a team. Things start when Bradford
Bradford Meade
Bradford Emerson Meade is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty, played by Alan Dale. Bradford's character was equivalent to Roberto Mendoza in the original Betty la fea, Armando's father, with Armando equalling Daniel....
tells Daniel that as the editor-in-chief he should take charge of the 'book' - the mock-up of the upcoming issue before it hits the stands. Daniel decides to let Betty in on how the setup is prepared by taking her to the meeting. Here he tells the staff, including 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...
, that he will review the issue personally and orders that he be given the 'book'. This issue will feature digitalized photos of movie star Natalie Whitman, who is none too happy with how they will alter them because she has gained weight, although Betty admires her just as she looks. While running an errand for Daniel, including a stop for lunch in the cafeteria where she shows off her homemade empanadas and talk about the mock-up with the "Uglies" (to which Zelda mentions to Christina that she would be great on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic, formerly the National Geographic Magazine, is the official journal of the National Geographic Society. It published its first issue in 1888, just nine months after the Society itself was founded...
after she brings up about if she was on the cover), Betty notices her pink bunny is missing from her desk. This sets up a recurring theme in this episode, with Betty receiving several e-mails with pictures of the bunny being battered, and Amanda taunting Betty.
Just as Daniel is giving the mock-up the once-over, Amanda distracts him with tickets to an opera (that she says is as boring as heck, but there is a room upstairs where they can 'do naughty things' and not get caught), so he agrees to go with her and leaves the 'book' in the office. After Daniel leaves for the evening, Betty goes into the office and takes it upon herself to take the 'book' home.
At home Betty shows the issue to her family, but is distracted by Gina, who is furious with Betty over destroying her TV (see previous episode) and now wants $4,000. We also learn that there is bad blood between Gina and Hilda. When Hilda grabs the 'book' and threatens to hit Gina, Gina notices the 'book' (or as she calls it, "The Dead Sea Scrolls
Dead Sea scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of 972 texts from the Hebrew Bible and extra-biblical documents found between 1947 and 1956 on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they derive their name...
") and sees a way to get her money. That night, by using her 'juvie' skills, she sneaks in and takes the 'book'. The following day Betty receives a ransom note under the door saying that she'll get the book back if Gina gets her $4,000. At Gina's place, Gina and Hilda (who sneaked in through the back door) resume their catfight, resulting in Gina's hairpiece being ripped off. Hilda sarcastically says that now she and Betty owe Gina $4,000... and fifty cents. Daniel calls, and at first Betty decides to cover her tracks by lying to him but when she comes clean he decides to help Betty by paying Gina to get the issue back. Unfortunately Wilhelmina gets wind of this (via a text message from the chauffeur who picked Betty up) and sends Marc to retrieve it.
When Betty and Daniel (who stalls a staff meeting so he has time to recover the mock-up) arrive to get the 'book', Gina tells them that she got a LCD TV after someone else showed up to claim it. While there, Betty sees Walter fixing Gina's set but he insists that he still has feelings for Betty. When Walter turns the TV on, they learn that a story involving the missing 'book' has found its way onto the TV channel Fashion TV. After telling the truth to Bradford about what has happened, Betty is left with no choice but to quit (good news for Amanda). Then Natalie shows up and says that she wants the real photos of herself to be published in MODE and that Betty should keep her job (another setback for Amanda). As expected Daniel upstages Wilhelmina by having Natalie appear on Fashion TV, where she explains why she wants the public to see her just the way she really looks. After taking the mock-up off Wilhelmina's hands, Daniel has just enough time to look properly through it before it is published.
Meanwhile Bradford decides to take a personal interest in the Fey Sommers scandal (Bradford and Fey dating) by telling the private detective he plans to sneak into Fey's apartment to see what he can find. In the process Bradford finds a photo of himself and Fey together, along with a music box, which he takes with him. Bradford destroys the photo by burning it, casting suspicion about his own involvement with Sommers. As for Wilhelmina, she once again visits the mystery woman to see if she can get more info on how to take down the Meades in her plot to take over the company.
As Daniel goes over the mock-up, a woman phones to tell him that he should be proud of his father.... and warns him that he should be careful when he is around him... then hangs up.
Other notes
In the episode Bradford is reading the GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
newspaper "Berliner Zeitung
Berliner Zeitung
The Berliner Zeitung, founded in 1945, is a German center-left daily newspaper based in Berlin, published by Berliner Verlag. It is the only East German paper to achieve national prominence since unification. In 2003, the Berliner was Berlin's largest subscription newspaper—the weekend...
