By Hope Chastain

True to form, the writers of Ugly Betty on ABC had many surprises for viewers on the season opener.  Having ended the first season with a number of cliff hangers, they raised our hopes on some issues, only to dash them to the ground again.  It is interesting to watch the characters come to life and become somewhat real to us over the course of just one season.

In this new season, once again we see Betty’s very square peg trying to fit into the round (very thin) hole of Mode Magazine.  She is overworked and underappreciated.  Everywhere she looks, the shallowness and emptiness of the lives of her co-workers and bosses grate on her nerves.  Meanwhile, she’s coping with serious family problems including the death of her nephew’s father, her sister’s sorrow, and the immigration problems of her own father, who is still stuck in Mexico.  At work, she is trying to run the office for her boss, Daniel, who is hospitalized after a car crash that almost killed him.  If this wasn't enough, Betty is still grieving over the departure of her boyfriend, Henry, as well as trying to handle what seems like a dozen other difficulties.  

I could go on and on about the escape of Claire Meade from prison, Amanda’s sudden weight gain after finding out she was adopted, the heartless ad campaign Wilhelmina Slater is having done while planning her marriage to Bradford Meade and her ultimate goal of taking over Mode Magazine.  But, if you’re familiar with the show, you can probably guess what will be next.  There were some significant surprises though, like Alexis regaining consciousness.  It looks as if the show is off to a good start on its second season.  If the writers keep up this pace, there will be many more surprises in store for viewers.