" (actually the July 21, 2006 edition of the more distinguished "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung , short F.A.Z., also known as the FAZ, is a national German newspaper, founded in 1949. It is published daily in Frankfurt am Main. The Sunday edition is the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung .F.A.Z...
" with a fake "Berliner Zeitung"-head) while talking to his private investigator, Steve, in the park. When Steve asks why he is reading the paper knowing that he doesn't speak German, Bradford replies that he doesn't need to...he owns the newspaper! This seems to be a reference to the German telenovela "Verliebt in Berlin
Verliebt in Berlin
Verliebt in Berlin is a Golden Rose-winning German telenovela, starring Alexandra Neldel, along with Mathis Künzler, Tim Sander, and Laura Osswald. It premiered on February 28, 2005, on Sat.1 in most of German-speaking Europe, with its final episode broadcast on October 12, 2007...
", which is also based on "Yo soy Betty la fea". Germany's Sat. 1, which aired "Verliebt", started broadcasting "Betty" in that country in April 2007, but would cancel the show after two weeks because of low ratings, making it the only country to cancel the series. But in May 2010, sixx, a digital cable network for women owned by ProSiebenSat.1 began airing Ugly Betty under its original title. Sat.1 also gave Ugly Betty another chance as well with airing the show on Sunday afternoons starting August 8, 2010. In contrast to its premiere title which was Alles Betty (Everything Betty), the series was renamed Betty – Allein unter Models (Betty – Alone among models) when it aired on Sat.1
In one scene Justin, mentions The Devil Wears Prada
The Devil Wears Prada (film)
The Devil Wears Prada is a 2006 comedy-drama film, a loose screen adaptation of Lauren Weisberger's 2003 novel of the same name. It stars Anne Hathaway as Andrea Sachs, a recent college graduate who goes to New York City and gets a job as a co-assistant to powerful and demanding fashion magazine...
, after he claims to have seen the movie seven times. The mentioning of "Prada" would be referenced later on in several episodes during the first season. There has been a lot of debate over the comparisons over "Ugly Betty" and "Prada" ever since.
Ratings
The episode would pull in 14.2 million viewers (down from 16.1 million for the first episode) in the United States, making it the second most watched episode in the seriesAlso starring
- Kevin SussmanKevin SussmanKevin Sussman is an American actor of television and film perhaps best known for his recurring roles Stuart the comic book store owner on "The Big Bang Theory" and Walter on the ABC comedy-drama Ugly Betty....
- Walter - Ava GaudetAva GaudetAva Gaudet is an American television, film, and theatre actress/singer from Providence, Rhode Island.-Background:Gaudet is of French descent and comes from a family of performers. Her mother is an actress and is a theater teacher at Mt Hope High School in Bristol Rhode Island and both her father...
- Gina Gambarro - Stelio SavanteStelio SavanteStelio Savante is a South African actor, producer, and writer living in the United States. He is a native English speaker and fluent in Afrikaans and Greek. In 2007 he became the first male South African born SAG award nominee. For his recurring role on Ugly Betty...
- Steve - Elizabeth Payne - Masked Woman
- Cicily Daniels - Zelda
Guest stars
- Sarah JonesSarah Jones (screen actor)Sarah Jones is an American actress.Jones has played roles in Huff, Ugly Betty and Big Love. She played the youngest of three sisters who run a wedding planner business in Fox's short-lived dramedy series The Wedding Bells. She will be seen in two upcoming movies, Still Green and The Blue Hour...
- Natalie Whitman - Jack PlotnickJack PlotnickJack Stuart Plotnick is an American film and television actor.Born in Worthington, Ohio, Plotnick is based in Hollywood...
- Natalie's Publicist - Lucy DavisLucy DavisLucy Clare Davis is an English actress. She is best known for playing the character Dawn Tinsley in the BBC comedy The Office and as Dianne in the horror-comedy movie Shaun of the Dead.-Career:...
- Fashion TV Host - Corinne Dekker - Nancy
- Jeff Ellingson - Jeff
- Michael Edward Rose - Edgar
- Scottie ThompsonScottie ThompsonSusan Scott "Scottie" Thompson is an American film, television and stage actress.-Early life:Thompson grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where she attended Collegiate School. From an early age she began learning ballet, jazz and modern dance...
- Photo Editor